The holiday season is getting a jazz-inspired makeover as Los Angeles-based singer, pianist, and composer Niia prepares to release Christmas with Niia, a 13-track collection that puts a fresh spin on familiar seasonal favorites. Announced October 9 through Candid Records, the album is set to arrive digitally on October 30, with physical editions following December 4. To introduce the project, Niia has shared her interpretation of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,” offering listeners an early taste of the record’s intimate, jazz-driven sound.
Rather than recreating the bright, synth-heavy energy of the original, Niia takes the song in a smoother direction. Working alongside producer Spencer Zahn, she trades the familiar electronic textures for a relaxed jazz arrangement that feels warm, understated, and effortlessly elegant. Her airy vocals glide across the instrumentation, giving the recognizable holiday tune a more intimate character while preserving the playful spirit that has made it a seasonal staple.
The result feels suited to a quieter kind of Christmas celebration. Imagine the glow of holiday lights, a late-night gathering, and music playing softly in the background. Niia’s rendition leans into that atmosphere, balancing nostalgia with a style that feels distinctly her own. It’s a reminder that even the most familiar songs can reveal something new when approached from a different musical perspective.
Across Christmas with Niia, listeners can expect a mix of beloved holiday standards and more contemporary seasonal favorites, all brought together through her distinctive vocal delivery and jazz sensibility. The tracklist includes “Christmas Time Is Here,” “The Christmas Song,” “Last Christmas,” and “Santa Tell Me,” alongside traditional selections such as “O Holy Night,” “O Come O Come Emmanuel,” and “Joy to the World.” The collection offers a varied take on holiday music, moving between reflective moments and livelier arrangements.
The announcement follows the release of V (Goth Jazz Edition), an expanded version of Niia’s 2025 album V. Featuring three additional tracks, the deluxe edition includes her interpretation of Chet Baker’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes),” along with two previously unreleased songs, “Been a Long Night” and “Show Me Love.”
While Christmas with Niia embraces the familiar warmth of seasonal music, V (Goth Jazz Edition) explores a more shadowy emotional landscape. Its sound moves between experimental pop and jazz-rooted instrumentation, creating space for tension, vulnerability, and dramatic shifts in mood. The project continues the themes of love, heartbreak, loss, and defiance introduced on V, highlighting Niia’s ability to move between contrasting musical worlds without losing her artistic identity.
Her recent live performances have further brought that balance to life. With music director Dennis Hamm, known for his work with Thundercat, Niia developed sets that paired the atmospheric material from V with live musicianship, unexpected medleys, and moments of theatrical intensity. Following performances across several U.S. cities, she will return to Los Angeles for two special holiday sets at the legendary Blue Note on December 22.
With Christmas with Niia, the artist approaches holiday music as an opportunity to explore familiar melodies through her own creative lens. Instead of simply revisiting songs audiences already know, she reshapes them into something more personal, blending the comfort of tradition with the sophistication of jazz. For listeners who enjoy their seasonal soundtrack with a little more atmosphere and a little less predictability, this release offers a compelling reason to revisit the classics.
Release details and links
- Album: Christmas with Niia
- Digital release: October 30, 2026
- Physical release: December 4, 2026
- Label: Candid Records
- Lead single: “Wonderful Christmastime”
- Los Angeles performances: Blue Note, December 22
Listen to “Wonderful Christmastime” and pre-order Christmas with Niia.
Get tickets for Niia’s December 22 Blue Note performances.
Explore V (Goth Jazz Edition).
Christmas with Niia Tracklist
- Joy to the World
- This Christmas
- Christmas Time Is Here
- Wonderful Christmastime
- My Favorite Things
- O Come O Come Emmanuel
- O Holy Night
- O Christmas Tree
- Last Christmas
- Santa Tell Me
- The Christmas Song
- Snowfall
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
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