Brandy, “Christmas with Brandy.”

“The Boy is Mine,” “I Wanna Be Down” and “Love Again” artist Brandy has released her first holiday album.

One of the biggest names in ’90s and early aughts soul and rhythm and blues, the vocalist doesn’t entirely reinvent the holiday music wheel on Christmas with Brandy, but the album successfully infuses her soulful singing into both original and classic holiday tracks.

The album contains several tracks produced by Theron “Neff-U” Feemster and showcases Brandy’s signature style of warm soulful vocals, as well as a willingness to experiment. This contemporary-sounding holiday soundtrack features a mix of original material alongside updated classic holiday standards like “Jingle Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” and “Santa Baby.”

Christmas with Brandy kicks off with “Feels Different,” an original that on first listen doesn’t feel like a Christmas song at all. Brandy sings about how unbearable it is to be reminded of a past lover who stood her up one Christmas morning. But if your most-lasting memories of Brandy Norwood are from the ’90s, it doesn’t sound much like old-school Brandy, either.

The subtle melodic flourishes sound a but like snowfall. It’s an unexpected but standout choice to set the tone for the album.

It’s followed by another original, “Somebody’s Waiting.” The harmonious and slow track about preparing for a romantic holiday encounter is perfectly paced. Brandy’s precise melodic runs are delivered in earnest and infuse the song with urgency. But perhaps skip this one if you have young ‘uns in the room.

“Shine Out Your Light,” the third of four originals, is upbeat and family friendly, and wouldn’t be out of place at the Macy’s parade—where she just happens to be performing in a couple of weeks. The cheerful “Christmas Gift,” featuring Brandy’s daughter Sy’Rai, might feel a bit cliché, but it fits right into the holiday ambiance, ready for shopping season at malls.

But the most memorable original track is the guitar-laden “Christmas Party for Two.” Its sultry lyrics melt the snow quickly. “I’ll be your present/ Just give me your presence,” Brandy sings. Listeners are invited to embrace the sensuality of the holiday season and get on the naughty list.

On the holiday classics side, “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” adds a jazzy twist to a well-known holiday favorite, while Brandy’s take on “Santa Baby” is updated with a more modern vibe.

Brandy handles “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”) with grace and elegance, staying true to the spirit of the original. The guitar-plucked “Someday at Christmas” sounds lighthearted with its snapping percussion, but the subject matter makes it a timely listen: “A world where men are free/ Someday at Christmas there’ll be no wars/ Where we have learned what Christmas is for.”

Brandy rounds the album out with a concise rendition of “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” which adds a touch of her signature soulfulness to bring a satisfying conclusion to the record.There’s also a poppy digital-only bonus track, “Christmas Everyday.” This original tune was written by production duo The Messengers (Adam Messinger and Nasri Atweh), which explains the different sound even with Brandy’s velvety vocals.