Tom: It’s time for Kelly Clarkson to release a greatest hits album! And, as is traditional, it’ll have one new single on it to get the sales up a bit.
Tom: Hmm. Now, I do like Kelly Clarkson, but even I have to admit that this is rather by-the-numbers. That can be a good thing, sometimes – Stronger was still by-the-numbers, but matched with such a powerful tune and lyrics that it didn’t matter one bit.
This, on the other hand… it’s like Tesco Value “Stronger”. The margarine of “Stronger”. Not quite “Stronger” enough.
Tim: Very much a “this’ll do” release, which is a shame if it’s going to sit on an album of greatest hits. It’ll be the dull one everyone skips over. I don’t mind a by the numbers track – some of best tracks are as formulaic as they come – but you’re right that there does seem to be something missing here. It just about builds up to something satisfying, but only just.
Tom: Even the video seems like there’s not much effort: the arm movements, the clenched fists, the special effects… they’re all there, but it seems more like that’s just because they’re supposed to be. This is what a Kelly Clarkson song should be like, therefore this is what it will be.
Tim: The closing shot of her on the video seems to sum it up – there’s a “yes, this is what we’ve done, I know it’s a bit dull so I’ll look away in shame”.
Tom: Boxes ticked.