Femme Fatale [CD]

The singles initially released from Femme Fatale felt like warning shots - fantastically produced and exciting, they were nonetheless not as immediately catchy as might have been hoped and had some akward elements to navigate (dubstep breakdowns, lack of obvious chorus). Perhaps this was the moment when the melodic pop template (already exquisitely pushed to its limit with 'Blackout') fell apart altogether?

But closer listening was reassuring. 'Till The World Ends' grows over time and has a stunning middle 8 ('See the sunrise, we ain't stopping...") that transforms the track into epic, euphoric widescreen pop. 'Hold It Against Me' similarly saves the powerful, sweeping hooks until the end of the song.

'Femme Fatale' continues in the same vein, with even the harsher-sounding electronic tracks revealing lovely little pop hooks and melodic flourishes. Standout for me is 'Trip To Your Heart', in which Britney's original saccharin-sweet pop collides head on with a stuttering, then suddenly squelchy Euro-dance backing track that feels like an instant classic of its kind. Lyrically it's about nothing and yet it feels like its about everything, like all the best pop music should.

Other favourites include the stridently confident, deeply bass-driven 'Drop Dead Beautiful and the oddly touching 'How I Roll' (which was always going to be a winner with me from the moment the vocodered vocals cut in). The Toxic-lite of 'Gasoline', retro Inner City stylings on 'Up n Down' and galloping Eurotrance of 'I Wanna Go' are all superb. 'Inside Out'(dubstep melodrama) and 'Criminal' (folky flutes, funky beat, chorus that slides into itself) slow things down a little but are not the dull filler that dominate so many albums by major artists.

The track 'Big Fat Bass' threatens to ruin this album during its first few minutes - will.i.am's sampled vocal (endlessly repeating the title) are at first fairly cringe-inducing. Then suddenly, from nowhere, as Britney sings "The bass is getting low" at the 2 minute mark the track takes flight and builds towards a stunning outro - a full-on assault of auto-tune, bassline and synths.

Auto-tune is used extensively but to enhance the overall production: phrases are twisted, notes drawn out, new types of sounds explored.

Here is a Britney album that delivers knockout pop hooks but isn't afraid to be experimental throughout. The production feels at times like everything has been thrown at each track to see what sticks - which makes it all the remarkable that - with a very few exceptions -this album delivers a massive rush of pure pop moments.

Being a huge Britney fan and loving her released singles "Hold it Against Me" and "Till The World Ends" I was desperate to buy this album as soon as it came out..and I have to say I was far from disappointed! Femme Fatale is a million times better than I could have ever expected and definitely Brit's best album to date, even beating my previous favourite Blackout. Having considered her previous album Circus to be a bit of a disappointment, I was slightly wary about purchasing this album but I really needn't have been! The album is funky, edgy, cool, seductive and so much more! Definitely one to let loose and dance to no matter how you're feeling at the time! Brit has definitely out done herself this time!

1. Till The World Ends: one of my personal favourites from the album. A sure fire hit and a definite club-banger! One of the most upbeat and catchiest songs off the album. 10/10
2. Hold It Against Me: Fantastic! Great conception with a great hook towards the end..another club-banger! Perfect lead single 10/10
3. Inside Out: One of the less upbeat tracks on the album and not one of my favourites at all! This song is okay for a few listens but after the third it really gets a bit boring which is a shame after the two fantastic first singles 5/10
4. I Wanna Go: Brit returns with fighting form with this track! It's upbeat, sexy, fun and extremely catchy! One of my personal favourites and potential single material! 10/10
5. How I Roll: Unusual and different - but that's a good thing! This song is very sexy and catchy and a definite winner in my eyes! 9/10
6. (Drop Dead) Beautiful feat. Sabi: Amazing! Tinged with R&B but still the dance track we expect and love from Britney! One of the best and Saby makes a welcome addition in the third verse. While some of the lyrics are a bit tedious that doesn't dampen the mood of one of the best and catchiest songs on the album! 10/10
7. Seal It With A Kiss: Daring and seductive and the Brit we love most! Not as catchy and previous songs but still good all the same! 8/10
8. Big Fat Bass feat. Will.I.Am: Hmm, this song leaves me in two minds. Part of me finds it quite boring and repetitive (particularly as it's so long) but the other part of me loves it! It is a great club tune but isn't one that's that interesting to listent to over and over again like some of the others..Brit's parts are great but Will.I.Am lets her down slightly unfortunately...8/10
9. Trouble For Me: She's back on form with this catchy number! Great lyrics and Brit's vocals (on the verses anyway) are on top form! 10/10
10. Trip To Your Heart: I don't know what it is about this song but it's definitely a special one from the album. Slightly ballad-esque it's beautiful and sensational. Fantastic work Britney! 10/10
11. Gasoline: Not the best. Quite boring without any major hook and the lyrics are slightly tedious. Nothing special unfortunately. 6/10
12. Criminal: Wow! This song is fantastic and incredibly catchy! It's daring and sexy and everything we love about Britney rolled into one! The subject matter is interesting and the lyrics are great..the flute is also interesting and, surprisingly, works incredibly well! 10/10
13. Up N Down: Another club-banger - probably the best on the album with a great chorus hook! This song is fantastic and one that you can replay over and over again without getting bored! Fantastic fun! 10/10
14. He About to Lose Me: Another fantastic hit from Brit! Her vocals are fantastic on this song and the subject matter once again is interesting and daring and just a really cool listen! Seductive and intriguing..great work! 10/10
15. Selfish: Sexy and daring once again..it's cool and Brit is completely in her element with this song although not quite as catchy as previous songs 9/10
16. Don't Keep Me Waiting: A great end to an exceptional album! Brit goes for a rocky-edge with this edgy and daring track! 9/10

I strongly recommend you buy this album..it'll put you in a great mood and leave you dancing the night away! Don't miss out on the great tunes Britney has to offer! Even if you're not already a fan...it's quite possible you will be after hearing this great album! 10/10!

Britney Spears has never had the best voice in the world. But what she does have is great vocal delivery and timing, and has a unique voice which is instantly recognizable. Not since 2000's "Oops I Did It Again" have loved a Britney Spears album so much.

It may have something to do with Max Martin being absent from "In The Zone", "Blackout", "Circus" (except for "If You Seek Amy"). But now he is back as executive producer, and has written & produced 7 tracks on "Femme Fatale".
This album is an absolute dance album, big on the beats, european chords, and electronic sounds. There IS a fair degree of autotune but it works with the tracks that use it. On the tracks that don't use it, Britney sounds like she is making alot more of an effort than she did on the rather terrible "circus".

The best thing about the lyrics on this album, is that she is finally not singing about being in the media, or being famous, blah blah. That got old and I am glad she dumped it, along with her urban sound in favour of dance with European writing structures....

Til The Word Ends - This track sets the tone for the entire album. Dancey hands in the air energy, a great opener from Max Martin, and co-written by Ke$ha.

Hold It Against Me - Britney's best single since "Gimme More", maybe even "Oops I Did It Again". Typical Max Martin chords, and this Euro flavoured dance suits Britney to the ground.

Inside Out - More Max Martin, and this is a slower dubstep style track, which has influences of his old sound with "Baby One More Time" or "Oops I Did It Again". I love it, and even has lyrical references to her early singles in the chorus.

I Wanna Go - THIS is brilliant. A full on dance track, thanks again Max Martin. Rather naughty lyrics about the need to "need release".... It is a smash, great production, and in parts reminds me of E Type, a Swedish Eurodance star who's also worked with Max Martin. Love it, and maybe my fave.

How I Roll - The only song I hate on this album. I have tried and tried but it's just awful. It's a bad version of "Toxic", and is just a terribly written song from Bloodshy. They produce alot of rubbish at the best of times, and this is no exception. Just a big old mess, and hideous to the ears.

(Drop Dead) Beatiful - This is more like it. Back to dance, though not as fast as the earlier tracks. This tracks goes a little into "Blackout" territory which is a good thing. Just better writing. Only bad thing is that the chorus is heavy on the autotune. But it works.

Seal It With A Kiss - Max Martin again, and the pace is getting slightly faster again. This song could probably have been on Ke$ha's album but it's still a good pop song.

Big Fat Bass (feat Will.i.am) - I can't stand the Black Eyed Peas, so I was ready to despise this collaboration. BUT I was wrong, it's an absolute dance stormer, and catchy as hell. The production is incredible and has a very European sound to it. Freaking HUGE.

Trouble For Me - Sticking with dance, we start hearing a little trance influences, with another hint of "Blackout". By now I have formed the opnion Ms Spears is BACK with a vengence with the best dance album of 2011.

Trip To Your Heart - And the trance sounds continue. A very pop chorus, almost like Janet Jackson's "Together Again" but a whole lot better. Very summer nightclub sounding for me.

Gasoline - And here we have Dr Luke, who has produced a couple of the Max Martin tracks, and who wrote the "Circus" on the previous album. I like it alot, and it takes Britney back again to her 2000 sound, with a 2011 twist. Very good.

Criminal - This was a grower, and I really didn't like it at first. VERY Madonna "American Life", and it's a very different sound for Max Martin. But here Britney sounds great on it, with not much autotone except for a little effect on some words in the verse.

Up n' Down - MY GOD!!! Max Martin has kicked a floor filling goal on this amazing, brilliant, smash track. It's a dark electro dance track, heavily lending from the 1989 Inner City song "Good Life". This is totally irresistable and for me best on the album along with "I Wanna Go". It is also VERY "Blackout" (in particular "Get Naked") and I can't believe it's only on the deluxe edition (The standard stops after "Criminal"). This has single ALL over it and it should have been on the standard replacing the HIDEOUS "How I Roll". Play this LOUD.

He About To Lose Me - A Rodney Jerkins track, not bad, great verses but a weirdly high chorus, with bizarre autotune. Also a little "Blackout".

Selfish - Produced by StarGate, but not their best song. I can see why it was left off the standard album. Though it is a well produced dance track and I am liking it more with each listen.

Don't Keep Me Waiting - Another Rodney Jerkins song, and it's my 2nd least favourite. It's actually a rock track and does not fit the album at all. I don't hate it but at the same time I think it's pretty pointless, along with "How I Roll", I will skip this one.

One thing I noticed is that Britney has not co-written anything on this album. She did alot of the writing on "In The Zone", and co-wrote a couple on "Blackout" and "Circus".
However, apart from 2 songs, this album is just pop perfection in it's current form. Great dance music which has taken over godawful urban sounds, well written pop with the best producers in the business. So happy to see Britney reunite with Max Martin, and she herself seems to be happy about it having recently said she trusts him like nobody else in the studio.