Every year, artists around the world unite in a common goal: to release a Christmas-themed hit for the holiday season. Among the most successful of these musicians is the a cappella group, Pentatonix. For five years, Pentatonix has released a Christmas album and embarked on a yearly Christmas tour with their new round of Christmas cover tracks. This year’s album, titled “The Best of Pentatonix Christmas,” features tracks both old and new that embody the Christmas spirit.

Among their new releases this holiday season are covers of “God Only Knows,” “Joyful, Joyful,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” With only four new covers this year, the tracklist brings back chart-topping hits like “Hallelujah,” “Carol The Bells” and “Mary, Did You Hear?” Also joining the tracklist this year are Pentatonix originals “Good To Be Bad” and, the song and namesake of the group’s highest-grossing Christmas album, “That’s Christmas To Me.”

From the deep set baritone vocals of “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” the medley of Pentatonix’s and Whitney Houston’s cover of “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” the soulful Christmas classic “Joyful, Joyful” and modern-day Christmas hit “God Only Knows,” the new songs are much deserving of their placement on an album of the Pentatonix’s best Christmas music.

Originally a Beach Boys song, “God Only Knows” has been covered by many artists, including Michael Bublé, David Bowie, Taylor Swift and now the Pentatonix. It is unclear what exactly established “God Only Knows” as a Christmas song – perhaps its placement in the 2003 Christmas movie “Love, Actually.” Nonetheless, it earned its spot on the Pentatonix’s album by capturing The Beach Boys’ sound with near perfection.

Rejoining the tracklist is a renowned Pentatonix Christmas song in the “Little Drummer Boy,” which not only charted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Holiday 100 chart but also at No. 13 on their Hot 100 list back when it was released in 2013. The groups’ impressive rendition of the song without the use of drums is heart-warming and a hallmark of the holiday season. Also a staple of the holiday season is the caroling classic “Carol The Bells,” which the Pentatonix perform with overlapping vocals and numerous harmonies.

If you’re in the mood for something new this holiday season, embrace the yuletide cheer and try giving “The Best of Pentatonix Christmas” a listen; you won’t be sorry.

Rating: 9/10

Opinion articles written by staff members represent their personal views. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent WSPN as a publication.