Christmas & Chill

Christmas & Chill represents a pivotal moment in Ariana Grande's discography where she began to fully integrate her R&B and trap influences into a cohesive aesthetic. Recorded in just one week at her home studio, the EP possesses an improvisational, 'bedroom pop' quality that was rare for a major label star in 2015. Unlike her previous holiday efforts which leaned toward traditional pop and 1950s soul, this project is firmly rooted in contemporary urban sounds. The EP consists entirely of original material co-written by Grande and her frequent collaborators, including Tommy Brown and Victoria Monét. Critically, it is often cited as one of the best modern holiday releases due to its refusal to rely on covers or overused tropes. It serves as a bridge between the polished pop of 'My Everything' and the trap-heavy R&B of 'Dangerous Woman,' showcasing her ability to curate a specific atmosphere with minimal instrumentation.