Some would say that what truly makes the holiday season so cheery is the music. The sounds of Christmas classics, both old and new, playing on every radio station certainly help distract from the chill of the winter air. But even more fun than listening to the classics is hearing new artists put their own spin on holiday favorites. The Atlanta-based music group Gold Shades, is doing just that with their new EP "Christmas at the House."The group, Gold Shades, is made up Gary "Stello" Clark and brothers Julian and Marlon Booker, from Maryland and Hawaii respectively. I had the pleasure of interviewing them last October and learned about their history, motivations, and plans for future success.

After meeting during their freshman year at Morehouse College, they came together as members of their residence hall vocal ensemble. By spring break, they were inseparable. The rest is history. Since then, they've worked tirelessly to learn all they can about the music industry in preparation for what they hope will be a lengthy career. Now, they're combining their talents and revitalizing some beloved holiday songs.

Their "rhythm and funk pop-fusion" combines the catchiness of a contemporary hit with the soul a Motown classic. Its this unique mix of genres on this new EP that makes "Christmas at the House" a new and essential part of any holiday playlist. It starts off with a high-energy rendition of the timeless tune of "This Christmas" with a sampling of "I'll Be Home for Christmas" thrown in for good measure. Next, we slow down just a tad with "O Holy Night" giving way for a highlight of the trio's rich vocals. We end on a sweet note with a soulful take on "The Christmas Song".

You can listen to "Christmas at the House" on Spotify and buy it on iTunes. You can also learn more about Gold Shades, including upcoming performances on their website, goldshadesmusic.com.