American Idol '07 winner Jordin Sparks premiered her new single "Battlefield" (presumably for a new album, or perhaps an expanded version of her debut) on Idol this past Wednesday with a sexy figure, lots of fog, and an LED screen that displayed a raging storm. Indeed, the song is thunderous, the closest to rock that Sparks has veered so far.

It's a decent single, although completely (and willingly) aping on "Love is a Battlefield" from a more believable rocker Pat Benatar. But the switch-up is good, even it is essentially one verse and eighteen choruses. It should also get some palatable remixes, if the "Tattoo" and "No Air" mixes were any indication on how Sparks can cross over to the dance medium.

Sparks is still riding a wave of moderate success from her debut album, with her singles getting airplay and more press than her full length (admittedly full of filler). She also made some brief headlines for an appearance on an MTV Awards show, supporting the purity ring concept of waiting for marriage. It was dangerously close to overwhelming the music, but it faded. Unfortunately a big hit was "No Air," with Chris Brown, who's not exactly Mr. Popularity due to his legal troubles (and alleged violence towards Rihanna), so it makes sense that Sparks and her label Zomba would distance themselves from that album and start fresh.

"Battlefield" is a step in the right direction, musically, but Sparks could use some stronger lyricists.

Grade: B