Piece by Piece
Kelly Clarkson · 2015
61 min · 16 tracks · contemporary R&B
A blend of empowering pop anthems and introspective ballads that showcases Clarkson's vocal prowess and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Heartbeat Song Start here — This upbeat opener sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and themes of new beginnings, marking a triumphant return for Clarkson.
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Piece by Piece — The title track is a deeply personal ballad where Clarkson reflects on her relationship with her father, showcasing vulnerability and strength through heartfelt lyrics.
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Invincible — This empowering anthem speaks to resilience and self-empowerment, capturing the essence of overcoming adversity which resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances pop anthems and ballads but lacks strong cohesion across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features upbeat tracks that maintain a consistent tempo, while the second half shifts towards slower ballads.
- Several tracks utilize layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, highlighting Clarkson's vocal range.
- The title track incorporates a gradual build-up of instrumentation, culminating in a powerful climax that contrasts with the more subdued earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady emotional crescendos throughout
- uplifting anthems for self-discovery
- reflective moments amidst energetic peaks
- for heartfelt sing-alongs
- balanced flow for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike emotional depth and nuance
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Clarkson's emotional depth and vocal prowess, marking an artistic high point.
- Themes
- emotional resilience· parental abandonment· self-empowerment anthems
- Career context
- Released on February 27, 2015, Piece by Piece marked Kelly Clarkson's seventh studio album and her first since leaving RCA Records. Following a brief hiatus from music after the birth of her daughter, this album signified her return to the spotlight with a more personal and mature sound, reflecting both her growth as an artist and individual.
Tracklist
- 1 Heartbeat Song Start here 3:19
- 2 Invincible 3:58
- 3 Someone 3:40
- 4 Take You High 4:20
- 5 Piece by Piece 4:18
- 6 Run Run Run 4:33
- 7 I Had a Dream 3:59
- 8 Let Your Tears Fall 3:55
- 9 Tightrope 3:33
- 10 War Paint 3:44
- 11 Dance With Me 4:21
- 12 Nostalgic 3:37
- 13 Good Goes the Bye 3:22
- 14 Bad Reputation 3:18
- 15 In the Blue 4:41
- 16 Second Wind 3:15
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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