Ingrid Michaelson puts her own personal touch on familiar Christmas songs in “Songs for the Season.”
The album offers famous holiday classics, including Christmas tracks and holiday-neutral songs. However, the album sounds too similar to other holiday albums to be considered original. Despite the repetitive sound of the majority of the album, Michaelson manages to incorporate some unique aspects in her Hawaiian cultural song, “Mele Kalikimaka,” and unique poem in “Auld Lang Syne.”
Michaelson is a singer and songwriter who has been professionally singing since 2002. She has released seven other albums, but “Songs for the Season” is her first holiday album.
The album has a total of 11 classical Christmas tracks and one original track called, “Happy, Happy Christmas.” Michaelson’s album boasts a classical jazz take on Christmas classics that may not be for everyone, and she collaborates with Christina Perri and America’s Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal on a total of five of the album’s tracks.
The tracks tend to be slow but provide a peaceful atmosphere for mellow events. Some tracks are too familiar, since Michaelson only covers classic holiday songs that have been frequently sung before.
The first track on the single, “Looks Like a Cold, Cold Winter,” has a comfortable jazz tone with a beautiful use of trumpets. The diverse use of different instrumental sounds in this track allows listeners to hear Michaelson’s talent and adds some originality to this Christmas album which is otherwise lackluster.
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is a song that perfectly demonstrates the cozy feeling of Christmas and the holiday season. Michaelson’s impeccable vocals on this track set the perfect Christmas mood and calm listeners with a slow and mellow rhythm, making the song peaceful and easy to listen to.
Michaelson has said that she has incorporated her own feelings into this album after personally growing as a person since last year’s holiday season. This statement is clear to listeners, as Michaelson’s strong yet tranquil vocals and the overall feel of the album provide much needed warmth and comfort to listeners.
The eleventh song on Michaelson’s album, “All I Want For Christmas,” provides listeners with a spin off on one of the most widely played songs during the holiday season. Broadway actor Leslie Odom Jr. displays his stunning vocals in the song alongside Michaelson in their spectacular duet that awes listeners.
Michaelson performs an original piece called “Happy, Happy Christmas,” which is beautifully sung with a somber yet peaceful tone that the audience may listen to in times of nostalgia or admiration of the holiday spirit. Her vocals are extraordinary as she manages to instill holiday spirit and cheer into every song, although they seem very similar to many tracks heard before, which does not leave any room for excitement throughout the album.
In Michaelson’s album “Songs for the Season,” she shares a bundle of holiday classics that are creatively altered to fit her personality. Overall, the album is superb, with strong vocals and a Christmas tone that reminds listeners of the true joys during the holiday season.
Ingrid Michaelson’s “Songs for the Season” can be purchased on iTunes for $10.99 and streamed on platforms such as Spotify or YouTube.
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