Sri Lankan-British singer and songwriter GILSKA has closed out 2025 with a bold reinvention of the Christmas classic Santa Baby, turning the sultry original into a glitchy, high-energy hyperpop spectacle. Known for her genre-bending style and cinematic approach to pop, GILSKA takes a familiar holiday tune and transforms it into something entirely contemporary, proving once again why she’s one of the UK’s most exciting rising talents.
Bursting with pixelated synths, heavy percussion, and glitch-cut vocal chops, the track draws inspiration from artists like Charli XCX, PinkPantheress, Kim Petras, and Two Hollis, while firmly stamping GILSKA’s own identity on it. Sleek, loud, and unapologetically modern, the single reframes the classic with a sense of chaotic energy, transforming Santa Baby into a shimmering hyperpop anthem for 2025. “I wanted to take something classic and turn it completely on its head,” GILSKA explains. “Santa Baby is iconic, but I felt it could shine in a new, chaotic, hyperpop world.”
GILSKA’s journey from classical training to club-ready anthems reflects her boundary-pushing approach to music. Drawing inspiration from her Sri Lankan heritage and the legacy of her grandfather—a celebrated Sri Lankan pop singer—her work pulses with both raw vulnerability and cinematic depth. This ability to weave personal history into forward-thinking production has set her apart, allowing her to create tracks that are as emotionally resonant as they are sonically adventurous. Her music draws listeners into intricate sound worlds, making every release feel like an event rather than just another single.
From performing at Wembley Stadium for Voice in a Million to high-profile festival slots, GILSKA continues to prove that her potential is limitless. Her hyperpop rework of Santa Baby caps off a remarkable year, highlighting her fearless approach to music-making and her knack for reinventing the familiar. As 2026 looms, it’s clear that GILSKA is an artist who will keep reshaping pop with bold ideas, cinematic storytelling, and an unmistakable sonic signature.
