Kelly Clarkson has been one of the biggest names in pop music over the last couple years, and she has proved that she is one of the greatest talents of our generation. She sings everything effortlessly, and so when she announced she was releasing a Christmas album I knew she could pull it off. Wrapped In Red is her first foray into the Christmas scene, and I hope she does it again in the future because this album is perfect. I've listened to it about five times now, and I can honestly say that it's actually one of her strongest albums, almost as good as Stronger. Not only did she cover some of the most iconic holiday songs of all time, but she also co-wrote five original songs that are incredible. They capture the classic holiday sound so perfectly yet are so modern that you would never know they are not covers. Wrapped In Red ushered in the holiday season early for me, and this album will be the soundtrack to my Christmas this year and my family will just have to deal with it when I return.

The album kicks off with the titular track 'Wrapped In Red', and right away we know we're in for a treat. The song could not be more perfect of a Christmas song. It invokes that warm fuzzy feeling as you're curled up with a cup of cocoa as the snow falls outside. Kelly's voice is absolutely gorgeous here, the emotion sliding off the notes. She belts, and it's amazing. Going straight into the next song we get the first single from the album, 'Underneath the Tree', which easily rivals Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' as the best Christmas pop song ever written. It's literally perfect in every way, giving you the irresistible urge to bop along with the tune. Read what I originally thought of it HERE. 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' is a gorgeous tune, Kelly letting the emotion in her voice do the heavy lifting. The notes lilt into the next, the orchestral backing providing the perfect winter backdrop. And the song has an incredible high note towards the end that blows me away every time I listen to it. Kelly ramps up the pace with the infectious '60s country-rock 'Run Run Rudolph'. But things slow down once again with 'Please Come Home for Christmas (Bells Will Be Ringing)'. We get transported back to the '70s with the classic Christmas tune that you would expect to hear in a Grease or Hairspray style movie.
Next up we have another original track from Kelly, 'Every Christmas'. Again, you would never know this isn't a cover. Kelly invokes that timeless '60s sound here and really belts out the lyrics. It's jazzy and her vocal stylings are to die for. Another amazing song. Next up is the classic 'Blue Christmas', although Kelly brings a lighter flair to it so that it doesn't bring down the tone of the album too much. In my opinion, you can't have Christmas without the iconic duet 'Baby It's Cold Outside'. On here Kelly teams up with country singer Ronnie Dunn, and the song sounds just as iconic as you would expect. I have a soft spot for this song, and it lives up to my expectations. Then we have another original 'Winter Dreams (Brandon's Song)' which Kelly wrote for her now husband, Brandon. The song is one of my favorites as it a bit more modern day pop than the standards she has been covering. It's a bit more cutesy and cliché which just makes it all the more fun. I really love the melody of the song. It's gorgeous.

Then comes the classic 'White Christmas', and Kelly is backed by just a piano. Read my original thoughts HERE. I really want to see her perform this live during her concert special because I know it'll be a poignant moment. Her voice glides magically over the song. Then we find ourselves at the upbeat 'My Favorite Things' and it's fun to hear Kelly being playful. This has to be in her concert special because, again, you can have so much fun with this song. We then arrive at the last original track on the album which is '4 Carats'. This song is the most modern of all her original compositions, which makes it stand out and that's probably why it's my favorite on the album. I could see her releasing this as a second single. The lyrics are the cutesy Mariah Carey/Britney Spears type, but the song has more of a rock-pop feel which is awesome.
After this, things slow down a bit as we move to Imogen Heap's song 'Just For Now'. It's a big piano driven ballad that is absolutely gorgeous and a bit haunting. Rounding out the standard edition of the album is the holiday standard 'Silent Night'. Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood assist Kelly on the track, adding a country flair which fits nicely with the song. Their vocals are outstanding. The bonus tracks 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' and 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel' don't stray from their originals which is nice because they are already perfect on their own. On the former, Kelly's beautiful vocals bring raw emotion to the track, and on the latter we are treated to a haunting vocal. 'Emmanuel' is my favorite song to sing in church during the holiday season, and hearing Kelly sing it is heavenly.

Tracks to Check Out: The original tracks, 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas', 'Baby It's Cold Outside', 'Silent Night'

Overall Rating: 10/10