Craymo Turned 2025 Into a Celebration of Joy, Dance, and Radical Optimism

In 2025, the award-winning indie pop artist doubled down on the part of his artistry that people love most: the warmth, the sincerity, and the pure joy that radiate from everything he touches.

With decades spent shaping his signature blend of electronic pop, retro sparkle, and heartfelt storytelling, Craymo has never been afraid of reinvention. But this year felt different. It felt bigger, clearer, and more celebratory, almost like he entered a new creative era with wide-open arms. From shimmering dance-floor anthems to a nostalgia-soaked holiday release, Craymo used 2025 to remind everyone why independent artists matter: they create from instinct, not boardrooms, and they chase impact, not predictability.

While Love Together and Tear Me Apart continued his streak of uplifting, dance-focused pop, it was “Last Christmas” that defined his 2025. Instead of offering another straightforward cover, Craymo transformed the Wham! classic into a glittering, club-ready celebration, something only a former nightclub DJ/VJ with decades of dance culture in his bones could pull off. His reimagining is both a love letter to the original and a nod to the DJ version of himself who once spun the track on 12” vinyl in Southern California. It’s energetic, nostalgic, and designed with one purpose: to make people feel good.

And clearly, the world agreed. In just weeks, Last Christmas climbed the Mediabase Top 40 Holiday Charts and found its way onto radio playlists across the globe. The release marks one of Craymo’s most successful moments in recent years, a full-circle return to the music that shaped him.

Outside the studio, Craymo stacked his year with wins: multiple international awards, expansion into the sync world, and ongoing work on Be Myself, the semi-autobiographical film script about growing up gay in upstate New York, a story he’s been waiting his whole life to tell.

2025 proved what long-time fans already know: Craymo isn’t just an indie veteran, he’s an artist who continues to evolve without losing the heart behind his music. His message remains consistent: joy matters, community matters, and music still has the power to make the world feel a little softer, even for three and a half minutes at a time.

“Last Christmas” became a defining moment of your year. What was the emotional trigger that convinced you it was finally the right time to reinterpret such a sacred classic? 

Since this song was released in 1984, it has been my all-time favorite Christmas song! I was working as a club DJ/VJ in Southern California at the time, and I fell in love with it! I have been trying to write an original Christmas song for years, but I have never been satisfied with what I came up with. Then last year, in 2024, I read that it was the 40th anniversary of the release of the Wham! version. I said to myself, “That’s the holiday song I want to do!” I wanted to record it with a good dance groove and dedicate it to the inner DJ in all of us!

You’ve spent decades shaping your sound across multiple eras of pop. What about 2025 felt creatively different for you, and how did that shift show up in the music you made this year? 

The 80s were the ultimate decade in music for me. It has influenced all my music since then in some fashion. Flying to Los Angeles in January of last year to record was very surreal as the Palisades and Eaton fires were happening at the time. It created a different kind of vibe in my music and lyrics, and I feel a positive shift in my vocals and songwriting with the help of my long-time friend, co-writer, and Producer Brandon Jarrett. We created this cool new modern vibe mixed with the heart and soul of the 80s.

“Last Christmas” has already found global radio support and chart traction. What’s been the most surprising reaction you’ve received about your version so far? 

The amazing reviews I have received!  It is very satisfying to receive accolades from music critics, blogs, and complete strangers. “An iridescent EDM pop rush.” “One of the best covers I have heard.” Wow, it is so nice to be embraced so positively for your craft and for doing something that you love to do!  That tells me that I was on the right path to release this version. It’s a feel-good song even though it is a song about heartbreak. A lot of my fans, friends, and family have said, “We have been waiting for you to do a cover of this!” Makes me smile for sure!  

Between dance-pop releases, award wins, sync deals, and a movie script in progress, 2025 seemed like a year of expansion. How did you keep yourself grounded while juggling so many creative lanes at once? 

I am also an actor, performing in indie films and advertising commercials! I am a very creative person and have always juggled my creativity and passions in life, while still working for a living. I would love to earn my living from my various creative talents however, in the meantime I continue to focus on channeling my creative energy into different projects. A lot of meditation and spending time in nature helps keep me grounded.

As someone who’s lived through multiple generations of the music industry, how do you stay motivated and inspired in a landscape dominated by algorithms and oversaturation?  

Honestly, I don’t get consumed by those things. I focus on the passion and the love of performing and creating something new.

You’ve always championed themes of love, unity, and self-acceptance. How do those values guide the choices you make, especially as you enter a new year of opportunities, collaborations, and visibility?

Those ideals have led my life in a positive direction and helped keep me focused. It is easy to get distracted in the music and entertainment industry. They will always guide me to bigger and better things. You have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to love you.

You’re working on a semi-autobiographical film, Be Myself. How much of your musical identity is shaped by the kid you were in upstate New York, and what part of his story are you most excited for the world to finally see? 

I am excited for the world to see my joy and laughter!  It’s a funny and heartfelt tale of my journey.  One of my earliest and favorite memories was singing along with the Beatles into my mom’s hairbrush on my parents' bed when I was 3 years old! Music has always had a major impact on my life. It has brought me so much joy and inspiration and has helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. Music is the best therapy for your soul, and a really good song can make you smile when you need it the most!