If you caught Kelly Clarkson‘s performances on Sunday’s 2012 Billboard Music Awards or Tuesday’s Dancing With The Stars season finale, you know she’s got a new single out, “Dark Side.”

The follow-up to Clarkson’s #1 hit, “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” which notched three weeks in the top spot, “Dark Side” was co-written by Alex Geringas and busbee (who co-penned Haley Reinhart’s “Free”). Like “Stronger,” Clarkson’s latest pop-rock hybrid is produced by Greg Kurstin (Sia, Lily Allen), and gives Clarkson the chance to showcase both the gentle and powerful sides of her voice.

“Dark Side” will no doubt scale the charts in very short order. The music video, which debuted today, casts the song as an “It gets better” anthem, featuring successive portraits of folks who are facing various tough situations. That’s a fuzzy interpretation of what having a dark side typically means, but if getting a hug from Ms. Kelly Clarkson is a possible outcome, I’ve no quibble. Where does the line form?

In other Kelly Clarkson debut news, tonight is the premiere of Duets, ABC’s new superstar competition, in which she, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, and Robin Thicke pair up with unknown singers.

Purchase Kelly Clarkson – “Dark Side” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.