Leona Lewis kind of bombed a bit with her last album Glassheart. It wasn't that anyone wished her any level of failure (I don't think?), it was more that the music just wasn't what we expect from the singer who blew us off our feet with the likes of Bleeding Love and Run. That's not to say there weren't amazing songs on that album (Unlove Me & Trouble). It's never too late to make amends and that's just what she's doing with her newest album Christmas, With Love.
Preceded by single One More Sleep, the album opens in true festive fashion with typical Christmas jingles and a Motown arrangement pulled together by Kylie & One Direction producer Biffco. It's a song the Supremes would have been proud to call their own and almost hits the bar set by Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You. This is what the world has been hungering after for years, a new & good Xmas pop song in the same stylings as the classic behemoth festive hit. The album contains a total of three original songs, Leona credited in the 'writers' section. Your Hallelujah is a down tempo, piano lead number, opened with some understated vocals from Leona. The third is Mr Right, similar to the lead single in pace but even more incredible in quality. This is certainly an album highlight.
Then we have the classic Christmas cover versions. Winter Wonderland is predictably great, begging to be blasted on a snowy drive home and Silent Night is a semi acapella beauty with flawless vocals. It's staple Christmas tracks I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday & Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) that really shine through. Not only does this album show Leona's ability to carry a pop classic, it also proves her to be one of the most incredible vocal talents around. Ave Maria is perhaps one of the most beautiful performances you'll hear during December. Leona is unrecognisable as she sings the Schubert masterpiece like an adept classical singer.
The beauty of Christmas, With Love is that it remains loyal to the iconic originals. It doesn't fiddle with song structures, nor does it do anything over the top. It's pure, shameless Christmas joy presented in 10 tracks by one of the world's strongest vocal performers. If this is an apology album from Leona, promising she's going to get back on the right road with her future 5th album then we are going to hear something very special indeed. This could be the best Christmas album since Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas.
5/5
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