Will Butler of Arcade Fire shares gloomy ballad ‘Christmas 2014’

While Arcade Fire’s Glastonbury-headlining 2014 may go down as one for the ages, Will Butler isn’t resting on his laurels as we head into the new year; instead, he’s gearing up for the release of his debut solo album ‘Policy’, and a new direction that he teased at on Christmas Day with the release of festive track ‘Christmas 2014’.

It’s a mopey and moody piano ballad, so perhaps not one for next year’s office Christmas party playlist, but it perfectly cements the youngest Butler brother’s new direction. There appears to be something of a classic songwriter’s edge to ‘Policy’ – where last months’ unveiling of ‘Take My Side’ showed a brasher, 50s rock and roll side to proceedings, ‘Christmas 2014’ is a delicate affair, though both demonstrate an ear for simple-yet-affecting songwriting.

Listen to ‘Christmas 2014’ below. ‘Policy’ is released on 16th March in the UK via Merge Records, 10th March in North America.