Music: Britney Spears - Blackout

Album: Blackout

Artist: Britney Spears

Release Date: October 30, 2007

Genre: Pop/Dance



Anything I write about Britney's new album here is probably not going to change the already conceived notions in people's mind about the current state of her career and life. We've all seen the headlines, we've all seen the daily trainwreck of a life she leads in front of the paparazzi, we've all seen the VMA performance. But anyone willing to give this album a chance will be surprised at how good it is. It is a departure from her other albums, in the sense that pop!Britney is gone, she is no longer the co-writer of any of the songs, and she has definitely lived a thousand more lives since her last album, 2003's In the Zone. While a departure from her old sound, it is certainly a good one, probably one of the best albums she's put out. With that being said, it is the album where Britney is in it the least, overpowered by thumping electro beats and a heavily synthesized sound. Basically, all the songs more or less have the feel of the pulsating first single 'Gimme More,' which was produced by Timbaland protege "Danja" Nate Hills.


Blackout has a modern, albeit, heavily processed, sound- a testament to where mainstream music seems to be heading. Its relevance to pop culture today not only comes in its sound, but lyrically as well, with Britney taking on her status as tabloid/paparazzi fodder in songs like 'Piece of Me,' or her failed marriage/relationships in 'Why Should I Be Sad' (produced by Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes). This is a dance album, with Spears wisely steering clear of slow ballads, which were never her strong point anyway. Every track provides a strong beat, and is polished to a T in the hands of her producers. Her breathy voice flows in an out of songs, supplemented by bouncy beats and catchy hooks.

There are standout tracks of course, but the entire album as a whole is a piece of brilliantly produced work. No, I'm not overexaggerating this point. To get an artist like Britney in to the studio, to work with her not terrible, but certainly not great vocals, and to write the words and music that perfectly capture this tumultuous (to say the least) time in her life AND make it sound great? It is no easy feat that this is her best album in years. And unfortunately for her, that is to the producers' credit, not hers. But it is still a great album, and I hope people will be able to see through the craziness of her real life and appreciate the music anyway.

Recommended Tracks: Gimme More, Piece of Me, Radar, Heaven on Earth, Toy Soldier
Grade: A-