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&sq=&lang=&file=File:Kelly_Clarkson_-_Piece_by_Piece_(Official_Album_Cover).png) Standard version artwork. The deluxe version artwork has a similar kaleidoscopic design, but uses a photograph of Clarkson staring to her left.[1] | ||||
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| Released | February 27, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–14 | |||
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| Length | 50:31 | |||
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| Singles from Piece by Piece | ||||
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Piece by Piece is the seventh studio album by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson. It was released on February 27, 2015, by RCA Records. It was her final album under her recording contract with the label, to which she signed after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002. She then made the switch to Atlantic in 2016. The album saw Clarkson reuniting with frequent collaborators Greg Kurstin, Jesse Shatkin, Jason Halbert, Eric Olson, and Chris DeStefano. She also gathered material from songwriters such as Sia, Matthew Koma, MoZella, Bonnie McKee, David Jost, Semi Precious Weapons lead singer Justin Tranter, and former Cobra Starship member Ryland Blackinton, among others. Inspired by the orchestral production on Wrapped in Red, Clarkson wanted all the songs on Piece by Piece to resonate like its own film soundtrack, taking a cue from the soundtracks of the feature motion pictures Cruel Intentions (1999) and Love Actually (2003) and commissioning orchestral arrangements by Joseph Trapanese.
Piece by Piece is illustrated as a concept record telling a single story, using themes of heartbreak, personal struggles, peace, and empowerment. The music of Piece by Piece consists of electropop, orchestral pop, power pop and electronic dance music, marking a departure from the predominant pop rock sound of her previous studio albums. Piece by Piece was released to positive reception from music critics, who applauded Clarkson's vocal performances. Criticism mainly targeted the album's production, as well as its belaboring on midtempo arrangements. Piece by Piece gave Clarkson a total of three Grammy Award nominations. It became her fourth work to be nominated for the Best Pop Vocal Album, giving her the record for the most-nominated artist in the category. Both "Heartbeat Song" and "Piece by Piece" were also nominated for the Best Pop Solo Performance.
Commercially, Piece by Piece became Clarkson's third album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. Internationally, it also reached the top ten in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the United Kingdom. The album's lead single, "Heartbeat Song", peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became her ninth top-ten hit on the UK Singles Chart. "Invincible" was released as the second single to a minor chart success. The third and final single, "Piece by Piece", debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her eleventh top-ten single in the United States. The album's supporting tour, the Piece by Piece Tour, began on July 11, 2015. On March 4, 2016, RCA Records released Piece by Piece Remixed, which contains remixed versions of ten of the tracks from the album.