Happy Holidays, readers! This month’s Digest is a condensed but special Christmas-themed edition that surveys new seasonal releases to consider adding to your annual holiday rotations. Enjoy, and have a wonderful holiday season!
Albums
Amy Grant & Vince Gill- When I Think of Christmas (MCA)
Both halves of this superstar couple have been staples of the Christmas music universe for decades now, and their joint Christmas concerts have been seasonal box-office smashes for some time as well. So, it comes as no surprise that they would finally issue a formal collaborative release. Sadly, it’s mostly a mere compilation of their individual highlights, rather than a set of new material. Nevertheless, the music gathered here is beautiful, though should not be considered a comprehensive substitute for the actual albums that they’re culled from. Two new tracks are offered in the end, a poignant Grant solo number titled “When I Think of Christmas”, and lush joint finale, “‘Til the Season Comes Round Again”. These two have always been a magic pair, and so it remains on When I Think of Christmas.
Jimmy Fallon- Holiday Seasoning (Republic)
At twenty-five tracks, this is a highly audacious and partially unnecessary endeavor from the king of late-night television, but Fallon’s signature charm and personality certainly has plenty of festive spirit to offer to the holiday proceedings, though it at times gets drowned out in excessive production and auto-tune. Nobody would seriously expect him to be a formidable vocalist, even on an LP, so why they felt they had to alter the sound of the singing we hear occasionally on his show is a sin of overthinking by Fallon and his team. Still, there is plenty of fun and cozy Christmas pop to enjoy throughout and it’s undoubtedly the impressive slate of guest appearances that make it worth exploring. I’d recommend cherry-picking the selections with Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande & Megan Thee Stallion, and Weird Al. Sorry, Dolly and JT.
Little Big Town- The Christmas Record (Capitol)
The country band’s first Christmas album is, for my money, the crown jewel of 2024 holiday releases. This should hardly come as a surprise given their now-legendary harmonies, but an interesting choice for their first production collaboration with Dave Cobb also paints fresh brushstrokes on their well-established sound. It feels like a long-overdue gift to hear these pristine voices on this bounty of classics, which covers a diverse well of sources ranging from Elvis Presley and Merle Haggard to Vince Guaraldi, Stevie Wonder, and Amy Grant. The five originals stack up mighty fine as well. Simply put, you’d be lucky to find this record under your tree this year.
Jennifer Hudson- The Gift of Love (Interscope)
The Gift of Love marks Jennifer Hudson’s first studio recording in a decade, and while it can be frustrating when a long-absent artist uses a Christmas release as their return effort, it’s hard to imagine her followers being disappointed for long given the majesty of this record. From the opening rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” through festive and jazzy reads of standards like “Winter Wonderland” and “Jingle Bells”, reverent showcases like “O Holy Night”, a reggae bent to “Carol of the Bells”, and a handful of solid originals, Hudson reminds listeners whey she’s often referred to as a GOAT of the current generation. She channels classic Christmas performances from soulstresses like Ella, Aretha, and Mariah, all while staking her claim once again as her own unique and formidable vocal force.
Brett Eldredge- Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family) (Warm & Cozy)
For those you who thought that Brett Eldredge virtually disappeared in the wake of his 2014 victory as CMA New Artist of the Year, you’ll be happy to know that he not only has continued to release some solid secular material, but he’s truly found his artistic niche as a modern day Christmas crooner. This marks his third holiday record since 2016, and it illustrates that he’s only further hitting his stride in this role. This is a relaxed, comforting, and brisk set of both heartfelt and humorous songs that wrap around you like your favorite blanket. Kelly Clarkson also stops by to reunite for their second holiday tune together, “Sweet December”. He’s steadily establishing his voice as an essential one for the season.
Singles
Michael Buble and Carly Pearce- “Maybe This Christmas” (Reprise)
A sleek and contemporary Christmas pop duet that Buble and Pearce sparkle through as they leave the glory-notes at home and instead weave in tender layers of bittersweet romance and dazzling melancholy.
Sabrina Carpenter and Shania Twain- “Santa Baby” (Island)
A fun and breezy pairing from the pop dynamo’s recent holiday special, with Carpenter’s sweet and flirty inflections complimentarily contrasting with Twain’s husky delivery to create a playful interplay perfectly on point with the song’s spirit. The “Mele Kalikimaka”-leaning Hawaiian steel is a nice touch as well.
Kelly Clarkson- “You For Christmas” (Atlantic)
This addendum to her 2021 When Christmas Comes Around.. is all of the trademark vocal power, amiable charm, and inspiring passion that has made her both a music and television beacon, wrapped up in an alluring red bow.
Kesha- “Holiday Road” (Spotify)
The pop rebel gives the Christmas treatment to Lindsey Buckingham’s Vacation anthem with every ounce of synth, splash and sleigh-bells she can muster, and we’re all here for it.
Lady Gaga- “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (Interscope)
There’s never a shortage of fresh pop or country recordings for the holiday season, but it sure feels like a hell of a long time since we’ve been gifted any brand-new Christmas rock. Enter Gaga and her deliciously flamboyant and punked-up version of this chestnut. She surprised us with a jazz collection in 2024 and we know there’s more of her classic dance-pop sound coming in 2025. This has me all in for penciling in a Gaga rock album in 2026, and we might as well throw in at least a Christmas-EP while we’re at it. Now, I’m just being greedy.
Pentatonix & A Great Big World- “Christmastime Is Finally Here” (Pentatonix)
If you’re a big fan of Pentatonix…or A Great Big World…and probably Hallmark Christmas movie marathons, this will probably be right up your alley. For the rest of us, there’s probably just a tad too much merriness (I mean, seriously) and precocious perfection to land on our regular playlists. It’s one of those things that you can appreciate why your mom finds appeal in it, but you’re going to leave it for her to enjoy. And that’s coming from a self-professed sap, folks.
Christina Perri and Callum Scott- “Kid At Christmas” (Capitol)
Before I start getting pegged as an outright Scrooge however, this tenderly romantic and nostalgic number manages to hit quite a bit closer to my sappy sweet spot, to the credit of Perri and Scott’s pristine but ever-cozy vocal performances. It truly is the connection to our childhoods that really make the memories and magic of Christmas so special, after all.
Ed Sheeran- “Under the Tree” (Sheeran)
Precisely the sweeping, sugary-sweet performance that you’d expect to hear in an Ed Sheeran contribution to a Netflix holiday special. That’s not a slam in this case, BTW.
The 706 