Musical Obsession: Holiday Edition!

I am back this month with some new obsessions. Due to the holiday season I'd thought I'd share my favorite Holiday albums. Check out my must haves.

1. Kelly Clarkson - Wrapped In Red

It's no surprise that #1 spot goes to Kelly Clarkson. For the longest time I wanted a Kelly Christmas album. I had always had an unwritten Kelly wish list with all the items I would like Kelly to put out such as a live CD, a live concert DVD and as you would guess, a Christmas album. So you can imagine the joy I felt when she announced she was releasing a Christmas album in 2013. Every song is a jam and puts me in the Christmas mood. Favorite tracks include 4 Carats, Underneath the Tree, Run Run Rudolph, Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song), and Just For Now. Although every track in reality is fantastic. Kelly just makes anything a hit in my opinion. Every Christmas I start off with this CD now. It's hard to believe any album was going to knock *N Sync off the top spot but if anyone was going to do it, it was definitely going to be Kelly. Now if only The Veronicas would put one out as well.


2. *N Sync - Home For Christmas

Now on to a group of five very talented guys. This is now my second go to Christmas album. It isn't truly Christmas to me without this album. Out of all my holiday albums this is the only one that has managed to make me cry with one of their songs. With the combination of heavenly voices and the lyrics it was hard to hold back tears. As the title suggests most of the songs focus on being home and spending time with loved ones. Many are about with being with that special someone. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays is an exception that is an upbeat, dance tune to sing along when getting in the Holiday spirit. The guys showcase their heavenly sounding voices in an Acapella version of the classic O Holy Night. Another favorite is their version of The First Noel. And the song that really made me cry is The Only Gift. The lyrics in that song are just so beautiful. They really can make a person emotional. One thing that really makes this album stand out is that unlike the other one song focuses on New Year's Eve. Kiss Me At Midnight is a fun tune to dance to when coming up with your New Year's resolutions and when getting to smooch that special someone to ring in the New Year.


3. Michael Buble - Christmas

I've always heard about Michael Buble and his music but I never really took the time to check it out. It wasn't until an online friend told me that I should check out his Christmas album that I actually stopped and listen. And to be honest it is now one of my favorite albums and a must listen. He has such an amazing take on each of these classics. My favorite tracks are Holly Jolly Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Jingle Bells, and All I Want For Christmas Is You. Honestly his version of All I Want For Christmas Is You is my favorite over Mariah Carey. He has this classic sound that you can't help but enjoy.





4. Pentatonix - A Pentatonix Christmas  & That's Christmas To Me (Deluxe Edition)

So I couldn't have a Christmas Album list without adding my new favorites Pentatonix. And I don't have only one Christmas album but two! I can't say enough good things about their albums. They do such a fantastic job putting their acapella twist on these classics. First from That's Christmas To Me my favorites that I would like to comment on are Mary, Did You Know? and Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Listening to Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy it's hard to believe that it's only their voices. It's beyond incredible. And from A Pentatonix Christmas my favorites include Hallelujah, Coldest Winter, O Come All Ye Faithful, and God Rest Ye Gentleman. And I have to single out one song and that is Hallelujah. If there is only one song you listen to from any of their Christmas albums it needs to be that one. I honestly think it is the best version of that song I've heard out there. Strong words from me considering I have many favorite versions of this song alone. Overall these are a great addition to your Christmas music collection so check them out.

5. Christina Aguilera - My Kind Of Christmas

Another amazingly talented female who put together another great album. Out of all my Christmas albums Christina manages to stick to more of the classic approach while performing the classic hits with the exception of four songs. Three are originals and one is a holiday mix of The Christmas Song. X-Tina really makes it her mission to really show off her vocal talent with many ad-libs. My overall favorite song on the album is Christmas Time. It just talks about all the good things about the holidays and being together with family while at the same time making you want to get up and dance. On most of the songs she also manages to put in some Gospel flavor which really works. Especially on the track O Holy Night where she brings in a Gospel Choir. And it's not a Christina album without at least one song that exudes sex and sensuality. That honor goes to the song This Year and she totally sells it without it being too raunchy. It is one album worth hearing.


7. Destiny's Child - 8 Days Of Christmas

The #1 selling female R&B group in the world. The girls really showcased how well their voices blend together in this holiday album. The three of them really are good together. The girls perform some classic holiday hits, along with some new songs.Not only do the girls perform songs together but the girls are also able to sing songs showcasing their talented voices on their own. Beyonce sings her own special rendition of Silent Night, Kelly sings Do You Hear What I Hear, and Michelle performs O Holy Night. Each song is awesome in it's own special way, but my favorites are 8 Days Of Christmas, Spread A Little Love On Christmas Day, and my ultimate fave Opera Of The Bells because the girls manage to sing a song that is normally difficult to learn and perform so flawlessly. The album is just great to listen to.


Special Mentions - 

Jessica Simpson- Rejoyce: The Christmas Album


This album has many holiday classics with some new flavor. Some of my Favorite Tracks include Baby, It's Cold Outside with her hubby Nick Lachey and The Little Drummer Boy with her sister Ashlee Simpson as well as the hauntingly beautiful Breath Of Heaven (Mary's Song).

Boyz II Men- Christmas Interpretations

My two favorite songs are their renditions of Silent Night ans Let It Snow. The way they sing Silent Night really make me appreciate the song more than I already do. As for Let It Snow, their version makes me want to snuggle with someone special in front of a fire.










So those are my picks for the music I've been obsessed with the last couple months. I really recommend a listen even if just a moment. You never know what you might like until you try it.

Until next time. Peace, Love, and Hugs!

Musical Obsession: October/November

I am back this month with some new obsessions. This is the music I find myself constantly listening to over the past month.

1. Kelly Clarkson - Meaning of Life

My queen has brought us another amazing album and I am basking in the amazingness of it! You can't imagine how excited I was when I heard Kelly was releasing a new album. It was especially exciting since she was under a new label and would be trying a sound she's always wanted to do which was to have a more soulful sound and boy did she deliver. I honestly think her voice has never sounded better. We finally get the true extent of her talents and you can tell she has put her all. Now she didn't totally abandon her sounds that fans are familiar with but you can tell there is so much more soul injected in it. I can praise the songs I Don't Think About You, Move You, Would You Call That Love, and Medicine enough. They have become my absolute favorites. I can't sing enough praises for this release.



2. Dua Lipa - Dua Lipa (Deluxe Edition)

So as many have I first heard of Dua Lipa by her single New Rules which is a jam. I watched the music video one day and fell into a whole of watching her music video catalogue and loved every song so I had to buy her album. I just love her voice and sound. My favorites so far without mentioning New Rules are No Goodbyes, Begging, Homesick, IDGAF, and Garden. I look forward to hearing more from her.








3. Billie Eilish - Don't Smile At Me

I can't exactly recall where I first heard Billie Eilish. But I was intrigued by her beautiful voice. When I first heard Ocean Eyes I was hooked. I had to look into more and was happy with everything I heard. I was amazed to find out she was 15. She has a voice that just captivates. It's hard for me to  describe. But I love her sound. Favorites besides Ocean Eyes include Bellyache, Hostage and Idontwannabeyouanymore.








4. Lights - Until The Light (Single)

So it had been awhile since i had heard music from Lights. I first heard of her years ago via YouTube and enjoyed some of her music, but I hadn't really kept up. Until Now. I heard this single and was pleasantly surprised. It's a different sound than what I remember hearing from her. I love it. It put me in the mood to dance and its just fun to listen to. I look forward to listening to more.









5. Luis Fonsi & Demi Lovato - Echame La Culpa (Single)

There's not really much I can say about this song besides it's a fun jam that I love singing and dancing to. After the success of Despacito it was good to see another collaboration with Luis Fonsi and it being Demi Lovato was a good choice. I find myself loving every collab Demi takes part in. I just love her voice. And to hear her sing in Spanish adds to the goodness of it. It's just a fun song to jam to.








So those are my picks for the music I've been obsessed with the last month. I really recommend a listen even if just a moment. You never know what you might like until you try it.

Until next time. Peace, Love, and Hugs!