The 2017 holiday season is upon us and music streaming behemoth Spotify has given us an early present with its newly released Spotify Singles: Holiday playlist. The collection draws upon a wide breadth of artists, bringing them into the Spotify studios to bring their own voice to this year’s Christmastide.
Although many of the selections are predictable covers – Miley Cyrus does well with country/western-tinged romps through “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “Sleigh Ride” – some of the selections are surprising. If anyone was expecting DMX’s cover of “Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer” to bring the Christmas spirit up in here, then we could have used you on the 2016 election polling teams. What is perhaps most shocking is just how well the song actually works with DMX’s gravelly voice, complete with forceful “UH!”s and “COME ON”s. It’s an eye-opening listen, but one that likely won’t have enduring impact beyond Christmas 2017.
On one of the playlist’s few originals, Kelly Clarkson brings her vocal power to her newly released “Christmas Eve” that features a beautiful, soaring hook about waiting to “see that sleigh fly into the night.” The production is big and perhaps too much so; there’s a longing to the melody that feels at odds with the full-throttle Christmas cheer of the music.
As expected, much of the list is composed of covers of Christmas standards. Wyclef Jean appears for a rendition of “The Christmas Song” that meanders between soft jazz piano and fleshed out R&B grooves, the latter elevating what initially seems like a highly traditional cover to something altogether more unique and compelling.
In fact, the artists that took the greatest risk in their covers are rewarded most here. Xavier Omar and producer Sango’s floating, effortless R&B take on Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time” has such a different and refreshing feel from the original. Likewise, Yoke Lore’s sparse electronic atmosphere cuts some of the sugar from the pop smash hit “Last Christmas” by Wham!.
On one of the compilation’s highlights, Lalah Hathaway takes on her father Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” Whereas many versions of the soulful Christmas song are replete with grooving baselines and bright horns, Lalah is accompanied solely by a gorgeous keyboard arrangement, bringing to life the feeling of both an intimate recording session and an intimate holiday evening.
It is a reminder of the changing times to think of the pull Spotify has to bring in so many well-known artists for this project, including Demi Lovato, Norah Jones, Fifth Harmony, Sam Smith, and Josh Groban. Nevertheless, the streaming service has curated a pleasing blend of the traditional and the unconventional in this addition to the Christmas music soundscape, showcasing the diversity of what holiday music can be.
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