Kelly Clarkson’s New Music And — Surprise! — New Covers Emerge From Live Gig

Kelly Clarkson seems to have wrapped up her All I Ever Wanted Tour with one heck of a performance. A trove of new live Kelly recordings (including several new songs) is up, and now it’s pretty much impossible not to be thrilled about the potential of her recording a new album. She’s due to tour well into the new year, but for now, check out these first hints of her new direction — if nothing else, you have to respect anyone who writes a song for no other good reason than “I’m a nerd Twilight fan.” Plus her cover of U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

The recordings (courtesy Annechantal1’s YouTube page, via mjsbigblog) mainly appear to have come from a soundcheck or similarly intimate mini-gig several VIP pre-show performances during on the U.S. tour, which ended Dec. 13. Honestly, some of her takes are so good, we’re reconsidering our first list of Fave Kelly Clarkson Covers.

First up, there are a few new songs, including “Far From Home,” which starts off like a flirtier version of Nirvana’s “Come As You Are.”

“Far From Home” (live)

As with Kelly’s “Empty As I Am,” it’s a live recording, so your mileage may vary, but we’re totally digging it. Clarkson gets to belt, we get to dance, and everyone’s happy.

Now check out how Kelly channeling Bono in her sweet and soulful acoustic take of “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

“I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (U2)

Kelly also tackles The Rolling Stones (watch out, Susan Boyle), Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, Cranberries, Taylor Swift at the source… when are we getting a covers-only two-disc album from this girl already? Wonder if we should be holding out for a cover of OneRepublic’s “Apologize,” which would probably make Ryan Tedder happy? Hm, maybe not.