“A holiday album that avoids all the cliches? “Bah Humbug,” says Darren Criss. The stage and screen star, of Glee and Hedwig fame, just released a collection of songs that goes extra hard on holiday spirit. The actor and singer who co-starred in Glee for six seasons and more recently won an Emmy and several other awards for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, spent the better part of last year in a studio recording holiday songs for a new album. A Very Darren Crissmas includes a mix of familiar songs, lesser-known B-sides by his favorite artists, and one composed by him. He is accompanied in a few by Adam Lambert, Rachel Evan Wood, and Lainey Wilson.” – Town & Country Magazine
“I always knew that if I ever made a Christmas album, it would have to be much more than just a collection of songs you already knew,” the 34-year-old actor tells PEOPLE. “I’d want it to be a journey through songs that not only had a personal significance to my life, but also a unique introduction to songs folks had never heard before, and a re-introduction to a few they might think they know – but have never considered differently.” – People Magazine
“Darren Criss is going to have a very, very busy holiday season. The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor/singer dropped his debut holiday album October 8. “You know how every year around the holidays, you say to yourself, wow, I can’t believe they’re here already. That’s how I feel about this album coming out today,” Criss said in an Instagram post announcing the collection. “I can’t believe I actually made one and that it’s out already. It only took all year to get here. I hope it keeps your holidays warm & bright.. if not maybe just a little bit warmer & brighter than the other holiday albums coming out this season.” The 12-song collection features such classics as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),” as well as “I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas,” “St. Patrick’s Day,” “Welcome Home” and “Somewhere in My Memory.” – Billboard Magazine