tek's rating: ½

Ingrid Michaelson's Songs for the Season
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This came out in 2018. I got it as a Christmas present in 2020.

The album kicks off with "Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter," a song I don't believe I've ever heard before, but it's actually from the 1950s, and Michaelson's rendition definitely has a pleasantly 50's sound to it. In fact, that era's sound quickly becomes a trend on the album, which doesn't surprise me. (It's kind of what I'd expect from her, based on the few non-Christmas songs of hers with which I was already familiar.) The one original song is "Happy, Happy Christmas", and it's kind of sad without really sounding sad. (It's about appreciating the time you have with loved ones while they're still here... which they won't always be.) Then there's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", a song I've heard before by other artists, but still don't feel very familiar with it. Her take was as good as I could hope for, though. (And as a side note, what I'm doing New Year's Eve is listening to this album for the first time, and writing this review of it.) I should also mention that five of the album's twelve songs feature collaborations from various artists. (Other songs have backup singers who aren't specifically credited as featured performers, of course.) One of the highlights is a duet with Leslie Odom Jr., "All I Want for Christmas Is You", slower and softer than the familiar version by Mariah Carey, which is a nice change of pace (even if I still prefer the more upbeat original, in the long run). The album concludes with what is probably as pleasant a performance of "Auld Lang Syne" as I've ever heard.

Well, I haven't mentioned every song by name, but they are mostly very familiar, and all very well done. The whole album is just... very cozy. And I can't imagine anyone not liking it.


Christmas music index