Honestly, the music industry is a weird place. You’d think someone who has sold millions of records and basically owns daytime TV wouldn't need to start over. But that is exactly what is happening. We are currently witnessing a massive shift in how Kelly Clarkson handles her career. For years, she was the crown jewel of major labels. Now? She is calling the shots on her own terms.
If you have been looking for new songs by kelly clarkson, you might have noticed things feel a little different lately. There is a grit there. A lack of polish—in a good way. She isn’t trying to fit into a Top 40 mold anymore because, frankly, she doesn't have to.
The Birth of High Road Records
Early in 2025, Kelly dropped a bombshell. She officially moved away from the major label system to launch her own independent label, High Road Records. It is a move that sounds "insider-y" but actually matters a lot for the music we're getting.
She’s gone on record saying she wants to release "whatever she wants, when she wants." That isn't just talk. We’ve already seen the first fruits of this freedom. The track "Where Have You Been" (which features Elohim) is a perfect example. It’s got this haunting, dance-infused electronic vibe that felt totally unexpected from the woman who gave us "Since U Been Gone." It’s moody. It’s dark. It’s also exactly what happens when a powerhouse vocalist stops asking for permission to experiment.
Recent Collaborations and Genre-Bending
Kelly has always been a bit of a chameleon. One minute she’s country, the next she’s soul, then she’s full-on rock.
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Take the "I’m Movin’ On" duet with Rascal Flatts. Released as part of their Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets project in mid-2025, it’s a masterclass in vocal restraint. It’s a 25-year-old song, but Kelly breathes this fresh, weary life into it. You can tell she isn’t just "guesting" on a track; she’s taking over the emotional heavy lifting.
Then you have the unexpected stuff. Have you heard her cover of "What It Sounds Like"? It’s from that Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters. She performed it on her show in early 2026, and the internet basically lost its collective mind. It started as this quiet ballad and erupted into a rock anthem. It’s technically a cover, but for Kelly fans, these "Kellyoke" moments are as essential as her studio albums.
The Las Vegas "Studio Sessions"
If you’re hunting for the "newest" versions of her hits, you have to look toward Las Vegas. Her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, titled "Studio Sessions," has been extended through late 2026.
This isn't your typical Vegas spectacle with 50 backup dancers. It’s stripped back. It’s intimate. She’s been using these dates to road-test new material that hasn't even hit streaming services yet. Fans who went to the August 2025 shows reported hearing a new track tentatively titled "Mine" (not to be confused with the track from Chemistry) and a bluesy number that sounds like it belongs in a smoky 1920s lounge.
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Why Chemistry Was Just the Beginning
Most people thought Chemistry was the final word on her divorce. It was heavy, beautiful, and raw. But the new songs by kelly clarkson coming out now feel like the "after" picture.
The Chemistry (Deluxe) version gave us tracks like "Roses" and "I Won’t Give Up," which served as a bridge. But the 2025-2026 era is less about the pain of the past and more about the curiosity of the future. She’s writing with her long-time guitarist Jaco Caraco again, and the word on the street is that the new album—expected somewhere in the back half of 2026—is "all over the map."
She’s mentioned being inspired by everything from classic rock to 90s R&B.
What to Watch For Next
So, what’s actually on the horizon? Here is the breakdown of what we know is real:
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- The Independent Album: Expect a full-length release on High Road Records by late 2026.
- More Kellyoke Volumes: There are persistent rumors of a Kellyoke Vol. 2 EP specifically featuring the rock covers she’s been doing lately, like her recent take on The Red Clay Strays' "No One Else Like Me."
- Holiday Surprises: She basically owns Christmas at this point. Don't be surprised if another one-off holiday single drops late in the year.
The best way to keep up with these releases is to actually follow her label’s updates. Because she’s independent now, the "big machine" marketing isn't always there to shout it from the rooftops. You have to look for the breadcrumbs.
Check out the official "Where Have You Been" music video if you haven't yet. It’s the clearest indicator of where her head is at right now. Darker, bolder, and completely unbothered by what the charts think.
Actionable Insight: If you want the "purest" Kelly experience, prioritize her live recordings and recent "Studio Sessions" clips. The production on her independent tracks is much closer to her live sound than her earlier pop records.