Comfort & Joy (EP)

Last updated

Comfort & Joy
Tinashe - Comfort & Joy.png
EP by
ReleasedNovember 25, 2020 (2020-11-25)
Length18:25
Label Tinashe Music
Tinashe chronology
Songs for You
(2019)
Comfort & Joy
(2020)
333
(2021)

Comfort & Joy is the first extended play and Christmas album by American singer Tinashe. It was released independently through her own label Tinashe Music Inc. on November 21, 2019.

Contents

Background and release

Following her departure from RCA Records after what she described as a restrictive contract period, Tinashe began releasing music independently, starting with her 2019 album Songs for You . [1] Tinashe announced the EP on Twitter and Instagram, referring to it as "a cute lil Christmas EP" and stating that she felt listeners "could use some comfort and joy this year". [2] [3] On November 25, 2020, she released the EP as a surprise. [1] Comfort & Joy became available in streaming medias, such as Spotify and Apple Music. [4]

Composition

Comfort & Joy consists of six tracks and an introductory piece, and it features reinterpretations of traditional Christmas carols. [5] The EP features no original compositions and was co-produced by Tinashe and her younger brother, Quiet Child. [1] According to Rated R&B , the project incorporates contemporary R&B and trap-pop production elements. It includes a reinterpretation of Wham!'s "Last Christmas" and a piano-based arrangement of Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", which features processed vocal effects and background crowd-noise elements. The EP also contains Tinashe's version of "O Holy Night", arranged with an electric guitar solo. Her recording of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" presents a trap-pop–influenced production approach. [5]

Artwork

The cover artwork features Tinashe set against a red background, wearing red lipstick and matching gloves. The image depicts her smiling, which she noted on social media as her first cover to do so. Fellow artist Kehlani publicly commented on the artwork, describing it as "beautiful". [2]

Critical reception

Euphoria noted that while the fusion of R&B and Christmas music has been explored by artists such as Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, and Smino, Comfort & Joy represents a polished addition to the tradition and a suitable fit for non-traditional holiday playlists. [6]

Track listing

Comfort & Joy track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Comfort & Joy" (Intro)2:56
2."God Rest Ye Merry Gentlmen"2:36
3."Angels We Have Heard on High"2:36
4."Last Christmas"3:02
5."The Christmas Song"4:43
6."O Holy Night"2:39
7."Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"2:06
Total length:18:25

Release history

Release dates and formats
RegionDateFormat(s)LabelRef.
VariousNovember 25, 2020Tinashe Music Inc [7] [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Breihan, Tom (November 25, 2020). "Stream Tinashe's Fun, Silly Surprise Christmas EP Comfort & Joy". Stereogum . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Matozzo, Marissa (November 24, 2020). "Naturally, Tinashe Promises to Bring Us Comfort & Joy". Paper . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  3. Erika, Marie (September 26, 2022). "Tinashe Shares Surprise Holiday EP Comfort & Joy". HotNewHipHop . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  4. Santiago, Elliot (November 25, 2020). "Tinashe Surprise Drops Christmas-Themed EP Comfort & Joy". Hypebeast . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  5. 1 2 Folk, Antwane (November 25, 2020). "Listen to Tinashe's New Holiday EP Comfort & Joy". Rated R&B . Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  6. Williams, Noella (November 27, 2020). "Tinashe - Comfort & Joy". Euphoria. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  7. "Comfort & Joy". Apple Music. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2025.
  8. "Comfort & Joy". Spotify. November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2025.