Arriving in late 2020,
We Need a Little Christmas
is the a cappella pop group's seventh full-length overall and fourth holiday album. Although it's a set that favors skittish exuberance over wholeheartedness or nostalgia, rare exceptions include the one original track here, album highlight "Thank You," a tribute to loved ones who made a challenging year more bearable. The remaining dozen covers range from
Ariana Grande
's "Santa Tell Me" to "Amazing Grace" and season-appropriate show tunes such as "When You Wish Upon a Star" (Pinocchio), "Once Upon a December" (Anastasia), and a spirited "My Favorite Things" (The Sound of Music) with the reliable
Kirstie Maldonado
on lead. Elsewhere, "White Christmas" sees
Pentatonix
joined by an archival recording of
Bing Crosby
(as well as the
London Symphony Orchestra
), and "Season of Love" (Rent) closes the mostly playful set on an earnest note. ~ Marcy Donelson