As the holiday season unfolds, 2024 has brought a fresh wave of Christmas music, blending classic favorites with innovative new releases. Here’s an overview of the latest trends and notable additions to the festive playlist.
New Releases and Notable Albums
- Chloe Flower’s “Chloe Hearts Christmas”: The acclaimed pianist Chloe Flower has unveiled a festive cover of “Deck the Halls,” featuring the Royal Philharmonic and the English National Orchestra Choir at Abbey Road Studios. This track is part of her 2023 holiday album, “Chloe Hearts Christmas,” which aims to blend traditional melodies with modern accessibility. People
- Goom Gum’s Electronic Playlist: Russian techno duo Goom Gum, known for their melodic techno style, have curated a Christmas playlist featuring classic electronic dance tracks that have inspired their music. The playlist includes timeless tracks like Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” and Paul van Dyk’s “For An Angel.” The Sun
- Vince Gill and Amy Grant’s “When I Think of Christmas”: Country music legends Vince Gill and Amy Grant have released a new holiday album, “When I Think of Christmas,” featuring two new recordings: a duet of “‘Til the Season Comes Round Again” and Grant’s rendition of the title track. KQED
- Jennifer Hudson’s “The Gift of Love”: Jennifer Hudson has released a holiday album titled “The Gift of Love,” adding her powerful vocals to classic Christmas songs. KXT
Streaming Trends
- Early Holiday Music Streaming: Streaming platforms have observed a significant increase in holiday music consumption starting earlier in the season. Spotify’s “Christmas Hits” playlist experienced nearly double the streams in mid-November 2024 compared to the previous year, indicating a trend of earlier engagement with festive music. Bridge Ratings
- Dominance of Classic Christmas Songs: Despite the influx of new releases, classic Christmas songs continue to dominate streaming charts. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” remains a perennial favorite, though recent data suggests a slight decline in its streaming numbers compared to previous years. MusicRadar
Upcoming Releases
- Elton John’s “Step Into Christmas”: Elton John has released a new music video for “Step Into Christmas,” adding a fresh touch to his classic holiday tune. YouTube
- Bing Crosby and V’s “White Christmas”: A new version of “White Christmas” featuring Bing Crosby and V of BTS has been released, offering a contemporary twist on the timeless classic. YouTube
The 2024 holiday season showcases a harmonious blend of cherished classics and innovative new releases, reflecting the dynamic nature of Christmas music and its enduring appeal across generations.