Kelsea Ballerini Says Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears Inspired New Album

Kelsea Ballerini says that for her new album,  Subject to Change (which is out today), she was inspired by '90s music, noting, "During the last couple of years with the shift of the world instead of listening to new music, I went back and listened to what I grew up on. It felt really safe, steady, and comfortable."

One of those artists was Kelly Clarkson, who she sings with her on this album. "Kelly Clarkson. I just think that the way she handles herself and [she] has not lost her humanness in the way that she operates from such a place of truth, and is so genuine. To me, I've always been so drawn to her because of that, and now I know her as a person, and she's the same, thank God (laughs)." She added, "I adore her, and I am a superfan."

Another artist Ballerini loved as a young teen was pop sensation Britney Spears. She said, "Britney, to me, she's the queen of a brand, and I grew up on her music. My first concert was Britney Spears, and she gives me the bubble gum pop, wrapped in a bow that I Just wanna turn on sometimes."

Kelsea also talked to us about the title cut on the project, "Subject To Change." She said of the song, "To me, it is the tone setter for the album. It kind of brings you into the world of okay; this is going to be a rollercoaster of juxtaposition, a lot of inward thought, detangling, joy, and messiness. I wanted it to be kind of, the car starting."

She offered of her latest release, the catchy and fun "If You Go Down (I'm Going Down Too)," "It's my 'best friends' song. It's for anyone that has a 'ride or die.' I wanted the song to have a little bit of wit to it. A little bit of Thelma and Louise, a little bit of 'Goodbye Earl.' The heart of it is that I live and die for my friends. They are a pillar in my life, and I'm so grateful for my friendships. So, I dedicate this song to all my girls."

Ballerini posted to Instagram today of the new project now out, "if i'm honest, growing up it kinda hurts like hell…and for me, it sounds like this. internal observations, drunken conversations, diehard friendships, jumping in hopeful, owning the cringe, doing my best, discovering the good stuff isn't always grandiose, falling on my face, being a show pony, taking inventory of what i have…and ultimately welcoming change when it comes."

She continued, "I'm proud of this record and the story it tells. here's my last two years, and here's the turning of a page. SUBJECT TO CHANGE IS OUT NOW.."

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon responded, writing, "YES!! Listening now."

Kelsea Ballerini celebrates her 29th birthday today (9/12). While she is currently going through some challenging life changes (she recently filed for divorce from her husband of five years, Morgan Evans), she is also going through an exciting time in her career. She recently made headlines wearing Shania Twain's Grammy dress at the ACM Honors, where she paid tribute to Twain by singing her biggest song, "Man, I Feel Like A Woman."

Also, this month (9/23), she will be releasing a new album called 'Subject To Change' featuring her current hit single, "Heartfirst."

As we celebrate all things, Kelsea today, we look at 12 of her biggest songs that made her the budding country superstar she is today.