Two of our favorite songwriters, Naomi Waichira and Kris Orlowski, both dropped new tracks yesterday. Waichira’s “This Is Love” rolls in as the 45th entry in London Tone Music’s “52×52 – A Year in Your Ear,” the local music company’s song-a-week single series. The track is a delightful and confident rumination on love and finding “the one,” backed by the bright trumpet of Owour Arunga and a relaxed reggae groove. Give it a listen

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For his tune, Orlowski teamed up with Hollis Wong-Wear for “Is This Christmas,” a gentle examination of the season’s consumerism, damn-near-wrapped in a bow with its acoustic driven, sleigh bell-flecked melody. Just me or does Orlowski’s voice have a bit more smoke to it than usual, as if he’s been sipping scotch by the fire, pondering life’s eternal questions? Or maybe it’s just that Christmas sweater, and Hollis Wong-Wear’s festive holiday dress, adding to its seasonal tone. However it strikes you, both tracks are a good reminder to be thankful for homegrown artists like these who share their hearts and sing about things that matter—instead of adding to the din of white noise and recycled carols so often the soundtrack this season.