Cali Tucker has spent the last year building undeniable momentum, emerging as one of the more interesting new voices orbiting country and pop influenced storytelling. Her breakout singles “Country Couture” and “Urban Cowboy” introduced a charismatic performer who blends glamour with grounded emotion, and her rise has been backed by more than ten million on demand streams, a growing list of awards, and a headlining presence in Las Vegas. Tucker is not simply another artist with a famous lineage. She is actively reshaping the Tucker legacy for a younger audience that gravitates toward big vocals, oversize personality, and a touch of theatrical sparkle.
Her new holiday EP, Santa Baby, arrives at a moment that feels like both celebration and memorial. The project was produced by Ryan Whyte Maloney, Tucker’s longtime friend and former teammate from Season 6 of The Voice. Maloney passed away earlier this year, and the EP immediately takes on a deeper emotional weight as a result. Tucker is not hiding from that loss. Instead, she uses these Christmas standards to honor Maloney’s influence, performing them with a mixture of gratitude, grief, and the kind of polished confidence that has earned her a loyal fan base.
The title track opens the collection with a sultry drawl that leans fully into Tucker’s persona. She approaches the often cheeky song with a sense of playful authority, letting her tone swing between flirtation and self assurance. It feels like a wink to her Country Couture era, where high fashion and humor meet in the middle of a rhinestone spotlight.
Her version of “Please Come Home for Christmas” is the emotional anchor of the EP. Tucker sings it with a controlled ache that never spills into melodrama. Instead, she keeps her delivery steady and expressive, letting the clarity of her voice carry the longing built into the song. It is also the track where Maloney’s absence is most deeply felt, even without explicit storytelling. You can hear an artist reaching back into her memories and allowing them to guide the performance.
“Mele Kalikimaka” shifts the energy with a breezy island swing, giving Tucker room to relax into a lighter, brighter mood. The arrangement is clean and unfussy, highlighting her ability to shift genres without losing her distinct vocal identity. The song works as a necessary exhale between heavier emotional moments.
The EP peaks again with “O Holy Night,” a soaring rendition that leans on Tucker’s technical power. She hits the high notes with precision rather than flash, and the restraint gives the performance a refreshing sense of intention. It feels aimed at listeners who want a classic approach without the excess that often accompanies holiday covers.Rounding out the tracklist are warm and faithful versions of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Christmas Song.” Both land comfortably within Tucker’s sound, offering familiar melodies delivered with a modern softness.
Santa Baby positions Cali Tucker as more than a rising act. It shows an artist capable of depth, versatility, and genuine emotional storytelling, even within the boundaries of holiday music. It is a project built on memory, respect, and a voice determined to carry its own legacy forward.
Featured Image: Artist Supplied
