Best New Christmas Albums of 2020
What a year it’s been. I don’t know about you, but I’ve needed Christmas for about 6 months now. Luckily, I think that feeling has been shared quite a bit, because this was a pretty big year for new Christmas albums. Musicians were locked inside unable to play concerts, so I think a lot of them just decided why not record a Christmas album? If there’s a silver lining to a Covid Christmas then maybe this is it.
I listened to about 25 new Christmas albums and a few dozen new Christmas singles that tallied just shy of 300 songs. Yes, that’s correct. 300 songs. All new for 2020. Like I said, it was a big year. But before I dove in this time, I wanted to think a bit on how I classify a good Christmas song from just another generic copy. My criteria for a good new Christmas song is that it must meet at least 1 of the 3 following things.
It’s Fun.
It’s Sentimental
It’s Nostalgic
That’s really all it boils down to for me. So let’s get to it!
#5
Pentatonix – We Need A Little Christmas
I’m not typically a huge fan of the a capella groups, but for some reason any time these guys come out with a new Christmas album, it makes my list. They really know what they’re doing, and at this point they’re almost synonymous with Christmas music the way Michael Bublé and Mariah Carey are.
Favorite Tracks
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Amazing Grace
Jingle Bell Pop
Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season
White Christmas
#4
Lady A – On This Winter’s Night
This is a really solid album with smart arrangements and a great mix of classic Christmas songs. You’re going to notice a theme here, but I’m just going to say it now, that I’m not typically a country guy…but for some reason there’s a big chunk of country artists doing Christmas albums really well this year. This is one of them.
Favorite Tracks
A Holly Jolly Christmas
The First Noel
Little Saint Nick
That Spirit of Christmas
I’m putting these next 2 as a tie, because neither one of them is a full album. They are both EP’s at about 19 minutes each, which is disappointing because they’re both very good and I want more.
#3 (Tied)
Maddie & Tae – We Need Christmas
I have no idea who Maddie & Tae are. I’m not a country guy, so I’m not privy to all the country artists of the last few years, but these girls are GOOD and I was real surprised at how much I enjoyed this album.
Favorite Tracks
This Christmas
O Come All Ye Faithful
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
We Need Christmas – If you need a 2020 Christmas anthem for this shitty year, this might be it.
#3 (Tied)
Ben Rector – A Ben Rector Christmas
I was pretty salty on the new Ben Rector album at first. I’m a big fan of his, so when I heard he had a Christmas album coming I was very excited. I’m a sucker for the solo piano/vocal type music, especially with Christmas songs. But when I saw this was only 7 tracks of very short songs, I was pretty disappointed. However, while most full length Christmas albums have a handful of filler songs we all typically skip over, he chose to eliminate the fillers and just go straight for the hits. I guess I’m ok with it. I guess…
Favorite Tracks
The Thanksgiving Song
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Christmas Song
#2
Dolly Parton – A Holly Dolly Christmas
This is the album most likely to put a smile on your face. I feel like Dolly Parton is the Betty White of music. At this point she can do no wrong. She’s a national treasure and I’ll fight anyone who thinks otherwise. This album hits all 3 of the criteria that I listed earlier…the most of which is FUN. She brings in Miley Cyrus, Michael Bublè, Willie Nelson and even Jimmy Fallon for duet partners. This album is straight FUN and even includes a Christmas Hoe-Down that I couldn’t help but laugh at. She may have only taken my #2 spot, but as far as album titles go she wins by a mile.
Favorite Tracks
Christmas Is – Original with Miley Cyrus. Charmingly sentimental. I like it. You know…I’d take a Miley Cyrus Christmas album. Do a Cyrus Family Christmas album with her dad and sister.
Cuddle Up, Cozy Down – It’s nice hearing Michael Bublè on a new Christmas song again. This is a cute song, almost like a newer version of Baby it’s Cold Outside.
All I want for Christmas is You – Duet with Jimmy Fallon. Nothing but smiles on this one, and their little banter at the beginning is gold.
Comin’ Home for Christmas – This is a nice original, but hits a little hard since this is the first year in my life I won’t be with my mother for Christmas.
Mary Did You Know – Damn Dolly, this was a great arrangement. It’s amazing how soft and frail her voice is…but then at almost 75 years old, she can still wail when it counts.
#1
Carrie Underwood – My Gift
I’m as surprised as you are, actually. This was the very first album I listened to, and I thought that maybe my high rating of it was just because it was the first one I listened to and I was maybe just excited to get going. After about the first dozen albums I went back to this one to see if I still liked it as much as I thought. I did. Then after all 300 songs I went back and listened to this one again just because I didn’t believe that Carrie Underwood would take my #1 spot. But yep, this album is fantastic. In fact, after listening to all 300 songs and then going back to this one it was almost like everything else before this was amateur. I had the thought of “ohhhh ok yeah now THIS is a Christmas album.”
Favorite Tracks
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee – Sitting on the couch on a calm winters evening. The kids are in bed. The stockings are hung and you’re watching the fireplace roar. This is where this song sits.
Hallelujah – Duet with John Legend. Powerful.
Little Drummer Boy – This is probably my least favorite Christmas song, so I almost skipped this one..but OMG…this is a duet with her 5 year old son, Isaiah..and it is AMAZING. If this doesn’t make you smile you are a psychopath. Him not being able to pronounce his R’s and singing “wum pum pum pum” is adorable…and the way he sings with so much conviction towards the end is really something. And then her harmonizing with him…I love this so so much. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one.
O Holy Night – I really need Vince Gill on this with her. But even without him she really has THE voice for this song. That high note you want on the climax of the chorus at the end? She nails it.
Honorable Mentions
Tori Kelly – A Tori Kelly Christmas
Man this girl can SING.
If R&B is more your thing, you’ll love this album.
Favorite Tracks
Silent Night
Joy To The World/Joyful, Joyful
Sleigh Ride
Jamie Cullum – The Pianoman at Christmas
This is an all original Christmas album and it’s quite good. If you’re sick of the same ol Christmas songs, you may like this one.
Favorite Tracks
How Do You Fly?
So Many Santas
Hang Your Lights
There’s a handful of others, and a handful of singles, too. Some are decent, some are not. (Please Meghan Trainor, never make a Christmas album again)
If you want a complete list of ALL 300 of the new Christmas songs for this year you can find that here. You’ll have to click the link and open it in Spotify to access the entire list. Feel free to save it.
And if you only want the BEST of the new 2020 Christmas songs you can find that here. You’ll have to click the link and open it in Spotify to access the entire list. Feel free to save it.
And if you want the ultimate Christmas playlist which includes all the best classics and all the best new stuff spanning the last 70 years then here’s my ultimate Christmas playlist. You’ll have to click the link and open it in Spotify to access the entire list. Free free to save it.
Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good night.
