Christmas Countdown: 365.x

Love? Loss?

Ariana Grande changes the topic with sex, as she does, with “Not Just on Christmas.” Hidden in the pretty pop music she seethes: Wanna show you in so many ways Three hundred and sixty-five days I’ll give you all my presents, boy, I’m for you. That’s way beyond first base!

Liam Payne (with Dixie) works out the whole meet-cute on Christmas night in “Naughty List.” They spend the next three-six-five days around his place. Synthy pop, but still Hallmark Channel-esque.

Sick Logic wishes I could hide another 365 from the family when it’s “Christmas Time at the Strip Club.” Oddly industrial-techno for a garage grinder. Danceable fo sho’.

All Students go for the kink with a Pachelbel-inspired “MistleToes.” This hypnotically repetitive weirdness may not scream Xmas, just X. Yet attention must be paid.