Tom Smith of Editors and Andy Burrowsonce of Razorlight and now I Am Arrows have been friends for years, both sharing a love of the classic Christmas songs.

The plan to make a traditional Christmas record took on a life of its own. What started as two friends popping into each other’s houses and then home studios, putting down an idea here and a melody there developed into a set of songs with a Christmas theme, then a theoretical album, then, following help from their friends on additional instruments and as backing voices, a real album with a release date and a title.

‘Funny Looking Angels’ is a mix of original tracks and an eclectic choice of cover versions from Yazoo’s ‘Only You’ and Black’s ‘Wonderful Life’ to The Longpigs ‘On and On’ and cult Birmingham band Delta’s ‘Funny Looking Angels’, which also gave them their album title and is an affectionate nod from Tom to his formative musical years in the city. The album also features a guest vocal from rising star Agnes Obel, already a major name in mainland Europe, in duet with Tom on the closing track, a sumptuous version of ‘The Christmas Song’.

The album is unashamed in its use of classic Christmas style backing vocals and strings, jingle bells and lyrical references to winter and Christmas. It is a record to enjoy in the purest sense, to listen to with friends over the holidays, to put on when everyone comes back from the pub, a soundtrack to the winter break. Enjoy it live when Smith & Burrows play London's famous Union Chapel on Monday 12th December.