2017 gave us quite a number of killer Christmas albums – Kelly Clarkson, Sia, 98 Degrees, and Hanson just to name a few.
This year’s list is just as exciting! It’s only November, but some of our favourite pop stars have already rolled out their new Christmas records. As most people would agree, it’s never too early to welcome the most wonderful time of the year!
1. Jessie J – “This Christmas Day”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VOjEGMc_LI
Jessie J has released her first-ever holiday album, “This Christmas Day”. She puts her own festive spin with a jazzy touch on a mix of classics with some help from well-known friends. They include legendary producer David Foster (“Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, “Silent Night”), Boyz II Men for “Winter Wonderland”, and Babyface on the title track (which is also the only original song on the album).
“A very close friend of mine lost her brother and watching someone I love go through such heavy grief everyday was so hard. I wanted to write something that could just bring a little comfort. On Christmas Day we celebrate yes, but she and millions of other people around the world will also reflect and remember loved ones they so wish were here still. It’s a day where family and friends unite in love. This is the meaning behind that song, and why I called the album ‘This Christmas Day’,” the pop star said.
2. John Legend – “A Legendary Christmas”
Once you’re an EGOT winner like John Legend, you’re allowed to be as extra as you like. For his aptly titled, “A Legendary Christmas”, the singer’s Christmas album features Esperanza Spalding (the jazzy “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”) and Stevie Wonder (who breaks out his signature harmonica on “What Christmas Means to Me”). Legend also wrote some original songs for the record, including the excellent “Bring Me Love”.
3. Pentatonix – “Christmas Is Here!”
Do you hear what I hear? It’s the sound of 5 talented vocalists coming together and harmonising some holiday favourites. “Christmas Is Here!” marks the a capella group’s 4th seasonal record and it features 12 tracks including “The Nightmare Before Christmas” classic remake of “Making Christmas” and their new single “Sweater Weather”. Music lovers will get to sing along to Kirstin Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kevin Olusola, and Matt Sallee, but Pentatonix has also brought in “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson and Maren Morris!
4. David Archuleta – “Winter in the Air”
Speaking of “American Idol”, the cute kid who almost won the reality singing competition – David Archuleta – is also back with his 2nd Christmas set. “When we finished my first Christmas album (2009’s “Christmas from the Heart”), we were already talking about recording another one. There’s always a place for it because there are so many great Christmas songs,” he told Billboard.
Taking inspiration from Michael Bublé and Nat King Cole, Archuleta started recording “Winter in the Air” in January. The new 12-track album has originals such as “Winter in the Air”, “He is Born”, and the first single “Christmas Every Day”, together with classic holiday tunes. “Music usually comes out of me at a slow tempo but I wanted an uptempo song,” the singer wrote, adding that “Christmas Every Day” also features fellow “American Idol” alum, Melinda Doolittle.
5. Ingrid Michaelson – “Songs for the Season”
A self-described “Christmas-obsessed human”, Ingrid Michaelson has already started her gift wrapping and she’s taking her Christmas craze to a whole new level with her holiday album, “Songs for the Season”. The singer-songwriter released “Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter” as the first single because it’s a not-creepy, not-predatory version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”.
“Happy, Happy Christmas”, an original, is actually inspired by her mother’s death, who passed away in 2014. Michaelson acknowledges that it “is very ironic, because it’s not happy at all. But it is if you really listen to it. The strings in the background are so beautiful — they just destroy me“.
Bonus: Re-released albums
6. Gwen Stefani – “You Make it Feel Like Christmas”
#YouMakeItFeelLikeChristmas Deluxe Edition is coming to town October 26th including 5 new songs!! #neverhurtstohavealittleearlychristmasspirit #christmasinoctober 🎅🏻❄️🎄 pic.twitter.com/VYv0vVywn6
— Gwen Stefani (@gwenstefani) September 27, 2018
Gwen Stefani rereleased the adorable “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” with 5 new tracks. There are 3 covers – “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Feliz Navidad” – as well as 2 original Christmas tunes: “Cheer for the Elves” and “Secret Santa”.
7. Lindsey Stirling – “Warmer In the Winter”
It's here!! The Deluxe Edition of #WarmerInTheWinter with FIVE new songs is officially available everywhere! https://t.co/SvFp8kKJOZ pic.twitter.com/2gcu1bK2u5
— Lindsey Stirling (@LindseyStirling) October 19, 2018
Similar to Stefani, Lindsey Stirling has also rereleased her Christmas record with 5 new tunes. They include “Santa Baby”, “I Wonder as I Wander”, “Hallelujah”, “Main Title from Home Alone (Somewhere In My Memory)”, and “We Three Gentleman”, which is a medley of “We Three Kings”, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, and “Carol of the Bells”. Those who purchase via Target will also get 2 additional new tracks: “Mary Did You Know” and “Home for the Holidays”.
