Pop collective Why Don’t We continues to keep the art of the boy band alive on its five-song Christmas EP, ‘A Why Don’t We Christmas.’  

The boy band is alive and kicking… apparently.  For a while, it seemed as if the musical gods had spoken and dismissed the boy band.  That simply isn’t the case, with the arrival of new crop of boy bands, including Why Don’t We. The band is comprised of five members: Corbyn, Daniel, Zach, Jonah, and Jack. EP A Why Don’t We Christmas follows the pop collective’s EP Invitation, which was released in September 2017.

“Kiss You This Christmas”

“Kiss You This Christmas” smoothly kicks off A Why Don’t We Christmas. The only song on the EP to approach three minutes in duration, “Kiss You This Christmas” is the longest song from the EP.  All in all, it’s well-rounded; well-sung and well-produced.  The combination of old-school vibes and new-school – specifically the drum programming – is sound. “Hey Good Lookin” takes the classic, vintage sensibility even further.  The record doesn’t sound like 2017 in the least, which is part of the charm and allure.  It’s ‘tongue-n-cheek,’ but this a cappella performance is quite impressive.

“Merry Little Christmas”

“Merry Little Christmas” is familiar – a Christmas staple.  However, the production and sound treads on the somnambulant side of things. Regardless, the vocals are on-point. “You and Me at Christmas” returns Why Don’t We to the originals route, including a co-write by Candice Pillay. While “You and Me at Christmas” doesn’t propel the BPMs dramatically from “Merry Little Christmas,” there’s more energy, not to mention the cool, hip vibes.  Fittingly, traditional carol “Silent Night” concludes.  It’s not a traditional cover mind you, but it showcases the beauty of the collective’s vocals, as well as their willingness to go against the grain.

Final Thoughts

All in all, Why Don’t We delivers an enjoyable, 11-minute Christmas EP with A Why Don’t We Christmas.  The vocals are great, while the material is solid as well.  The boys don’t reinvent the Christmas album with these five songs, but continue to show their potential and talent.

Gems: “Kiss You This Christmas” & “Hey Good Lookin”  

Why Don’t We • Invitation (EP) • Atlantic • Release: 9.26.17

Photo Credit: Atlantic