Baby, it’s cold outside, but David Archuleta is turning up the heat with his new holiday album, Warm Me Up.
The singer released new music on Oct. 30, pairing familiar seasonal favorites with original songs that leave room for dancing, romance, and a little pop-star mischief. There’s also a new video for the title track, because it’s never too early to get in the holiday spirit.
His first new full-length holiday album in eight years, the 12-track collection features a duet with Jordin Sparks, fresh takes on Christmas standards and a few musical influences you might not immediately associate with Santa.
A Little Naughty, Plenty Nice
For the “Warm Me Up” video, Archuleta teamed with director Joseph Adivari and choreographer and movement director Olivia Cava. The assignment: let loose.
“I took more liberty to feel playful and flirty with this video since it’s more of that type of song,” Archuleta said in a statement.
The choreography continues his exploration of movement, giving the holiday release a pop sensibility that matches the song’s upbeat energy. Archuleta cited New Edition and the Gap Band as influences on the track, aiming for something listeners could groove to.
Consider it an invitation to put down the wrapping paper and find a dance floor.
Like the cold much better
Now that I’m wearing your sweater
Let’s stay home all alone
I look outside and it’s just like
A snow globe came to life
It’s ten degrees and all I need
Is you right by my side
Finding His Own Holiday Spirit
Behind the festive packaging, Archuleta approached the album with a personal goal: finding his own connection to Christmas in a new chapter of his life.
The project grew out of friendships with collaborators Annelisa Franklin, Savannah Sgro and producer Dave Villa. Archuleta had first worked with Villa more than a decade ago on “Postcards in the Sky,” and the two reconnected at Sgro’s Friendsgiving.
That reunion eventually became a writing collaboration, with sessions in Los Angeles and Nashville.
Discovering that Franklin spoke Spanish and had a Mexican mother helped spark “Nochebuena,” a Spanglish Christmas song. Elsewhere, Archuleta took inspiration from a decidedly different musical corner: Freddie Mercury.
While writing “Santa’s On His Way Tonight” with Aben Eubanks, Archuleta wanted to experiment with an opening inspired by the way Mercury might begin a song such as “Don’t Stop Me Now” or “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Santa getting a little Queen treatment? We’re listening.
Jordin Sparks Joins the Celebration
Warm Me Up also includes “Wish at the Top of My List,” featuring fellow “American Idol” alum Jordin Sparks.
The album balances its originals with “Let It Snow” and “Grown-Up Christmas List,” two songs Archuleta saw as a connection to his previous holiday records. Remastered versions of “Winter in the Air” and “Christmas Every Day” round out the collection.
“I wanted to make people feel but also move, dance and celebrate in a way I grew up doing and still have a love for today,” he said.
Villa and Michael Blum produced the album, which is available digitally and on CD, cassette and snowy white vinyl. Yes, even your record collection can dress for the weather.
Taking Christmas on the Road
Archuleta will bring the album to stages across North America on his “Warm Me Up” holiday tour, beginning Nov. 28 at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City.
The itinerary includes New York’s Sony Hall on Dec. 5, Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall on Dec. 9 and Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre on Dec. 16. The tour wraps Dec. 20 at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto, California.
Fans can expect new material alongside holiday favorites, with Archuleta performing with his band.
“Warm Me Up” is available now. Tickets and VIP information are available through Archuleta’s website.
