First of all, let go of your expectations: “Mr. Know It All” is not the grand return of Yell-y Clarkson.

Considering both the song’s sassy title and lyrics–which Ms. Clarkson neatly wrote out on lined paper for us earlier today–the lead single from her upcoming fifth studio album Stronger might give off the impression that “Mr. Know It All” is another dance-y pop-rock kiss-off anthem a la “Since U Been Gone” or “I Do Not Hook Up.” It’s not.

Instead, Clarkson keeps the throaty howls in check on “Mr. Know It All,” a gorgeous return to form back to the soulful sound of Idol‘s greatest export.

The singer confidently croons above gently strumming guitars and a tripping, mid-tempo drum beat taken directly from the songbooks of classic ’90′s singer-songwriter chicks (for reference, consult Alanis Morrissette‘s Jagged Little Pill or Donna Lewis‘smash hit, “I Love You Always Forever”–sans the saccharine sweet quality of Lewis’ voice). Actually, it’s quite similar to the beat of Clarkson’s own “Just Missed The Train” off of Thankful–my personal favorite!

Apart from the beat, the song still sounds quite contemporary: In fact, it’s very similar in structure and melody to Bruno Mars “Just The Way You Are.”

The song’s chorus is an especially gorgeous lift-off from the verses, as the tripping beat breaks away (Clarkson pun!) and gives way to a beautiful, soaring moment of bright piano chords and an insanely catchy melody: The phrase “‘Cause baby, you don’t know a thing about me” has been swirling ’round my brain for the entire day, and there’s no sign of it stopping anytime soon.

It’s no surprise that the song’s a total ear-worm either, given that “Mr. Know It All” was produced and penned by some of the industry’s greatest songwriting titans, including Brian Kennedy (Kid Sister‘s “Daydreaming” and Rihanna‘s “Fire Bomb”–two incredibly MuuMuse Approved songs!), Ester Dean (Rihanna, Katy Perry) and Brett James (Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis).

So, to conclude: Melodies for days a la Thankful, a lyrical angst that falls somewhere between Breakaway and My December, and the radio friendly restraint of All I Ever Wanted (you know, without that forced Clive Davis-approved pop-rock gloss.)

While I certainly wouldn’t call the song as immediate as her biggest radio hits to date (if nothing else because of what we’ve come to expect from Miss Clarkson for the past few years!), “Mr. Know It All” is an amazing start-of-Autumn treat from an artist who more than deserves to begin slaying the charts. A sure-fire smash for the Clarkson? Hell yes!

“Mr. Know It All” will premiere next week on Tuesday, August 30 during a live stream. Be sure to RSVP to the event now on Kelly’s Facebook page!

Joe Jonas–perhaps better known ’round these parts as my future husband (TO THE LEFT, JOE MCELDERRY*)–will be releasing “See No More,” the first single from his upcoming solo campaign, on June 3.

From the press release:

San Diego, CA — Joe Jonas will release his debut single as a solo artist, “See No More,” on June 3rd. The highly anticipated debut solo album on Hollywood Records will be in stores on September 6, 2011 and will feature production by Danja, Brian Kennedy and Rob Knox. “See No More” was co-written by Joe Jonas and Chris Brown and produced by Brian Kennedy. The song will be available digitally for sale on June 13th.

“Working on this album has been a rewarding but intense experience. ‘See No More’ especially carries a lot of personal emotions with it and I am hoping people listening to it will get a sense of where I’m coming from with this new sound,” says Joe Jonas. “I’ve had an awesome team working with me on the music and I am excited, anxious, but more importantly… ready… to share it all with my fans. It’s as much for them as it is for me.”

Brian Kennedy is responsible for producing some majorly MuuMuse Approved favorites, including Rihanna‘s “Disturbia” and “Fire Bomb,” Chris Brown‘s “Forever,” BoA‘s “Obsessed” and Jessica Mauboy’s “Saturday Night.”

“See No More” will premiere to radio on June 3, followed by a digital release on June 13. His debut solo album will be released on September 6.

After his album’s launch, Jonas will reportedly whisk me away to a castle in the countryside where we will eat Oreos together and pour boiling water on tweenage Jonas fan-girls attempting to breach the manor with pitchforks fashioned out of old issues of J-14.**

MY BODY IS READY.

*You can still watch if you want, though.
**MuuMuse Excluusive.

BoA is living up to her single’s name and eating the world up. No literally, she’s certainly doing enough to merit a Daily B in her own right!

First of all, BoA is releasing her second Greatest Hits compilation in Japan, featuring every single since “DO THE MOTION” and re-recorded versions of fan favorites, “VALENTI” and “Meri Kuri” (my favorite!) The release will be called BEST&USA and is set to be tied together in a 2-CD set with her English album on March 18. A marketer’s dream!

Then, BoA has found time to record her 27th Japanese single “Eien/Universe/Believe in LOVE,” a TRIPLE A-side due for release on February 18 in roughly thirty five thousand different formats (as is slowly becoming the trend in the J-Pop market). There’s a CD version, the CD+DVD, and then limited versions of each one featuring special bonus tracks and clips. Simply speaking, it’s impossible to keep track.

As for the lead single “Eien,” I remain unimpressed. It’s a pretty sub-standard R&B offering with some nice, melodious electro undercurrents going on, but the song is simply forgettable after the first play. In other words…A standard Japanese release from BoA.

Far more interesting to me are the A-sides from the single. The second will be a Bloodshy & Avant produced track with Crystal Kay and Verbal from M-Flo called “Universe.” Though it hasn’t leaked yet, there are far too many factors suggesting the track’s potential epic-nessity.

And then there’s the third, an acoustic version of a song recently recorded with Ravex called “Believe In LOVE.”

Let’s shift gears to the original version of the track. Essentially, “Believe In LOVE” is a dream come true for fans wishing that our superstar would branch out into newer, experimental genres. The song marries the ceaseless, rich ambient nature of an Eri Nobuchika track with BoA’s rich vocal abilities. I’ll admit that I’d like to hear Eri’s take on the track (where is she, lately?!), but I am nonetheless thoroughly impressed by this elegant arrangement. It’s certainly the most interesting thing she’s done in Japan for years!

Also, according to news reports, BoA has been recording with Sean Garrett and Brian Kennedy, two massive pop producers responsible for some of the hottest Fergie, Britney, and Rihanna tracks. Check out the final tracklisting for the English album:

01 I Did It For Love (featuring Sean Garrett)
02 Energetic
03 Did Ya
04 Look Who’s Talking
05 Eat You Up
06 Obsessed
07 Touched
08 Scream
09 Girls On Top
10 Dress Off
11 Hypnotic Dancefloor

Finally, slight fandom freak-out: “Hypnotic Dancefloor”? Cool! Is “Girls On Top” an English version of the very same hit song from 2005?! OMG! Watch out, America. Err, not that the general public would embrace the track, but still…Step it back now.

DL: Ravex – Believe In LOVE (Featuring BoA) (Sharebee)

BoA’s self-titled debut English album will debut worldwide on March 17.

Click here to purchase BoA’s English single, “Eat You Up.”

Click here to pre-order BoA’s upcoming Japanese single “Eien,” featuring the ballad version of “Believe In LOVE” and here to pre-order BEST&USA.