Meaning of Life by Kelly Clarkson
Meaning of Life is the eighth studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released by Atlantic Records on October 27, 2017. Executive produced by Clarkson and Craig Kallman, the album is her debut release for the label after completing her recording contract with RCA Records, which she had signed after winning the inaugural season of American Idol. Weary of the structure of the previous record deal where she was strictly limited to releasing pop music, Clarkson wanted to pursue a different genre—soul and R&B music, which she had previously wanted to make and had only finally found the opportunity to do so after being signed by Kallman to the label.
On her triumphant eighth album, Kelly Clarkson summons her inner Aretha. Trading her signature hook-laden pop-rock for gutsy soul, it’s a straight-talking, hater-shaking hear-me-roar smash that shows off her superhuman range and vocal strength like never before. For the Nashville-based star, happiness is a happy marriage (“Meaning of Life”), an open mind (“Move You”) and a bulletproof self-confidence (“Go High”). But the highlight has to be “Whole Lotta Woman”, a rip-roaring collaboration with Earth, Wind & Fire that bulldozes bullies and body-shamers: “I ain’t no girl/I’m a boss with orders.”
