Clay Aiken Returning to Music a Decade Later With New Holiday Album ‘Christmas Bells Are Ringing’

For anyone aching to start the holiday season early, Clay Aiken is here to deliver tidings of comfort and joy.

On Wednesday (Oct. 16), the American Idol alum announced his new holiday album, Christmas Bells Are Ringing, due Friday, Nov. 22. Reimagining 10 classic holiday songs in his signature soulful style, Aiken’s LP will mark his first full-length release in over a decade.

“It’s been a while, but it feels like the right time to release this album. The whole world is a mess these days, so I think we could all use a bit more of the kindness and cheer that comes with the holiday season,” Aiken tells Billboard in an exclusive statement. “The holidays have taken on a different meaning for me over these past 15 years as a father. I’m excited to share that Christmas spirit with this album.”

Aiken is also offering fans a tease of what’s to come with his new rendition of the Christmas classic “Do You Hear What I Hear,” made popular by Bing Crosby. Revitalizing the Christmas anthem, Aiken said in a statement that he wanted to share a song that offered people hope in a year of intense divisiveness. “The whole American political climate over the past few years hasn’t really given us much in the way of hope or optimism,” he said. “As much as I wanted to believe I might be able to make some positive change in that world, I’ve realized that music often does a better job of that.”

The album is set to feature a slew a holiday classics, including the Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas, Darling,” Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and even Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime.”

In the 12 years since Aiken’s last studio album, 2012’s Steadfast, Aiken has set his aspirations to other fields: In 2022, the singer ran for the Democratic nomination in North Carolina’s 6th Congressional district, stating that he was inspired to run after seeing North Carolina’s lieutenant governor Mark Robinson ask “What is the purpose of homosexuality?” during a speech and wanting people in office “to start acting like grown-ups instead of children.” Aiken ultimately lost his primary to Rep. Valerie Foushee, who went on to win the seat.

Listen to Aiken’s rendition of “Do You Hear What I Hear” and see the full track list for his upcoming holiday album below:

Clay Aiken’s Christmas Bells Are Ringing tracklist: