It’s the holiday season. There, I said it. You’ve probably been unwilling to admit it ever since Starbucks debuted their minty winter flavors and Macy’s decked the halls with multi-colored bulbs on an astonishingly early date this year. Well, now that you’ve digested your turkey and Cyber Monday is a thing of the past, there are no excuses for a bah humbug attitude. It’s officially time to get in the holiday spirit, you little grinches. Thankfully, there are five awesome new holiday albums that will get you and your loved ones ready to do the jingle bell rock.
1. She & Him, A Very She & Him Christmas
Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward team up to bring us a darling set of Christmas favorites. Guitars, ukulele, simple arrangements and sweet vocals make this a relaxed celebration with a retro nod. All you need is a few blinking lights and homemade egg nog now.
Bublé‘s silky, soulful performance on his second holiday album is sure to make you swoon. Complete with a big band orchestra feel and nearly perfect pitch on every note, the album is filled with classics done in interesting arrangements. Shania Twain, Thalia and The Puppini Sisters make guest appearances as well.
3. This Warm December: A Brushfire Holiday Vol. 2
Jack Johnson and his clan of artists from Brushfire Records are back with a second volume of holiday jams, complete with plenty of originals. Featuring Zee Avi, G. Love, Rouge Wave and even Johnson himself, the album is easy and breezy. If hearing the traditional rendition of “Jingle Bells” makes you want to poke your eyes out, this album is for you.
tobyMac gives us a wide variety of sounds on his first full-length holiday album – everything from his typical pop and hip hop sounds to some serious rock and even a bit of dubstep in “Little Drummer Boy.” He invites plenty of friends to help create a diverse winter wonderland, including Owl City and Leigh Nash.
5. Justin Bieber, Under the Mistletoe
Bieber fever continues with the pop heart throb’s first holiday effort. He really does have a way of infusing his youthful charisma into just about every note he sings. There is a mix of original songs and classics reimagined, and every track has you giddy in anticipation for what the season can bring.
Ashley Smith is a writer and music lover from San Francisco. You can check out what she is grooving to at www.thegrooveisontheloose.com.