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Meaning of Life
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Meaning of Life Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 215 Ratings

  • Summary: The soul-influenced eighth full-length studio release for the pop artist is her first on the Atlantic label and features production from Greg Kurstin, The Monarch, Maureen "Mozella" McDonald, Jesse Shatkin, and Mick Schultz.
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Top Track

Love So Soft
Hey Every kiss is a door Can I knock on yours? Can we knock a little more? If your touch is a key Keep on twisting, keep on locking, keep on turning... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 26, 2017
    83
    As cohesive and self-assured as this collection feels, Meaning doesn’t seem especially interested in scaling the heights of early smashes like “Since U Been Gone” or “Because of You.” Instead, it swings low and sweet--a refreshingly real dispatch from an artist expressing exactly what she feels in this moment, and nothing less.
  2. AllMusic
    Oct 27, 2017
    80
    Meaning of Life is one of her most satisfying albums: it feels like not just a collection of good tunes, but a statement of purpose.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 30, 2017
    80
    Go High closes the album on a surprisingly experimental note. The big, syrupy ballads, meanwhile, accentuate Clarkson’s undeniably powerful voice, creating a comfort zone that feels genuine.
  4. Slant Magazine
    Oct 26, 2017
    70
    Meaning of Life doesn't reinvent the genre, nor does it try to, but it portrays an artist continuing to redefine herself—in the process, solidifying her position as one of her generation's greatest singers.
  5. The Guardian
    Oct 26, 2017
    60
    There’s lots of filler, too, such as Go High--based around a Michelle Obama speech--and the body-positive pop of Whole Lotta Woman, which sticks a little too closely to the Meghan Trainor mould. Despite this, the strong, 90s diva-ish mood suits Clarkson’s belting vocal style, as she ushers in a more soulful phase with class.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 27, 2017
    50
    Yet for an album that promises revelation, Meaning of Life is full of generalities.
  7. Spin
    Nov 8, 2017
    50
    There are light nods to the times—single “Love So Soft” lightly updates Thankful’s Christina Aguilera-penned “Miss Independent” and Breakaway’s “Walk Away” with a half-time chorus, and tracks like “Didn’t I” and “Heat” recalls Adele’s collaborations with Max Martin. But the rest is stubbornly old-fashioned: sloughing off the flakiness of the millennial male while extolling the virtues of taking it slow and pushing for commitment.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 41
  3. Negative: 5 out of 41
  1. javimm3
    Oct 27, 2017
    10
    Kelly Clarkson's voice sounds better than ever. This is an album full of life and power. No doubt Kelly and Atlantic records have given us oneKelly Clarkson's voice sounds better than ever. This is an album full of life and power. No doubt Kelly and Atlantic records have given us one of the records of the year. Ready for Gammy's 2018?… Expand
  2. lurobs
    Oct 27, 2017
    10
    This is the best album of this decade. Amazing! Kelly did a good job as one of the executive producers of the album. It is full ofThis is the best album of this decade. Amazing! Kelly did a good job as one of the executive producers of the album. It is full of personality, passion and great vocals. Her inspirations are proud of her, I'm sure!… Expand
  4. filipipemelo
    Oct 27, 2017
    10
    awesome album...kelly showing some nice vocals and really mature music...she's so talented, so lovely..and those lyrics are justawesome album...kelly showing some nice vocals and really mature music...she's so talented, so lovely..and those lyrics are just awesome...trying to pick my favourite already ehhehee… Expand
  5. tidetoit
    Oct 31, 2017
    10
    ****Mikael Wood*****, from the LA TIMES, scored MOL 50. The same Mikael Wood who officially reviewed Taylor Swifts 1989 with a score of 50.****Mikael Wood*****, from the LA TIMES, scored MOL 50. The same Mikael Wood who officially reviewed Taylor Swifts 1989 with a score of 50. Mikael Wood is a disgrace to his profession. Mikael Woods reviews are pompous declarations of his personal animus and/or bias for or against an artist irrespective of their music. This misconduct has played out throughout his career with artist after artist. This review is not an anomaly. It is the standard misfire with malfeasance that has defined his career. Management of the LA TIMES: It's time to ask why is Mikael Wood still employed as a Pop Music critic when he clearly can't recognize the quality of pop music - and worse yet misleads consumers more often than not? It's time for Mikael Wood to be called out for his shoddy work and his forum removed by force.… Expand
  6. CantUseEmoji
    Oct 27, 2017
    9
    Yo she really came through. Her voice shows a somewhat earthy age while still remaining incredibly bright and soaring when the song demands.Yo she really came through. Her voice shows a somewhat earthy age while still remaining incredibly bright and soaring when the song demands. The production compliments her vocals(it does sometimes get in the way, but it definitely helps and makes her presence even greater most of the time). The songs all have tight melodies and grooves. The writing isn't always at the peak, but it has some incredible highs in the ballads and avoids the pitfalls of many other who focus on sound; she is still focused and never veers off too hard into corny or repetitive styles. This isn't "there's no bad tracks" it's "even the ones that aren't my taste are pretty good"… Expand
  7. John_Brazil
    Dec 20, 2020
    9
    Um álbum muito bem produzido e muito coesivo que mostra uma Kelly Clarkson mais verdadeira. Um álbum q vc pode ouvir sem pular nenhuma faixa,Um álbum muito bem produzido e muito coesivo que mostra uma Kelly Clarkson mais verdadeira. Um álbum q vc pode ouvir sem pular nenhuma faixa, cada faixa cabe muito bem dentro do álbum e se relacionam muito bem com o título. O que mais se destaca são os belíssimos vocais da Kelly, com agudos, falsetes, mudança de registro, uma voz muito bem projetada e muito poderosa, que se encaixam perfeitamente no contexto e sem nenhum exagero. Um projeto memorável e muito bonito que mostra a versatilidade da voz da voz da Kelly clarkson com músicas pop, r&b e country. A parte instrumental, as batidas e as backing vocals estão perfeitas mostrando como o trabalho da Kelly Clarkson mais uma vez se destaca.… Expand
  8. desantis34
    Oct 20, 2018
    0
    Kelly Clarkson has once again released a generic flyover-pop album. The only thing missing are the mullets.

See all 41 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2017
77
#77 Most Shared Album of 2017

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