On her second holiday-themed full-length, pop violinist
Lindsey Stirling
puts her contemporary spin on a handful of classics bundled alongside some originals on
Snow Waltz
. Following 2018's
Warmer in the Winter
, this appropriately festive set features
Stirling
's trademark crossover sound, an upbeat blend of hip-hop beats, pop production, and folksy violin. "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" and "Feliz Navidad" are energized with galloping percussion, handclaps, and jaunty piano backing. Centerpiece "Joy to the World" is a swashbuckling highlight that thrills more than the original ever could, while "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" is infused with urgent drama and a brief dubstep break. Fans will delight at these versions, as
doesn't stray too far from her typical style. Additionally, she recruited a handful of guests to provide vocals, including
Bonnie McKee
("Crazy for Christmas"),
Frawley
(the peppy "Christmas Time with You"), and
David Archuleta
(the aptly titled soul stirrer "Magic").
is a warm cup of cocoa (with a little something extra splashed in) that pleases the soul and primes listeners for the holidays. ~ Neil Z. Yeung