Kelly Clarkson is getting used to doing things the hard way. The original "American Idol" has famously tousled with her label in the past over her vision for her music, and it looks like fans will have to wait a bit longer to find out what the Texas pop star has in store for her new album.
Clarkson took to her Facebook page on Tuesday to update fans on the latest news about her as-yet-untitled fifth effort.
"I recently found out that my album won't be coming out until September," the singer informed her followers in the post. "The album has been recorded but I can't release it until then. I realize that is a long time but that's the best time to release it apparently, so I'm sorry for the wait but I promise you it sounds great!"
That news came a month after Clarkson got fans pumped for the new album with a Valentine's Day post in which she pulled the curtain back a bit on the process of completing the disc. "I record my last song on the 25th of this month and then we will be releasing the album!" Clarkson wrote. "This album was influenced by Prince, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Radiohead and there's a little bit of a country vibe/influence on a couple of songs."
She also said that one of her favorite cuts on the CD was "highly influenced" by soul icons Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin and that it was penned by singer/songwriter Eric Hutchinson. "The album is gonna be a great pop record! I can't wait for ya'll to hear it!"
The album will also feature production by season 10 in-house "Idol" producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, as well as Toby Gad and noted hard rock producer Howard Benson. Her most recent release was 2009's pop return-to-form All I Ever Wanted, which featured the hits "My Life Would Suck Without You," "Already Gone" and the Katy Perry-penned "I Do Not Hook Up."
"We are all excited about Kelly's new album and are looking forward to announcing a release date soon," Clarkson's record label, Sony Music, said in a statement.