(Danny Renshaw for Asthmatic Kitty Records, Getty, Dean Freeman for Warner Bros. Records)
The holidays are nearly upon us, and as everyone knows, there's nothing better for getting into the spirit than the perfect playlist. Trust us — the right music will make all that egg nog go down much smoother.
The best holiday playlists have a balanced mix of new tunes and timeless classics. Take a look at our picks for the best new Christmas music on the market, but don't forget to revisit the holiday songs of your childhood, too!
For the Pitchfork reader: Sufjan Stevens' Silver and Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10
Sufjan Stevens has been quietly releasing Christmas songs for over a decade now. His latest release, a 58-song compilation album, features guest spots from The National's Aaron Dessner and Arcade Fire's Richard Reed Parry, in addition to the odd Prince cover. It's weird, it's lovely, and it's bound to impress anyone who turns his nose up at your mom's beloved Kenny G CD. There are hushed, lovely songs and grand, orchestral odes — something for everyone. But don't watch the video below if you're scared of clowns.
For the fan of The Voice: Blake Shelton's Cheers, It's Christmas.Blake Shelton's new holiday album is jam packed with big name guest stars, including fellow reality television alum Kelly Clarkson and Shelton's wife, Miranda Lambert. It's a slicker and more spirited effort than
American Idol winner Scotty McCreery's lamely-titled Christmas With Scotty McCreery, and what's more, Blake seems like he'd be much more fun at a holiday party.
For the Justin Bieber fanatic: Hanson's Snowed InChances are any hardcore Justin Bieber already owns a copy of Justin Bieber's 2011 holiday album
Under the Mistletoe. But when it comes to Christmas-themed teen pop, there are superior choices. Consider Hanson's
Snowed In, i.e. the most popular Christmas album of the 1997 holiday season. It includes slightly shrill renditions of a bunch of holiday classics, all of them superior to Justin's collaboration with Busta Rhymes, "Little Drummer Boy."
For the musical theater geek: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John's This ChristmasThe season's most surprising holiday release is undoubtedly
This Christmas, a collaborative album by former co-stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. There's nothing particularly exciting about it — there's only one original song, in fact — but the kitsch factor goes a long way, especially if you're gathered around the Christmas tree with a
Grease fan. Besides, proceeds from the album sales will go to the Jett Travolta Foundation and Melbourne's Cancer Foundation & Wellness Centre.
For the Muppet lover: John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas TogetherUnfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are plans for a DVD release of John Denver's 1979 television special with Jim Henson's felted friends. But you can find it on YouTube, and you can certainly buy the soundtrack, which includes goofy classics like "Little Saint Nick" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Cee-Lo doesn't have the monopoly on Muppets, you know.
For the person who lives under a rock: Mariah Carey's Merry ChristmasThere is no modern classic quite like Mariah Carey's 1994 album
Merry Christmas, which features a number of holiday standards and a sprinking of original tunes. One of those originals, "All I Want for Christmas Is You," has proved such a massive hit for Carey that she's re-released it no fewer than three times — most recently as a half-hearted duet with Justin Bieber. She's even hinted that there will someday be a holiday movie to complement the album. We're waiting, Mariah!
For the aunt who loves to watch AMC: Michael Bublé's ChristmasUltimately, a really great Christmas album is one you can listen to with your grandmother without being embarrassed or, alternately, bored out of your mind. In 2011, Canadian crooner Michael Bublé served up the perfect holiday pop confection with
Christmas, an immaculately crafted collection of standards that became the second top-selling album of the year. Bublé plans to promote the album again this year with an NBC television special,
Michael Bublé: Home for the Holidays. For everyone who loves a classic: Elvis Presley's Elvis' Christmas AlbumElvis' Christmas Album is the only holiday album to ever achieve Platinum RIAA certification, and deservedly so: It rocks. Bing Crosby had cornered the market on holiday cheer when Elvis first released the album in 1957, giving the market a sexy jolt with his renditions of classics like "White Christmas" and "Silent Night," as well as original tunes like "Santa Claus Is Back in Town." But the track everyone remembers best is "Blue Christmas."
Don't miss:
The Best and Worst Celebrity Holiday Songs There are a lot of opportunities for stars to cash in during the holidays, from big brand endorsements to licensing signature scents, but they seem to have the most fun with holiday albums. Check out our favorite Christmas songs!
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