Let’s face it: 2020 tanked after Mardi Gras this year.

Like many other professions, musicians haven’t fared so well and had to scramble for anything they could get. Still, as Revelers’ guitarist/project organizer Chas Justus points out, this unexpected downtime allowed South Louisiana artists to come together for this keepsake French Christmas EP. And frankly, it’s not a holiday knockoff but underscores how the Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole languages continue to thrive through their young people.

With Justus’ wife Maggie providing most translations, these familiar holiday staples sound revitalized when sung in French, and they are supported by a crack studio band. Kicking off the proceedings is Belton Richard’s contagious dancehall stepper “All I Want for Christmas Dear is You,” performed by Old Fashioned Aces’ Blake Miller and Amelia Biere with extra juice from producer Chris Stafford’s kickin’ steel guitar. Daiquiri Queens’ Jamie Lynn Fontenot and Miriam McCracken also follow a dancehall vibe on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” with infectious vocals that are to die for.

After that, the style of arrangement you’ll hear next is anybody’s guess. Megan Constantin and Kelli Jones sound dreamy on a lazy, jazzy rendition of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” Courtney Granger gets speakeasy bluesy on Charles Brown’s “Merry Christmas Baby” that’s backed by swooning horns, Justus’ gutbucket guitar tone and Stafford’s piano tinkling on the upper ivories.

Making his recorded debut, zydeco accordionist Corey Porche sings “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” in Louisiana Creole.

The track that’s the most surprising is the version of Wham’s 80s hit “Last Christmas,” with synth-pop keyboards provided by Sweet Crude’s Sam Craft. It’s not the rousing dance number like some of the others but perfect for a late-night chill at the end of a cool Yule. A chart-topping stocking stuffer.