The holiday season is here, and while Mariah Carey and Wham! dominate the playlists, many artists you wouldn’t expect have also released Christmas albums. From heavy metal to swing, these festive surprises offer a unique twist on holiday cheer.
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Beyond the Classics: A Look at Unexpected Releases
Many artists have stepped outside their usual genres to deliver holiday music. These albums range from faithful covers to original tracks, providing a fresh take on familiar traditions. The trend shows that even artists known for unconventional sounds can embrace the festive spirit.
Heavy Metal & Hard Rock Holiday Cheer
Some of the most surprising releases come from the rock world.
* Christopher Lee’s A Heavy Metal Christmas reimagines traditional carols with a dark, powerful edge.
* Twisted Sister’s A Twisted Christmas delivers a rebellious take on the season, including a metal version of “Twelve Days of Christmas” with a decidedly edgy shopping list.
* Pretty Reckless (Taylor Momsen’s band) combines heavy vocals with holiday themes in their Christmas album.
Pop & R&B Stars Join the Festive Fun
Pop and R&B artists also offer unexpected holiday albums.
* Sia’s Everyday is Christmas became a modern staple with its original, poppy songs.
* Taylor Swift’s 2007 The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection, though hard to find, features covers and original tracks like “Christmases When You Were Mine.”
* Snoop Dogg’s Christmas In tha Dogghouse delivers a decidedly explicit take on the season, with titles like “My Little Mama Trippin on Christmas.”
Unexpected Genre Bends: Swing, Broadway, and More
Some artists venture into completely different territories.
* Seth MacFarlane surprised fans with a swing album of holiday standards in 2014, featuring a duet with Sara Bareilles.
* Leslie Odom Jr., known for Hamilton, included a traditional Hebrew poem for Hanukkah in his latest Christmas album.
* RuPaul’s RuPaul Christmas Party is high-energy, campy, and undeniably festive, proving the queen of drag can conquer any genre.
Legacy Artists & Modern Surprises
Even established artists offer unexpected holiday contributions.
* Barbra Streisand’s 1967 Christmas album showcases her timeless vocals on classic carols.
* Annie Lennox’s A Christmas Cornucopia offers a stirring, intimate collection of personal favorites.
* Hanson’s 1997 album delivers upbeat covers and original tracks, proving the brothers still bring the holiday spirit.
These albums show that the holiday season welcomes experimentation and creativity, even from the most unexpected sources. Whether it’s heavy metal carols or swing renditions, these artists prove that Christmas music can be as diverse as the artists who make it.
