LARRY KARPENKO Celebrate the King

Larry Karpenko’s Celebrate the King arrives like a warm burst of candlelight in the middle of December radiant, intentional, and overflowing with creative devotion. Crafted at Kreation Records Studio in Loma Linda, the project feels less like a typical holiday release and more like a grand musical offering. Karpenko navigates the familiar landmarks of Christmas music with a composer’s imagination, reshaping well-loved classics and introducing new material that glows with spiritual sincerity. Every track holds a sense of celebration anchored in the themes of family, faith, and the wonder of the season.

What truly distinguishes the album is its tonal diversity. The title track sparkles with buoyant energy, setting the tone with its joyful rhythms and bold, welcoming chorus. “Lullaby for a King” softens the palette, unfolding like a whispered prayer sung over a cradle, while “Jesus, You’re Christmas” blends soulful warmth with modern worship clarity. Karpenko’s circle of collaborators Ben Phipatanakul, Shawn Scott, Earnest Kim, and moreimbue each piece with vivid textures, from jazz-leaning harmonies to gospel-rooted cadences to sweeping cinematic flourishes. The nods to artists like Steven Curtis Chapman, Diana Krall, Chris Tomlin, and Jon Bellion are evident, yet filtered through Karpenko’s own melodic sensibility.

“One Small Child” stands out as one of the album’s boldest reinterpretations. Where many renditions lean whisper-soft or reverent, Karpenko pushes it toward high drama throbbing percussion, intense orchestral lines, and a violin that slices through the arrangement with gypsy-styled fire. It evokes the tension and grandeur of a blockbuster film sequence, transforming the familiar hymn into something theatrical and pulse-quickening without losing its spiritual core. Conversely, his take on “Mary, Did You Know?” turns toward sleek modern production, drawing on the emotional urgency of contemporary alt-pop. Tight instrumentation and crisp dynamics bring a new immediacy to the beloved classic, bridging tradition with fresh creative spark.

Throughout the album, there’s a palpable sense of intention behind every choice. Karpenko has spoken about approaching each session with prayer, and that reverence becomes audible woven into the crescendos, the pauses, the delicate interplay of voices and instruments. Celebrate the King feels crafted with both hands and heart, offering listeners an escape into a soundscape where devotion and artistry intertwine. It’s a holiday release that celebrates not only the season, but the spirit that gives it meaning.

Written by Patrick