Pentatonix: Christmas Album & Sinatra Cover | Pop Shop Podcast

Pentatonix’s “Christmas in the City” Album Blends Nostalgia with New Holiday Traditions

Pentatonix’s latest album, Christmas in the City, represents a “biggest labor of love” for the a cappella group, according to member Kirstin Maldonado, and is already resonating with fans and charting success. The project, born from a simple holiday ornament spotted in New York City, aims to capture the magic of the season while honoring classic Christmas sounds and introducing fresh, original material.

A New York State of Mind Inspires a Seasonal Soundscape

The concept for Christmas in the City unexpectedly sparked when Scott Hoying of Pentatonix noticed a festive ornament during a holiday market visit in New York. This initial inspiration quickly evolved into the album’s title track and, ultimately, a full collection of songs, as explained by Matt Sallee. While rooted in the energy of New York, the group intends to share the album’s joyful spirit with audiences “in every city” through their music and ongoing tour.

Paying Homage to the Golden Age of Christmas Music

Pentatonix deliberately crafted Christmas in the City to evoke the feeling of classic Christmas albums from the 1940s and 1950s. According to Sallee, the group’s intention was to create an album that would seamlessly fit into established holiday playlists. This vision was realized through the use of diverse instrumentation and sonic textures, enhanced by the contributions of dozens of live musicians alongside Pentatonix’s signature vocal harmonies.

A Blend of Originality and Familiar Favorites

More than half of the tracks on Christmas in the City are newly written, showcasing the songwriting talents of all five Pentatonix members: Mitch Grassi, Hoying, Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, and Sallee. The album also features beloved classics like “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silver Bells,” alongside a unique rendition of “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.”

A Historic Collaboration with Frank Sinatra

Perhaps the most remarkable element of the album is a collaboration with the late Frank Sinatra. Pentatonix was granted access to a previously unreleased vocal take of Sinatra performing the Irving Berlin standard, “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” by the Frank Sinatra Estate. “They blessed us with his voice,” Maldonado shared, expressing her pride in the arrangement and its alignment with the album’s overall aesthetic. The track has already made waves, jumping from 12 to 9 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary airplay chart dated December 6, marking Pentatonix’s eighth top 10 and Sinatra’s 21st (and first since 1980).

JoJo Adds Her Voice to the Holiday Cheer

The album also features a collaboration with JoJo on the original song “Snowing in Paris.” Both Maldonado and Sallee praised JoJo’s vocal talent and artistry, describing her contribution as “amazing” and “insanely talented.”

Continuing a Holiday Touring Tradition

Since 2017 (with a pause in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Pentatonix has established a tradition of embarking on a seasonal tour. This year’s Christmas in the City Tour launched on November 8 and is scheduled to conclude on December 22 in Fort Worth, Texas. The group will then extend their holiday performances with a U.K. and European tour beginning April 7 in Budapest and concluding May 3 in Stockholm. Sallee noted the heartwarming experience of recognizing returning fans each year, emphasizing the honor of being a part of families’ holiday traditions.

Chart News and Podcast Insights

The latest episode of the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast featured Maldonado and Sallee discussing Christmas in the City, their 11th top 10 on Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart, and their tour. The podcast also highlighted other chart developments, including Stray Kids’ DO IT reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the success of the Wicked: For Good soundtrack, and the return of a legendary rock band to the Billboard 200 top 10 after a decade. The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, hosted by Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield, provides a comprehensive overview of the latest pop music news and chart statistics.