The first winner of 'American Idol' returns to pop star form on her fourth studio album, after a soul-searching detour on 2007's 'My December', which confused her pop fan base and made barely a dent on any charts.

First single 'My Life Would Suck Without You' has become a radio favourite, rocketing her back to the top of the pop charts with its sing-along chorus and tongue-in-cheek lyrics.

The rest of the album is a mix of power ballads showing off Clarkson's impressive range, and louder, faster songs that let her express her angrier musical side.

With help from Katy Perry (on second single 'I Do Not Hook Up'), Swedish producer Max Martin (who produced her 2004 smash hit 'Since U Been Gone'), and Ryan Tedder (writer of Leona Lewis' signature tune 'Bleeding Love', and Beyonce's current hit, 'Halo'), Clarkson's crafted an album of solid pop tunes that sticks closely to the formula of her massive-selling 2004 release, 'Breakaway'.

Fans of her first two albums will be relieved to hear her doing what she's best at, and will love this collection's big hooks, loud fist-pumping moments, and quieter tracks.

Standout songs include 'My Life Would Suck Without You', 'I Do Not Hook Up', 'All I Ever Wanted', the elegant 'Save You', and the other Katy Perry collab, 'Long Shot'.

Kelly Clarkson's back, baby.