Santa’s Playlist: The Best Holiday Albums 2017
Oh yeah. It’s that time of year again. Actually I’ve been listening to holiday music since October (I know, I’m crazy), but today is my official roundup of all the new holiday albums out there.
Gwen Stefani – You Make It Feel Like Christmas
SoCal queen Gwen Stefani (of The Voice and of course, No Doubt) is in a particularly sweet mood these days, which you can hear coming through in this joyful collection of (mostly) holiday classics. The vibe is definitely big band-influenced, with plenty of doo wop backup singers and full orchestral arrangements – heavy emphasis on the bass and brass. The result is a fun, effervescent collection that mostly manages to stay away from cheese, at least on the more uptempo tracks. Be on the lookout for a few originals, like the 60s pop ‘My Gift Is You’ and slightly surf-inspired duet with one Blake Shelton, ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’.
Sia – Everyday Is Christmas
Super crooner Sia is releasing her first-ever holiday album this week, loaded with 10 original Christmas songs. Before you naysay, I like to remind people that a lot of contemporary classics – like ‘Last Christmas’ or going back further, ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ – have to start somewhere. Case in point: Mariah Carey’s ubiquitous and oft-covered (but never topped) ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’. With Sia’s trademark bold vocals on festive tracks like ‘Under the Mistletoe’ and ‘Candy Cane Lane’ this is an ace choice for any pop-loving festive friends.
98 Degrees – Let It Snow
The 90s boy band is back for another trip in Santa’s Sleigh, nearly 20 years after their first holiday album. While it’s obviously got appeal for the nostalgic set, the band’s also got some additional relevance when you consider the rise of acapella music over the last few years, which 98 Degrees has strong roots in. You’ll hear that influence in songs like title track ‘Let It Snow’, a (seemingly, if a bit impressively layered) aca-awesome take on the classic Christmas carol. Beyond that, expect lots of warm, soulful vocals from Nick Lachey and his crew on this cheerful, classic set of Xmas tracks.
Cheap Trick – Christmas Christmas
Seeing rock stars like Cheap Trick release a holiday album may be a bit of a needle scratcher – until you give this fun set a listen. The band wisely plays up a lot of the rockier Xmas tunes out there, like spirited takes on ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’, ‘I Wish It Was Christmas Today’, and the blues-y ‘Please Come Home For Christmas’. It’s also got a lot of accessible, equally uptempo originals, like punky title track ‘Christmas Christmas’. Pick it up to please your dad, or to ensure your teenage sons won’t plug their ears while you’re doing some festive activity together.
Hanson – Finally It’s Christmas
Like 98 Degrees, Hanson has indeed released a holiday album before – a good 20 years ago. This time around they’ve released a less poppy, more folk crossover collection of updated classics and a few originals, including the title track which you can catch on YouTube. The Mmmbop bros have had a rather enduring career in the music biz, having recently played a sold out tour around the globe, and launching an especially festive mini-series of holiday concerts, including one in Toronto later this month. Another great album whether you’re looking for a throwback or want to jam to a pretty accessible set of holiday fare.
Lindsey Stirling – Warmer in the Winter
You’ve got to hand it to violinist Lindsey Stirling; girl has made band geekery look awfully cool, with 9 million plus subscribers on YouTube that love watching her elaborate, violin-centric performances that blend dance, classical music, and on occasion, vocals. Lindsey’s holiday album is an offbeat choice that’ll appeal to the creator-obsessed set and the older folks that love a good instrumental holiday carol. Bonus points for enlisting up and coming star power in the form of Sabrina Carpenter and Becky G to lend vocal assists on a few tracks (amongst others).
Who wants an extra entry into my big huge amazing Indigo giveaway this holiday season? Just leave a comment on this post telling me which of these holiday albums you’re most excited to spin (or stream, as it were)!
Canadian Gift Guide 
I love Christmas music too. I think the Hanson – Finally It’s Christmas would be my favourite.
We have some great Christmas CDs but I am always looking to find new ones . Hanson -Finally It’s Christmas appeals to me
I’m most excited about Gwen Stefani – You Make It Feel Like Christmas
I’m most excited to hear Sia – Everyday Is Christmas!
I would like Gwen’s CD
My daughter plays violin, she would want the Lindsey sterling album
I think the Gwen Stefani album I would listen to first!
I can’t wait to start listening to Christmas music! I’m most looking forward to Sia – Everyday is Christmas.
The Lindsey Stirling album
I would like the Gwen Stefani Christmas album.
I would love to hear the Sia – Everyday Is Christmas album
I am very curious about the Cheap Trick Christmas.
I have been listening to Christmas music since it came on the satellite radio on November 1st! LOVE IT!!! I have never heard of Sia before so I’d check out her album to see what she’s like!
I think I’d actually go for Hanson. They look like nice boys and I’m sure they do some nice harmonies (she says in her grandma-est inner voice…)
I’m most excited about Gwen Stefani-You Make It Feel Like Christmas.
I love Christmas music.
I’d like to listen to Lindsey Stirling. She’s been impressive on dwts!
I am most excited to listen to the Sia Christmas album
Lindsey stirling all the way!!!
i’d really love to hear the hanson album–they’re great musicians and seem like nice guys…
Gwen Stefani would be nice at Christmas.
I would be interested to hear both Gwen Stefani and Sia’s take on Christmas music. Thanks!
I love Gwen Stefani and am most excited to learn about her xmas album!
I would enjoy Cheap Trick’s album.
Definitely most excited for the Hanson album!
I can’t wait to listen to Lindsey Stirling’s Warmer in the Winter, I love her and think she’ll bring a unique twist to some classics.
This is so true, I am one of the ” older folks that love a good instrumental holiday carol” and that is exactly my pick!
I’d like Lindsey Stirling’s album. She’s amazingly talented.
They all sound interesting, but if I have to choose, I would like to hear Cheap Tricks album.
I’m most excited to listen to Gwen Stefani’s album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas.
I’ve been watching Lindsey Stirling on Dancing With The Stars. I’d love to hear her violin skills.
I would like to hear 98 Degrees – Let It Snow.
I’m most excited for Gwen Stefan’s Christmas album. I would love to hear her version of Santa Baby.
I’m most excited about Gwen Stefani – You Make It Feel Like Christmas.
I’d be most interested in listening to Gwen Stefani and Cheap Tricks Christmas albums!
Please accept this as an entry into the Indigo contest!
I’d be most interested in hearing the Cheap Trick Christmas album!
Lindsay Stirling sounds unique and I’d love to hear her.
Bonus Indigo Entry : of these holiday albums I’m most excited to spin Sia – Everyday Is Christmas. Thanks
I can’t wait to Stream the Cheap Trick album, I love them and didn’t know they did CHristmas!
I’d love to hear the Cheap Trick album!
I want to hear the Cheap Trick album!!
I’m interested in hearing Sia – Everyday is Christmas
I’d love to try the Sia album as well as the Gwen Stefani one.
I’d pick the Gwen Stefani album.
I’m going with the Cheap Trick album.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy have a great Xmas album!
I’m most excited for Sia’s album.
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy or Lindsay S.
I’m most excited about Gwen Stefani’s!
I’m very excited about Lindsey Stirling’s album Warmer in the Winter
hmm, choices… how about lindsey stirlings album
I’m most excited for Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas!
Gwen Stefani sounds cool