Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Chemistry’ Relies on Familiar Formulas – The Gentleman Report
Kelly Clarkson has always been known for her authentic and independent style in the music industry. Her segment on her daytime show, “Kellyoke,” has become a platform for showcasing her love for various genres of music and her exceptional singing talent.
However, her latest album, “Chemistry,” falls short of her reputation for excellence. The album fails to find a sound that complements the rawness of its subject matter. While the album highlights Clarkson’s powerful voice and clever lyrics, the arrangements often rely on modern pop clichés instead of pushing for innovation or tapping into the soulful traditionalism of her previous album, “Meaning of Life,” which was released in 2017.
The production of the album, led by Clarkson’s long-time musical director Jason Halbert and her frequent collaborator Shatkin, along with new collaborators Rachel Orscher and Erica Serna, often feels overly compressed and synthetic, distancing Clarkson’s voice and emotions. For example, the energetic track “Down to You” has some witty lines, but its lackluster chorus fails to utilize Clarkson’s full vocal potential.
On the other hand, the poignant piano-driven torch song, “Lighthouse,” gives Clarkson more space to showcase her passionate vocal performance. “My Mistake,” with a more synthetic pop sound, allows her to play around with its sweeping melody. Interestingly, Clarkson didn’t co-write these two songs. However, she infuses them with her lived-in weariness and emotional maturity. The booming ’80s-inspired pop-rock standout track, “High Road,” showcases her convincing emotion: “To become stronger, you have to listen, keep it open, don’t try to hide it. And if you need love, don’t try to fight it.”
Surprisingly, despite being an album born from the heartbreak of divorce, “Chemistry” stands out the most when it sheds the weight of pathos and allows Clarkson to let loose. In the final three songs, starting with the vocally challenging “Red Flag Collector,” she switches to a more conversational delivery, resembling a mix of country, cabaret, and Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and lets her unique personality shine. Unexpectedly, Steve Martin plays the banjo on the stylistically diverse track “I Hate Love,” while Sheila E. adds percussion to the breezy closing track, “That’s Right.”
Kelly Clarkson is renowned for her authentic and independent flair in the music industry. Her daytime show segment, “Kellyoke,” presents a platform that allows her to showcase her love for various music genres and demonstrate her exceptional singing abilities. However, her latest album, “Chemistry,” fails to live up to her esteemed reputation for excellence. The album lacks a sound that complements the rawness of its subject matter. While it highlights Clarkson’s powerful voice and clever lyrics, the arrangements often rely on modern pop clichés instead of pushing for innovation or tapping into the soulful traditionalism of her previous album, “Meaning of Life,” released in 2017.
The album’s production, led by Clarkson’s long-time musical director Jason Halbert and her frequent collaborator Shatkin, along with new collaborators Rachel Orscher and Erica Serna, often feels overly compressed and synthetic, distancing Clarkson’s voice and emotions. For instance, the energetic track “Down to You” has some witty lines, but its unremarkable chorus fails to utilize Clarkson’s full vocal potential.
On the other hand, the poignant piano-driven torch song, “Lighthouse,” gives Clarkson more space to showcase her passionate vocal performance. “My Mistake,” with a more synthetic pop sound, allows her to play around with its sweeping melody. Interestingly, Clarkson didn’t co-write these two songs. However, she infuses them with her lived-in weariness and emotional maturity. The booming ’80s-inspired pop-rock standout track, “High Road,” showcases her convincing emotion: “To become stronger, you have to listen, keep it open, don’t try to hide it. And if you need love, don’t try to fight it.”
Surprisingly, despite being an album born from the heartbreak of divorce, “Chemistry” stands out the most when it sheds the weight of pathos and allows Clarkson to let loose. In the final three songs, starting with the vocally challenging “Red Flag Collector,” she switches to a more conversational delivery, resembling a mix of country, cabaret, and Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and lets her unique personality shine. Unexpectedly, Steve Martin plays the banjo on the stylistically diverse track “I Hate Love,” while Sheila E. adds percussion to the breezy closing track, “That’s Right.”
Kelly Clarkson has always brought an authentic and independent vibe to her music career. Her popular segment, “Kellyoke,” on her daytime show has become a platform where she showcases her genuine love for various genres of music and demonstrates her exceptional singing abilities.
However, her latest album, “Chemistry,” doesn’t quite live up to her reputation for excellence. It fails to find a sound that complements the rawness of its subject matter. While the album highlights Clarkson’s powerful voice and clever lyrics, the arrangements often rely on modern pop clichés instead of pushing for innovation or tapping into the soulful traditionalism of her previous album, “Meaning of Life,” released in 2017.
The production of the album, headed by Clarkson’s longtime musical director Jason Halbert and her frequent collaborator Shatkin, along with new collaborators Rachel Orscher and Erica Serna, often feels overly compressed and synthetic, distancing Clarkson’s voice and emotions. For example, the energetic track “Down to You” has some witty lines, but its lackluster chorus fails to utilize Clarkson’s full vocal potential.
On the other hand, the poignant piano-driven torch song, “Lighthouse,” gives Clarkson more space to showcase her passionate vocal performance. “My Mistake,” with a more synthetic pop sound, allows her to play around with its sweeping melody. Interestingly, Clarkson didn’t co-write these two songs. She infuses them with her lived-in weariness and emotional maturity. The booming ’80s-inspired pop-rock standout track, “High Road,” showcases her convincing emotion: “To become stronger, you have to listen, keep it open, don’t try to hide it. And if you need love, don’t try to fight it.”
Surprisingly, despite being an album born from the heartbreak of divorce, “Chemistry” stands out the most when it sheds the weight of pathos and allows Clarkson to let loose. In the final three songs, starting with the vocally challenging “Red Flag Collector,” she switches to a more conversational delivery, resembling a mix of country, cabaret, and Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” and lets her unique personality shine. Unexpectedly, Steve Martin plays the banjo on the stylistically diverse track “I Hate Love,” while Sheila E. adds percussion to the breezy closing track, “That’s Right.”
