Bryson Tiller’s “A Different Christmas”

The beginning of December means that it is time for ugly Christmas sweaters and Christmas music. Now, whether or not you celebrate Christmas, it is almost impossible to escape the seasonal classics of Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and Justin Bieber. In fact, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has officially become the most popular holiday song by achieving Diamond status this year according to the Recording Industry Association of America. 

With so many options to choose from, however, breaking into the Christmas music scene can be an incredibly difficult task. Nevertheless, one artist took this challenge upon himself this year and released a seven-song album titled, “A Different Christmas.” Most popularly known for his 2015 album “T R A P S O U L,” Bryson Tiller truly has created a different kind of Christmas album. 

Despite the entire album only spanning 18 minutes, it achieves a great balance of well-known artists and a few smaller ones. “A Different Christmas” features artists Justin Bieber, Poo Bear, Tayla Parx, Kiana Ledé, and even his eight-year-old daughter who goes by the stage name Halo. 

With five original songs, he has managed to make his mark in the holiday music scene. The album was released on Nov. 19, the same day as Adele’s “30,” which to many may seem like a poor marketing move. 

However, Tiller’s album still managed to receive much buzz, with many claiming that the combination of albums made it a great day for music. The song “Winter Wonderland” has even become a sensation on Tik Tok, with many people reacting to Tiller and his daughter singing the Christmas classic. 

Tiller manages to seamlessly combine his signature R&B style with some Christmas cheer. Each song has a distinct beat that truly adds another layer beyond the classic Christmas tunes. Considering this, this album is something that one could shamelessly listen to all year. 

Additionally, it is incredibly clear that Tiller  tried to contribute a unique and new sound for the holiday season. While risky, it definitely paid off, as each song has its own vibe that appeals to different tastes. I can only hope that this success inspires more artists to take risks with holiday music going forward. 

It is no secret that holiday music can get a bit repetitive and perhaps annoying too. Tiller’s album is the perfect addition to the holiday music rotation when you need something different without sacrificing any Christmas spirit.

~ Tanvi Iyer `22