Best New Christmas Albums of 2021
This was a very different year for new Christmas albums. Last year everyone was locked away in their homes for quarantine, so we had a really solid year of new Christmas music. This year…not so much. I listened to about 40 new Christmas albums along with a bunch of new singles that totaled about 425 songs. At first glance this looked to be a pretty solid year, with new music from Kelly Clarkson, Darren Criss, Norah Jones, Kristin Chenoweth, Pentatonix, Steve Perry from Journey (what?!!), and even Nat King Cole. Unfortunately, not a lot of them lived up to the hype. But that’s not to say this year was a total bust. There’s still some great things to talk about.
Before we get on with it, let’s review what, in my opinion, makes a “good” Christmas album. In order for any new Christmas song or album to be worthy it must meet at least 1 of the following 3 criteria.
It’s fun.
It’s sentimental.
It’s nostalgic.
Because this was such a strange year for Christmas music, I’d like to first talk about the albums that didn’t quite make my top list. Some of them should have, and others were just DOA.
Kelly Clarkson – When Christmas Comes Around
Kelly’s first Christmas album from 2013 was pretty fantastic, and sadly I think it’s why this one fails. Her first album was filled with Christmas classics that we’d expect to hear, and she did them wonderfully. She can’t really repeat those, so instead she opted for a mostly original Christmas album. Although I understand the logic behind that, it’s hard to get excited about an album like this. It’s not without its moments, though. Here’s 3 I enjoyed:
Merry Christmas To the One I Used to Know
Santa Can’t You Hear Me – with Ariana Grande
Blessed
Norah Jones – I Dream of Christmas
On paper, Norah Jones singing Christmas songs should work…it really should. Some of these songs do work, but most of them are the sleepiest damn Christmas songs you’ll ever hear. I recently learned a trick to help you fall asleep. It’s the 4-7-8 breathing method. You inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds, and then exhale for 8 seconds. It totally works. Or, you can just listen to Norah Jones sing Winter Wonderland. But, like Kelly Clarkson, it’s not a total loss. Here’s 3 worth listening to.
White Christmas
Run Rudolph Run
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
Kristin Chenoweth – Happiness is Christmas
This could have been a good album. There are some nice songs here, but the problem is the song selection. The few good songs are surrounded by throw away songs that just don’t really do anything. Here are the 3 good ones:
Merry Christmas, Darling
Merry Christmas, Baby – with Keb’ Mo’
Christmas Lullaby
Rob Thomas – Something About Christmas Time
You know what nobody asked for? A Matchbox Twenty Christmas album. I know this is Rob Thomas only.. but…it’s the same. Some people have a voice for Christmas. Others don’t. You can skip this one entirely.
Steve Perry – The Season
Yep, this is the Steve Perry from Journey. I was real curious how this one would go and wasn’t terribly surprised that it wasn’t my cup of tea. I like Journey. Who doesn’t? But this is definitely not a Journey Christmas album. This has more Rod Stewart vibes than Journey, and sadly the arrangements are just super weird and awkward. Skip it unless you’re curious.
Nat King Cole – A Sentimental Christmas with Nat King Cole & Friends
Besides Bing Crosby (and maybe Michael Bublé), there’s no other voice more synonymous with Christmas than Nat King Cole. I was excited about this one. This album is Nat’s restored vocals but with new arrangements and duets with contemporary artists. That’s a very exciting recipe and this could have been a home run Christmas album…but instead it falls flat. A couple of the duets work, but most of them are strange pairings and strange arrangements that take away from Nat’s vocals. This was disappointing, but there’s still some worth checking out.
O Little Town of Bethlehem/Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
The Christmas Song – with John Legend.
Now that we’ve talked about the almost good albums and the never had a chance albums, let’s get to the top 5!
#5
Gaither Vocal Band – All Heaven And Nature Sing
This is a really strange pick for me. I still can’t quite believe that this album is taking my #5 spot, especially because there’s a lot of songs on here I don’t like…but there’s also 5 songs on it that I really do like, and that’s more than a lot of other albums this year. The bar is low. Do not listen to this entire album as there are some real duds, but here are my favorite tracks:
Silver Bells – Nice arrangement with piano and orchestra
Away In A Manger – Nothing fancy, but tight harmonies and pleasant.
Glory In The Highest – I typically don’t like songs like this, but this one is nice.
White Christmas – Nice harmonies with an orchestra in the background gets me every time.
Love is the Reason Why – Nice groovy gospel song. This is fun!
#4
Pentatonix – Evergreen
This is the 6th Christmas album from Pentatonix. You either love or hate the a capella thing, but it’s hard to deny that this group knows how to do Christmas. Year after year they pump these albums out, and they’re always good. With a mix of classics and originals, this is a very solid album, even though there are a few songs on here that I wouldn’t call “Christmas songs.” The title track also happens to be one of my favorite new Christmas songs of 2021.
Favorite Tracks
Evergreen – This one hits hard, personally. I can’t help think of my mother on this one and the great lengths she went to to make sure Christmas always had magic in it.
Frosty The Snowman – A cool groovy head bobber.
Little Saint Nick – I feel like I willed this song to happen. On their last Christmas album I thought how great they could do this song. Aaaaand here it is.
My Heart With You – I would not call this a Christmas song, but it’s very cool.
#3
Darren Criss – A Very Darren Crissmas
I’m not a big Darren Criss fan, mainly because like most of his other former Glee co-stars, his singing style is a little too Broadway for me. But, this is a very solid album. Bonus points for a great album cover, too. The only sour spot is his absolutely atrocious arrangement of the Joni Mitchell classic, River. I don’t know if I’ve ever hated a Christmas cover more than this. Listen to that one if you dare, but have a bucket ready. The rest of the album is quite good.
Favorite Tracks
All Those Christmas Clichés – I’ve never heard this one before, but I like it.
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – A pretty cool spin on a rather obnoxious holiday classic.
The Man with the Bag – A fun big band arrangement with Adam Lambert.
The Christmas Song – Lovely with guitar and orchestra
Drunk on Christmas – A top contender for best new original Christmas song for 2021
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Simple with acoustic guitar. It’s all this song needs.
#2
Teddy Swims – A Very Teddy Christmas (EP)
You probably don’t know who Teddy Swims is. He’s not super well known yet, but he will be. I first heard of him on YouTube when I stumbled upon some of his amazing covers. He has slowly grown in popularity over the last year and I was excited to learn he had a Christmas album coming. I try to not include EP’s on my top list since they are not full albums, but this one is just too good to overlook.
Favorite Tracks
This Christmas – His soulful voice is perfect for this song.
Please Come Home for Christmas – Best song on the album.
O Christmas Tree – Soul/R&B smooth jam – it works!
The Christmas Song – Sultry buttery vocals + piano.
#1
Brett Eldredge – Mr. Christmas
Full disclosure, I don’t know who Brett Eldredge is. I’ve heard the name, but I couldn’t tell you a single song he sings. All I know is this guy knows how to make a damn good Christmas album. Google tells me he’s a country singer, but there’s nothing country about this album at all. This has more of a Harry Connick Jr. vibe. The arrangements are fun and tasteful, and the vocals are top notch. This album hits all 3 of my criteria, and his version of I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day gets my pick for the best Christmas song of the year. An aptly titled album, he just may be the Mr. Christmas of 2021.
Favorite Tracks
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Great way start to the album with a nice big band arrangement.
Merry Christmas Baby – Tasteful arrangement for blues lovers with an almost Blues Brothers vibe.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – very cool big band arrangement with a great sax section soli.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day – You don’t hear this one much. Very well done. Who knew a country guy could croon like this?
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – Great swing arrangement.
Feels Like Christmas – A real nice original that could have the staying power to become a classic.
Like always there’s also a handful of new singles, and there’s also some decent songs on other albums that I haven’t talked about. If you want a complete list of ALL the new Christmas music for 2021 you can find that below. You will not find a more complete list anywhere online. I know because I’ve looked. 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 2021 Christmas songs you can find that playlist below. 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. It’s currently 410 songs and almost 23 hours of only the best Christmas songs and arrangements. You’ll have to click the link and open it in Spotify to access the entire list. Feel free to save it.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
