Album
Kelly Clarkson
Meaning of Life
Atlantic Records (label)
27 November 2017 (released)
01 November 2017
Kelly Clarkson is the original American Idol. Having won the world over with her killer vocals, feisty anthems and devil may care attitude, she has sold a very impressive 25 million albums since her 2003 debut Thankful. Although her biggest hits have veered towards the pop anthem, her back catalogue has proven time and again that there is a depth and versatility to her artistry that separates her from the majority of key pop players. As she approaches her eighth studio album, Meaning Of Life, she has spoken openly about this finally being the album she has always wanted to release. So, what exactly does that entail?
The answer is a soulful explosion that puts the compelling vocalist on a par with many of the genres greats. While her pop sensibilities are not totally missing from the collection, this is an album unlike its predecessors. Yes, Kelly may have shaken up the formula previously, most impressively on the often overlooked My December, but this feels like it really is the album she has always needed to make.
Having headed up the release with the addictive anthem Love So Soft, Kelly set the tone for the release to follow flawlessly. The feisty drive is still present, but instead of the killer pop hook are emotionally driven anthems that will hit you at your very core. While Kelly has proven time and again that she is capable of reaching your very core with her bold balladry, her anthems previously have usually been explosive sing alongs that don't necessarily make your core melt.
While Love So Soft is the album's most obvious single, it is most definitely not it's finest cut. Heat steals the show. Empassioned and joyous, this is a song you need in your life. Surprisingly the Mariah vocal drive of Medicine proves equally appealing. On the ballad front, the showstopper I Don't Think About You will hook you in, but the gospel flair of Move You will become a signature song for the bold songstress.
Meaning Of Life is a fully realised change of direction for the American Idol, and one which it is impossible not to fall in love with.
The answer is a soulful explosion that puts the compelling vocalist on a par with many of the genres greats. While her pop sensibilities are not totally missing from the collection, this is an album unlike its predecessors. Yes, Kelly may have shaken up the formula previously, most impressively on the often overlooked My December, but this feels like it really is the album she has always needed to make.
Having headed up the release with the addictive anthem Love So Soft, Kelly set the tone for the release to follow flawlessly. The feisty drive is still present, but instead of the killer pop hook are emotionally driven anthems that will hit you at your very core. While Kelly has proven time and again that she is capable of reaching your very core with her bold balladry, her anthems previously have usually been explosive sing alongs that don't necessarily make your core melt.
While Love So Soft is the album's most obvious single, it is most definitely not it's finest cut. Heat steals the show. Empassioned and joyous, this is a song you need in your life. Surprisingly the Mariah vocal drive of Medicine proves equally appealing. On the ballad front, the showstopper I Don't Think About You will hook you in, but the gospel flair of Move You will become a signature song for the bold songstress.
Meaning Of Life is a fully realised change of direction for the American Idol, and one which it is impossible not to fall in love with.
