Kelly Clarkson has unleashed ‘Chemistry’ – her tenth studio album.
Led by the double singles ‘Mine / Me,’ the set sees Clarkson exploring themes of love, loss, and more.
That Grape Juice has been spinning the LP since its release. Join us below to find out which five tracks are essential on ‘Chemistry.’
5. Down To You
Kelly Clarkson asserts herself by taking back her confidence across this energetic, synth-heavy tune.
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4. Rock Hudson
Out for blood, Clarkson delivers loaded line after loaded line on this tune. “You were my Rock Hudson/It was real, but it wasn’t,” she sings with a voice ringing of pain and power. She even throws in a reference to her song ‘Piece by Piece,’ making for a heartbreaking comparison between her former husband and her absent father.
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3. Favorite Kind Of High
Taking a detour, Clarkson takes a break from the heartache and the loss that fills ‘Chemistry’ to deliver a song packed with ascending guitar licks and thumping bass that reflects the anticipation that comes with a lover deliver a high unlike any other. Across the song, Clarkson delivers one of her most distinct pop songs in recent years.
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2. I Hate Love
There is the old cliche of opposites attracting and on ‘I Hate Love,’ this adage is true. But what separates this from other songs is Clarkson’s unmistakable vocal delivery and an odd, but welcome feature from actor Steve Martin on the banjo. The freshest and most inventive song on the album, ‘I Hate Love’ is Clarkson exploring new territory to near-perfect results.
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1. Lighthouse
While Clarkson is most known for her voice, her songwriting often gets overlooked. However, on ‘Lighthouse’ both shine brighter than ever. A delicate piano ballad, the song is Clarkson at her most gut-wrenching and emotive. A lock for one of the best songs of the year, ‘Lighthouse’ is a moderate heartbreak classic.
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