Britney Spears 3 - shit or hit?
28 comments | Published by Olly Meakings |
Normally when we review music we’ve had time to refine and hone our expectations. Then the track fails to deliver or surpasses them, and is quickly and shoddily labeled shit or hit (more shit than hit recently, as regular visitors will know) But the new Britney song? No such luck. Infact the arrival of 3 in our email inbox this morning (yes, we’re lucky enough to hear it in glorious high quality) came almost out of the blue. We say almost, because we did hear Britney was once again working with Baby One More Time hitmaker and pop powerhouse Max Martin.
So new track 3. We wanted it to be big, we wanted it to be brave, we wanted it to be life changing, we wanted it to be epic (and we call everything epic). After all It’s Britney, bitch. And? Well on first listen we were massively disappointed: derivative, unstructured and totally unmemorable despite being repetitive. And worse than all that? The return of the frothy helium verses reminiscent of Brave New Girl and I’ve Just Begun (Having My Fun) that are officially our least favourite thing about Britney. Well, just after the totally random vocodored male voices that she adds willy nilly to start of every track. Yes, we said willy nilly. And don’t get us started on the manufactured vocals. (okay, so there’s a few things we don’t like).
But then, after a few listen it’s actually all started to fall into place. And turns out it’s a quite good track. No, not Slave For You or Baby One More Time good. Not even Get Naked (Got a Plan) good. But it’s an electropop stomper with some nice surprises including an incredibly epic middle 8 - and a massive dance-y last third that sounds like a throwback to the last few tracks on the Britney album. Infact it’s a bit like the Babes’ Get Sexy‘s slightly better-styled older sister. And whilst at first, the song is quite empty and thin sounding, as it races towards the end, the bass kicks and the song is lifted.
And then there’s the lyrics. Not content with being a musical romp, it’s also a lyrical slutfest of a track that sees Britney extolling the virtues of a good old three in a bed encounter. Are you in? Loving in sin is the new thing. And isn’t the Get Naked, Breathe on Me overtly sexual Britney, everyone’s favourite fast-approaching 30 mother of two?
So it’s not all bad, and as a not all-bad Britney song it still pisses over nearly every other pop song released this year. It’s just one day we want a new Britney song that can take pride of place on her illustrious CV, unvocodered, melodic, anthemic and without the bells and whistles (aka attempts to lose Britney’s vocals in the mix at whatever the cost) that blemish her current output, rather than one that can be filed under “quite nice track to round-up the singles collection”. The worrying thing is, with so many incarnations from virginal to slutty via way of total mental breakdown we’re pretty convinced even Britney herself isn’t sure about who she is or where to go next, and that’s never going to be a good starting point for GREAT music. In fact her whole persona is as manufactured as the vocals on the track and that leaves us slightly cold.
We also can’t help but think that after her lackluster performances at her Circus tour, which we witnessed first hand, would Britney be happier at home with a packet of fags, some wotsits and America’s Got Talent on the box. We wanted to put a giant rant about Britney’s potential vs delivery here, but you’ve heard it all before on our recent Cheryl Cole and Sugababes shit or hits. In short: great expectations lead to big disappointment :-(
Oh well, at least it’s not a ballad eh?
What do you think Britney Spears 3 shit or hit?
What do you think of 3 by Britney Spears? What's your favourite Britney song?
Aaron Moorhouse
I think it’s brilliant! Britney Spears always makes good music - she’s the new Queen Of Pop (Sorry Madge but you’re turn is coming to an end now!). I love the whole concept of the song, the beats, the vocals and her sexy cover!
“3” Will be a huge hit if Britney promotes it well, thats why If U Seek Amy and Radar didn’t do too well because she didn’t promote them - apart from in her Circus tour.
I love it and cannot wait to buy it as a single and then in her The Singles Collections on the 24th November.
Lexandriii
isn’t it obvius ? Hit Hit Hit ... why did you guys lose time asking that ?
Matt
Hit! Definately!
Hiago
HIT HIT HIT HIT *____*
rick
this song is insane, awesome and it’s rocking on internet!!!! #britneyspears3 on twitter
Paaty
HIIIIIITT *--*
Andrey
Oh my God! I’m sure that “3” will be a Hit, if Britney have to promote it well. This track is so fucking awesome =D
Poppy
OMG this is sooooooooo good!!! Britney is the best!!!
Sean
HIT!!! I liked this immediately, but the second time I was in love! I can’t wait to buy it! Definitely a #1 for Britney!!
123
it is a computer voice it SHITE
ro
Brilliant and a definite smash hit!!!!!
Katie
Brit Brit your song is sooo good! I Love it! You are the Queen of Pop!
alice09
HIT! Love It :D
Fav Britney Song.....Erm Toxic Or Everytime :D
xx
L
its a pretty bad song (no offence) but i like the beats and its super catchy....so id say its a hit!!!
dan
i think its not as good as her old songs. but i still love it! hit!!
Robotits
I’m really suprised teen today wrote that about this song! 3 really is a Hit Hit Hit Hot Hot Hot Hit!!
PARANEL
Major Hit.
Olly aka the boss
Wow, so many comments already. Thanks. It’s now growing on me and starting to sound a lot more structured. I’ll add a footnote if my opinion changes. Don’t forget to follow us on http://www.twitter.com/teentoday x
santi
probably one of the bestt songs, out there right now so catchy and soo dancebale i love it
emilzac
NEW #1 HITS IN BILLBOARD!!!
Asher20
1, 2, 3… HOT! HIT!
Pascale
It’s definitely a 1,2,3.......................HIT....a BIG HIT!!!
Sean
LOVE it. And to keep mentioning whether a mother should be singing this sort of music. She’s an ENTERTAINER. Angelina Jolie can go be anything she wants to in a movie and still be respected because she’s an entertainer. It’s the same principle. The beat is sick. The lyrics are pushing the boundaries. And it’s just an awesome track. Also, her 2nd leg of the US tour was FAR from lackluster. She really stepped up her game and gained much more confidence. After being through hell and back she finally found her way. If you go in expecting shit, you’re gonna come out with shit. If you go in expecting gold, you may surprise yourself. I did the latter and am very satisfied and LOVE the track.
Olly aka the boss
Hi Sean, is it good as Toxic, Baby One More Time, Slave 4 You or Stronger?
yen
i was a britney fan back then but i’m dissapointed in her for soo long after her oops i did it again album..i don’t like her music anymore..its not catchy as it use to be...its just overrated nowdays..
Craig
I have to assume you guys all have poor taste in music, how is this song a hit? my girlfriend played it about 5 times tonight and it was just annoying, so repetitve, just finding lots of words to rhyme with “3” doesn’t make it a hit.
Guess it’s helps if you are a teen which i aint.
RuiPSOliveira
THE WORST SHIT I EVER SEE
THIS VIDEO IS SO SO POOR… THE MUSIC IS OK, BUT THE VIDEO OM
“BAD ROMANCE” GONNA BE THE HIT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACm9yECwSso&feature=player_embedded
SO CREATIVE, SO SCARY, SO COOL, SO REFRESHING, SO GAGA!!!!!
I love that ARTIST
(yes LADY GAGA is ARTIST! britney is just computer and playback!)
lovelloydxx
brill song love it