Rating: NN
As the album’s title so baldly suggests, it seems we’re all supposed to have this infinitely lingering fascination with Britney Spears and her ridiculous/depressing spectacle of an existence. But that would involve overlooking the fact that the singer is almost incidental to the music she’s famous for.
On what should be her redemptive “back from the brink” album, Spears is immersed in an often trite, intensely narcissistic look at her existence, crafted almost entirely by songwriters other than herself. That’s not to say that some of the songs aren’t catchy or danceable, but they’re wasted on a singer who brings no real personality along for the ride.
There are a few dirty beats, some good electro-pop and a decent chorus here and there, but they don’t come close to overshadowing the desperation on hyper-sexed duds like Mmm Papi and If U Seek Amy (get it?!), nor do they do more than remind us that Spears isn’t much more than a shell of a performer.
Top track: Unusual You
