For all its criticism and commercial non-performance, 2013's "Britney Jean" wasn't THAT bad. It was too short, had its fair share of filler, and even a turgid ballad ("Perfume"), but we're still talking about it, aren't we? It was memorable enough to remain in the public consciousness when Brit Brit announced her ninth album, "Glory", in the summer of 2016. The resounding worry of this record being worse than "Britney Jean" was palpable. What was also heavily felt was the doubt of "Glory" returning Spears to the pinnacle of pop. Despite a hugely successful Las Vegas residency (and two number one hits), the 2010s have not been kind to Britney. None of her albums have cracked one million in sales, she ceased to have top ten hits after 2011, and when she tried to shake things up with the Iggy Azalea-assisted "Pretty Girls" in 2015, it flopped. Big time. Such embarrassments are detrimental to pop stars in their early careers, let alone veterans of the industry well into their 30s. Indeed, the pressure for "Glory" to live up to its name was high.
It's interesting, then, to see "Make Me..." chosen as the lead single; a spacey, relaxed almost-ballad featuring a verse from G-Eazy. It was produced by Burns, an electronic producer already prominent in the UK. This is the closest "Glory" gets to high-thread producers, other than Mattman & Robin, who helm thee tracks overall ("Do You Wanna Come Over?", "Slumber Party", and "Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortes)". Cashmere Cat, Mischke, Nick Monson, and Tramaine "Young Fyre" Winfrey pick up most of the production duties (with cameos from Bloodpop and Andrew Goldstein). Based on these credits, it certainly appears like Britney is genuinely trying to expand her sound, while retaining enough pop appeal to please her longtime fans. On occasion this works--the deliriously fun "Clumsy", dreamy "Invitation", upbeat "Man on the Moon"--but "Glory" most often stumbles over its modernity. Witness the utter disaster that is "Private Show", a top contender for the worst song Spears, or anyone else, has ever performed. Other tracks like "Love Me Down", "Liar", and "Just Like Me" rely too much on their heavy-handed Hip-Hop, and not enough on Britney's still intact on-record charisma. The Las Vegas influence comes out on "What You Need", but its organs and bombast are too much for Spears to handle. Her signature thin vocal doesn't protrude through thick pop gloss that is drizzled through most of "Glory", and it unfortunately can't muster up enough memorable or even hooky melodies to keep a listener in its orbit. Of course it's admirable to hear Britney trying on different styles and moods, and the absence of will.i.am and Max Martin isn't felt (or missed). There's also a real sense of effort here--writing and singing a song all in French ("Coupure Electrique")?! You go Brit Brit--which is a relief considering how rushed and unfulfilled "Britney Jean" seemed to be. Overall, though, "Glory" more or less provides the same amount of strong songs as its predecessor, while still playing to Spears' lingering bad habits. This is not a "comeback" record for sure, but at this point in her career, it might be too much to ask for anything more.
Recommended Tracks:
"Invitation"
"Clumsy"
"Better"
"Coupure Electrique"
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