by Amity Hereweard
When a rising jazz vocalist decides to tackle the holiday canon, the stakes are high as the material is beloved, the expectations are nostalgic, and the room for genuine artistic invention feels narrow. Emmaline sidesteps those pitfalls with a blend of reverence and reinvention, delivering a record that feels warm with the Holiday spirit. The album spotlights Emmaline’s vocal choices, harmonic vocal textures, and instrumental interplay that make The Christmas Album a standout for any listener who craves a modern‑retro take on holiday standards.
“The Christmas Blues” is buzzing with Emmaline’s stacking vocal harmonies and sultry vocally sculpted phrases. The Andrews Sisters–inspired arrangement becomes a canvas for her layered harmonies. The ensemble’s warm resonance and the subtle jazz blues tones of Mondak’s guitar. Emmaline builds the musical allure with her vibrato, light and classy, in the last chorus. She stretches words just enough to convey longing without breaking the elegance of the melody. It is like a soft shimmer to shade the phrases rather than as a constant color.
“Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” is a duet with guitarist Mondak. Emmaline returns to her violin, weaving instrumental warmth into her vocal storytelling. Her singing is intimate and steady, with a soft-focus timbre that recalls the great mid-century vocal style. She phrases with elasticity, and the way she leans into the consonants on “count your blessings” adds interest. Mondak’s guitar remains understated and supportive, setting a fireside-ballad atmosphere.
“The Christmas Song” lets Emmaline express her vocal character set to a jazzy R&B feel. Her singing conveys the melody and the feel with unhurried lines. Her violin playing offers the same qualities as her vocals bring to the classic melody. Her solo focuses on rhythm and melodies that are lyrical, shaping the shadows of the original’s contours. Cook’s drumming remains steady and creates a lush pad, allowing her to fully shape each section.
“Every Time December Rolls Around” is an Emmaline original that captures the emotional heart of the album. Emmaline’s tone is velvet-rich with a slight huskiness that brings intimacy to the melody. Her storytelling instincts blend subtle dynamic lift and vowel colorization to make the lyric come alive with her character. The groove is understated, giving her the freedom to stretch the time and lean into expressive micro-bends on sustained pitches. The trumpet and bass interact with her phrasing in a way that feels nearly conversational.
Produced by Emmaline and Ryan Mondak, the mix is clean yet warm, preserving the natural ambience of acoustic instruments. The mastering by Mat Leffler‑Schulman ensures each instrument occupies its own spectral space, allowing the vocals to sit front‑and‑center without harshness.
The Christmas Album is a seasonal release and artistic statement by Emmaline as she honors tradition while carving out a distinctive niche with her voice, violin, and the ensemble’s compelling performances. Give it a focused listen; the album’s arrangements are open enough to inspire personal memories, yet solid enough to serve as a benchmark for modern holiday jazz.
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