My Review. Worked on this for a bit. Hope you like it.
*I reserve the right to edit this if I change my mind and/or find new things to say*
From start to finish, Femme Fatale is one of Britney's most cohesive albums in recent memory. It takes the euro dance Britney started on "In The Zone," the urban pop explored on "Blackout" and merges them into a feel good album full of synth beats, dub step and electronic goodness that makes you go, "Woah is this Britney?"
1.
"Till The World Ends"
The track opener breaks the trend of Britney's lead singles being the first track on the album. On the first listen, one might accuse this Dr. Luke production (which also features Max Martin and Billboard) of being generic. Penned by Ke dollar-sign HA, this infectious tune starts off with a simple beat, and grows with intensity as the song plays on. The "Woah Oh Oh Oh oh Oh" chorus is perfect for the clubs and radio. It's addictive, and just when you think that's it, the second chorus kicks in with "See the sunlight, we ain't stoppin, keep on dancing till the world ends. If you feel it, let it happen, keep on dancing till the world ends" breathes new life into the song.
Rating: 8/10
2.
"Hold It Against Me"
Britney's vocals on this are powerful, sassy and sexy. Give this song to someone else it and wouldn't have the same umph that Britney gives it. Perfectly tuned to her vocals, the production on this song is just as equally brilliant as Britney. The dub-step break sounds out of place, but still works for the song. The final chorus explodes as the music builds to a furious crescendo, then ends. No fade out, just ends. It was the perfect BUZZ single (I stand by my belief that HIAM was a buzz single) to get Britney's name out there again after taking a year off from releasing new music.
Rating: 8.5/10
3.
"Inside Out"
This song gives me thoughts of Blackout like no other. The urban beat and dub-step comes HARD, with Britney gives just the right amount of sex in the vocals. You can hear the slight sadness in the verses as she sings about the pending breakup with her lover. The pre-chorus builds the sexiness as she's affected by her lover as he touches her. The chorus gives a "throw caution to the wind" feel as hooks up with the guy one more time. The lines "Hit me one more time it's so amazing" and "You're the only one who ever drove me crazy" is a treat for longtime fans, referencing Brit's older hits. If you think about it, this could be the final chapter in the story of "...Baby One More Time," "You Drive Me Crazy," and "Stronger."
Rating: 10/10
4.
"I Wanna Go"
Britney taps into her inner Madonna and Kylie Minogue on this track. You'll find yourself dancing to this song from beginning to end. It's a playful song about going out and letting loose. Who doesn't like taking out their inner freak? It's cute without being childish. I love it. Cannot get enough. Addictive chorus, playful lyrics and brilliant production make another standout track.
Rating: 10/10
5.
"How I Roll"
The music and production reminds me of Blackout's "Hot as Ice." The arcade-like video game sounds in the verses sets it apart from the other tracks as a standout, simply because you will remember the music apart from the rest. The tune is catchy, lyrically it's juvenile but fantastic at the same time. Britney checks out during the chorus, which gives the song its playful appeal. Oh, and "You can be my **** tonight..." is PERFECTION.
Rating: 7.5/10
6.
"(Drop Dead) Beautiful"
Britney flirts with her inner rapper on this track. Let's get one thing straight, Britney did the talk/rap bit BEFORE Ke dollar-sign Ha so please stop making comparisons. If you don't believe it, listen to "Early Mornin" and "Brave New Girl" from In The Zone, and "Freakshow" and "Toy Soldier" from Blackout. Another hard hitting urban-pop song from Brit, this mixes the grind pop, dub-step and euro dance to perfection. The addition of newcomer Sabi works well, and gives the song the extra kick it needed. The verses remind of Lady Gaga's "Paper Gangster" and the chorus similar to Christina Aguilera's "Desnudate".
Rating: 8.5/10
7.
"Seal It With A Kiss"
Another fun track that has Britney playfully teasing a guy who wants her. Britney is never better in her delivery as she croons "When you look at me, there is no mistakin'. Like telepathy, I know what you're thinking." It's the ultimate come hither boy; let's keep our tryst a secret. The dub-step breakdown feels more in place on this track than HIAM, and helps slow down the mood of the track, only to kick it back into gear for the final chorus.
Rating: 9/10
8.
"Big Fat Bass"
This is one of those songs you'll either love or hate. You'll either love it because it's Britney and you love her, or you'll hate it because it's a will.i.am track and you hate him. The song is repetitive and is standard will.i.am fare, but there's also something special about the track that sets it apart from other songs produced by the Black Eyed Peas front man. That something special is Britney. Yes, Fergie could sing this song. Rihanna could sing this song (she'd be great on it actually), but none would bring that special X-factor to it the way Britney does. Her delivery makes this song. It is heavily auto-tuned and ordinarily that would be a negative, but it works for the futuristic sound. It is a track unlike Britney would perform. It's one of the weakest, yet one of the most addictive tracks.
Rating: 6/10
9.
"Trouble For Me"
I consider this the sequel to Circus' "Trouble." On "Trouble" she sang about all the reasons why she was bad for her guy, now on "Trouble For Me," she sings about how he's bad for her, but it doesn't matter because he's a hell of a person to be around. With its country-like lyrics, dub step and euro pop sound, "Trouble For Me" should be a cluster**** of a track but it's not. Again, because of the person singing it. The production is also flawless throughout the track. Frasier T. Smith showed his ass on this track.
Rating: 9/10
10.
"Trip To Your Heart"
This track gets everything right, that didn't go right on Blackout's "Heaven On Earth" and Circus' "Unusual You." For an album criticized by some as having no "substance," this song is a great ode to how someone special makes you feel. Flawless production with sweet vocals from Britney. One of my favorites (and I didn't think I'd like it).
Rating: 8/10
11.
"Gasoline"
Another highlight for the album. Lyrically it's nothing special, full of clichés and otherwise cringe worthy similes and metaphors, but again, Britney and the production keeps the song from falling into an abysmal category. Britney uses her falsetto as she sings as she sings, "You set me on fire, you set me on fire..." giving the track the extra boost of vocal difference needed on the song.
Rating: 9/10
12.
"Criminal"
A great closer, "Criminal" is one of the album's best songs. Though I am reminded of Madonna's "Miles Away" every time I listen to the song, it also holds onto its own identity. Britney's vocals have never been better. Full of flutes and guitars and an addictive backbeat, Britney's vocals are stripped away. No auto tune, no crazy production, no futuristic sounds. It's a pop-rock song that I've wanted Britney to make since she first experimented with it on her debut album. Criminal’s semi-autobiographical in the sense that Britney's singing from personal experiences. Who hasn't loved someone who wasn't good for them? I know Britney is known for her dance music, but this track shows Britney CAN sing and if she wanted to, could make an album full of pop-rock songs.
Rating: 10/10
Final assessment: “Femme Fatale” is the drunken love-child of “In The Zone” and “Blackout.” It develops on the foundation “Circus” explored, but builds a much better and more cohesive product, delivering much better material. Blackout was an album that was Britney’s best for sure until now. Blackout’s strongest tracks were weighed down by the fillers and Britney’s “here but not there” vocals. It’s clear the production is what caused Blackout to be a hit, but on Femme Fatale, Britney’s vocals are above the production. Her confidence is back, her playfulness is back…one could say Britney’s back, but in my opinion, she never left.
If you want an album full of expressive and sappy ballads, songs on the dangers of the world and how we’re fine just the way we are, than this album isn’t for you. Lyrically it’s as basic and basic gets. But you never have listened to a Britney album for that have you? The auto-tune is used in the right way on the album, done for effect, not to cover faulty vocals or a less-than-enthusiastic presence. There's nothing "genre defining" or "game changing" but who says each album needs to have that? Britney explores at her own pace and she does it well. Britney served up what she does well
This will please the fan base, bring new fans and introduce Britney to a new audience. Some might have a problem accepting the new Britney, but I for one can’t get enough.
Overall Score: 8.6/10
that'd be awesome!
Can't stop´listening!!