Larry Karpenko’s new holiday album, ‘Celebrate the King,’ is a delightful surprise.
It’s a Christmas album for people who don’t like Christmas albums. It’s a collection of songs that are both festive and spiritual, traditional and modern, and, most importantly, interesting.
Karpenko, a composer and producer from Loma Linda, California, has created a record that is a thoughtful and creative exploration of the meaning of Christmas, born from a quiet realization during a previous holiday season that he had yet to create a dedicated holiday collection for his listeners.
“Hark! The Herald,” a classic carol that Karpenko infuses with new life. The arrangement is playful and swinging, with a lively piano improvisation by Earnest Kim.
It’s a bold choice to open the album with such a familiar song, but Karpenko’s arrangement is so fresh and original that it feels like you’re hearing it for the first time. This is a recurring theme throughout the album.
Karpenko takes well-known Christmas songs and reimagines them in unexpected ways, a process he clearly enjoys, noting he likes to “step outside the mold.”
One of the most striking examples of this is his version of “Mary, Did You Know?” a song that has been covered by countless artists. Karpenko’s version is a modern, atmospheric take on the song, with a focused instrumentation and a dynamic arrangement.
He was inspired by Jon Bellion’s collaboration with Switchfoot on their 2023 reimagining of “Meant to Live,” and you can hear that influence in the song’s edgy, contemporary sound.
It’s a powerful and moving performance that brings out the emotional depth of the lyrics without feeling overwrought.
Karpenko also includes three original compositions on the album, which are some of the highlights of the record. “Lullaby for a King” is a tender and intimate ballad with a gentle melody and poetic imagery.
“Jesus, You’re Christmas” is a soulful, jazz-infused piece that reframes the season’s meaning with warmth and clarity. And “Celebrate the King” is a joyful, gospel-tinged anthem that is sure to get you on your feet, inspired by a fusion of Lionel Richie, Kool & the Gang, and a Disney Holiday Parade.
These original songs are a proof to Karpenko’s talent as a songwriter and his ability to create music that is both personal and universal.
The experimental spirit doesn’t stop there. Karpenko’s take on “Carol of the Bells” is envisioned as a Beatles-style experiment, as if it were a lost track from ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.’
The track is filled with whimsical sound effects, including a cuckoo clock, popping popcorn, and roller coasters, creating a festive and slightly surreal listening experience. Then there’s “One Small Child,” which channels the dramatic intensity of a James Bond theme, complete with driving beats and a gypsy violin.
It’s these kinds of unexpected creative choices that make the album so engaging. It’s like finding a secret room in a house you thought you knew.
The album was recorded at Karpenko’s own Kreation Records Studio in Loma Linda, California.
The recording process was a collaborative one, with a diverse group of musicians contributing to the album’s sound.
Ben Phipatanakul’s jazzy groove on “What Child Is This,” Shawn Scott’s smooth bassline on “Christmas Time Is Here,” and the joyful call of Abigail Pakpahan and Azariah Waworundeng on “Celebrate the King” all add to the album’s rich and varied texture.
Karpenko’s daughter, Lauryn, even makes an appearance on the duet “Adore,” a beautifully relaxed and intimate performance that feels like a genuine family moment.
Karpenko’s influences are as varied as the songs on the album. He cites everyone from Steven Curtis Chapman and Chris Tomlin to Diana Krall and Vince Guaraldi as inspirations.
You can hear echoes of these artists in the album’s sound, but Karpenko’s own voice is always front and center. He’s an artist who is not afraid to take risks and to push the boundaries of what a Christmas album can be.
His personal philosophy seems to be that music is a conversation, and he’s not interested in just repeating what others have said.
‘Celebrate the King’ is a breath of fresh air. It’s a record that is both musically and spiritually satisfying. It’s an album that will make you think, make you feel, and, most importantly, make you celebrate.
It’s a reminder that the story of Christmas is a story worth telling, and that music is a powerful way to tell it.
This is a Christmas album that you’ll want to listen to long after the holidays are over.
It’s a celebration of faith, family, and the enduring power of a good song, a musical embrace for the season, wrapped in faith, family, and wonder.
