Singer Mariah Carey demonstrates why her name will forever belong with the great vocalists of all time with her latest studio album release Merry Christmas II You. Merry Christmas II You, a follow-up to Carey’s 1994 Christmas album Merry Christmas, has already spent seven weeks on the Billboard 200 charts, peaking in the fourth slot. In addition, Merry Christmas II You has spent seven weeks on the Billboard’s Holiday Albums charts, peaking in the chart’s top spot.

Mariah Carey offers a nice blend of commercialized and traditional Christmas sentiments with Merry Christmas II You. Tracks like “Oh Santa!” and “Charlie Brown Christmas” provides the commercial Christmas feeling brought upon by mall Santa Clauses and television Christmas specials. “Oh Santa!” especially gives off the commercialized Christmas vibe. Listening to the song you can just envision young children dressed in their pajamas, faces filled with glee after opening all their gifts Christmas morning, dancing around to Mariah Carey's singing the chorus line “Santa is going to come and make it mine this Christmas.”  

At the same time, Mariah Carey remembers the reason for the season with Christmas carols that celebrate Christmas’s religious roots. These tracks include “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “One Child.” Carey’s version of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is truly memorable for the track’s creativeness. Carey combines the lyrics of “O Little Town of Bethlehem” with the melody of “Little Drummer Boy.” The combination may seem odd but Carey makes the mix work.

“One Child” proves notable for more than the song’s religious message. “One Child” is just one of several tracks which showcase how undeniably great Carey’s vocals are. Other carols which do the same includes “The First Noel,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “All I Want for Christmas is You.” These songs display how much boom Carey possesses in her voice and the wide range of notes she can hit. 
 Beyond the balance between traditional and commercialized Christmas, Merry Christmas II You can be described as “fun.” The album contains a modern version of “Here Comes Santa Claus.” The track’s hip hop beat gives the song the aforementioned modern day feel. Merry Christmas II You also has a live version of Carey singing “O Holy Night.” The live recording gives you the opportunity to hear how the singer can thrill live audiences. Overall, Merry Christmas II You should provide a Christmas gift any Christmas music enthusiast or Mariah Carey fan could enjoy for years to come.