Kelly Clarkson’s tenth studio album, Chemistry, is out today (June 23). With 14 songs about her past relationship with her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, the singer-songwriter laid it all out on the line. Back in March, she said she didn’t want “everybody” to think that her emotions could just be simplified as angry or sad. Clarkson explained in a video shared on

New music soon 🍷💔☀️ pic.twitter.com/c9mPNchiE2

— Kelly Clarkson 🍷💔☀️ (@kellyclarkson) March 26, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Twitter, “This album is definitely the arc of an entire relationship, and a whole relationship shouldn’t be just brought down to one thing. So there’s the good, the bad, the ugly thing kinda going on in it.”

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After working on the album for three years, and debating on whether or not to release it, the talk show host said the album “can be a really amazing sexy, cool, fun thing, but it can also be very bad for you.” While performing a preview of her album last month at a Los Angeles concert in celebration of her 41st birthday, the musician struggled with her emotions. Telling EW at the time that the emotions “murdered” her, even having to pause and apologize to the crowd after feeling overwhelmed. She said those feelings were “just like a wave washed over me.”

Celebrating the release of Chemistry, Clarkson took to Twitter Friday. “the wait is finally over! my new album #chemistry is available everywhere now. i hope y’all enjoy it!”

She will also be heading to Las Vegas for a

It's happening, y'all! 🎶 I'm so excited to announce that I'm finally heading to Las Vegas for 10 shows this summer! I'll be singing all of your favorites... and yes, I'll be singing some new ones, too! 😉 pic.twitter.com/xYQWqgfeq5

— Kelly Clarkson 🍷💔☀️ (@kellyclarkson) March 27, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10-show residency starting July 28. The dates are July: 28 and 29 and August 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 18 and 19. In preparation for the emotions that will inevitably come up during the performances, Clarkson had to previously adapt to tread lightly. She told EW, “It just takes time to… not really separate, but to get to where you can remember it but you don’t drown in it. You dive in, but you’re treading water.”

See the 10 best songs and songs to skip on Chemistry below.

• Skip: skip this part

  Can we skip this part? For a post-divorce album, this song is a little too obvious and on the nose. As the song progresses, it gives off a Disney-type of vibe that we just think grown adults shouldn’t tap into.

• Skip: mine

  As one of the singles released from Chemistry prior to its release, this song is kind of boring. The melody sounds like something we’ve heard before, and the lyrics are predictable.

• Skip: down to you

  We got secondhand embarrassment from the lyrics of this song. With lines like, “A little birdy told me you’re nobody’s friend, and the joke’s on me,” “down to you” shows a naivety that Clarkson had with Blackstock, whom she was married to for seven years.

• Skip: magic

  “magic” is anything but, of all the tracks, this song seems a bit redundant when there are much better songs that resonate better than this one. We wish this song had a little bit more oomph to it.

• Skip: lightouse

  Clarkson described this song as the “saddest song I’ve ever written.” Comparing it to “Piece by Piece” and “Because of You,” the musician set herself up for very high standards. Though she sang with emotions that reflected that, the song does fall short when compared to those other sad songs she’s released prior.

• Best: high road

  Moms giving advice is always a relatable thing. The whole song is relatable, and for that, we think it’s one of the highlights of the album. Tells us to hold our head up high and keep moving forward even when you don’t feel like it. Clarkson really belts it out in the latter half of the song, and it sends chills.

• Best: me

  The choir component backing up Kelly’s vocals in “me” is exactly what we needed four tracks into the album. The song reaches down into your soul and uplifts, while exploring deep feelings we feel for another person and the reality of a failing situation. By the end of the song, Kelly lists all of the things she will no longer sacrifice herself over and we love that.

• Best: chemistry

  Slowing things down with this acoustic track, Clarkson’s voice and lyrics are hauntingly beautiful. We love when the album’s title track is strong, making this one of the best, if not the best song of the entire album.

• Best: favorite kind of high

  Taking things to a positive light, Clarkson introduced this song at her Birthday at the Belasco as “a sexy a– song, y’all.” She told the audience, “I don’t want just some sad, ‘I just got divorced and my life sucks’ dumpster-fire record.” “favorite kind of high” shines on the highs of her relationship.

• Best: rock hudson

  Though this song wasn’t a “super fun” for Clarkson to perform, it’s one of her best. Coming from the perspective of taking a stand for yourself in a situation that you “never saw it coming,” “rock hudson” is a great break-up track.