Bonnie McKee is one of my favorite songwriters for a reason. She’s fierce. She’s fabulous. She’s hot pink and glitter-bright—yet somehow also one of the sweetest human beings I’ve ever had the chance to meet.

And when Bonnie McKee sprinkles her magic over something? It shines.

Aside from penning iconic bangers for Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and an entire generation of pop lovers, she’s also gifted us with her own irresistible catalogue. From the summer- anthem of All American Girl to the unapologetically bold Bombastic and the cinematic, sleep-with-one-eye-open brilliance of Sleepwalker—I’ve never heard a Bonnie track I didn’t instantly fall for.

Now, like a pop-music Santa sliding down the chimney with impeccable winged eyeliner, she’s brought us a little holiday present of her own…

✨ California Winter ✨

Originally released digitally on December 17, 2024, McKee is now dropping a limited-edition vinyl and it’s the perfect stocking stuffer. Pressed on Vintage Bottle + Evergreen Swirl (truly the peppermint-mocha of vinyl colorways), the disc comes in a single-pocket jacket and includes a hand-numbered 12×24 poster. If that weren’t enough holiday cheer—yes, you can also snag a signed version.

The six-track album features not one but two versions of McKee’s 2014 title track ｢California Winter｣: the original as well as the previously released rendition featuring Matt Rogers—both equally warm, cozy, and sun-kissed in that very specific Bonnie way.

We also get 2024’s ｢Crazy for Christmas｣ with Lindsey Stirling (first heard on Stirling’s Snow Waltz) and another McKee original, ｢Santa Won’t You Bring Me｣, which deserves to be blasting from every Target, Sephora, and holiday-themed Hallmark aisle.

But the shimmering star atop this sonic Christmas tree? McKee’s breathtaking cover of Leonard Cohen’s ｢Hallelujah｣. It’s already one of the most transcendent songs ever written, but Bonnie’s version is as close to ethereal as you can get here on earth. Like standing in the hush of falling snow and realizing the world is still capable of wonder.

One track noticeably missing from the physical release is ｢Have Yourself a Merry F*cking Christmas｣—Bonnie’s cheeky, sugar-n-spice spin on the Hugh Martin classic (the original is also included). It’s playful, irreverent, and exactly the kind of holiday chaos you want on a December playlist—but hey, sometimes the elves leave a few surprises in the digital-only stocking.

You can pick up the physical release pre-order (ending today) through  Graffiti Records, or grab the digital version from your favorite retailer – stock is print-to-order and all sales are final. As always, my go-to recommendation is Qobuz, where you can snag a pristine 16-Bit/44.1 kHz stereo download.

And this isn’t the last bit of Bonnie holiday magic coming your way, so…

Stay tuned.