Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jessica Sanchez returns to the American Idol stage tonight to perform her first post-Idol single, “Tonight.”

The track also features Ne-Yo and debuted this morning on RyanSeacrest.com. I’ve emedded it below.

It’s a catchy, upbeat dance single and a departure from the big ballads that earned Jessica so many rave reviews on Idol.

Pre-orders for Jessica’s upcoming album — “Me, You and the Music” — also begin today.

Remember, Jessica is the first Idol runner-up in six years not to release a debut album in the same year she appeared on Idol.

The last time that happened was Season 5, when Katharine McPhee’s first CD came out the following January.

Also on tonight’s Idol, Casey Abrams will perform the Beatles’ classic “I Saw Her Standing There.”

If you missed his self-titled debut album, released last year, check it out (review here). It made my list of top five Idol albums of 2012.