I wanted to take a break from the forums, and after taking a break from GLORY and indulging in Frank Ocean’s brilliant 2 album set Endless & Blond. Im back listening to GLORY and ready for my full review..
Britney Spears - GLORY
Release Date: Aug 26, 2016
iTunes Pre-Order:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gl...n/id1139901459
Opening Statement:
The last 10 years for Ms. Britney Spears have been somewhat of a hit and miss.. Off the back of a heavily publicised ‘breakdown’, came Circus her 6th LP overall and one not entirely unlike its predecessor - the ground-breaking and career defining Blackout.. With a somewhat refreshed Spears the CIRCUS era grabbed the singer a couple of Number 1’s (Womaniser and 3) and made way for its follow up, Femme Fatale. A slightly disjointed collection of extremely radio friendly songs, and perhaps the worst moment of the performers career (besides the breakdown) with a tarnishing reputation marred by extremely underwhelming live performances, and half-hearted features (Rihanna’s SnM) nevertheless the set gained the singer a couple more number 1’s (radio and billboard) a couple of tours and the Las Vegas shows later, and even a non existent Britney on a Britney Spears album (see Britney Jean) .. It appears the singer is finally back behind the wheel of her legendary career & back with lots to prove.
Cue.
Make Me. The first single from GLORY. Met with its very own controversy (see Original video debacle) Make Me is the first glimpse into Britney’s revival. Chilled, melodic and unlike anything the singer has released thus far, Make Me is proof that Britney is far from done and still knows all the secrets to keep listeners enthused.. Its a solid urban infused pop song that fits very well on Radio, is current yet distinguished enough to be a hit of its very own.. With assistance from G-Eazy - the single reached no.1 on iTunes faster than anything coming before it, and has yet refused to fall out of the iTunes top 50 despite the most awful replacement music video. Fans can only hope at this point the original David Lachapelle music video will see the light of day and the single gets the attention and shine it deserves.
Now To
GLORY
Within 10 seconds you’re instantly enticed with the melodic and heavenly ethereal sounds of
Invitation. Without a doubt a highlight on the album. Packed with shimmery synths and a hard hitting thumping bass. “Invoke the feeling, this dreaming I’ve been dreaming of..”, the singer coo’s without a shred of inhibition or that self doubt that was fast becoming way too evident with Britney.. The song starts off GLORY gloriously and sets a trend of confidence and power that is heard from the beginning all through to the end.
Next up the melodic-ness pursues throughout
Make Me, which sounds even better following up from Invitation, which can also be said for (instant grat track)
Private Show. A ditsy cute track with Britney singing about well, a Private Show (what else on a Britney album?) with somewhat powerful, somewhat strange vocals, the song is packed full of personality.. and all the quirks of a cutesy Britney track “Twerk it, Work it boy watch me work it, slide down my pole….” Phew.
Man on The Moon - The second of new tracks from the album. And its everything ANY TRUE Britney fan could of asked for. Not too similar on the material on Britney or In The Zone - Man on The Moon is a fun tropical, midtempo/ballad with Britney singing about meeting her ‘Man on The Moon’. Its a cute throwback and one of the albums strongest tracks which warms up to-
The beautiful dance tropical rhythms of
Just Luv Me. Britney's best song in probably almost a decade! A vulnerable, whispery Britney paired with a strong dance beat, great lyrics, complete with steel drums and synths. Just Luv Me is the definition of HIGHLIGHT, and is one of the albums best songs. It must be a single.
Next up are the remaining two iTunes grat songs,
Clumsy &
DYWCO - which as with Private Show sound even better than they did before within the context of the album..
Slumber Party the albums most urban track, a scorching sexy mid-tempo complete with trumpets, a reggae tinged island style instrumental that wouldn’t sound too out of place on a Janet or Ciara album. Its absolutely a HIGHLIGHT and is definitely single worthy.. Britney sounds great throughout with some really great ad-libs throughout..
Just Like Me is next up and again its a cutesy themed track, full of personality with Britney singing about a lover that cheated with a girl that looked just like herself.. Its a cute laid-back track, with desperado type guitar verses and chill electro chorus. At only 2.45 its a cute track. Again vocals shine throughout. They are strong, clear and decisive.
Britney has never sounded so present..
Next comes up the BRILLIANT
Love Me Down.. A Gwen Stefani type track, not dissimilar to the island tones and vibes of Just Luv Me. The pre chorus is straight from Britney heaven which effortlessly dissolves into a hard hitting, thumping, pulsating chorus which is sure to sound great on anyones party playlist. Another HIGHLIGHT.
Hard To Forget Ya is about Britney showing another side combining different vocal techniques over a hard hitting strut beat that sounds like it wouldn’t be too out of place on a catwalk.. With all the oohs and ahhs you would expect and a bridge to die for. Hard to Forget Ya is another win.
Moving forward to
What You Need, And it comes increasingly evident that Britney’s vocals are in the best condition they have been in years. The track gives gospel with all its organ chords, drum snares and a organic band feel and wouldn’t be too out of place on an Amerie album. The track proves if nothing else, how matured Britney has become, which is clearly one of the themes of GLORY. Its a good album track.
Better brings back the tropical beats of Man on The Moon and Just Luv Me and is another HIGHLIGHT. Whispery vocals, a smooth instrumental.
Liar is another standout, with its desperado, orchestral backing track, great lyrics and chants throughout.. It almost sounds like something you’d expect from Kylie in her latter years.
If Im Dancing is a glittery, perfectly produced pop sensation. Maybe not for everyone, but definitely has a cutesy vibe, great lyrics and is the kind of track thats become a staple on a Britney album.
There are almost no words for the album closer that is
Couture Electrique (Blackout in French). Delivered entirely in French with a beat reminiscent of the aforementioned album. Its an album closer that will leave you completely scalped even if you can’t understand a word. GREAT OUTRO.
SUMMARY
GLORY if nothing else demonstrates just how innovative Britney is as an artist (as if any reminders were needed after the masterpiece that was Blackout). And if any reminders were needed there are tracks on here that not only establish Britney as a real contender amongst her younger peers in 2016, but it also reestablishes her as the ONLY Princess of Pop. With writing credits on 7 of the tracks and a burning presence that is felt fully throughout the entire set, Britney not only sounds totally revived she sounds relaxed, comfortable, confident, fiery, seductive and not only extremely focused in delivering a cohesive album that is true to her sound, but in delivering musical excellence, a thrill ride for the senses and a yearning ache to rewrite the last 10 years of her life and make the follow up Blackout always deserved. Glory is THAT album and more. Its the return of Britney bitch. Its the return of
Britney Spears.
HIGHLIGHTS
Invitation, Make Me, Man On The Moon, Just Luv Me, Slumber Party, Just Like Me, Love Me Down, What You Need, Better, Liar.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Change Your Mind & Couture Electrique