Voctave 

I love listening to a cappella music during Christmastime. While I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, it never fails to put me in the Christmas spirit. Funnily enough, I started getting into the Christmas spirit this past summer when I first listened to Voctave’s 2021 Christmas album, “The Spirit of the Season.” As a lover of choral music, I was instantly impressed by their unified ensemble sound, not to mention their powerful vocals. I mean, seriously, my new goal in life is to sing as high and as effortlessly as their sopranos. I’m always amazed at how small a cappella groups can make such a big, full sound. In this album, specifically, I think they did a great job of balancing the cheesiness that often goes hand-in-hand with Christmas music (and a cappella music, for that matter), while still having an abundance of wonderful musical moments. One of my favorite songs on this album is “All is Well.” While it’s one of the slower songs on the album, it’s so serene, familiar and beautiful that it holds your focus the whole way through. This album is definitely making its way into my Christmas rotation.

@kellyclarkson

Kelly Clarkson’s vocals never cease to amaze me. Every note she sings sounds completely effortless, and she manages to hold such beautiful emotion in her voice, no matter what she sings. Her 2021 Christmas album, “When Christmas Comes Around,” which held loved classics and exciting originals, was a great display of her artistry. 

@philwickham

Phil Wickam’s 2019 Christmas album holds many of the Christmas hymns we know so well with a contemporary worship style twist. The album also tastefully includes some secular Christmas songs, ending with a rendition of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” that reminds us of the peace and wonder this season brings.