It's 'Glory' bitch.
Britney Spears finally dropped her highly anticipated 9th studio album, and like the title says, THE pop princess is back on top where she belongs.
Following the success of lead single 'Make Me', Britney's loyal legion of fans began to wonder what to expect from her 9th effort, and we got exactly what we needed:
A cohesive, current but also unique, 17 (!!!!) track album!!
This wasn't some formulaic album that saw Britney going through any motions, getting from the beginning to the end. She's now fully expressing herself through the music, and while many are still tossing around the word 'comeback' (let's stop shall we?), our girl is fully back where she belongs.
The album opens in exceptional fashion, with Spears inviting us to bask in all of her glory, and with 'Invitation' the cosmic sounds paired with her breathy vocals definitely puts this album in a league miles ahead of previous efforts 'Britney Jean', 'Femme Fatale' and 'Circus'.
We're then taken into lead single 'Make Me' featuring G Eazy, who's expected to join her onstage during tomorrow's VMAs. The song still holds up as a standout on the album, although it does get lost among many other stellar tracks.
Buzz tracks 'Private Show' and 'Clumsy' follow, and while 'Clumsy' is still yours truly's JAM, what came next floored us.
'Man on the Moon', is perfection from start to finish. This is the ballad we've been yearning for, and it's refreshing to hear her so in tune with the music. The production is crisp, and her vocals really come to life.
And now for a personal standout, 'Just Luv Me'. The track is easily one of the best tracks Brit has recorded in years, and like 'Man on the Moon', it's Brit's vocals that really shine. The song could have easily been included on 'In The Zone', and would have fit right in. Her coos and breathy vocals are in full force and the beat is reminiscent to anything you would find on Selena Gomez's revival. Except here, there's more maturity behind the words. That's not shade.
Just truth.
We then bounce into last buzz track 'Do You Wanna Come Over', and it remains one of the best tracks on the album. Britney is having fun on this album and this track is proof of that. The chorus is ridiculously fun, with another highlight being the bridge where she simply says "Just come over".
Moving forward with 'Slumber Party', which is another standout. I'm going to state right here, right now, that Brit needs to be working with Swedish producers all of the damn time because this was crafted to near perfection.
'Just Like Me' is quite different for Britney, as her vocals are accompanied along with a twangy guitar riff and it works. Her vocals once again are the star as she calls out a lover being with another woman.
Our Louisiana native then crosses into a more Gwen Stefani vibe with 'Love Me Down', which finds Spears sing/rapping. The song echoes back to another 'In The Zone' track 'The Hook Up', giving us a tropical vibe. This song would be a smash for radio, and needs to be considered a single.
And now for our FAVORITE cut off of 'Glory':
'Hard To Forget Ya'.
The hair flipping, hip swinging, foot stomping banger of a track is dance Britney at her very best, and it's hard to put into words how much I love this song. It's a different kind of dance track, throwing in an almost tribal vibe, but it totally works. And that line "so much for my poker face"?
We then tread into unknown territory, as we get a vocal from Spears that we never thought we'd hear. She comes out swinging in 'What You Need', an instant clap along that finds her vocals soaring from start to finish. She completely lets loose, and it's amazing to listen to.
'Better' and 'Change Your Mind' are the safe tracks on the album for yours truly, and while they're by no means dismissive tracks, they fall short of the rest of the album.
'Liar' gives us that rock anthem that we've been waiting for from Britney, and some are even calling it a diss/response track to Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me A River' with her line of: Left in the ash of the bridges you burned". (Justin's lyrics of "The bridges were burned, now it's your turn to cry")
Whether it be a response track or not, it's a highlight on the album!
'If I'm Dancing' has the most unique sound on the album, and with the dance track being one to shake your ass to, it's definitely a contender for single status.
We close the album with a very special treat, and that's our girl singing in french.
And the title?
'Coupure Electrique', which stands for 'Blackout'!!
The moody bedroom number finds the living legend closing out her 9th studio album in tremendous fashion.
This may not be the most well written review that you'll come across of 'Glory', but yours truly wanted to get some thoughts out.
Britney has once again risen above the haters and delivered, in some opinions, the album of her career. She's rejuvenated herself, and with the VMAs performance, and this weeks epic Carpool Karaoke, the media blitz is strong.
What could she possibly have in store for us with album #10?
If #9 is any indication, Britney is going to continue to surprise us in the best way possible.