Music

Stronger is the 5th studio album by American pop-rock, singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. The album was released on October 21, 2011 in Australia & October 24, 2011 in the USA and the UK through RCA Records. The 13 song set (17 on the deluxe edition) features Kelly Clarkson collaborating with new musicians Steve Jordan, Greg Kurstin, Rodney Jerkins, Ester Dean, Toby Gad & Brian Kennedy and as well as recording collaborator Howard Benson. Wanting to stray away sonically from her previous albums, Clarkson's main objective was to record her vocal performances as it is heard in her live sets, and used as little auto-tune processing as possible. The album also marked the first release by Clarkson that did not cause a conflict with RCA; her previous records, most notably My December, were released with conflict and controversy.
Clarkson began writing new material for the album in November 2009 while touring and finished recording in February 2011. For the recording sessions, Clarkson drew inspiration from Tina Turner, Prince, Radiohead and Sheryl Crow among others. Clarkson also mixed R&B, country, urban, dance-pop and soul with her established pop rock character to develop a more diverse pop music material. The album's lyrical content mainly explores themes about heartbreak, vengeance, forgiveness and empowerment using metaphors about Clarkson's relationships around people.
The record is predominantly a pop rock and pop music album, with several music critics noting the predominant R&B and country influences Clarkson explored in Thankful and All I Ever Wanted as well as dance-pop themes which Clarkson has newly developed. Originally planned to be released in late 2010, the release date of the album was pushed back several times. Upon its release, Stronger received mostly favorable reviews from critics, who noted the album's un-risky progression unlike her previous albums but notably praising Clarkson's vocal performance. In the UK, the album debuted at 5th spot, with over 30,000 in sales. In the US, the album debuted at 2nd spot by selling over 163,000 copies.
The album's release was preceded by the lead single "Mr. Know It All", which was released on September 5, 2011. The song, originally perceived as a moderate success, peaked at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100, number four on the UK Singles charts, and number one on the Australian Charts. The 2nd, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", has topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Clarkson's third number-one single in the US. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" has also peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom, number eighteen in Australia and number four in both Canada and New Zealand.

"Set Fire to the Rain" is a song by British singer-songwriter Adele (Adkins),from her second studio album "21". Written by Adele and Fraser T. Smith & produced by Smith, the ballad was released as the 2nd single from the album in Europe. It was also released as the 3rd release in the UK on 4 July 2011, where the song has peaked at # 11. The song has peaked at # 1 in Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the US. The song has charted within the top 10 of Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and Switzerland. "Set Fire to the Rain" was released on 21 November 2011 as "21"'s 3rd official single in the US, and has already peaked at # 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it her 3rd consecutive # one hit from her album "21".
A little information about Adele:
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 5 May 1988), goes by her performing name Adele, is an English recording artist & songwriter. Adele was offered a recording contract from XL Recordings in 2006. The next year she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" & won the BBC Sound of 2008. Her debut album, "19", was released in 2008 to much commercial & critical success in the UK. "19" was certified 4 times platinum in the UK. Her career in the US was boosted by a SNL (Saturday Night Live) appearance in late 2008. At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Adele received the awards for Best New Artist & Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Adele released her second album "21", in early 2011. The album received critical praise & surpassed the success of her 1 st album. "21" helped Adele earn 6 Grammy Awards in 2012 including Album of the Year, equalling the record for most Grammy Awards won by a female artist in 1 night. She has also recieved numerous other awards, including 2 Brit Awards and 3 AMA (American Music Awards). The album has been certified 15 times platinum in the UK; the album held the top spot in the US longer than any other album has since 1985.

Fun. is an American indie pop band based in New York City, New York, USA that was formed by Nate Ruess, formerly of The Format. After the 2008 breakup of The Format, Ruess then formed Fun with Andrew Dost of Anathallo and Jack Antonoff of Steel Train. Fun has released two albums, their debut Aim and Ignite in 2009 and their latest Some Nights in February, 2012.
The band is best known for their hit single "We Are Young" featuring Janelle Monáe, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Digital Songs charts. The song marks the first time in over a decade a multi-member rock band made a Billboard debut with the #1 spot in the Hot 100 since Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" in December 2001, as well as becoming the first rock/alternative song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart since Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" in 2008.