BEC Recordings
Release Date: November 11th 2022
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Tasha Layton– This Is Christmas (Amazon mp3/iTunes)
Track Listing:
- Hang Up Your Stockin’
- Daddly Squat
- Giving Christmas Away
- Make It To Christmastime
- Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
- This Is Christmas
- Comfort And Joy
- O Holy Night
- Somewhere In My Memory
Way back at the end of 2018, BEC Recordings signed worship leader Tasha Layton – the latest artist in what seems to be a signing spree. Matty Mullins, Stephen Christian, Jorge (now known as George Mhondera), Aaron Bucks, River Valley Worship and London Gatch were all presented a spot on the label in 2017, while Brian Ortize, Free Worship and Battledrums were signed to BEC Recordings in 2018. These days, BEC Recordings looks way, way different; yet this doesn’t mean Tasha was added to the roster just to make up numbers nor for the sake of it. Rather, with Tasha’s debut EP Love Running Wild scoring a 5/5 rating, and me enjoying her brand of worship-pop music very much; let me just let you all know, that Tasha’s joy and effervescent love for Jesus has shined through on very song she has released. With Tasha’s vocals being simply extremely powerful and strong, more-so than any other debut artist over the past few years in my opinion; Tasha unveiled Into The Sea in 2020, an EP that I reviewed here, and a release that further confirmed my assertions of Tasha being one of today’s most inspiring worship leaders. The release of Look What You’ve Done – a 3 song EP in 2021 (not reviewed!), further reminds us of Tasha’s staying power and songwriting prowess- in a CCM industry that desperately needs revamping quickly in order to stay relevant and relatable. And as Tasha’s worship melodies are a breath of fresh air, we were introduced to Tasha’s full length debut album How Far in May 2022 (which we reviewed here). As Tasha continues to remind us how much she is on fire for Jesus and her prowess as a songwriter and as a singer; I am continually in wonder of a God who loves me unconditionally and calls me to be in relationship with Him! And now, as we fast forward to the present, Tasha is back… this time with a brand new song called “Never”. The single released in June this year, but now, Tasha has unveiled three new versions- and they’re all incredibly impressive- I voiced by thoughts on the extended EP here.
But as we’re now in October 2023 and in the middle of forging ahead in our Christmas In July series; how about we dive deep into Tasha’s debut Christmas album This Is Christmas from last year? Considering what has happened with The Voice vote last week as well as the ongoing Israel-Palestine war; I’d say that Christmas and celebrating with family now seems to be key in keeping us all safe and sane. Tasha reminds us of fun, joy and family in the Alvin & the Chipmunk’s frenetic cover “Hang Up Your Stockin’”. The album opener is a carefree, nonsensical yet fun and joyous holiday melody; while the jazz inspired “Diddly Squat” is a fun-filled track that is directed at a ‘naughty’ kid, with Tasha joyously relaying that the child in question isn’t receiving anything for Christmas because they weren’t good or nice- the original melody, which is a holiday song as opposed to a worshipful one, reminds us to be nice and kind to our friends and family this holiday season. “Giving Christmas Away”, similar in theme to Matthew West’s “Give This Christmas Away”, is an 80’s throwback musically, with the original melody highlighting that Tasha longs to give back to people less fortunate than her during the holidays, that ‘…I’m giving hope, I’m giving peace, wanna share the joy the holidays can bring, I’m giving love, I’ll start today, every chance is a chance I’ll take I’m giving Christmas away…’; while the piano led reflective ballad “Make It To Christmastime” earnestly delves into Tasha’s love for her family and her love for the holiday season, that ‘…[I] can’t wait for the 24th, finally walking through that door, fall into the arms of those that I adore, all the madness, all the miles melt into sweetest smiles, those moments make it all worthwhile…’.
Holiday tunes (melodies not about Jesus) are sometimes added into worship artists’ Christmas albums for variety and for depth, and on this album, Tasha tries her hand at the jazzy and swanky “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” which is recorded to perfection here; and though “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” has been recorded to death by many cover artists, Tasha’s piano prominent rendition is near-flawless and an album highlight immensely. The title track “This is Christmas”, yet another original, is a stirring, worshipful, heart-warming melody that vividly and extensively tells the Christmas story (by far my favourite track on the album!), and is as worshipful as ever with Tasha eloquently and ardently crying out ‘…praise the King, the Lord of Lords, He shall reign forevermore, long awaited Christ our Savior, Hallelujah, this is Christmas…’; while the inspiring, comforting and healing original ballad “Comfort And Joy” is a track that provides us all reassurance that Jesus is King, is Lord over all of our lives, and loves each one of us deeply, this melody inspires us to trust in Jesus and tell others about Him and His love for all of us. Tasha’s heavenly and pristine cover of “O Holy Night” is one of my favourite renditions of the carols since Lincoln Brewster version way back in 2012, and is a penultimate melody on an already brilliant and magical album; but the true perfection of this project lies in Tasha’s out-of-this-world perfection embodied in “Somewhere In My Memory”- the theme song from Home Alone.
Many, many Christmas albums have impacted my soul that we’ve written about and listened to throughout the past few years. Tasha Layton’s 2022 holiday album stands tall amongst the rest of these melodies and projects, as she continues on in her mission to make Jesus’ name famous, and to point people to Him. It isn’t known what is next for Tasha. We’ve heard her singing one of Casting Crowns’ hits in “Glorious Day”. But if Tasha’s second all-new studio album (aside from this Christmas album) is anything like “Never” and “I Lay It Down” (yet to be reviewed!); then I reckon we’ll all be in for a treat! Sophomore slump? Who knows, but at this point in time, I reckon a resounding ‘no’! Well done, Tasha, can’t wait for you to hear what is next from you, as you continue to bless us all with more songs! Fans of Hannah Kerr, Natalie Grant, Kari Jobe, Sarah Reeves, and Mia Fieldes will love Tasha Layton!
3 songs to listen to: This Is Christmas, Comfort And Joy, Somewhere In My Memory
Score: 4.5/5
RIYL: Natalie Grant, Hannah Kerr, Sarah Reeves, Mia Fieldes, Riley Clemmons, Katy Nichole