Following an album of originals (
The Lucky Ones
) and the holiday LP
Evergreen
, both released in 2021,
Pentatonix
turn out another dedicated Christmas set,
Holidays Around the World
, their sixth career seasonal album. Despite its name, it's loaded with traditional carols and English-language classics spanning "Jingle Bells" and "Last Christmas," however, its diverse list of guest performers include Congolese gospel singer
Grace Lokwa
("Love Came on Christmas [Joy to the World x Kumama Papa])," Lebanese singer/actress
Hiba Tawaji
("Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"), Filipino crossover star
Lea Salonga
("Christmas in Our Hearts"), and J-pop duo
Hikakin & Seikin
, among others. Fellow American
Meghan Trainor
kicks things off with the cheerful "Kid on Christmas," one of the album's three original songs. The other new songs, the wistful "Star on Top" and power ballad "Prayers for This World," are performed by the a cappella group alone. Highlights throughout include "Kid on Christmas," a rendition of "Feliz Navidad" featuring Los Angeles group
La Santa Cecilia
and Spanish-style guitar, and a rhythm-section-free version of "Silent Night" with the
King's Singers
, so there's a little something for everyone here, traditionalists and poppists alike. ~ Marcy Donelson