Allison Iraheta is ready to rock — figuratively and literally. American Idol‘s season 8 third runner-up is slated to release her debut album Dec. 1 via 19 Recordings/Jive, and from the sounds of it, the record will have even more grit and grime than her radio-ready lead single “Friday I’ll Be Over U,” which was leaked to the Web last week. I recently caught up with Iraheta via phone to talk to her about her lack of conversational self-editing, her time in the studio with hitmaker Max Martin (“Since U Been Gone,” “Oops!…I Did It Again”) and her favorite songs from her post-Idol recording sessions. Read on…and to get alerts on all my Idol coverage, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!

So let’s talk about “Friday I’ll Be Over U.” It’s got a rock edge to it, but it’s definitely poppy. Was this a strategic move on your part, an attempt to get radio to give you a shot?
That song, the first time I heard it, I loved it. And I was thinking, yeah, it might have a little bit of the pop sound to it, but I don’t mind that at all. I can definitely do harder than this, and I’m gonna. But I thought for a first single, “Friday I’ll Be Over U,” we all agreed would be something that would get people’s attention. You’ve got to get in that door. Know what I mean?

What about fans who complained the song doesn’t rock hard enough? What would you say to them?
There’s more to come. And as a first single, I think “Friday I’ll Be Over U” is pretty damn awesome, and a perfect choice. Because [adopts robot voice] In the music business I’m assuming you’re supposed to grab the attention of all audiences so you can get sales and whatnot, blah blah blah. For the album, there’s some harder stuff I’m really excited about, but I’m pretty damn happy with “Friday I’ll Be Over U.”

What was it like working with Max Martin on the single? He’s produced more hits for more artists than we can even begin to get into…
He’s amazing. And he don’t play! He’s definitely like “We’re gonna do this like this.” But he’s such an amazing person. And there’s a way he transmits energy, he knows how to tell you how to do things without making it awkward and whatnot.

Tell me about one of the other songs you’ve recorded that you love.
There’s a “Beat Me Up” out there. It’s pretty damn amazing.

Did you say “Beat Me Up”? What?
Yeah, yeah, I said “Beat Me Up.” That’s the name of the song.

Who’s responsible for this?
It’s a Kevin Rudolf song.

What’s it about? What’s the subject?
Subject: “Beat Me Up.” Hmmm. [Laughs.] It’s a pretty rad song. This chick likes being mistreated by her guy. A lot of girls out there, they like that! And it’s kind of sad, but y’know, that’s just the way she is. Not that I’m like that because I’d beat the hell out of whoever the hell mistreats me! I put myself in another girl’s shoes, so it’s a pretty cool song.

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