Haley Reinhart Hits Hard Rock on Album Release Eve (Video)

American Idol season 10 finalist Haley Reinhart took the stage at Hollywood’s Hard Rock Café on Monday night for a short but sweet set to officially kick off her album release. After all, Listen Up!, her much anticipated debut, arrives to retailers on May 22.

Wearing a form-fitting black dress with rainbow accents, Reinhart treated fans — and fellow Season 10 musical soul-mate Casey Abrams — to a sampling of new material along with memorable covers from her Idol season.

VIDEO: Haley Reinhart on Her New Album

Opening with the torch song “Wasted Tears,” Reinhart segued into her current single “Free,” which she proudly announced is doing well on iTunes.

The smoky-voiced Chicago area native is a luminous presence even in a darkened club on Hollywood Blvd., steps away from where Idol’s Hollywood Week has traditionally been held. Reinhart’s soulful rendition of The Animals’ classic “House of the Rising Sun” was just as powerful as it sounded from the Idol stage, and a performance of The Beatles’ “Oh, Darling” had all the grit of a ‘1970s jam session.  

VIDEO: ‘Idol Hangover’: Season 10’s Casey Abrams On Colton Dixon’s Elimination, New Album, the Marvels of Facial Hair

One noticeable omission:  The sexy lead-off track from the new record, “Oh My!” Reinhart’s explanation? It’s not quite ready for primetime, she told The Hollywood Reporter.

Watch Reinhart’s Hard Rock performance of “Free” below:

Twitter: @micheleamabile