LORI MCKENNA
CHRISTMAS IS RIGHT HERE
Grammy-winning tunesmith Lori McKenna goes beyond the ornamental Christmas set for her first holiday EP, offering deep-feeling tunes with Ivy-League-level prose and acoustic warmth. Dressed in bittersweet cheer, her originals tug between joy for the moment and longing for the past.
AMANDA SHIRES
FOR CHRISTMAS
Amanda Shires steps back into the solo spotlight on For Christmas, building on her success in The Highwomen and Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit with soul and seasonal sass. Featuring her unmistakable warble and a whimsical, art- rock edge, 11 strutting tracks should delight holiday hipsters.
KELLY CLARKSON
WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND...
Kelly Clarkson unwraps the gift of instant-classic holiday pop on her second Yuletide set, When Christmas Comes Around ... Pairing her own vocal supremacy with nice-listers Ariana Grande, Chris Stapleton and Brett Eldredge, she injects modern energy into all-time favorites and more.
BRETT ELDREDGE
MR. CHRISTMAS
Don’t expect a tuxedo-and-boots kind of sound from country star Brett Eldredge’s second holiday album. With a side-reputation as Nashville’s resident Sinatra-style crooner, Mr. Christmas pledges this holiday-singer thing isn’t a phase, using a genuine dose of mid-century Americana.