Kelly Clarkson, America’s original idol has returned with another legendary, emotionally fluid album, chemistry. The project marks her most eclectic album to date,, proving that she can quite literally sing any genre.
The album’s initial releases, “me” and “mine,” are powerful ballads that highlight Clarkson’s contentment with being single and living her best life. The chorus of “me,” co-written with frequent collaborator, Gayle, features a choir-like vocal arrangement, which conveys a sense of self-empowerment and independence.
Another standout track, “favorite kind of high,” introduces a new sound for Clarkson and evokes nostalgic feelings of past experiences that brought immense joy. The infectious beats and energetic tempo of the song make it an earworm and a song of the summer contender. While it primarily explores the euphoria of first love, and all the butterfly feels it comes with, it can also be interpreted as a celebration of one’s personal “favorite kind of high.,”.
The album also includes a hauntingly beautiful ballad titled “lighthouse,” which elicits strong emotions with its poignant lyrics such as “what good’s a lighthouse when the light is burning out” and “like a wave, you’re always crashing into me.”
The song “i hate love” showcases Clarkson’s bitterness, sass, and attitude, with comedian Steve Martin contributing his banjo skills. Additionally, Clarkson collaborates with the legendary percussionist Sheila E. on the tropical-sounding track “that’s right,” allowing listeners to mentally escape to an island somewhere while soaking in the song.
chemistry arrives ahead of an exclusive Las Vegas engagement, chemistry…an intimate night with Kelly Clarkson, opening Friday, July 28, 2023 at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Designed exclusively for the Bakkt Theater stage, Clarkson and her longtime band will immerse fans in an intimate music experience that spans her two-decade long catalog of award-winning hits. Clarkson will also perform on September 22nd as part of the TODAY Show’s 2023 Citi Summer Concert Series and on September 23rd at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Our top five songs off the album that we’d especially like to ECHO out:
- favorite kind of high
- down to you
- skip this part
- that’s right
- lighthouse
Listen to chemistry now!