Elektra Entertainment
Release Date: November 3rd 2023
Reviewed by: Jonathan Andre
Christina Perri– Songs For Christmas (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Silent Night
- Christmas Dream
- A Marshmallow World
- Sleigh Ride
- Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
- Mele Kalikimaka
- Frosty The Snowman
- Let It Snow
- Christmas Waltz
- Wonderful Christmastime
- White Christmas
- The Christmas Song
Christina Perri, known for her hit song “A Thousand Years” as well as her single “Jar Of Hearts”; isn’t that popular now. She would not be the first person you think of when you think about the current pop landscape right now. However, she still has been able to forge ahead with her career nonetheless; and has still released many albums. We never reviewed her 2022 album A Lighter Shade Of Blue (though we wanted to!), while the albums Songs For Carmella, Songs For Rosie and Songs For Pixie all released within the last few years in commemoration of the first birthday of each one of her daughters, including Rosie who passed away in 2020, and would have been 1 in 2021. Christina has endured so much throughout the years; and so, a Christmas album, titled Songs For Christmas released this year, and here’s hoping it brightens up the music landscape and makes everything seem all the more optimistic, positive and somewhat bearable.
And here’s my consensus. This album, though Christmas in nature, isn’t a Christmas album. But that’s not really an issue anyways. There are no bells or whistles or that winter-y Christmas atmosphere. Instead, there is that sleepy lullaby atmosphere… and yes, this is a ‘Christmas’ album directed to her young children in the same vein as the other ‘Songs For ____’ in the same series. And though we may not know why Christina continues to record in this way and fashion, seemingly alienating herself from the wider population and what they desire and like from her; what we should commend and congratulate her for, is her tenacity and her desire to do something out of the norm. Sure, this album is only 25 minutes long. But it pulls at your heart strings and your emotions. Sure you might fall asleep. But this album is still rejuvenating and refreshing in a climate where every album, or holiday album, sounds the same. You all may have a different opinion. But this album surprised me in a good way, and songs like “A Marshmallow World”, “Sleigh Ride”, “Mele Kalikimaka”, “Frosty The Snowman”, “Wonderful Christmastime” and “White Christmas” all bring a smile to my face. You need to be in the right frame of mind to listen to this album. If you’re not expecting it, it will be a bit disorientating. But if you know the history of Christina recording similar albums for her children, then this project makes sense. And so, without further ado, let us be amazed at the artistry of Christina and the objective poignancy and impact of this album on the Christmas music landscape at large. Well done Christina Perri, I can’t wait to hear what’s next from you!
3 songs to listen to: Sleigh Ride, Wonderful Christmastime, The Christmas Song
Score: 5/5
RIYL: Sanctus Real, Lifehouse, Matchbox Twenty, Daughtry, Echosmith