Dan + Shay's “It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album”.

Every fall brings a big-ol’-bag-full of Christmas albums. This year seems to have a slightly lower number of holiday releases. But happily, we get more than our share of worthy and unique Christmas albums.

Here are some albums Christmas music fans will want to put on their “to-listen-to” list now that the 2024 holiday season is upon us.

This year’s best

Ben Folds: “Sleigher” — The pianist-singer brings his considerable talents to one of this year’s most refreshing and best holiday outings. “Sleigher” features seven original songs — the jazzy, mirthful and nostalgic “Christmas Time Rhyme” and the wistful “Me And Maurice” are highlights. And he unearths the Mills Brothers’ “You Don’t Have To Be a Santa Claus”.

David Woodard: “Around The Power Pop Tree” — Woodard successfully merges timeless Christmas styles with his hooky power pop sound here. “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night” get successfully juiced with faster tempos and catchy guitar riffs. And several catchy originals (“Waiting For Christmas,” “Around The Power Pop Tree” and “Peace & Love, Merry Christmas”) highlight this most welcome holiday entry for fans of rocking pop.

Dan + Shay: “It’s Officially Christmas: The Double Album” — Disc one of this set is a rather vanilla collection of oft-covered holiday standards. But things get interesting on the second disc. Made up of 11 original holiday/winter tunes, these songs come with perky pop hooks aplenty and often-playful lyrics, while a few ballads (such as “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” and “The Cozy Song”) give the disc welcome balance. This outing is officially a winner.

Judith Owen: “Swings Christmas” — Owen has long proven she can sing virtually any style, including jazz, pop, classical and blues. Here she nails a vintage big band sound by turning her 2023 EP “Winter Wonderland” into this entertaining full-length effort.

Brett Eldredge: “Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family)” — His third holiday album contains eight songs co-written by Eldredge. More pop than country, Eldredge goes for the warm and fuzzies here and that tone works well on these highly melodic tunes.

Little Big Town: “The Christmas Record” — The popular group leans toward the more contemporary side of holiday material on their first holiday album. Along with some fresh takes on covers (“Someday At Christmas” and “Santa Claus Is Back In Town”), the album features four originals (the sprightly “Glow” and the Philly soul-ish “Holiday” are highlights). And of course, the quartet’s lovely lush harmonies shine throughout these 11 selections.

Alicia Witt: “I Think I’m Spending Christmas With You” — Taking a break from her busy acting career, Witt shows she wasn’t about to do a rote collection of holiday covers. The highlights include the bouncy rocker “Weird Time of Year,” which humorously highlights oddities of the holidays, and the graceful pop tune “Soap Sud Snow,” while a trio of piano (that’s Witt’s instrument) ballads — “December 26th,” “Christmas Will Never End” and “Lonely Holy Christmas” — give the album some emotional weight.

The Philly Specials: “A Philly Special Christmas Party” — Philadelphia Eagles offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and the now-retired Jason Kelce return with a third holiday album whose proceeds go to several charities. The footballers once again prove to be credible singers and get notable vocal contributions from Stevie Nicks and Boyz II Men. And let’s just say any act that thinks to collaborate with Mt. Joy to transform their song “Jesus Drives An Astrovan” into “Santa Drives An Astrovan” is doing something right.

Tower Of Power: “It’s Christmas” – The long-running horn-forward group puts enough of their soulful and funky spin on “Silver Bells,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” and “O Holy Night,” to name a few, to elevate “It’s Christmas” above many of this year’s other releases.

Jimmy Fallon: “Holiday Seasoning” — The late-night TV host/comedian is joined by an all-star cast of guests (Justin Timberlake, the Jonas Brothers, the Roots and Dolly Parton, to name a few) to perform a set of good natured, frequently humorous pop originals. It’s a holiday confection if ever there was one.

Tedashii: “‘Tis The Season” — Tedashii sets aside his usual rap stylings for singing on this eight-song EP. “‘Tis The Season” is highlighted by four originals, including “Back Home For Christmas,” a poppy gem in a Stevie Wonder vein, and the sweet ballad “Christmas Call,” where he trades vocals with V. Rose.

Jim “Soni” Sonefeld: “Light Of Joy” — The Hootie & the Blowfish drummer delivers a consistently enjoyable EP that celebrates both the religious and family joys of the season. At five songs, it’s fairly short, but plenty sweet.

Other new holiday albums to consider

Here are some more holiday albums that focused more on familiar favorites. If you prefer your Christmas albums to be like musical comfort food, you may favor these over the more adventurous albums listed above.

Jennifer Hudson: “The Gift Of Love”

Lea Salonga: “Sounding Joy — The Holiday Album”

Chapel Hart: “Hartfelt Family Christmas”

Rick Braun: “It’s Christmas”

Mickey Thomas: “A Classic Christmas”

Home Free: “Any Kind Of Christmas”

Ruben Studdard: “My Favorite Holiday” EP

Clay Aiken: “Christmas Bells Are Ringing”