{"id":2813,"date":"2015-04-22T05:20:57","date_gmt":"2015-04-22T10:20:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=2813"},"modified":"2015-04-22T05:20:57","modified_gmt":"2015-04-22T10:20:57","slug":"clarkson-returns-with-strong-album","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=2813","title":{"rendered":"Clarkson returns with strong album"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted April 22, 2015<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

By SIYUAN TONG<\/p>\n

Two years after her last album \u201cWrapped in Red,\u201d Kelly Clarkson has returned with another awesome one with \u201cPiece by Piece.\u201d<\/p>\n

Being a young singer and writer, she came into national popularity after winning the first season of American idol. Later her debut single \u201cA Moment like this\u201d soon topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and broke the record for the biggest jump to No.1 in the chart’s history and she became the runner-up of World Idol the following year.<\/p>\n

Influenced by soul musicians such as Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey, rock musicians Radiohead and Garbage, Clarkson\u2019s music has a unique mixture of styles.<\/p>\n

The new album \u201cPiece by Piece\u201d is another pop album. To make it more interesting and attractive, she made the album with great varieties\u2014several music styles are included. Songs are in different tempos and some electronic music elements are mixed in. Clarkson\u2019s vocal performance is amazing and her voice sounds dynamic, robust and emotive. Even those often critical of her work should feel satisfied by the new album.<\/p>\n

Its lead single \u201cHeartbeat Song \u201d was released prior to the whole album on Jan. 12, 2015, and quickly became a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which brought more attention to the album. Following that, with the release of the album\u2019s partial track listing and partial lyrics of those songs, Clarkson gradually unveiled the whole album on Feb. 26.<\/p>\n

Being in the industry for 13 years, Kelly Clarkson as a 32-year-old experienced singer has become more sophisticated with this new album. \u201cPiece by Piece,\u201d as her seventh studio album, appears to be pretty well done\u2014her voice in the album seems to be more controlled in a nice and confident way.<\/p>\n

The content and lyrics of the album are also nicely composed and deliver an uplifting theme as a whole. With \u201cInvincible,\u201d \u201cRun Run Run\u201d and \u201cI Had a Dream,\u201d you get the feel what some of the songs are like just through their names. While you feel defeated, these songs will just bring you an incredible inner strength in your heart and give you courage to keep going.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I was broke down; I had hit the ground \u2026 now I am invincible; no, I ain\u2019t a scared little girl no more,\u201d the lyric of \u201cInvincible\u201d with its well-fit melody is really inspiring. It feels like someone is whispering to you while you are frustrated. Someone is telling you, \u201cIt is okay. I have been in the pit before. Just stand up and grow up. You will become as invincible as me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Unlike those inspiring lyrics, lyric of \u201cLet Your Tears Fall\u201d is another style, which brings comfort to the audience. \u201cMake the seas calm; tell you in my arms, you cry; let your tears fall\u2026\u201d a sense of relief will rise up while you listening to the song. It is like mom saying, \u201cjust cry out, do not feel ashamed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Awesome lyrics, nice melody and stunning performance make the whole album sounds just perfect. If you like pop music, if you are a Kelly Clarkson fan, if you need some uplifting songs to help you out, or even if you just want a nice album to enjoy during an afternoon, \u201cPiece by Piece\u201d is what you will want to consider. It will not let you down.<\/p>\n