Hiya all! This week, it's time for an album I've known since I was very young, yet only properly revisited recently. It's Stronger by Kelly Clarkson! I've always been impressed how she puts a lot of efforts into her albums. Pop has a bit of a reputation for shallow or inferior album tracks, yet some of her deep cuts are her best work. In few places is this more evident than Stronger, which blends notes of her previous R&B and pop rock styles with electronica and alt pop. I notice a few echoes of Imogen Heap's influence, particularly in the catchy staccato leads that layer throughout the record. Despite an on-paper synth-heavy sound, there is something delightfully tactile about Stronger as well. I must commend the strong songwriting and impressive and controlled performances from Kelly Clarkson. My favorite tracks include bolstering hits Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) and Dark Side, heartfelt and inspiring You Can't Win, confrontational Let Me Down, and anthemic bonus track Alone (which absolutely deserved to make the cut for the full album!). The transcendent arrangement and production in Honestly is a highlight of the record. I may actually have to share my favorite between three tracks. 1: You Love Me, excellently executed pop rock at its finest. 2: Hello, a moody and relatable track. 3: I Forgive You, exploding with energy yet underpinned with regret and sacrifice. Add Stronger to your list of evidence that pop can be just as awesome as any other genre, and also to your listening queue, because it is worth it.
Alex Kunce
You can't, you can't win, no...
Hiya all! This week, it's time for an album I've known since I was very young, yet only properly revisited recently. It's Stronger by Kelly Clarkson! I've always been impressed how she puts a lot of efforts into her albums. Pop has a bit of a reputation for shallow or inferior album tracks, yet some of her deep cuts are her best work. In few places is this more evident than Stronger, which blends notes of her previous R&B and pop rock styles with electronica and alt pop. I notice a few echoes of Imogen Heap's influence, particularly in the catchy staccato leads that layer throughout the record. Despite an on-paper synth-heavy sound, there is something delightfully tactile about Stronger as well. I must commend the strong songwriting and impressive and controlled performances from Kelly Clarkson. My favorite tracks include bolstering hits Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) and Dark Side, heartfelt and inspiring You Can't Win, confrontational Let Me Down, and anthemic bonus track Alone (which absolutely deserved to make the cut for the full album!). The transcendent arrangement and production in Honestly is a highlight of the record. I may actually have to share my favorite between three tracks. 1: You Love Me, excellently executed pop rock at its finest. 2: Hello, a moody and relatable track. 3: I Forgive You, exploding with energy yet underpinned with regret and sacrifice. Add Stronger to your list of evidence that pop can be just as awesome as any other genre, and also to your listening queue, because it is worth it.
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1 week ago | [YT] | 2