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I found this interview from December 2021 where she basically already spoiled that she's writing a gospel inspired album!
Also, other quotes from the interview that give insight into the album:
Who could the superstars / young teenage girls be? 
And another gospel hint in the England part:
https://www.nme.com/big-reads/mariah...istmas-3120794
Overall, I think the making of FILAC makes a lot of sense now. It always seemed a bit random that she released a new holiday song with them but if it was born during her session with Kirk Franklin and Khalid, they probably released it because it doesn't fit on the rest of the album with its Christmas sound. They're probably included on other song(s) on the album as well.
“This coming year, we have amazing stuff coming with both young artists and classic artists,” she enthuses, insisting it’s not Christmas music. “But it is a spiritual moment – like my songs like…” She erupts into song: “‘We’ll make it happen…’” from 1991’s, erm, ‘Make It Happen’, and … ‘Any time you NEEEED a friend’, from 1993’s, erm, ‘Any Time You Need A Friend’. “It’s like those songs, but new songs as well. I don’t want to say it’s a gospel thing ’cause that’s too one-sided. But no-one knows this yet! You’re the first one!”
She explains that Monroe “doesn’t love everything I do”, though her daughter is currently canning one of her upcoming collaborations, which Mariah is keeping secretive about for now: “There are some friends of ours singing on it with us, and they’re superstars and young teenage girls and it’s amazing. I’m super-excited about it coming out next year.”
And another gospel hint in the England part:
“I was just in the booth doing a new song that I’m suuuuuuuuuuuuuper EXCITED about!,” she enthuses, before screaming in the whistle-key of the high note she hits in ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’. “Arrrrggggh! I can’t! I can’t even go into it. I don’t know if you guys are going to like it in England, but I hope you are. It’s not a Christmas song, it’s …” She catches herself: ‘Oh, I don’t want to go into it. But I’m excited.”
Overall, I think the making of FILAC makes a lot of sense now. It always seemed a bit random that she released a new holiday song with them but if it was born during her session with Kirk Franklin and Khalid, they probably released it because it doesn't fit on the rest of the album with its Christmas sound. They're probably included on other song(s) on the album as well.
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