Saturday, March 5, 2011

Femme Fatale Countdown - 3/25/2011

Official Album Cover

As the release date for Britney's 7th studio album comes closer, I will be posting a track-by-track review of each of her albums, including her "Chaotic EP", but not any of her 'Greatest Hits' or her B In The Mix" album, that would be boring. Not only will I cover the tracks on the studio album, I will also review the bonus tracks and B-Sides as well.

Mark your calendars, "The bitch is back, and better than ever" - Britney Spears, V Magazine March 2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Till The World Ends - Single Review

Official Single Cover

So. It's out now, a couple days ahead of it's original March 14th release date, but I'm not complaining. The leak was part of a rather rapid slew of news about her upcoming album "Femme Fatale", including the tracklist, cover art and a snippet of the song.

As of NOW, the news from the Britney camp via Twitter is that she will be playing the final version of the song for Ryan Seacrest tomorrow and they are trying to get it on iTunes by tomorrow night, which has pro's and con's. Releasing the song is better for the label as they can control it's release more and make money off it, obviously. The downside is chart performance, thought I don't doubt, and actually predict, that it will hit #1 on iTunes within hours of it's release, it'll be missing out on Monday-Wednesday digital sales that would allow it to impact higher on the Hot 100 Chart, i.e. she may not debut at #1 if she releases on Friday.

With all that said, let's get down to the song, it's a dead ringer for a Dr. Luke radio banger, opening with a TiK ToK-reminiscent synth line, a stomp-clap beat and a sensual Britney moan. The verse is definitely Ke$ha-inspired, which is understandable considering she wrote the song, and has Britney sing-rapping about, what else, a man: "I notice that you've got it, you notice that I want it". The pre-chorus builds up with a flickering beat, leading to a staple in the Dr. Luke single production, an epic chorus. The beat drops and Britney rides humming synths before busting into a Ke$ha-esque "whoa-ohhh-ohhh-ohhh" produced to a digital flicker that "Blow" uses. You can head Ke$ha on the background vocals during the "ohhh"s and one can only hope that her demo of the song is leaked.

Some Britney fans have expressed concern that a Ke$ha-penned song released as a single may take away credibility from Britney as an artist, however I don't think that will be an issue, and unless you're a fan of either artist, you may not even hear who wrote it.

Bottom line; undeniable hit, "Hold It Against Me" kicked the door in and "Till The World Ends" is the throng of people coming in to party.