He may be releasing a book and working on a new album, but David Archuleta still has time to watch American Idol.

Asked by The Los Angeles Times about the new crop of contestants, the season seven runner-up said:

“I think they’re really talented. They show a lot of their own personalities, and I liked that about them. And there’s some really good singers, too. Like Andrew Garcia, I like the character that he’s shown. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure for them because people are now expecting them to change up the songs, and they’re not sure exactly what to be showing people.

"It’s matter of balance - changing the song enough to show who you are but still preserving the song for what made it magical.”

As for his upcoming CD?

“I’ve been working on it since January, but I had my first writing sessions in the summer, and I went to Nashville to write in October. Then the Christmas album came out and sort of took over, but I go back to Nashville this week. I just want it to sound more like me.

"I want people to say, ‘This is David talking.’ Instead of just interpreting - and I’m sure there will be songs like that - I want to focus on showing people who I am, what my personality is like and hoping that I leave an impression on people."

He's already left an impression on many people. Years after he exited the Idol stage, David remains one of the show's most popular alums.