With touring canceled due to the Coronavirus, it looks like most recording artists had the same idea for how to spend their free time this year; a lot of major artists decided to record Christmas songs or even a full Christmas album. Do you need some new music for the holiday season? It does not matter what genre of music is your favorite, there is something new for you! Here’s a roundup of some of this year’s most notable releases.
If country music is your thing or even if
it isn’t, you will be sure to appreciate Carrie Underwood's and Dolly Parton’s new Christmas albums! Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love Carrie Underwood and Dolly Parton? Highlights from Carrie Underwood’s album include a stirring version of “Mary, Did You Know” and “Hallelujah” featuring John Legend. However, the biggest standout is an adorable rendition of “Little Drummer Boy” featuring her son Isaiah! If you need some pure goodness this Christmas, I recommend starting with that song. It will be sure to warm your heart. Listen here.
Country music legend Dolly Parton released her third Christmas album this year! It is appropriately named A Holly Dolly Christmas and we are here for it! A Holly Dolly Christmas has features from Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Miley Cyrus, Michael Bublé, Randy Parton, and Willie Nelson. Now that’s what I call star power! Standout tracks include “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Christmas on the Square,” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
That’s not all that Nashville has been up to this holiday season! There have been other album/EP releases from Lady A, Maddie & Tae, and Runaway June. There have also been notable single releases from Dan & Shay, Danielle Bradbery, Florida Georgia Line, & Gabby Barrett.
If Pop and R&B are more your things, then you’re in luck! Pop and R&B artists have also been hard at work on making the best Christmas music to be the soundtrack to your holidays!
Powerhouse vocalist (& potential Masked Singer contestant) Tori Kelly had one more surprise up her sleeve for 2020. That surprise happened to be her new Christmas album A Tori Kelly Christmas! This is one of my favorite Christmas albums of 2020. A Tori Kelly Christmas is comprised of 9 cover songs, 3 original songs, and 1 interlude. Highlights include “25th,” “O Holy Night,” and “Joy To The World/Joyful, Joyful!” If you’re looking for more Tori Kelly Christmas songs, don’t forget about her mashup of “Winter Wonderland” and “Don’t Worry Be Happy” with Pentatonix!
If R&B production is more your thing, you are in luck! R&B/Pop singer JoJo has been hard at work this year to perfect a Christmas album. December Baby is one of the projects from this year that flows best. Clocking in at around 28 minutes, this album is perfect to listen to in one sitting. It includes features from Jacob Collier and PJ Morton, two of JoJo’s frequent collaborators. The standout tracks on this album are “December Baby,” “The Christmas Song,” and “Wishlist (featuring PJ Morton).”
If those two artists aren’t your cup of cocoa, check out Christmas albums from Meghan Trainor and Pentatonix. Or, maybe K-Pop is your jam? In that case, check out Oli London. The first and highest-charting European K-Pop star, his newest single will be a Christmas K-Pop song called "Christmas in Korea" on December 5. Follow him on Instagram below to keep up with his new music.
If you’re not looking for a full album, there are new Christmas singles from Ava Max, Jonas Brothers, and Kelly Clarkson!
What are you waiting for? Go put on those PJ’s, get a cup of hot chocolate, and put on one of these albums! Enjoy your holiday season and follow @KBPopCulture on social media.