Kelly Clarkson is back with her fifth record, one that manages to remain solid and interesting without being a big departure.
Stronger sees the slightly dark pop of songs like 'Since U Been Gone' remaining prominent, with a nice disco/club influence that isn't overbearing.
It's a rare case on many pop albums of this ilk, but the production actually lifts the record on songs like 'You Love Me', rather than completely muddying the sound.
Everything seems to be there for a reason, rather than instruments our effects being thrown in for the sake of it.
Case in point, beautiful ballad 'Standing In Front of You' has some heavy production and climaxing for strings and faint guitars.
This was a bit of a risk, as a song of this kind would undoubtedly work best being stripped down - however, the production still enhances it, lifting it and making the track all the more powerful.
That said, Stronger isn't an album without it's low points.
Following on from 'Standing In Front of You', 'I Forgive You' is a bit of a production mess, and a painfully cliched bubblegum pop-rock track.
It sounds too busy, which is a shame because a great rock song is hidden beneath it all.
However, the following songs see an uprise in quality, with 'Let Me Down' and 'Hello' standing out as great tracks on a generally consistent record.
The standard version of the album comes to an emotional, tender close with 'Breaking Your Own Heart', a fantastically worked ballad that peaks at the right time, becoming an uplifting rock ballad.
Amongst some stunning high notes from Clarkson, it's brought back down at just the right time to end things on a beautiful, calm note.
Stronger is a lesson in production and how it can enhance or damage a record.
Thankfully (outside of Darkchild and Andre Lindal's contribution on 'I Forgive You') the desired effect is usually achieved, and it's all tied together by Kelly Clarkson's fantastic, powerful vocals.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
Tagged in Kelly Clarkson