As the holiday season gets closer, this week’s Second Listen Sunday selection is from EGOT winner, Jennifer Hudson, and her 2024 Christmas album “The Gift Of Love”. The EGOT winner plays like the album she’s been circling for years — a complete, confident return that uses Christmas not as a gimmick, but as a framework for everything she does well.
This is her first holiday set and her first studio album in a decade, but she shows no signs of rust. Hudson arrives with purpose, supported by heavyweight producers such as Ryan Tedder, David Foster, Kirk Franklin, Greg Phillinganes, and James Poyser. The production is glossy and cinematic, meticulously arranged, yet even the most polished moments highlight her voice rather than overshadow it.
Opening with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is a bold choice that only a singer with absolute command could execute. Hudson avoids the temptation to belt out the notes right away. Instead, she demonstrates control and thoughtful phrasing, allowing the lyrics to breathe before unleashing her powerful voice in the final stretch. Her collaboration with The Joy on “Carol of the Bells” stands out as the album’s brightest surprise—a rhythmic, South African-inspired reimagining that elevates the record beyond traditional ornamentation, giving it a lively pulse.
Most of the standards, including “O Holy Night,” “The Christmas Song,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” follow familiar structures. However, with Hudson’s rich and resonant voice, the goal isn’t necessarily to reinvent these classics but to interpret them. She treats these songs with respect, bending the notes just enough to make them her own without overdoing it.
Where Hudson truly shines is in her original songs. “Find the Love” and “Make It Christmas” blend contemporary R&B with gospel influences, while “Santa for Someone” showcases her ability to convey longing with dignity rather than melodrama. “Almost Christmas,” featuring Common, brings warmth and chemistry without veering into holiday clichés.
“The Gift of Love” feels less like a seasonal offering and more like a declaration. Hudson isn’t trying to compete with the reigning queens of Christmas; instead, she is carving out her own niche—one that is soulful, commanding, and grounded in vocal authenticity.
This album is a rare holiday release that feels both timeless and fresh, positioning her to return every December without ever sounding repetitive.
“The Gift Of Love” is available on all streaming platforms.
As fans prepare for his upcoming co-headlining tour, Ne-Yo isn’t just revisiting his past; he’s expanding his horizons. “Up Out & Gone” continues his recent shift towards country-influenced sounds, but it’s important to note that this isn’t a genre switch—it’s a blend.
If you had told me ten years ago that I would fall behind on music, I would have laughed it off. But as they say, we are all adulting now. Thankfully, friends like Edward Bowser from SoulInStereo.com and Brandon Sullivan from Shatter The Standards keep my musical interests alive.
Kicking off my first interview is DMV based rapper K-Quick