Put Up the Lights, The Bird and the Bee (Release Me)

This long-running musical duo, consisting of singer Inara George and superstar producer Greg Kurstin, put up this short album/long EP for 2020 of modern, radio-friendly songs. Late-night TV fans will recall their recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show performing "Little Drummer Boy" with Dave Grohl on drums, and he's on the studio version as well. "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts)" is done in a modern synth-pop arrangment that is musically inventive as well as up-to-the-minute instrumentally, and they take a similar tack on "Sleigh Ride," "Deck the Halls," "Christmas Time is Here," and "Hallelujah Chorus." Two original songs appear here, the upbeat and sprightly "Merry Merry" and disc opener "You and I At Christmas Time," more of a soul ballad, although George's breathy vocals give many of this group's performances a sophisticated Astrud Gilberto feel. Put this whole album in your playlists, you won't regret it.