Britney Spears' “Femme Fatale” Is An Aural Assault

Britney Spears, the self-declared living legend, has done it again by (somehow) managing to live up to all the hype and speculation surrounding her seventh studio album Femme Fatale.

It would be too easy to say that this album is representative of today’s pop music scene (for better or worse), rather, it’s more than that. It’s not a concept album. There are no thinly veiled (read: made up) political themes as a means to drive listens. So what is it then?

Femme Fatale is a high-octane, slickly produced dance album comprised of at least 10 potential single-worthy tracks brimming with ridiculously infectious beats and gobs of sexual innuendo. It’s heavy on synthesizers, light on substance, and will straight up assault your eardrums.

By now, we’re all well versed in “Hold It Against Me,” the Dr. Luke/Max Martin production that dissolves into a jaw-dropping dubstep breakdown as well as the Ke$ha penned “Till The World Ends” that is so similar to her own single “Blow” that there are moments where we can’t tell the two songs apart. But that’s OK because the difference is while Ke$ha can write an earworm-worthy song, she doesn’t have the clout to make an impact the way Britney Spears does.

In total, Dr. Luke and Max Martin are responsible for seven of the album’s twelve tracks, but it’s the Bloodshy produced “How I Roll” that elevates Femme Fatale above the latest albums from Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Katy Perry, all pop divas in their own right who have cashed in on the Luke/Martin gravy train. The song is unlike anything you’ve heard in Billboard’s Top 100 full of pops, sputters, hand-claps and hollow, robotic Britney vocals. It’s irresistible to anyone with a heartbeat and it could easily have been a b-side from Body Talk, Robyn’s 2010 standout album.

Then there’s the mid-tempo break-up-turn-one-last-romp song,“Inside Out,” which at first listen might appear to be the odd man (uh…song) out on the beat-thumping Femme Fatale, but it’s not. The song is masterful in its own right thanks to Spears’ hazy delivery. Stans will even get a kick out of the little nod in the chorus to the song that started it all, “…Baby One More Time” when she purrs “You know what I want right now/Hit me one more time it’s so amazing…”

Point being – it’s time we all come to terms with the fact that Britney Spears is the real deal regardless of how present or involved she is in deciding her career’s direction (jury is still out there). We’re all guilty of dismissing her talent (yes,talent), chalking her success up to being a great marketing tool (maybe in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s), but the fact is it’s now over a decade since “…Baby One More Time” changed pop music and her latest effort, Femme Fatale, is more progressive than its nearest competitor by a longshot.

Source: The Round Table

Britney Spears On Her New Album, Her Favorite Music and Working With Will.I.Am

Do your kids like the new record? What have they said about it?
Yes. They definitely dance to it but its kind of funny because they are still confused …. It’s like, ‘who is this Britney Spears singer in contrast to mommy?’

How has your involvement in the record-making process changed over the years?
I have always been heavily involved in every album I have ever made. I’m very stubborn when it comes to recording and will only record songs I love, which is why it takes me a long time to make an album. I have to feel connected before I record and the song has to spark something inside me. Very few songs do that. I guess it’s a good process because I love all of my music. I know there are a lot of artists that hate songs they recorded. I don’t feel that way.

What was your idea for the overall sound of this album?
I wanted to make a fresh-sounding album for the clubs or something that you play in your car when you’re going out at night that gets you excited but I wanted it to sound different from everything else out right now. I also wanted to experiment with all the different types of music I love which is why you hear a mixture of pop, hip-hop and dance throughout the album. I also really wanted to play with my voice and change up my sound here and there which was really fun.

You hear traces of some real cutting-edge dance music on the album – for instance, the dubstep break on “Hold It Against Me.” How do you find new sounds?
I listen to a lot of different music from all over the world and I guess I just gravitate towards what sounds fresh and what makes me want to move. I really didn’t want to record anything on this album that could be mistaken for anyone else out there. I think my first two singles, “Hold It Against Me” and “Till The World Ends,” sound completely different from anything else and I think when my fans hear the rest of Femme Fatale they’ll see how fresh every song is.

Do you still go out to clubs? What kind of dance music do you like?
I don’t go out that much anymore but when I do, I definitely like to go out and dance. I’m a big vibe person when it comes to music so a song really has to make me feel a certain way in order for me to fall in love with it. I love hard pounding dance songs with really beautiful melodies over them. Those are my favorites.

What kind of music do you listen to at home?
I love the Peas but I also love Deadmau5. I guess I’m all over the place. Lately I have been listening to Robyn and Adele non-stop but I also love to find new artists that very few people know about. It’s one of my favorite things to do because it’s like being part of a secret. Friends and people around me are always showing me new artists that they love and that’s how I learned about Sabi and ended up working with her on “(Drop Dead) Beautiful.” I have always wanted to feature a new artist on one of my albums and she is really cool.

What led to your collaboration with willi.am? What was it like working with him?
The Peas make incredibly catchy, fun pop/dance records and I LOVE will.i.am’s style. I have always wanted to do a song with him and would love to work with him more in the future. He is so interesting.

Dr. Luke has become a big-name producer in his own right since your last album – is it different working with him now?
Not really. We have known each other for a really long time. Most people don’t know this but we actually worked together when I was recording “Blackout.” He was incredible back then and he has only gotten better over the years.

Dr. Luke said last fall that “I want [the sound] to get harder in some ways, and maybe a little more deep into electronic — grimier.” Did you have that same agenda for the album? Do you feel like you accomplished that?
When we first sat down to talk about Femme Fatale I knew I wanted to make a dance album that was ahead of everything else out there but unique to me which is why I was so picky with the recording process. I only wanted songs that I immediately connected to. I also wanted to make sure that this album was completely different from Circus or anything else I had ever recorded. I love Circus but I wanted something darker and edgier. I also wanted to make an album and didn’t want to just record a bunch of songs and put them together. I think Femme Fatale is really connected from start to finish.

What is it about Max Martin that makes you so comfortable collaborating with him? How much bigger of a role did he take on this album than he did for “Circus”?Max played a huge role on this album and he has been there since the beginning so there is such a huge level of trust. He gets exactly what I am saying when I tell him what I want and don’t want musically. His melodies are incredible and he is always coming up with weird sounds, which I love. The whistle on “I Wanna Go” still gets me every time I hear it. Who would have thought of that? There is nobody I feel more comfortable collaborating with in the studio.

How would you characterize the studio relationship between Max and Dr. Luke?
They are two peas in a pod. It’s a total bromance.

Source: Rolling Stone

Britney Spears 'Very Hands-On' For Femme Fatale, Rodney Jerkins Says

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

Britney Spears is a month away from the release of Femme Fatale, and nearly every day, she's teasing fans with samples of some of the songs on the album, including the latest, her song with will.i.am, "The Big Fat Bass." Now, longtime collaborator Rodney Jerkins is opening up about hitting the studio with Spears.

"Britney's always great to work with. I've worked with Britney for 12, 13 years now," he told MTV News. "It's always great to work with someone when you work with someone time and time again; it's always great, and it always gets better. And just to see her evolve as an artist, it's an amazing, amazing thing."

Jerkins worked with Spears in the past on "Overprotected (Darkchild Remix)" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" in the early 2000s, as well as her leaked version of Lady Gaga's "Telephone," when she was recording Circus.

This time around, he said Spears knows exactly what she wants musically on the album. "She was very hands-on. She had a lot of ideas for me," he said. "She's great. She gets it. She is a top-notch veteran pro at this now."

She might be getting some help from Jerkins, but Dr. Luke and Max Martin are executive-producing the album, and Jerkins had nothing but the best to say about the production team. "I never spoke to them, [but] those guys are just great, and the stuff that they've been doing is just really, really great stuff," he said. "I'm sure with their hands on it, it's great."

Spears herself has described the album as "moody, edgy pop with A LOT of energy," hinting that many of the songs will be uptempo, and Jerkins noted that the songs he's been writing for her have certainly fit that label. "I know the songs that I do are uptempo," he said. "The stuff I've done, I think, will kind of shock people. I got a chance to go out my box a little bit too. She's great. Britney's just awesome."

Source: MTV

Britney's Twitter Interview

Q: Where is Britney Spears doing the Q&A from?

A: I'm at my house in Calabassas

Q: If your boys wanted to be in the industry would you support them?

A: Yes. I would support anything they had a love for.

Q: What's your opinion on global warming? JK, but seriously, Lady GaGa?

A: Does anyone think global warming is a good thing? I love Lady Gaga. I think she's a really interesting artist.

Q: Are you finally going to come to South America on your next tour? By that we mean Brazil!

A: I'm thinking about tour right now and I would to visit a lot of places I didnt get to go to on my last tour....Especially BRAZIL!!!

Q: How would you describe ''Femme Fatale''? Did you write any tracks for it?

A: I would describe it as moody, edgy pop with A LOT of energy.I co-wrote a couple of songs. I think its some of the best work I have ever done

Q: What is your favourite movie?

A: I LOVE Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Q: Any plans for Valentines day?

A: No Valentines day plans yet

Q: What's your favourite Starbucks drink?

A: I love their Strawberry Frapuchino

Q: Can we expect any ballad's on ''Femme Fatale''?

A: There are a few mid tempos that could be considered ballads.

Q: Britney Spears vs. Brittany S. Pearce - who would win in a dance-off?

A: She's a great dancer, it'd be fun to find out.

Q: Will you, yourself, give an answer about the Grammy's?

A: I won't be there and was never planning on going.

Q: What is one thing you have yet to achieve?

A: I've always wanted to do trapeze. LOL. And run with the lions...

Q: Will you do Meet&Greets with the fans this era?

A: Yes, I will. It'd be a pleasure to meet you

Q: How would you describe Bfans in 5 words?

A: Loyal, Passionate, Amazing, Loving, Beyond!

Q: What do you think about Perez Hilton?

A: Perez Hilton is a real firecracker! His site is a guilty pleasure

Q: Will there be any duets on ''Femme Fatale''?

A: You'll just have to wait and see.

Q: When can we expect performances and overall promotion to begin?

A: I'm doing a lot of promo. There will be some major announcements in the next few days.

Q: We know you LOVE LOVE candles. What is your absolute favorite scent? I need to know this brand new information!!!

A: I LOVE vanilla candles.

Q: What do you think about Chris Golfer?

A: I love the show and I think he is hilarious. Love his outfits.

Q: What do feel that the biggest misconception of you is?

A: I'm really just a boring homebody who loves staying home with my kids and thats where i'm the happiest.

Q: Would you like to do another movie?

A: Yes. I love to act and would love to be in a Todd Philips or Judd Apatow movie.

Q: What do you think the comparison they make between you and Madonna?

A: It's so flattering! I really LOVE Madonna and she has been a huge inspiration for me.

Q: How do you feel about working with Dr. Luke?

A: I have a lot of history with Max Martin and Dr. Luke so its always fun to collaborate with them. They make such incredible music.

Q: We're nearing the release of ''Femme Fatale'' so how are you feeling?

A: I'm so excited and I can't wait for you guys to hear it. I think its some of the best work I have ever done!

Ke$ha: Britney Spears Collaboration! Exclusive!

The following italicized article is from www.justjared.com:

Last week, Just Jared had the pleasure of stopping by the L.A. studio of super producers Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald and Max Martin, who are executive producing Britney Spears‘ upcoming album, Femme Fatale.

Our heart was dancing as we heard more than half a dozen demos produced by Luke, Max, and their frequent collaborators Ammo and Benny Blanco.

Our favorite song was, not surprisingly, a dance song pop phenom Ke$ha wrote for Britney called “Till the World Ends.”

It’s one irresistibly catchy tune that, if it makes the album, will be an instant smash. In fact, we still have the tune stuck in our head - and we can’t get it out. It’s “TiK ToK” all over again!

Source: Just Jared

Let's all stay calm and co...oh f*ck it. I swear to God if one Miss Autotune's tracks makes it onto the album I will punch a B*tch while rocking out with my c*ck out.

And, off topic, Kesha please take a bath. You even make me itch just by looking at your glittery face.

Don't hold this rant against me. I've been sick for nearly a month, in a bed for nearly a month and I'm pretty sure I've gained 10 pounts from emotional eating so yeah, I'm grumpy.

Exclusive: Britney Spears' Producer Dr. Luke Reveals 'Femme Fatale' Details

The following italicized article is from www.rollingstone.com:

Britney Spears announced today that her new album, due March 15, is titled Femme Fatale – but the superstar singer and her Los Angeles producers are still choosing songs and determining the final direction of the overall sound. "It's not done," Dr. Luke, co-producing the album with longtime Britney collaborator Max Martin and Montreal dance-pop songwriter Billboard, tells Rolling Stone. "We're in the middle of it right now. It's a little bit fluid right now. I can't even say at this stage what songs for sure are making it and what songs aren't. We're working with a lot of producers and overseeing it with her A&R and record label and management and trying to make something cohesive."

The album, of course, will contain "Hold It Against Me," co-written by Dr. Luke, Martin and Bonnie McKee, the hot songwriter who penned Katy Perry's "California Gurls" and Taio Cruz' "Dynamite." Spears' new single made its debut on the pop charts in mid-January at Number One, before dropping to Number Six last week.

Originally, Dr. Luke and Martin, the Swedish songwriter behind some of Spears' biggest hits, including "…Baby One More Time," planned to give the song to Katy Perry. "We might have played it for her, but it definitely wasn't a Katy Perry record," Dr. Luke says by phone from Conway Recording Studio in Los Angeles. "We had it for a while. I wanted to make sure it didn't sound like everything else I've done. I brought it into Billboard, and he just killed it. It can be hard in the verse, and the bridge is super, super hard, but the chorus is super-pop. You can play that chorus acoustically on a guitar and it's still going to sound great."

Top 40 radio stations continue to spin "Hold It Against Me" in regular rotation. "It feels like a really obvious, easy-to-listen-to first single," says John Ivey, program director for KIIS in LA, which played the song once an hour the first day it came out. "You hear all those little parts that are so Britney – 'here's the video-breakdown-dance part of the song.' That's what my listeners love about her."

Although her 2008 album Circus sold fewer than 2 million copies, not a huge number given Spears' history of blockbuster sales, retailers have high hopes for the March release. "[Circus] ended up doing well, but we were a little cautious about it — a little tense comeback issues were going to be relevant," says Mark Hudson, music buyer for Trans World Entertainment, who predicts the new album could sell 500,000 copies in its first week. "But this time around, her stock is higher."

Dr. Luke also noted that he and Martin, the executive producers, plan on working on several songs directly in addition to "Hold It Against Me." He also confirmed Bloodshy (who co-produced Spears' classic "Toxic") and Benny Blanco (who worked on Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" and Perry's "California Gurls") were among several big names who would make production appearances.

So far, Spears has dropped by the LA studio two or three times to lay down her vocals. "Britney's really fast," Dr. Luke says. "She gets it done."

Source: Rolling Stone

They better hurry up because if this album gets delayed there's gonna be a lot of mentally insane Britney fans...

Britney Spears Returning to 'Edgy' Sound on New Album

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

While Britney Spears's new single, "Hold It Against Me," may have provided an upbeat preview of her new album, what will the rest of the work sound like?

"It's way more edgy than the last album," songwriter Claude Kelly, who composed several tracks for the as-yet-untitled album, tells PEOPLE at a New York NARAS reception. He adds that Spears, 29, is returning to the grittier sounds of 2007's Blackout. "[It's] more in the vein of the album before," he says.

Though Kelly admits he's not completely sure what the "final product is going to be," he does say, "the last album [2008's Circus] was more clean pop. [Its purpose] was to reintroduce Britney to the world as the pop princess."

As the first single also indicates, Spears, who Tweeted from her "Hold It Against Me" video shoot this weekend, has new tunes are definitely club-worthy.

"She's always ready," Kelly says. "Dr. Luke and Max Martin are running the show, and it's all about the beats. It has a heavier bass line and it's much harder, more urgent, more club. She's ready again!"

Source: People

Feedback for ''HIAM'' Has Been 'Through-the-Roof-Positve'

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

You've already heard the likes of Perez Hilton and "Jersey Shore" star Pauly D extol its virtues, but with the Monday (January 10) premiere of Britney Spears' "Hold It Against Me," we figured it was time to let program directors at radio stations around the country weigh in on the track too.

After all, not only are they the ones responsible for putting the song on the air, but they're the kind of folks who know a hit the second they hear it. So do they think Brit has another smash on her hands? Not surprisingly, the answer appears to be "yes."

"When I originally heard it in December, it blew me away from the first listen, and the same thing happened when we played it on Elvis Duran's morning show [Monday]; our Facebook and Twitter pages exploded," Sharon Dastur, program director at New York's Z100, told MTV News. "People are going crazy for it. They heard the leaked version and loved it, and now they're loving the official version too. I can see it being another huge hit for her."

"We're playing it at the top of every hour, and the reaction has been great," Tommy Chuck, program director at Tampa, Florida, station 93.3 WFLZ added. "Both on Facebook and Twitter, people are glad Britney's back; [they're] thanking us for playing the song, telling us how amazing she is, and all the air staff loved it. It's a solid single, and it'll be a big hit for her."

And while that initial wave of fan enthusiasm was to be expected, what both Dastur and Chuck said would put "Hold It Against Me" over the top is the song itself, a master-class in of-the-moment pop, courtesy of the world's foremost experts on the subject, Max Martin and Dr. Luke.

"Pop radio is a tough business, and if the song is no good, it wouldn't make it beyond the initial airplay," Chuck said. "People are really responding to this song, though, commenting on the 'dub-step' element of it. It definitely sounds similar to a lot of the dance tracks you hear [on the radio by] Taio Cruz and Usher and Chris Brown. It continues that whole trend."

"[Britney's] got a great team around her, and with Dr. Luke and Max Martin, you can't go wrong," Dastur said. "The reaction [to the song] this morning was outstanding. I asked some producers about it, because sometimes, we'll play a song, and the reaction is a little one-way or the other. But this one was through-the-roof positive."

Source: MTV

Jive's Official HIAM Press Release

The following italicized article is from www.jiverecords.com:

For Immediate Release:

January 7, 2011

Britney Spears Set To Release New Single “Hold It Against Me” On Tuesday, January 11th. Song Will Debut Simultaneously At Radio And On The U.S. iTunes Store At Midnight (EST) On January 11th

New York, NY- Britney Spears’ new highly anticipated song “Hold It Against Me” will premiere simultaneously on radio stations and be available immediately in the U.S. exclusively on the iTunes store, Tuesday, January 11th at 12AM EST.

“Hold It Against Me” is produced by Britney’s long-time collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke and is the official lead single from her forthcoming album. The as-yet-untitled seventh studio album is slated for release in March, 2011 on Jive Records.

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the song exclusively on the iTunes store until 1/18.

During her 12-year career, Britney has had five albums debut in the No. 1 position on Billboard ’s Top 200 Albums chart and she’s had 24 Top 40 hits on Billboard’s Mainstream Top 40 chart. Globally, Britney Spears is one of the top-selling artists of the past decade, dominating charts with her albums, selling an astonishing 67 million albums worldwide. Her previous albums include: …Baby One More Time (1999); Oops!… I Did It Again (2000); Britney (2001); In The Zone (2003); Blackout (2007); Circus (2008); and The Singles Collection (2009).

Source: Jive Records

New Britney Tweet

Just finished recording a monster with @TheDoctorLuke and #MaxMartin. Get ready.... -Britney

Britney at Conway Recording Studios

The following italicized article is from www.fadedyouthblog.com:

Britney Spears looked to have a holiday spring to her step as she headed to Conway Studios to record a new song in West Hollywood today (November 12).

Looking casual in jeans, a ruffled blouse and a pair of her famous boots, the pop singing sensation avoided greetings from the paparazzi as she made her way inside to lay down some tracks.

Earlier, Britney’s manager teased fans by saying that she’s was going to be recording a new “BIG” song for her next album.

Adam Leber also revealed that the Toxic singer will be working with hitmakers Max Martin and Dr Luke on the future hit.

Leber updated fans of the star on Twitter when he wrote: “Brit is recording a big big BIG new song on Friday with #MaxMartin & @TheDrLuke. I’m pretty sure its a smash!”

See more pics here!

Source: Faded Youth Blog

New Adam Tweet

Brit is recording a big big BIG new song on Friday with #MaxMartin & @TheDrLuke. I'm pretty sure its a smash! -Adam, Manager

Possible first single?

Album TBR before March 31st?

The following italicized article is from www.hollywoodreporter.com:

The big draw of Thursday's Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film & TV Music Conference was undeniably producer Dr. Luke, who not only packed the afternoon Q&A session moderated by ASCAP's Randy Grimmett, but got bombarded by throngs of his own fans not a moment after the talk ended. It's a good thing he's spent so much time around megastars like Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Avril Lavigne because he handled the unruly bunch with aplomb, but coming up next is perhaps his most stressful gig yet: as co-executive producer on Britney Spears' forthcoming seventh studio album. Luke's partner? Swedish hitmaker Max Martin, who's been both a mentor and collaborator and has worked with Spears on and off since her 1999 Jive Records debut, ...Baby One More Time. Dr. Luke contributed several tracks to 2008's Circus.

A dream team, no doubt, but with Sony Music seeing a 10 percent drop in sales last quarter, and that's including Usher's platinum-plus Raymond v. Raymond under the LaFace banner, the pressure is most certainly on. "She's such an icon, I don't want to let anyone down," Dr. Luke told THR. "But most importantly, I want to make good music." The LA-based Luke, who's just coming off a repackage of Ke$ha's Animal, says he's just starting to wrap his head around the Britney album now. He anticipates it will be out in early 2011, while an insider tells THR, it will definitely hit stores before March 31, the end of Sony's fiscal year. A Jive Records rep would not comment on a release date or confirm a timeline. Other producer-songwriters said to be working on it include Darkchild and, according to Luke, Montreal newcomer Billboard (listen to a remix Billboard did of Britney's 2009 track "3" at his Myspace page).

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

New Britney Music in June?

If Brit-Brit's too-brief appearance at the Grammys wasn't enough to whet your "Toxic" appetite, then get ready to chow down on some new music from Spears this June.

For all those Circus freaks out there, you'll be stoked to hear that Britney is re-teaming with K. Briscoe, part of The Outsyders production team, who penned Spears' comeback hit "Womanizer." Plus, our pop princess is also hooking back up with Corte Ellis from Soul Diggaz, who previously worked with Britney on the songs "Naked" and "Get Back" off Blackout.

Finally, color us flattered that Spears took our advice and decided to collaborate with our fave new French hitmaker DJ David Guetta on new tunes. Ooh, la la!

Briscoe, Ellis and Guetta join a heap of producers who have already been tapped for the project—like Danja, Max Martin, Darkchild, Sean Garrett. Guess it's just a matter of time until we hear whose tracks make the final album cut. Hope we don't blackout from anticipation! (Get it? Blackout? Blackout? I'll be here all night, folks.)

Source: MTV

Britney Spears Scores with '3'

The following italicized article is from www.theprophetblog.net:

It’s now been over ten years since Britney Spears released her debut album …Baby One More Time, which went 14x platinum in the United States and sold over 25 million worldwide, and what better way to celebrate Britney’s success than a brand new single produced by the man who helped launch her career?

“3″ is the official lead from Britney’s upcoming best of compilation The Singles Collection, and is produced by the singers most well-known collaborator Max Martin. The Swedish hitmaker also helmed a number of Spears biggest tunes from “…Baby One More Time” to “Oops!… I Did It Again” and “Stronger”.

Wow, if there was ever a song to mark Britney’s 10 years of ruling the pop scene than this is it. The club-heavy ode to group sex that is “3″ contains everything that makes Britney, Britney. It’s a perfect pure pop record!

The beat is a certified dancefloor filler, it’s a relentless and doesn’t stop, becoming more intense as the song picks up steam until it finally climaxes like a musical orgasm. The way it picks-up and stops, then changes tempo is amazing. The hook is insanely infectious, and actually rivals the catchiness of “Oh baby baby” and “Gimme gimme more, gimme gimme”

The lyrics are classic Britney; they’re flirty, sexy, provocative, tongue-in-cheek, and full of the cheeky faux-innocence we’ve come to expect from the girl who once tried to convince us that she was a ‘virgin’. This point is further driven home as Britney chants the hook like it’s a sexed-up nursery rhyme.

Vocally Spears comes across quite similar to “Mannequin” from her Circus album, with her voice being fed through autotune to the point where she sounds like a singing fembot crossed with a blow up a doll. What Britney does brilliantly though (and has done her whole career) is her ability to add her unique personality to the song.

Despite being heavily produced Britney never lets the song swallow her and she lets us know that she’s the one in charge. She also shows us why she’s one of the most successful female artists of all time by delivering yet another flawless anthem, maintaining a consistency and quality in her music that’s rarely seen in the genre.

Some people may argue that they wanted a more urban Britney this time around, but I think it was important that this record be completely pop. It’s how she started so it only makes sense that it should be how she celebrates her 10 year anniversary and new greatest hits compilation. Brilliant!

Source: The Prophet Blog

New '3' Review

The following italicized article is from www.digitalspy.co.uk:

Britney's got a 'Singles Collection' coming out at the end of November and, in customary fashion, it contains a new track that's going to be released as a single. Two of your trusty DS reporters got to listen to it at the end of last week - 18 times, if we recall correctly - so here's what we thought.

1. It's called '3' and it's a Max Martin production.

2. We won't beat around the bush - it's about having a threesome.

3. The chorus, which has more than a hint of the playground chant about it, goes like this: "1-2-3 not only you and me / Got 180 degrees / And I'm caught in between / Counting 1-2-3 feed upon that three / Getting down with repeat / Everybody loves ohhhhh". The "ohhhhh", in case you were wondering, is a classic Britney lusty sigh.

4. Britney makes her intentions very clear elsewhere, telling us "living in sin is the new thing" on the bridge and offering this coaxing couplet on the second verse: "Three is a charm, two's not the same / "I don't see the harm, so are you game?"

5. Enough already with the lyrics! What does '3' sound like? Well, it's uptempo, quite electropoppy on the verses and a little bit ravey on the choruses.

6. '3' would fit better on Circus than Blackout - it's got that slightly cartoony quality that the more recent album sometimes has. The Britney track to which it's most closely related is probably 'If U Seek Amy', though they're more like second cousins who only see each other at family funerals and weddings than brother and sister.

7. The best bit of the song is the middle 8, on which Max Martin cools things down with some synthetic strings, a load of bassy beats kick in and Britters offers her boyfriend a get-out clause: "If you don't like the company / Let's do it just you and me..."

8. ...Before promptly changing her mind by suggesting "or three... or four on the floor". That last bit's pretty clever, because the beats she's singing over at the time could legitimately be classified as "four-on-the-floor".

9. It took us a few plays to fall for '3' - and truth be told it's no 'Gimme More' or 'Womanizer' - but as a fun, fruity newbie to round off a potentially brilliant Singles Collection, it does its job very well indeed.

10. It's premiering on US radio today, so expect to be hearing it very soon. The first UK play, in case you were wondering, will be on Radio 1 this Wednesday afternoon.

Source: Digital Spy

Britney Spears Steps Out in Stockhlom

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

Still alongside her manager beau, Britney Spears and Jason Trawick were spotted together in Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday night (July 18).

The “Gimme More” singer and her latest flame were leaving Max Martin recording studio after a long evening session.

The sighting comes amidst a recent New York Post report claiming Miss Spears has been spending time with record producer Dallas Austin - leading to rumors of a possible affair.

Nonetheless, Austin’s rep denied any romantic happenings, telling that the two are “good friends and have been for a long time.”

See more pics here!

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Britney Leaves A Record Studio

Britney is pictured here leaving a recording studio where she spent the entire day with Max Martin and both of her managers laying down tracks for a rumored Greatest Hits album.

Source: Untouchable Britney

New Message From Adam

Source: Twitter

"Out From Under" A Cover?

First off, as soon as I wrote that title I laughed. It completely wouldn't make sense in any other context other then this. Anyway...

"Out From Under," a new track off Britney's upcoming studio album Circus, is reportedly a cover Joanna Pacitti's version, which appeared on the Bratz movie soundtrack last year.

According to Cheiron-Music.com, Britney re-recorded the track with Guy Sigsworth as the producer. Britney credits Sigsworth in a recent interview, revealing that he worked on two ballads with Britney for Circus, "My Baby" being the other one.

The site continues to say that "Circus," Britney's second single off Circus, is NOT produced by Max Martin despite reports, but by Dr. Luke, Claude Kelly & Benny Blanco! Dr. Luke has worked with Britney before, including producing a track titled "All The Way," in which he describes it as "a feel good, upbeat song." Unfortunately the track did not make the final cut.

But don't think Max Martin got the boot entirely. "If U Seek Amy" is reportedly written by Martin, as well as Alexander Kronlund, Shellback and Savan Kotecha. Martin is also singing backing vocals to the "f-u-c-k me" track.

Source: Breathe Heavy