Kelly Clarkson has openly admitted that her new album, Chemistry, describes an “emotional rollercoaster of relationships.”
Without a doubt, Clarkson will have a difficult time navigating a messy divorce from her husband of nearly seven years, Brandon Blackstock, who is the father of nine-year-old River Rose and seven-year-old Remington Alexander children. In the end, he must have grasped the source of his emotions.
When Clarkson filed for divorce three years ago (the divorce was finalized in March 2022), she channeled her turbulent emotions into her 10th studio album, but she didn’t feel like releasing a song at the time. It wasn’t because she worried the world would hear the gentle grief of “Skip This Part,” the defiance of “High Road,” or the ranting that propelled “Red Flag Collector.”
She knew she couldn’t sit down for an interview talking about her precarious emotional state.
“I’m useless and I just cry,” she recalls telling her label.
But now, 41, Clarkson is desperate to reset and let listeners delve into “Chemistry,” which opens Friday. Blending pop, soul and rock with her gusty voice, the album is a relatable mix of moods embellished with a handful of unexpected guests (Steve Martin plays the banjo). on “I Hate Love,” with Sheila E adding a percussive pulse) to “Yeah”).
Clarkson, who hosted “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and was a coach on NBC’s “The Voice” for years before announcing his departure in May, recently announced that his syndicate He also covered allegations of toxic workplaces on talk shows.
In a chat with USA TODAY, the cool-headed and witty Clarkson addressed the show’s problems, joking that he was “going high” to get Martin on the album, adding, “I’m in a different chapter.” “I’m relieved,” he said.
Q: The album opens on a very sad note with “Skip This Part”. But by the time it hits the final song, “That’s Right,” it’s like a new Kelly.
Kelly Clarkson: Songs like ‘How Stella Got Her Groove Back’. I like the album to start and end like that, because that’s how I felt. I remember telling people[during her divorce]’I want to skip this part. I know it can’t be done, but who would want to go through that?
You’ve made some great farewell songs in your career so far, but who else do you think has the best?
For our generation, Jagged Little Pill (by Alanis Morissette) was the breakup album. It means a lot to me. And I’m Joni Mitchell girl. I like going to places with that kind of atmosphere. I like Fiona Apple and the nostalgic times spent with certain music like Toni Braxton and some country. Go to Nirvana more if you get angry.
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Who were you listening to while processing all the emotions you were dealing with?
I literally didn’t listen to anyone. I was just writing. It wasn’t even about how we wanted[the album]to sound. I’ve never made a record like this. I sent pigeons to all my friends who have written with me, producers who have songs, or who have just written their own.
You have some interesting collaborators on this album, including Gail, who co-wrote “Me.” Why did you release that song as a single alongside “Mine”?
For this album, it was very, very important to me that a lot of people listened to it before it was released. I don’t want people to dismiss my relationship with just one song. It’s unfair, and it’s not true for the album.
I didn’t expect Steve Martin and Sheila E. to be on the tracklist.
Happy to share the stage with Sheila. I love her as a human being. She’s solid, wonderful, kind, and I love having people like that in my world. I remember when she wrote the song, she said to the producer, “Wouldn’t it be nice if Sheila played this?” And when I wrote “I Hate Love,” it was Steve who was my reference for the song.
“You keep[Ryan]Gosling and I’m going to take Steve Martin” is a great line.
I was feeling so ironic and so real about the fact that love makes people do such stupid things. You’re stuck with ideas of what someone is, who you are, what love is, and really just haven’t moved on to a situation that’s worth more. You have to aim for something better.
Did you go into the studio with Steve to record this song?
No, I was very depressed for a week (I didn’t see him in person) because he said yes. You come up with ideas like, “That’s never going to happen.” (I) set high goals. He has won more Grammy Awards than I do! I am a long time fan. But I was doing a talk show, so I couldn’t go. I look forward to meeting him someday.
Let’s talk about “Red Flag Collector”. It’s a pretty direct lyric like “Slip your mouth and stick your chest out/Play cowboys in the Wild West.”. ” Did it feel good to vent that anger? Or maybe not out of anger…
Alas, the anger is on target. I was very, very angry. I know a lot of people go through major tragedies like grief and divorce, and I know it’s unfortunately common. But there is nothing in common when experiencing it. Very exotic and terrifying. Stupid, stupid things are often said, but I do not believe it. I was angry and really hurt. That song and “I Hate Love” are probably the songs that most directly deal with that level of anger.
And how are you feeling lately?
good! I needed to be here, so I waited for that moment. Listening to these released songs makes me feel like a different person. It’s been 3 years since we broke up, so I’m glad I got over it. No anger or anything, just another chapter. I know we had to wait for that, but now that we can talk openly about the songs and have fun together, I’m glad I did.
Exclusive shows in Las Vegas on July 28th (at Planet Hollywood’s Buckt Theater through August 19th). What are your plans for the show?
Since there are only 10 shows, there will be hits, but there will also be a sprinkle of songs from the (new) album, and people will love the covers. We plan to perform the entire album in 10 performances. This makes it more intimate and discreet. And I’ll explain how I got started. Just being on stage with the band and engaging with people.
Your talk show is moving to New York for the fall season. Excited to head east?
I am in a great situation personally and a new start seems so beautiful for me and my little family. I love New York and now is the perfect time for me. Life happens that way for a reason. NBC was smitten by this move and, oh my God, we’re so glad we made it to 30 Rock.
What kind of cultural change are you planning to implement behind the scenes?
I didn’t know there was so much going on, but now it is. I am always an optimist, so this gives me a chance. I am always trying to be a better person. I am reading The Good Ancestors. I always read some kind of book, and my therapist asks me, “Can’t you read fiction?” (Laughs) I’m always aware of things like: I know it sucks when things like this happen, but I see this as an opportunity for us to become better selves. We are thinking of ways to make people feel that they are not outside the circle. I was that kind of kid in school too, and it was the worst feeling ever. I see this as an opportunity for positive change. That’s what we want to convey in this show. I’m also a geek who likes things like team building. Undoubtedly, some changes are necessary, have already changed, and will continue to change. It’s a new start in many ways.
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