Jump to content

Femme Fatale (Britney Spears album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Pikiwyn (talk | contribs) at 10:04, 21 March 2011 (correcting according to source). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Untitled

Femme Fatale is the upcoming seventh studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears, set to be released on March 25, 2011 by Jive Records. The album was recorded between 2009 and 2011, with frequent collaborators Max Martin and Dr. Luke serving as the project's executive producers. "Hold It Against Me" was released as the lead single from the album, peaking atop of the charts in seven countries, including the United States and Canada. The album's second single, "Till the World Ends", premiered on March 4, 2011 on Ryan Seacrest's radio show and was released the same day.

Background and development

In June 2010, during an interview with Rap-Up, Danja commented that he was working with Spears in the pre-production of Femme Fatale.[3] Darkchild, who was also reportedly working with her, said during a Ustream session in August 2010, "Britney fans are gonna be so happy in a few weeks", hinting about the release of new music. However, this was denied by Spears's manager Adam Leber, who stated, "No new music news right now....Wish people wouldn't mislead you guys with BS info. Not cool! PS- The guys that ARE working on Brit's next album ARE NOT talking about it..."[4] Leber later spoke with Entertainment Weekly, calling the sound of the record "progressive" and "a departure from what you've heard."[5] In November 2010, Dr. Luke announced that he would be the executive producer of Femme Fatale, along with Max Martin.[6] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Spears explained that she had worked with Luke during the production of Blackout (2007), stating that "he was incredible back then and he has only gotten better over the years. About Martin, she commented that "he has been there since the beginning so there is such a huge level of trust. [...] There is nobody I feel more comfortable collaborating with in the studio."[7] On December 2, 2010, the day of her 29th birthday, Spears thanked her fans for the birthday wishes and announced, "I'm almost done with my new album and it will be coming out this March. I AM IN L-O-V-E WITH IT!"[8] Following the announcement of the album's title and cover on February 2, 2011, Spears said about Femme Fatale,

"I've poured my heart and soul into this album over the last 2 years. I've put everything I have into it. This album is for you, my fans, who have always supported me and have stuck by me every step of the way! I love you all! Sexy and Strong. Dangerous yet mysterious. Cool yet confident! FEMME FATALE."[9]

Recording

Spears spoke to V about the sessions for Femme Fatale, commenting that she had been recording the album for two years.[10] She explained that her idea initially was to make an album that was "fresh-sounding [...] for the clubs or something that you play in your car when you're going out at night that gets you excited, but I wanted it to sound different from everything else out right now." Spears also stated that she wanted to make sure Femme Fatale was completely different from Circus (2008), and that the album felt "really connected from start to finish."[7] After "Hold It Against Me" was written, originally, Luke and Martin wanted to give the track to Katy Perry, but they later decided that "it definitely wasn't a Katy Perry record." They continued to work on the song with Billboard, and Luke commented that before giving the song to Spears, "I wanted to make sure it didn't sound like everything else I've done".[11] Darkchild stated that while working with him, Spears was very "hands-on" and "had a lot of ideas for me."[12] He later commented he had produced two songs for the album, with one of them featuring Travis Barker. Darkchild added that the song "[has] this rock feel which is out of the box, out of my norm, and I think it's out of her norm as well."[13] On February 8, 2011, Spears tweeted she was in the studio with will.i.am. He described the collaboration as "a monster. It's mean, pretty, edgy, next level. [...] She's singing fresh over it. It's something that today needs."[14] Spears later commented that she is a fan of the Black Eyed Peas, and would love to work with will.i.am again the future.[7] She also explained that she discovered Sabi through a friend recommendation, and had always wanted to feature a new artist in one of her albums, hence they recorded "(Drop Dead) Beautiful".[7] Luke spoke to Rolling Stone about the direction of the album on February 2, 2011, commenting that the final tracklist had not been chosen. He added, "We're in the middle of it right now. [...] We're working with a lot of producers and overseeing it with her A&R and record label and management and trying to make something cohesive."[11] William Orbit confirmed he had co-written a track for Spears with Klas Åhlund, but it was left off the final track listing.[14]

Composition

On February 10, 2011, Spears described Femme Fatale on a Twitter chat as "moody, edgy pop with A LOT of energy" with "a few mid-tempos that could be considered ballads".[1] In an interview with the V she further commented on the album stating, "I wanted to make a fierce dance record where each song makes you want to get up and move your body in a different way. That’s what I want from the music I listen to. This record is for the clubs, or something you play before you go out at night. It’s definitely my edgiest and most mature sound yet. [...] There are songs on this album that don’t sound like anything else and are completely revolutionary, but I also believe that this album expresses where I am today as a woman and is an evolution of who I am. [...] I think Femme Fatale speaks for itself. [...] I think it’s the best album I have ever made. There’s nothing to say. I’ll let the music speak for me."[10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Digital Spy[15]
Rolling Stone[16]
Slant Magazine[17]
American Noise[18]

Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone pointed out that Spears's vocals in most of the songs are being processed and robotic, but said that Femme Fatale "may be Britney's best album; certainly it's her strangest. Conceptually it's straightforward: a party record packed with sex and sadness."[16] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine explained that Spears's lack of involvement makes "The success of a Britney song rest almost entirely on the quality of other people's songwriting and production, and almost every track on Femme Fatale succeeds or fails on that basis." Cinquemani then went on to name "How I Roll" and "Trip to Your Heart" the best songs of the album.[17] Robert Copsey from Digital Spy rated it 5 stars and went to say that: "Femme Fatale ultimately feels like the post-Blackout comeback we were waiting for, with this time we're joining her at an altogether classier venue, locking arms and ushering the barman for a round of raspberry Mojito's before throwing some serious shapes".[15] Josh Becker of American Noise gave the album 4/5 stars and called the album "catchy and joyous" and that Spears made an album that never tries for Top 40 radio accessibility but achieves it on the merits of its charms". [18]

Release and promotion

On February 2, 2011, Spears announced the album's title through her Twitter account, and also posted an image of the album cover.[9] Following the announcement, the title became a trending topic on Twitter, and then went on to become the tenth longest-running trend on the site, as well as the first music related trend to break the top ten. Spears tweeted, "Can't believe Femme Fatale has been trending 6 days. You guys are my motivation every single day. I love u all!"[19] Femme Fatale is set to be released on March 29, 2011, primarily in a standard (soft pack/wallet packaging) version, and a deluxe version (expanded soft pack with additional booklet pages), which will feature three or four additional tracks. A premium fan edition will also be released, including a limited edition 32-page hardcover photo book, the deluxe edition CD with exclusive artwork, a 7" vinyl picture disc with "Hold It Against Me" and the full album digital download on the street date.[20] Spears shot the artwork on January 28, 2011.[21] Promotion for the album will be met with "a major TV event to launch [it]" and a TV campaign, which will feature a variation of spots. The promotional rollout will extend to advertisements from the Internet to the side of taxicabs, a "LGBT/Lifestyle campaign," and worldwide online fan contests.[21] On February 10, 2011, during a Twitter chat, Spears confirmed she would make promotional appearances, and also hinted about a tour, commenting that "I would [love] to visit a lot of places I didn't get to go to on my last tour."[1] On February 25, 2011, Spears announced she would be performing a concert on The Castro, San Francisco at Good Morning America on March 27, 2011 with the performance airing the following Tuesday, March 29. In addition to her performance on Good Morning America, Spears is also set to make appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the 2011 Kids' Choice Awards.[22] She also confirmed a US tour starting in summer 2011 to further promote Femme Fatale.[23]

Singles

"Hold It Against Me" was released as the lead single from the album.[24] After a demo version of the song performed by songwriter Bonnie McKee was leaked, the finished version premiered on January 10, 2011.[25][26] It was released as a digital download the following day. Most reviewers praised the song, although some criticized its lyrical content.[27] "Hold It Against Me" debuted at number one in Canada, Belgium Wallonia, Denmark and New Zealand, as well as on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, where it became her fourth chart topper as well as made Spears the second artist in history to have a multiple singles debut at number one, after Mariah Carey.[28] The accompanying music video was released following a two-week promotional campaign of teasers. The video features Spears as a pop star who fell from space to find fame on Earth. There, she becomes overwhelmed by the pressures of being a celebrity and breaks down.[29] "Till the World Ends" premiered on March 4, 2011 on Ryan Seacrest's radio show[2] and was released as the second single from the album on the same day.[30]

Track listing

The track listing was confirmed by Spears' official website.[2]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Till the World Ends"Alexander Kronlund, Kesha Sebert, Lukasz Gottwald, Max MartinDr. Luke, Martin, Billboard3:57
2."Hold It Against Me"Gottwald, Martin, Mathieu Jomphe, Bonnie McKeeDr. Luke, Martin, Billboard (co.)3:49
3."Inside Out"Gottwald, Martin, Jomphe, McKeeDr. Luke, Martin, Billboard3:38
4."I Wanna Go"Martin, Savan Kotecha, Karl SchusterMartin, Shellback3:30
5."How I Roll"Christian Karlsson, Henrik Jonback, Magnus Lidehäll, Pontus Winnberg, Nicole Morier, McKeeBloodshy, Jonback, Magnus3:36
6."(Drop Dead) Beautiful" (featuring Sabi)Ester Dean, Jeremy Coleman, Jomphe, Benjamin Levin, Joshua ColemanBenny Blanco, Ammo, JMIKE, Billboard3:36
7."Seal It with a Kiss"Martin, Henry Walter, Gottwald, McKeeDr. Luke, Martin, Dream Machine3:26
8."Big Fat Bass" (featuring will.i.am)William Adamswill.i.am4:44
9."Trouble for Me"Heather Bright, Fraser T. Smith, Olivia WaitheSmith3:19
10."Trip to Your Heart"Karlsson, Jonback, Lidehäll, Winnberg, Morier, Sophie SternBloodshy, Jonback, Magnus3:33
11."Gasoline"Emily Wright, Martin, Gottwald, McKee, Levin, Claude KellyDr. Luke, Benny Blanco3:08
12."Criminal"Tiffany Amber, Martin, SchusterMartin, Shellback3:45

Deluxe edition

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Up n' Down"Martin, Kotecha, SchusterMartin, Shellback, Oligee3:42
14."He About to Lose Me"Rodney Jerkins, Ina WroldsenDarkchild3:48
15."Selfish"Mikkel Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Sandy Wilhelm, Dean, Traci HaleStargate, Sandy Vee3:43
16."Don't Keep Me Waiting"Jerkins, Thomas Lumpkins, Michaela ShilohDarkchild3:21
Japanese deluxe edition bonus track[31]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Scary"Smith, Kasia LivingstonSmith 

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition(s)
Netherlands[32] March 25, 2011 CD Sony Music Deluxe
Denmark[33]
Norway[34]
Australia[35]
Greece[36] March 28, 2011 CD, digital download
Mexico[37] CD Deluxe, Premium Fan
Poland[38] Eco, Standard, Deluxe, Premium Fan
United Kingdom RCA Records Standard,[39] Deluxe Edition (With Fragrance)[40]
United States March 29, 2011[41][20] CD, digital download Jive Records Standard, Deluxe, Premium Fan
Brazil[42] CD Sony Music Standard
Philippines[43]
Finland[44] March 30, 2011 Deluxe
Japan[45]

References

  1. ^ a b c Vena, Jocelyn (February 10, 2011). "Britney Spears Talks Lady Gaga, New Album During Twitter Chat". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d Reporter, Cassie (March 3, 2011). "Press Release: New Song 'Till the World Ends' & Femme Fatale Tracklisting". BritneySpears.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  3. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 2, 2010). "Britney Spears To Release New Music Very Soon, Producer Teases". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  4. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (August 4, 2010). "Britney Spears' Manager Clears Up Rumors About New Music". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  5. ^ Svetkey, Benjamin (October 1, 2010). "Britney Spears: On Her Way Back to the Top?". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  6. ^ Dinh, James (November 1, 2010). "Britney Spears Producer Dr. Luke Calls Singer 'An Amazing Vehicle'". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d Knopper, Steve (February 17, 2011). "Britney Spears On Her New Album, Her Favorite Music and Working With will.i.am". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  8. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (December 2, 2010). "Britney Spears To Release Next Album In March". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Nissim, Mayer (February 2, 2011). "Britney Spears reveals album title". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  10. ^ a b V, Mr. (March 1, 2011). "V Magazine / Britney Forever". V. Visionaire. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Knopper, Steve (February 2, 2011). "Exclusive: Britney Spears' Producer Dr. Luke Reveals 'Femme Fatale' Details". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  12. ^ Vena, Jocelyn; Warner, Kara (February 28, 2011). "Britney Spears 'Very Hands-On' For Femme Fatale, Rodney Jerkins Says". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  13. ^ Montgomery, James (February 28, 2011). "Britney Spears Works With Travis Barker For Femme Fatale". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  14. ^ a b Montgomery, James (February 9, 2011). "Britney Spears Collabo Is 'A Monster,' will.i.am Says". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  15. ^ a b Copsey, Robert (March 14, 2011). "Music - lbum Review - Britney Spears: 'Femme Fatale' - Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  16. ^ a b Rosen, Jody (March 14, 2011). "Femme Fatale by Britney Spears". Rolling Stone. Jann Wenner. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Cinquemani, Sal (March 11, 2011). "Britney Spears: Femme Fatale". Slant Magazine. Keith Uhlich. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  18. ^ a b http://americannoise.com/album-review-britney-spears-femme-fatale
  19. ^ Naoreen, Nuzhat (February 9, 2011). "Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Twitter Trend Keeps Rolling". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
  20. ^ a b "Pre-order 'Femme Fatale' Premium Fan Edition". Jive. Jive Records. February 4, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
  21. ^ a b Dinh, James (January 28, 2011). "Britney Spears Sets March 15 Release Date For New LP". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
  22. ^ http://www.britneyspears.com/2011/03/britney-gears-up-for-till-the-world-ends-video-and-femme-fatale-performances.php/%7Ctitle=Britney Gears Up For 'Till The World Ends' Video and 'Femme Fatale' Performances
  23. ^ Turner, Sadao (March 4, 2011). "Britney Spears Talks New Album, Toned Boyfriend & Upcoming Tour (AUDIO)". RyanSeacrest.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  24. ^ "Britney Spears Set To Release New Single "Hold It Against Me" On Tuesday, January 11th". Jive Records. January 7, 2011. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  25. ^ Amos Barshad (January 6, 2011). "Britney Spears's New Single Is Here! Sort Of!". New York. New York Media Holdings. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  26. ^ Turner, Sadao (January 10, 2011). "Listen to Britney Spears' New Single "Hold It Against Me" [Audio]". RyanSeacrest.com. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  27. ^ Reporter, AOL (January 10, 2011). "Britney Spears' Critics Not Holding Comeback Song Against Her". AOL. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  28. ^ Trust, Gary (January 19, 2011). "Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Debuts Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 19, 2011.
  29. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (February 18, 2011). "Britney Spears' 'Hold It Against Me' Video: The Key Scene". MTV Newsroom. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 18, 2011.
  30. ^ "Till the World Ends – Single by Britney Spears". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
  31. ^ "Femme Fatale(1 Bonus Track)(CD) - Britney Spears - Popular Rock - Rock & Pop - Music - HMV ONLINE Online Shopping & Information Site".
  32. ^ "FreeRecordShop.nl: Femme Fatale - Britney Spears - CD". Freerecordshop.nl. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  33. ^ "Femme Fatale - Spears Britney - Musik". CDON Group. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
  34. ^ "730.no.: Femme Fatale: Britney Spears: Music". 730.no. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  35. ^ "Chaos.com.au: Femme Fatale: Britney Spears: Music". Chaos.com.au. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  36. ^ "Η Britney Spears Παρουσιάζει" (in Greek). Sony Music Greece. March 4, 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  37. ^ "Mixup: FEMME FATALE". mixup.com. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  38. ^ "FEMME FATALE RELEASE IN POLAND". empik.com. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  39. ^ "Amazon.co.uk: Femme Fatale: Britney Spears: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  40. ^ "Britney Spears - Femme Fatale (Deluxe Edition With Fragrance)". Play.com. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
  41. ^ "Amazon.com: Femme Fatale: Britney Spears: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  42. ^ "Femme Fatale - Britney Spears (Brazil release date)". livrariacultura.com.br. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  43. ^ "Sony Music Philippines". Sony Music Philippines. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  44. ^ "Spears, Britney : Femme fatale - Levykauppa Äx:". lexykauppax.fi. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  45. ^ "Sony Music Online Japan : ブリトニー・スピアーズ : ファム・ファタール". Sony Music Online Japan. March 3, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Femme_Fatale_(Britney_Spears_album)&oldid=419946859"