They've all brought along a casual, laid-back vibe, turning this eight-track album of holiday favorites into the perfect accompaniment to eggnog beside a cozy fire. Other highlights include a festive 'Feliz Navidad,' a gentle reading of 'Pretty Paper,' and a family-style 'Silent Night' that charmingly enlists the voices of Johnson's wife and two young daughters.ĭON'T MISS: Johnson is known for his twang, but he reveals another side to his voice in 'I'll Be Home for Christmas,' showing he also can nail a more velvety crooning style.įor his first foray into Christmas music, Young has assembled an eclectic list of collaborators, including Darius Rucker, Maddie & Tae, pop singer Colbie Caillat and Christian artist Chris Tomlin. To join eight holiday standards, songwriter-producer Trent Willmon wrote Johnson two fetching new holiday love songs: 'Christmas All Year Long' features a happy tempo that invites a dance-floor turn, and 'Hat Made of Mistletoe' is a musical romp that offers a madcap solution to how to steal a kiss. The 10 tracks brim with good cheer and holiday spirit, all superbly delivered in Johnson's classic country style. Now a month later, he's followed up with his debut Christmas album - and it's clearly not an afterthought. In October, he issued a double album, Human. The Texas cowboy has been a busy man lately: In September, he released a documentary, Dear Rodeo. Closing down the 11-track album, the singer exhibits masterful restraint on a strings-forward 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' showing how a no-frills interpretation can bring out the majesty in music.ĭON'T MISS: Eldredge miraculously breathes new life into 'Jingle Bells,' that song most of us were eager to leave behind in grade school, and he even resuscitates the 164-year-old lyrics' rarely heard fourth verse. Eldredge also romances listeners with two new co-written love songs, the title track and 'Feels Like Christmas,' and both fit seamlessly into the mix of familiar music.

At least when Eldredge sings it, there's no argument that 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year' or any doubt that 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.' And with a sprightly bassline holding down the beat, he can transform 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' from a solemn 16th-century carol into a jazzy delight. Once again, the country crooner is an astute curator of holiday standards that showcase his made-for-Christmas voice, and every selection seems intent on brightening spirits. Christmas on his best-selling album Glow is back - bigger and brassier than ever - and he ably re-earns the nickname that's now the title of his second holiday album. The Big Band sound that turned Eldredge into Mr.

Best holiday albums 2017 country