Now that the holiday season is in full swing, albums of both new songs and covers are on the shelves. This year it’s more than the usual cover of “Jingle Bells” or “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”. Long time stars have teamed up with the new, and opera is combined with rock and roll.

    Artists with new releases include Kelly Clarkson, Mary J Blige, Jewel, Susan Boyle, and Trace Adkins. In years past, some have waited to turn on the radio before Thanksgiving in fear of quickly becoming tired of the tunes. This time around, though, the large range of seasonal music will not call for boredom. Senior Molly Bogusz favors this update in holiday music. “I feel like everyone always loves the classics but it’s always nice to introduce some new songs at some point” said Bogusz.

    Kelly Clarkson branched from tradition by releasing her own set of holiday music in her new album, “Wrapped in Red”. Mary J Blige also released a new Christmas album, including “Silent Night” and “Do You Hear What I Hear”, as a duet with Jessie J.

    Wondering where opera and rock and roll come together? Although this will be Susan Boyle’s second holiday album, it will be huge. “Home For Christmas” contains a digitally- created duet with Elvis Presley on “O Come All Ye Faithful”. On a more popular note, something that will surely get many new ‘Arianators’ pumped for this holiday season would be her new EP, released mid-November. Ariana Grande has released her own  version of “Last Christmas”, already racing to the top of the charts. Sophomore Gina Collari is one of the many excited for this new addition; “I think she brought a new vibe to holiday music. It makes it more enjoyable for our age group.” said Collari.

    No longer will the holiday season be full of the same songs on repeat, or hearing “Jingle Bells” in our sleep. This is not to say that we should lose appreciation for the classics, but to add a little bit of the new on our holiday playlists.