Kelly Clarkson Gets Soulful on Her Newest, “Meaning of Life”

Kelly Clarkson
Meaning of Life (Atlantic Records)

Soulful, sensual and brutally honest, the original American Idol’s eighth release is nothing less than a brash attempt to craft masterful R&B-influenced pop. Inspired heavily by old school hip-hop and soul music of the ‘60s and ’70s, The Meaning of Life pits Clarkson’s blast-furnace vocals against a decidedly more contemporary palette of beats and rhythms — resulting in a pile of roadtrip-ready singalongs. Case in point: the album’s closer “Go High” — which is both uplifting and hopeful — was inspired by Michelle Obama’s “when they go low, we go high” quote from the 2016 Democratic National Convention. Elsewhere on “Move You,” Kelly sings,“Like a sunrise on a mountain, I wanna move you like that.” If she’s referring to her listeners, that’s a lofty ambition indeed. Clarkson will serve as a coach on the next season of The Voice, set to premiere in February. See kellyclarkson.com for international tour dates as they’re announced.