She should just focus on making an album she genuinely loves and stands behind. Something raw, personal and reflective that plays to her strengths of vocal power, soulful delivery and blending throwback with contemporary. No point in playing the other girls' pop game because she will lose - but they can't compete if she sticks to what makes her special.
If I was to imagine the perfect next Christina album, I feel it'd have the fresh R&B-ness of some of Channel Orange, BEYONCE and 20/20...combined with the intimacy and gospel of Stripped and the bright soulful throwback of Back To Basics. I want to hear about her divorce, finding new love, being a mother, body (in)security and staying strong when the world tries to tear you down.
Create something timeless that isn't aiming for top 40 success but is just entirely concerned with being a great record that she will fight for. Nobody expects it to be a success, there's nothing to lose. A critical turn around is easier than winning back the masses...but I feel she's in a good position for that with the feature hits. Slowly but surely.
I would love for her to work with Frank Ocean, Ed Sheeran and Ryan Tedder on the next record. And ofc bring back Linda Perry and Sia, but do something different with Sia (I.e. Pretty Hurts)
I also honestly wouldn't mind if Christina put her R&B sound to the side for a while and created an album full of Say Something's. I know many here would find it boring, but I would love it, plain and simple. Just like the song itself, the album would be a showstopper and a reminder of why Christina's a special artist.
There are so many sides to Christina that it's hard to choose one for her to pursue next.
I personally want an alt-rock album but it'd more than likely be messy.
There's so many genres she can slay. Electropop is my favorite genre, so I would love if she worked primarily with Danja and producers like Ryan Leslie to make a good electropop album. But the industry is so oversaturated with EDM, so an alt-rock or R&B album that can showcase her powerhouse vocals would probably perform better.
R&B showcases her talents, it's what's en vogue right now and it's something none of the pop girls can do as well as her. It's a win, win, win situation.
Whilst I don't want the album to be over-sung, it would be good to remind people of what sets her apart. Not belting her face off over dance beats, but soaring over gospel choruses. Some Keep On Singin' My Song/Makes Me Wanna Pray/Soar level ****. That throwback, unadulterated, bold approach would stand out in 2014. Fresh after years of overproduction and minimalism in contrast.
In terms of visuals as well, she needs to return to her classic beauty of B2B.
^ True. I just want her to do something different from what's out there right now and show how much of a risk-taker she can also be.
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By the way, I love how Christina's been interacting with us since that letter she wrote back in August. I don't believe there's been this kind of connection in a really long time, and I'm enjoying it. This "new" Christina seems much happier and confident than ever before, that I think she might be preparing something special for us next year.
I want Christina to do songs like Pretty Hurts, XO, etc
Modern R&B, and draw some influence and elements of Stripped and B2B, even Bionic with songs like I Am
The thing about the Beyoncé album is that it's very alternative R&B overall but not very pop radio friendly. So I don't see Beyoncé having much airplay on pop radio besides possible XO which is a bit different from the rest of the album. That's where Christina could come in and hopefully fill the void by doing alternative R&B but with songs that have melodies that could work on pop radio yet be crossover enough for at least one other format.
And that's another important thing she needs to focus on: she needs to win back at least one more format besides pop whether it be hac or rhythmic. Ideally both, but she needs at least one of them
Maybe this base could be a LaToya/Christina hybrid base. 
She could slay disco. I could see her doing a club tour as well. 
