Cali Tucker – “Santa Baby”

Cali Tucker just released her holiday EP “Santa Baby” and it’s worth your time if you’re looking for some new Christmas music. She took six classic holiday songs and put her own spin on them, and honestly, she did a great job.

Tucker’s been having a strong year with over 10 million streams and multiple singles getting radio play, so a holiday project was probably the next logical move. The title track “Santa Baby” has this sultry vibe that really works, and her version of “Please Come Home for Christmas” actually sounds like she means it, not just going through the motions. “Mele Kalikimaka” is probably my favorite here because it throws some island energy into the mix, which is refreshing when you’ve been hearing the same Christmas songs on repeat everywhere. She also does “O Holy Night”, and I know that’s a tough one to pull off since everyone’s already heard a million versions, but she doesn’t disappoint. The other two tracks are “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song”, and both are done well without being boring.

The EP was produced by her late friend Ryan Whyte Maloney, who she knew from The Voice. Knowing that backstory makes listening to it hit a bit harder. If this EP works for you, go listen to her original stuff too. Follow Cali Tucker on social media so you don’t miss whatever she releases next.