A Different Christmas

In Bryson Tiller\'s hands, Christmas music gets a sexy and soulful twist, nostalgic but decidedly modern. Perhaps that\'s why his holiday offering is titled *A Different Christmas*—there are few standards and no bells or holly, but the singer nevertheless captures the spirit. Songs like “be mine this christmas” and “presents,” which features Kiana Ledé, check off all the lyrical staples of the season while also doubling as the kind of R&B songs that have replay value long after the tree is taken down. Elsewhere, his take on “i\'ll be home for christmas,” a dulcet a cappella ballad, and “winter wonderland,” a wholesome duet with his daughter Halo, maintain their familiarity without sacrificing personal touch. There are few clichés here despite the conspicuousness of the theme, and true to memorable holiday albums of the past, Tiller\'s take ultimately feels true to the artist who made it.

A Different Christmas defies the expectations of both a Bryson Tiller release and a holiday recording.