As “the Vocal Bible,” also known as Ms. Brandy Norwood, concludes her co-headlining tour, “The Boy Is Mine,” with Monica, I decided to revisit her 2023 holiday album, “Christmas with Brandy,” for this week’s Second Listen Sunday and to kick off the holiday season.
When we look back over Brandy’s career, it’s pretty surprising that it took her so long to create a Christmas album. When one looks at her discography and work with Rodney Jerkins, the duo could’ve easily crafted a project similar to Alexander O’Neal’s still classic 1988 album “My Gift To You”.
Brandy steps into the holiday lane with the ease of someone who’s been seasoning R&B for three decades. Christmas with Brandy clocks in at a dozen cuts, but it’s the originals that do the real work. Collaborating with producers such as Theron “Neff-U” Feemster, DJ Camper, Kyle Mann, Nasri Atweh, and Adam Messinger from The Messengers, Brandy creates her own holiday canon.
The lead single is a slow-burning invitation titled “Christmas Party for Two,” which could efficiently work as standard R&B bop. While there is a warm grin of a groove on “Christmas Gift,” and the airy optimism of “Somebody’s Waiting.” “Shine Out Your Light” and “Christmas Everyday” are both packed with the kind of uplifting energy that comes naturally to her.
The standout among the original material is “Feels Different.” However, it is the curveball—a mid-tempo heart-warmer that could fit onto any R&B playlist during the summertime and still make perfect sense. Naturally, it’s not a Christmas album without a few covers of the classics.
With ease, Brandy gives the iconic songs a reshaping with
her unmistakable phrasing—stacked harmonies, conversational runs, and a tone that somehow glows and sighs at the same time. Her “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” feels like a fireside check-in with an old friend. “Santa Baby,” “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Deck the Halls” all have a modern shimmer.
But the real holiday treat is her take on “Someday at Christmas”. Brandy’s version carries the ache, hope, and soul of the original without ever mimicking it. While Rodney Jerkins doesn’t participate, this ball plays like a holiday evening spent with someone who knows when to toast, when to laugh, and when to let the silence breathe.
“Christmas with Brandy” lands as a welcome addition to the modern holiday stash—smooth, spirited, and unmistakably hers.
Final Grade: B
“Christmas with Brandy” is available on all streaming platforms.
This week’s Second Listen Sunday pick takes us back to 2006 to revisit “So Amazin’,” the third album from Christina Milian. Arriving in stores on April 19 of that year, the project was produced largely by Cool & Dre, sans one song, and saw the singer earn writing credits on nine of the album’s songs.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I want to showcase love for Rahsaan Patterson and his album track “Can We Wait a Minute” from his self-titled debut album, released in 1997.
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I wanted to take a trip back to 2000 and show some love to the R&B duo K-Ci & JoJo and their third album, “X,” which was released in stores on December 5, just in time for a holiday stocking stuffer. Arguably, the group suffered from the sophomore slump with their second album, as only two singles were successful.