Kelly Clarkson gets candid as she releases two new songs from upcoming divorce album

Kelly Clarkson released two emotional tracks from her upcoming 10th studio album, entitled Chemistry, on Friday.

The American Idol winner, 40, took to Instagram to share the album’s meaning and new songs, titled “Me” and “Mine,” that were written in the wake of her painful divorce from Brandon Blackstock, 46.

She also shared the artwork for the album, which features her in a gorgeous light pink frilly dress, as well as the full 14-song track list.

“Having chemistry with someone is an incredible and overwhelming feeling. It’s like you have no choice in this. You are just attracted to each other. This can be good and bad. This album will take you down every path chemistry could lead you,” her caption read.

“We decided to release “my” and “me” at the same time because I didn’t want to release just one song to represent an entire album or an entire relationship. There are many stages of grief and loss on this album.”

“Each song is a different stage and a different emotional state,” added Kelly — who has been open about never getting married again after her ugly breakup with Blackstock in 2020 and eventual divorce.

The Grammy-winning singer’s album is due out on June 23 and is currently available for pre-order.

Side A of the album consists of seven tracks: 1. Skip this part, 2. Mine, 3. High Road, 4. Me, 5. Down to You, 6. Chemistry, 7. Favorite Kind of High.

Side B consists of 8. Magic, 9. Lighthouse, 10. Rock Hudson, 11. My Mistake, 12. Red Flag Collector, 13. I Hate Love (feat. Steve Martin), 14. That’s Right (feat. Sheila E) .

In another post, she also shared the poignant lyrics of both songs, with “Me” detailing her process of getting over heartbreak.

“Love you so much, took an army to pull me up/ But now on the other side, I remembered I could fly/ I told you I wanted you/ But you needed me to need you / Your insecurity was the death of you and me,” she sang in part.

“You’ve wondered too many times what my intentions were/ I never gave you reasons, you’re the one with secrets,” the star continued.

Meanwhile, the chorus described her newfound strength.

“I don’t need nobody to hold me/ I don’t need nobody to love me/ I don’t need nobody to pick up these pieces/ I’ve put together my brokenness/ Let go of the pain I’ve been holding”/ Don I don’t need nobody / When I got me.’

While ‘Me’ sees her feeling stronger, ‘Mine’ has a more painful undertone, as she sings about her heartbreak and wishes her ex would go through something similar one day.

“I can’t believe I let you in, I can’t believe I stayed / As long as I’ve stayed / I hope that one day someone will take your heart and hold it / Make you feel that deep down you’re invincible are.’

“And just when you think it’s perfect, they cross a line/ And steal your shine like you did mine.”

The chorus continues on a similarly melancholic note.

“Go ahead and break my heart, that’s fine (so unkind) / Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind (Oh, love is blind) / Why do I miss you tonight? (Was it all a lie?) / Somebody’s gonna show you how to use a heart / Like you did mine.”

Chemistry will be Clarkson’s first new studio album since she released her second Christmas themed collection – When Christmas Comes Around… in October 2021.

She hasn’t released a traditional album of all-new material since 2017’s Meaning of Life, which featured the singles Love So Soft, I Don’t Think About You, and Heat.

The Miss Independent singer began writing about her breakup shortly after her divorce from Blackstock, but wasn’t sure she would ever release it due to the “angry” “state of mind” she wrote it in, she said. Variety last year.

“I hadn’t really worked hard on an album until I had to. I was just really busy. There were so many jobs, and I’m a single mom — well, even with being married, it’s a lot, trying to fit in kids’ schedules and all that stuff,” she added.

“But then the whole divorce thing happened, and I had to write it. And then I didn’t know if I would let it go, because in that state of mind you can be very angry. So some songs certainly cover the gamut of emotions; everything is on the album.

“It’s almost like the arc of a relationship, because the beginning is so beautiful and so sweet, and then it evolves.” And sometimes it doesn’t evolve the way you want it to.’

Brandon and Kelly were married for seven years before separating in 2020, leading to a lengthy legal wrangle over money.

The divorce lasted a year and a half before it was finally finalized in March 2022.

They share daughter River Rose, eight, and son Remington Alexander Blackstock, seven.

Clarkson first rose to fame when she won the first season of American Idol in 2002, which eventually landed her a recording contract with RCA.