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Post by keeptheflowers on Oct 14, 2021 13:08:04 GMT -5
once again the originals are the best part of the album. a worthy follow up to the masterpiece that is Wrapped in Red. got me smiling and tearing up at certain parts of the album.
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Post by jasonhalbert on Oct 14, 2021 13:25:06 GMT -5
The originals are strong ( Blessed is better than it sounds in the clip, but that botched run features more than once so they not only used it once but bounced it over to repeat again). The vocals on the back half of Blessed are killer! For what it’s worth, the run everyone is referring to wasn’t bounced to repeat it- we did not fly vocals, she sang each one, and the run was intentional and how she sang it 🤷🏻♂️ Just a few more fun facts for those that care : - vocals were recorded over a 4 month period. We started recording in Feb of 2021 - the drum sounds at the top of Glow are actually Kelly banging on her desk through an iPhone voice memo to show me the beat and tempo she wanted, so I just kept it :) - That’s Jaco’s “yeah baby” at the top of CIC - Merry Christmas To The One and Last Christmas feature Greg Phillinganes on piano. Google him. He killed it. - Christmas Come Early has some special Easter eggs that catch me emotionally every time. - Ariana records and comps her own vocals - so impressed with her recording skills! - The style change from straight to swing in CIC was all Kelly’s idea - it took me a while to understand it, as it’s so not normal, but now that it’s done, I think she’s genius. I promise everyone that hates it, it will grow on you … - Jessi Collins wrote the end hook of CIC - it’s so catchy, it just never leaves my head. - Kelly specifically wanted a “Wall of Sound” on some songs - we listened to a lot of Phil Spector to get the sound she wanted. Even used dual drum kits on a few songs. Overall, we had a blast making this, and I think it’s the most involved at every level I’ve seen KC on an album - and it’s the album I personally need to hear this Christmas :) OK - as you all were - enjoying all the feedback, good and bad … and looking forward to you all hearing the non-insta compressed versions of everything.
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dbhmr
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Post by dbhmr on Oct 14, 2021 13:32:05 GMT -5
We don’t deserve you jasonhalbert 😭🙌🏻 Love those details. FLOORED Kelly provided a beat that worked for you 😂 Can’t wait to listen tonight!
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Jack
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Post by Jack on Oct 14, 2021 13:43:43 GMT -5
The originals are strong ( Blessed is better than it sounds in the clip, but that botched run features more than once so they not only used it once but bounced it over to repeat again). The vocals on the back half of Blessed are killer! For what it’s worth, the run everyone is referring to wasn’t bounced to repeat it- we did not fly vocals, she sang each one, and the run was intentional and how she sang it 🤷🏻♂️ Just a few more fun facts for those that care : - vocals were recorded over a 4 month period. We started recording in Feb of 2021 - the drum sounds at the top of Glow are actually Kelly banging on her desk through an iPhone voice memo to show me the beat and tempo she wanted, so I just kept it :) - That’s Jaco’s “yeah baby” at the top of CIC - Merry Christmas To The One and Last Christmas feature Greg Phillinganes on piano. Google him. He killed it. - Christmas Come Early has some special Easter eggs that catch me emotionally every time. - Ariana records and comps her own vocals - so impressed with her recording skills! - The style change from straight to swing in CIC was all Kelly’s idea - it took me a while to understand it, as it’s so not normal, but now that it’s done, I think she’s genius. I promise everyone that hates it, it will grow on you … - Jessi Collins wrote the end hook of CIC - it’s so catchy, it just never leaves my head. - Kelly specifically wanted a “Wall of Sound” on some songs - we listened to a lot of Phil Spector to get the sound she wanted. Even used dual drum kits on a few songs. Overall, we had a blast making this, and I think it’s the most involved at every level I’ve seen KC on an album - and it’s the album I personally need to hear this Christmas :) OK - as you all were - enjoying all the feedback, good and bad … and looking forward to you all hearing the non-insta compressed versions of everything. Thanks Jason! Like I say, the originals are exceptional and a testament to all your combined talents. The fact that your same team have, over the last seven years, created a dozen or so of the best Christmas originals in decades is something to behold. P.S. Having heard in 320, yes Insta etc. did compress the tracks oddly. Looking forward to listening on my Beats.
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Post by keeptheflowers on Oct 14, 2021 14:26:22 GMT -5
The last "last christmas i gave you my hea-aa-aa-aaaarrrt" at 2:31 is so gratifying and "Merry Christmas (To The One I Used To Know)" is magical, the build up to the heartbreaking last chorus is so well done.
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kmbgs
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Post by kmbgs on Oct 14, 2021 15:29:35 GMT -5
I am having extreme FOMO not having listened to anything right now but I am saving this for after Halloween when I officially start Xmas music. Much more excited to this year though!
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ƒreakshow
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Post by ƒreakshow on Oct 14, 2021 15:38:42 GMT -5
I haven't listened to any clips so far but I'm dying with excitement reading all of this. I'll be listening tomorrow once I've relaxed with my wine (unfortunately NOT out of the tumbler from the autographed package ). I know I won't be able to wait until after Halloween to listen, but I also don't want to burn it out by the time the actual Christmas season comes around ( ), so it'll be tough trying to put it out of my mind once I do listen. Love love love hearing how involved she was. Thank you for sharing with us Jason!
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franklin
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Post by franklin on Oct 14, 2021 16:08:15 GMT -5
Kelly banging on her desk through a voice memo is such a mood. QUEEN.
I'm dying to listen to this, I haven't heard a single clip. Merry Clarkmas Eve ya'll!!
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kmbgs
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Post by kmbgs on Oct 14, 2021 17:10:24 GMT -5
Kelly singing Money Can't Buy You Class...brb ascending.
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bigb0882
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Post by bigb0882 on Oct 14, 2021 17:16:43 GMT -5
I don’t see any of the extended samples on iTunes. Is that not a thing, anymore?
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taylor
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Post by taylor on Oct 15, 2021 0:19:28 GMT -5
Currently going through the album and was FLOORED by the Ariana collab. Holy s**t. The vocals towards the final chorus were ridiculously out of this world. Wasn’t as keen on “Glow,” but “Merry Christmas (To the One I Used to Know)” also floored me. I’ll finish this album and give some more thoughts tomorrow, but “Santa Can’t You Hear Me” is my #1 so far by a mile.
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SoMuchToSay
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Post by SoMuchToSay on Oct 15, 2021 0:19:41 GMT -5
Damn, just listened through. IT'S SOOOOOOO F**KING GOOD! Definitely on-par with Wrapped in Red and the originals may even be stronger. I was most surprised by Blessed. If she does an emotional performance of it on some national TV show, that could be the big PxP-like moment of the era - that key change gave me chills. Also the Ariana collab is literally pop perfection - hope there's a plan for that song. And obvi Christmas Isn't Cancelled is probably my favorite. Glow is soooooo damn good too, and It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas is the best version I've ever heard. Out of everything, the only two I'm very meh about are Santa Baby and Last Christmas - they're a little too "sexy" for my liking, especially the latter.
I'm interested to see how Atlantic taps into Kelly's new-found major celebrity status and daytime talk audience.
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circadian
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Post by circadian on Oct 15, 2021 2:23:48 GMT -5
Just finished my first listen. What a great album! It's been a really hard day for me, so my brain is not functioning well enough to write my thoughts coherently, but some things that strike me right now:
- It's a very different album than Wrapped In Red and I'm so glad about that. They both deserve their own spotlight. - I ADORE the retro/jazzy/big band vibe they went for, the vocal chameleon strikes once again - Merry Christmas Baby is that bitch. What an opener - Merry Christmas (To The One I Used To Know) belongs on the soundtrack of a Disney christmas musical. Make it happen! - Her sultry versions of Last Christmas and Santa Baby made me realize that one thing I need in my life is to see Kelly do a jazzy set on a small intimate venue - Can we get more collaborations with Chris Stapleton? Please - I'm already wetting my pants picturing the diva-off live performance of Santa, Can't You Hear Me on The Voice finale. There's no way that's not happening. - The only song I was worried from the clips was Blessed, but I ended up enjoying it. Far from top tier but it's not bad.
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ampersand
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Post by ampersand on Oct 15, 2021 4:36:27 GMT -5
I am floored by When Christmas Comes Around.... I was worried about how this would stack up next to WIR (which is my favourite Kelly record), but the vibe is so different that the two can't be compared. The originals are, of course, the highlight of the album, especially "Merry Christmas Baby" (what an opener!), "Merry Christmas (TTOIUTK)," and the two duets. Really excited to get my wine tumbler and get lit listening to this during the holiday season.
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Post by jonwhritenour on Oct 15, 2021 4:51:58 GMT -5
Incredible album!!
Especially:
Merry Christmas (to the one..) - interesting to learn this is where the album title comes from! Glow, Santa Can’t You Hear Me - perfect Blessed - that clip was deceiving, I got chills on this one!
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QAF
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Post by QAF on Oct 15, 2021 4:56:04 GMT -5
Going on my morning walk. It's almost exactly an hour and a half walk so I'll be able to listen to the album twice through. So excited.
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Peterawr
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Post by Peterawr on Oct 15, 2021 8:08:44 GMT -5
I can’t wait to blow out the glass on my car trying to sing “merry Christmas to the one I used to know”
Her vocals are literally out of this WORLD.
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franklin
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Post by franklin on Oct 15, 2021 8:22:55 GMT -5
It's beautiful. It's a much more cohesive album than Wrapped in Red, on that album some of the songs were a little jarring when listening through (i.e. Run Run Rudolph) but this album is WAY more polished. Everything blends together amazingly. Her voice is like butter. The originals are all stellar and while I don't really love the covers, they fit nicely here. Santa Baby is fun, I love her playfulness here, but the others are just ok (I'm slightly disappointed with Last Christmas but I think that's just bc I love the original). The Ariana duet is the highlight here for me so far, it just encapsulates everything I wanted from her for a Christmas record and really provides a fun lift that the record needed. I can't wait for this to be huge for the rest of eternity along with UTT Also, Christmas Come Early is devastatingly gorgeous. MERRY CLARKSMAS Everyone!!!! We are truly BLESSED.mp3 Also, "But Christmas Eve, my gift to me is dancing with your ghost" :'( :'( :'(
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QAF
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Post by QAF on Oct 15, 2021 8:33:16 GMT -5
OMG y'all! YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
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jessayli
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Post by jessayli on Oct 15, 2021 9:57:06 GMT -5
Ok, so I totally underestimated Blessed based on the clip. I actually got teary eyed listening to the full song. The performance is big and emotional, and I’m here for it. I think a lot of people will connect to this song. It’s not too schmaltzy after all. And wow at her voice - one of her best vocal performances to date.
And I think I may have overestimated the quality of Santa Can’t You Heat Me based on the iTunes clip. Kelly and Ariana sound great together, and it has a wonderful energy to it, but it’s missing a strong hook. The verses and chorus are also hard to distinguish from each other. Still, the vocals are some of Kelly’s best ever on record, and it’s a good song, just not likely as durable as something like Underneath The Tree.
After listening to the full album a few times, I ultimately think Christmas Isn’t Cancelled was the best choice for a lead single.
Right now, Christmas Come Early and Merry Christmas To The One I Used To Know are my top two. And still surprised at how much Blessed is competing for a top spot for favorite song. I think Christmas Come Early is really special, and has the potential to be a different kind of Christmas hit if enough people hear it.
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back2blk
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Post by back2blk on Oct 15, 2021 10:01:32 GMT -5
Merry Christmas Baby Glow Santa, Can't You Hear Me
Those are my keepers.
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Post by The Black Bird on Oct 15, 2021 10:04:40 GMT -5
The Ariana duet should've been the lead single. There's not really enough room for 2 singles for this. Sadly the best song will be hidden from the public.
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Post by jonwhritenour on Oct 15, 2021 12:02:32 GMT -5
Is SCYHM a single? It has its own cover art on Spotify
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circadian
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Post by circadian on Oct 15, 2021 12:04:59 GMT -5
Is SCYHM a single? It has its own cover art on Spotify Glow does too. They probably expect the collaborations to get more streams out of the gate.
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neally
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Post by neally on Oct 15, 2021 12:31:49 GMT -5
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bb
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Post by bb on Oct 15, 2021 12:31:54 GMT -5
Gorgeous singing and exemplary songwriting (for the most part) but it's not totally doing it for me as a collective project. I'm so glad to hear Kelly's voice on new material and there are absolutely magical moments on this (Merry Christmas Baby, the other Merry Christmas, the Ariana duet, the last song) but idk... not my favorite of her albums. Occasionally feels a bit meandering, and imo doesn't entirely justify itself as a 2nd Christmas effort-- I almost wanted it to just be an EP of the originals.
That being said, it all has me perched for a more standard release from her. Because that voice <3 and I actually love the production choices on a lot of these.
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QAF
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Post by QAF on Oct 15, 2021 13:39:27 GMT -5
Blessed is one of my favorites. I just love that song.
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bigb0882
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Post by bigb0882 on Oct 15, 2021 14:23:30 GMT -5
Merry Christmas (To the One I Used to Know) is easily one of the best songs Kelly has recorded. I really hope she wrote it because it would also be one of the best she ever penned. I find it to be absolutely gorgeous and heartbreaking in all the right ways. It is easily my favorite on the album with my first few listens. All the originals are great, even Blessed surprised me and is much better than the clip but still just misses the mark for me.
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ampersand
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Post by ampersand on Oct 15, 2021 14:27:09 GMT -5
The Ariana duet should've been the lead single. There's not really enough room for 2 singles for this. Sadly the best song will be hidden from the public. I'm sure they'll push it as a single next year.
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daddy
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Post by daddy on Oct 15, 2021 14:53:44 GMT -5
Merry Christmas (To The One I Used To Know” reminds me of this song and I don’t know why 🤣 youtu.be/UfTieVPjN7E
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