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With Meaning of Life, Kelly Clarkson opens up a new chapter of her career, moving from RCA to Atlantic Records. Switching labels gives Clarkson the freedom to pursue a different kind of music, an opportunity she seizes here by leaning hard into soul and R&B. Clarkson doesn't entirely abandon adult-leaning pop -- Greg Kurstin, one of the producers du jour in 2017, comes aboard for the sparkling "Would You Call That Love," a song that glistens -- but there's an undeniable soulful undercurrent on Meaning of Life. Certain styles bubble to the surface -- "Love So Soft" has a bounce straight out of Motown, "Heat" has a bit of gospel fire, "Move You" is Southern vamp -- but even if the construction is a throwback, the production on Meaning of Life is thoroughly modern, a seamless hybrid of retro flourishes and crisp electronics. There's a clean sheen to the sound, but Clarkson never seems to be chasing trends. As the title suggests, there's a maturity in the perspective of Meaning of Life: it's filled with songs about love and living, it's rooted in the past and living in the moment. The blend of contemporary and classic suits Clarkson, who sounds assured here in a way that differs from her earliest records. Controlled and confident, she certainly has her share of showstopping moments, but Clarkson always keeps her focus on the songs, which are consistently strong -- maybe her best overall set of songs yet. Even if they're not, Meaning of Life is one of her most satisfying albums: it feels like not just a collection of good tunes, but a statement of purpose.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Bob Horn, Engineer - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Andre Davidson, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Writer, Drum Programmer, Additional Programming - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Jim McCormick, Writer - Sean Davidson, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Writer, Drum Programmer, Additional Programming - The Monarch, Producer, Vocal Production - Jordan Silva, Engineer - Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Guitar - Joe Cleveland, Keyboards - Katie Pearlman, Writer - Trevor Laurence Jr., Drums
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Bobby Burns, Trumpet - Chuck Findley, Trumpet - Reggie Young, Trombone - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - VERDINE WHITE, Bass Guitar - Todd Tidwell, AssistantEngineer - Gary Bias, Tenor Saxophone - Raymond Brown, Orchestra Leader - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Organ, Production, Writer, Drum Programmer, Programming - Priscilla Renea, Production, Writer, Background Vocals - Buddy Ross, Additional Organ - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Iain Findlay, AssistantEngineer - Maureen "Mozella" McDonald, Background Vocals, Vocal Production - The Regiment Horns, Horn - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Earth, Wind & Fire Horn Section, Horn - Gabriel Noel, Bass Guitar - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer - Sean Kantrowitz, Guitar - Maureen 'Mozella' McDonald, Writer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Andre Davidson, Writer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Todd Tidwell, Engineer - Eric Peterson, Guitar - Jesse Shatkin, Engineer, Production - Mick Schultz, Writer - Sean Davidson, Writer - The Monarch, Producer, Production, Programmer - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Iain Findlay, Engineer - Jessica Karpov, Production, Background Vocals - Jessica Ashley Karpov, Writer - Brian Schultz, Bass Guitar - Michael Pollack, Writer - Mick Shultz, Producer, Engineer, Programmer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Gold, Conductor, String Arranger - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - Ilsey Juber, Writer - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - Jeff Chestek, Engineer - Emma Kummrow, Violin - Todd Tidwell, AssistantEngineer - James Morrison, Writer - Davis Barnett, Viola - Charles Parker, Violin - Jennie Lorenzo, Cello - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Programming - Luigi Mazzocchi, Violin - Jonathan Kim, Viola - Buddy Ross, Organ, Piano - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Glenn Fischbach, Cello - Henry Flory, Violin - Joel Metzler, AssistantEngineer - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Gared Crawford, Violin - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer - Piotr Filochowski, Violin - Carrie West, A&R Coordination
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Gold, Conductor, String Arranger - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Paul Baily, Engineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - Jeff Chestek, Engineer - Mark Hill, Bass Guitar - Emma Kummrow, Violin - Todd Tidwell, Engineer - Davis Barnett, Viola - Charles Parker, Violin - Jennie Lorenzo, Cello - Luigi Mazzocchi, Violin - SHAWN DAUGHERTY, Engineer - Jonathan Kim, Viola - Nick Ruth, Producer, Guitar, Organ, Writer, Programming - Amy Kuney, Writer - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Glenn Fischbach, Cello - Henry Flory, Violin - The Regiment Horns, Brass Arranger - Joel Metzler, AssistantEngineer - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Molly Kate Kestner, Writer - Gared Crawford, Violin - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Piotr Filochowski, Violin - Christopher McHugh, Drums
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Bobby Burns, Trumpet - Chuck Findley, Trumpet - Reggie Young, Trombone - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - VERDINE WHITE, Bass Guitar - Todd Tidwell, AssistantEngineer - Gary Bias, Tenor Saxophone - John Paris, Drums - Raymond Brown, Conductor - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Bass Guitar, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Programming - Morris O'Connor, Guitar - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Fade Majah, Producer - Jussifer, Producer - Jussi Karvinen, Writer - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer - NOVAWAV, Producer - Srdjan Dimitrijevic, Guitar - Brittany "Chi" Coney, Writer - Denisia "Blu June" Andrews, Writer - Evon Barnes Jr., Writer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Eric Peterson, Guitar - Mick Schultz, Writer - SHAWN DAUGHERTY, Engineer - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Jessica Karpov, Production, Background Vocals - Jessica Ashley Karpov, Writer - Brian Schultz, Bass Guitar - Mick Shultz, Producer, Engineer, Programmer, Vocal Production
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - Aben Eubanks, Guitar - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Andre Davidson, Writer - Lester Estelle, Drums - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Shane D. Wilson, Engineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Anthony LaMarchina, Orchestra - John DeNosky, Engineer - Karen Winkelmann, Orchestra - Alan Umstead, Orchestra, Contractor - CONNI ELLISOR, Orchestra - Justin Levy, Additional Arrangement by - Jason Halbert, Producer, Engineer, Keyboards, Programming - Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Orchestra - Catherine Umstead, Orchestra - Janet Darnall, Orchestra - Nick Spezia, Engineer - Bruce Wethey, Orchestra - Booker White, Co-ordinator Production - Sean Davidson, Writer - Joseph Trapanese, Conductor, String Arranger - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Jessica Karpov, Writer - Maria Conti, Orchestra - Alicia Enstrom, Orchestra - Pat Linehan, Writer - Amy Helman, Orchestra - Andreas Geck, Bass Guitar - Jenny Bifano, Orchestra - Jung-Min Shin, Orchestra - Robert "RAab" Stevenson, Additional Arrangement by
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Audra Mae, Writer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Andre Davidson, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Programming - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - Todd Tidwell, Engineer - Tommy King, Organ, Piano - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Programming - Sean Davidson, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Programming - The Monarch, Producer, Brass Arranger, Horns Arranger, VocalProducer - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Katie Pearlman, Writer - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Greg Kurstin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Baritone Guitar, Bass Synthesizer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - alex pasco, Engineer - Julian Burg, Engineer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Suzie Katayama, Contractor - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - Bruce Dukov, Violin - John Wittenberg, Violin - Joel Derouin, Violin - Charlie Bisharat, Violin - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Andre Davidson, Drums, Writer, Drum Programmer, Programming - Paul Buckmaster, Conductor, String Arranger - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Neel Hammond, Violin - Andrew Duckles, Viola - Gerry Hilera, Violin - Mario DeLeon, Violin - Natalie Leggett, Violin - Sara Parkins, Violin - Todd Tidwell, Engineer - Lucia Micarelli, Violin - Erika Duke, Cello - Victor Lawrence, Cello - Tereza Stanislav, Violin - Darrin McCann, Viola - Serena McKinney, Violin - Armen Ksadjikian, Cello - Dane Little, Cello - Songa Lee, Violin - Michele Richards, Violin - David Walther, Viola - Sean Davidson, Drums, Writer, Drum Programmer, Programming - Tim Landauer, Cello - The Monarch, Producer, Production - Zach Dellinger, Viola - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Jessica Ashley Karpov, Writer - Jacob Braun, Cello - Michael Pollack, Piano, Additional Production, Writer - Steve Chruchyard, Engineer
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - Bob Horn, Engineer - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Paul Baily, Engineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Jason Halbert, Organ, Piano - Nick Ruth, Producer, Additional Guitar, Writer, Programming - Amy Kuney, Writer - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Jordan Silva, AssistantEngineer - Eddie Spear, Engineer - Gena Johnson, AssistantEngineer - Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Guitar, Solo Guitar - Molly Kate Kestner, Writer - Trevor Laurence Jr., Drums - Philip Townes, Organ
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Gold, Conductor, String Arranger - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Michael Harris, Engineer - Jessi Collins, Background Vocals - Joann Tominaga, Co-ordinator Production - Jeff Chestek, Engineer - Emma Kummrow, Violin - Todd Tidwell, AssistantEngineer - Davis Barnett, Viola - Charles Parker, Violin - Jennie Lorenzo, Cello - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Bells, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Additional Programming - Luigi Mazzocchi, Violin - Jonathan Kim, Viola - Buddy Ross, Organ, Piano - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Iain Findlay, AssistantEngineer - Maureen "Mozella" McDonald, Writer, Background Vocals - Glenn Fischbach, Cello - Henry Flory, Violin - Joshua Ditty, AssistantEngineer - Joel Metzler, AssistantEngineer - Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, Guitar - Chris Cerullo, AssistantEngineer - Gared Crawford, Violin - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer - Piotr Filochowski, Violin
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Kelly Clarkson, Lead Vocals, Writer, MainArtist, ExecutiveProducer - Larry Gold, Conductor, String Arranger - Nicole Hurst, Background Vocals - John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Chris Gehringer, MasteringEngineer - Serban Ghenea, MixingEngineer - Craig Kallman, ExecutiveProducer - Will Quinnell, MasteringEngineer - Jeff Chestek, Engineer - Emma Kummrow, Violin - Davis Barnett, Viola - Charles Parker, Violin - Jennie Lorenzo, Cello - Jesse Shatkin, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Writer, Drum Programmer, Synthesizer, Additional Programming - Luigi Mazzocchi, Violin - Jonathan Kim, Viola - Bridget Sarai, Background Vocals - Leon Silva, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Sean Erick, Flugelhorn, Trumpet - Maureen "Mozella" McDonald, Writer - Glenn Fischbach, Cello - Henry Flory, Violin - Joel Metzler, AssistantEngineer - Gared Crawford, Violin - Kevin Williams Jr., Trombone, Tuba - Samuel Dent, AdditionalEngineer - Sean Kantrowitz, Guitar - Piotr Filochowski, Violin
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation
Album review
With Meaning of Life, Kelly Clarkson opens up a new chapter of her career, moving from RCA to Atlantic Records. Switching labels gives Clarkson the freedom to pursue a different kind of music, an opportunity she seizes here by leaning hard into soul and R&B. Clarkson doesn't entirely abandon adult-leaning pop -- Greg Kurstin, one of the producers du jour in 2017, comes aboard for the sparkling "Would You Call That Love," a song that glistens -- but there's an undeniable soulful undercurrent on Meaning of Life. Certain styles bubble to the surface -- "Love So Soft" has a bounce straight out of Motown, "Heat" has a bit of gospel fire, "Move You" is Southern vamp -- but even if the construction is a throwback, the production on Meaning of Life is thoroughly modern, a seamless hybrid of retro flourishes and crisp electronics. There's a clean sheen to the sound, but Clarkson never seems to be chasing trends. As the title suggests, there's a maturity in the perspective of Meaning of Life: it's filled with songs about love and living, it's rooted in the past and living in the moment. The blend of contemporary and classic suits Clarkson, who sounds assured here in a way that differs from her earliest records. Controlled and confident, she certainly has her share of showstopping moments, but Clarkson always keeps her focus on the songs, which are consistently strong -- maybe her best overall set of songs yet. Even if they're not, Meaning of Life is one of her most satisfying albums: it feels like not just a collection of good tunes, but a statement of purpose.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 14 track(s)
- Total length: 00:44:08
- Main artists: Kelly Clarkson
- Label: Atlantic Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
© 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States. ℗ 2017 Kelly Clarkson under exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
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