George Michael: 'December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)'

Continuing his policy of being a popstar when and precisely how he wants, George Michael is releasing a Christmas single as a free download from his official website on December 25. The result, not unexpectedly, is a long way from his last festive song, the inexhaustible 'Last Christmas'.

Instead, like most latter day Michael offerings, 'December Song' is a grower not a shower. Elegant and understated, it finds the former Georgios Panayiotou reminiscing about the Christmases of his childhood - times when he could "believe in peace on Earth and watch TV all day". It may not be a crowd-pleaser, but this is quietly moving stuff, thanks in no small part to Michael's still wondrous voice.