So much for basking in the afterglow.

Less than three weeks removed from being crowned "American Idol" champ, Kris Allen is getting to work on his debut album.

In a press release sent out Monday morning (June 8), 19 Entertainment — the company that produces "Idol" — announced that Allen had signed a deal with Jive Records (which is merely a formality at this point), and he will be releasing his first album through the label in "late fall 2009."

"Kris won the hearts of millions of Americans with his soulful voice, good looks and gracious demeanor," Simon Fuller, the creator and executive producer of "Idol" (not to mention the founder and CEO of 19 Entertainment) said in the release. "However, it is his passion for music and love of performing that will make sure Kris stands the test of time and makes 'American Idol' proud."

To that end, Allen will begin work on his album immediately, while also gearing up for the annual America Idols Live! summer tour, which kicks off July 5 in Portland, and runs until mid September. It's not known who Allen will be working with on the disc, but from the sound of things, he's already chomping at the bit to get started.

"As exciting as the last few months have been, I'm really looking forward to what is next," Allen said in the statement. "I'm very grateful to be working with Simon Fuller and his team at 19 Entertainment, along with [Jive CEO] Barry Weiss on my debut album. Everyone's been asking me what it's going to sound like. It will be very similar to what you heard from me on the show — definitely in the pop/rock genre. I can't wait to get started!"

In other "Idol" news, Allen, who performed the national anthem for Game 2 of the NBA finals in L.A. on Sunday, recently commented to People magazine about runner-up Adam Lambert's relationship with interior designer Drake LaBry.

"Drake's from Louisiana and Adam is from L.A.," Allen said. "But they click well and they're really nice together."

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