Album Review: Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

Album Review: Britney Spears – Femme Fatale

Posted by Rickified on 3/12/11 • Categorized as Reviews • 861 views

Femme Fatale (Album Cover)

I’m sure most of you guys have heard the clips from the album and a couple of leaked tracks in full. But it was never expected to ’surface’ 2 weeks before it’s release date (29th March in the US) eh? Well, should’ve seen it coming!!
Britney’s 7th studio album, about 2 1/2 years since her last effort, has frequent collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke serving as this album’s executive producers. Is it a good or a bad move?? As both producers are Ke$ha’s too, inevitable to have similarities, am I right?
First Impressions
To be honest, I wasn’t impressed with HIAM & TTWE. But the clips sounds promising enough for me to pursue on. With “Circus” being disappointing for me, I really hope that she would follow up and update the sound of “Blackout“. Granted, I was. This era’s effort is her most polished yet! The vibe and sound is more towards tech-pop (by that, i don’t mean by techno. It’s the technicality of raw electro) as compared to being too urban as reported.
Track Review

• Till The World Ends
  The album’s 2nd single and features the triple threat writing credits of Dr Luke, Max Martin and Ke$ha. This track basically has a ‘jump-jump’ kinda moment. The chorus sounds like a hint of Ke$ha’s “Blow“, which sounds more superior as compared to TTWE. A safe choice as a feel-good single .
• Hold It Against Me
  Introduced by the dark pulsating beats, the lead single always serves as a proper gauge on how the album’s gonna be like. Definitely a Britney record for sure, I’m relieved with the fact that it sounds nothing like what’s out there in the radio now.
• Inside Out
  Slowing the tempo down a notch, Britney’s bringing on the sensuality! A break-up song that consists of suggestive lyrics about going to ‘bed’ one more time before ending a relationship.
• I Wanna Go
  The whistles at the bridge are sure catchy. There’s something familiar with the structure of the chorus, which sounds like an Usher track. Brit’s singing out her dirty fantasies! (“Touch of My Hand“??)
• How I Roll
  A production by Bloodshy & Avant, this ‘easy-listening’ track is unique from a perspective. A laid back Britney at best.
• (Drop Dead) Beautiful [Feat. Sabi]
  The title’s being sung repetitively is driving me insane, in a bad way. She sound so monotonous! I rather trade this with the track that William Orbit and Klas Ahlund did!
• Seal It With A Kiss
  Another perfect example of how this era’s sound is gonna be. Tech-pop!! The dubstep breakdown appears on this track too.
• Big Fat Bass (Feat. will.i.am)
  A distant cousin of any track from BEP’s “The Beginning“. But of course, it’s by will.i.am. I’m rather intrigue by this collab. It’s either you love or hate this track.
• Trouble for Me
  It actually has been awhile that we’ve heard Britney sing. This track by Fraser T. Smith and Livvi Franc (Now I’m That Bitch, Automatik) is one of the highlights of the album. Loving this track!!
• Trip To Your Heart
  There seem to be a trend. Blackout’s “Heaven On Earth“, Circus’ “Unusual You” and Femme’s “Trip To Your Heart” flows rather well as a trilogy. It serves as a memory of Brit’s electropop love song/ballad which gonna be her signature tune too. Another highlight.
• Gasoline
  Metaphoring herself to a car and stating her ‘heart only runs on supreme’, “Gasoline” drifts towards a heavier beat which Brit hasn’t explored before.
• Criminal
  Flutes (?!) This folk/country sound may shock some fans. I applaud her for pairing such a tune with dark lyrics.

Final Verdict
Trading typically chart-friendly tunes like Toxic and Womanizer for a more edgier vibe, loyal Brit fans might have a tough time adjusting to this new sound. Brit’s smart in adapting and not sound like any of her fellow peers in the mainstream line now. Plus she doesn’t redicule and reduce herself to gimmicks (Little Monsters??!!). Usually, her bonus tracks are worth the space in the album too. Again, I just wish the track by William Orbit and Klas Ahlund did materialise. Otherwise, this album displays maturity from the Queen of Dance herself. Either you like it or you don’t. For me, I’m satisfied. =)
This album scores a 3.5 out of 5.

Tagged as: album review, britney spears

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