Pentatonix - PTX Vol IV - Classics (2017) FLAC

A five-person a cappella group based out of Arlington, Texas, Pentatonix is best known for winning the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off in 2011. Formed by high school friends Kirstie Maldonado, Mitch Grassi, and Scott Hoying, the group got its initial start after its version of Beyonce and Lady Gaga's "Telephone," recorded for a local Glee-related contest, started garnering attention on YouTube. The band then added members Avi Kaplan and Kevin Olusola, renamed itself Pentatonix, and auditioned for The Sing-Off. Standing out for their unexpected stylistic range, which found them covering songs in such styles as electronica, reggae, R&B, dubstep, and more, Pentatonix ultimately won The Sing-Off performing Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." They released a debut EP, PTX, Vol. 1, in 2012, featuring versions of "Starships" by Nicki Minaj and "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye. The inevitable PTXmas followed later that year, and another EP the next year, PTX, Vol. 2, featured versions of hits by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Calvin Harris, as well as "Daft Punk," which won a Grammy award in the category of Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. PTX, Vol. 3, released in September 2014, included three originals and four covers, including "Problem" by Ariana Grande and a version of Disclosure's "Latch" called "La La Latch." The next month brought their second holiday release, That's Christmas to Me. Subsequently awarded a platinum certification from the RIAA, its "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" won the group a second Grammy. In 2015, Pentatonix delivered their fourth studio album, an eponymously titled release of all-original material that topped the Billboard 200. The album's lead single, "Can't Sleep Love," debuted at number 11 on the Hot 100. In September 2016, the group released a version of "Jolene" featuring Dolly Parton that ultimately won them a third Grammy, this time for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. That October, they issued A Pentatonix Christmas, which became their second number one, platinum-selling recording, given an extra boost with the NBC-televised A Pentatonix Christmas Special in December. Pentatonix returned with more new music early in 2017 with PTX, Vol. 4 - Classics, which featured "Jolene" as well as a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine." ~ Matt Collar