(November 21) "Britney Jean" album listening party and reviews of the album

JUSTJARED REVIEW OF THE ALBUM:

Britney Spears debuted some new songs from her upcoming album Britney Jean at an exclusive listening party on Thursday (November 21) and JustJared.com was in attendance to get you all the details!
The 31-year-old singer played five songs in total, two of which have already been heard by fans online – “Perfume” and “Alien.”
About her song “Alien,” Britney said, “we have moments when we feel alienated, shy, or nervous. That’s what the song is about.” It’s her fave song on the album. Will‘s too. She also mentioned that “Perfume” is a “vulnerable song.”
Click inside for details on the new songs played, some sample lyrics, and more…

• “It Should Be Easy” – The song features will.i.am, who was on stage with her for the event. The song is an uptempo dance track and here are some sample lyrics: “Baby, love/ it should be easy/ it shouldn’t be complicated/ I don’t know how else to say it/ la da dee/ la dee duh”
• “Don’t Cry” – This is a mid tempo song and here are some sample lyrics: “Hide my tears, dry my eyes/ don’t need to see me cry/ pack my bags … / I’ll be yours, I’m out the door”
• “Tik Tik Boom” – This is the song featuring T.I. Here is how the hook of the song goes: “Baby make me tik tik tik tik tik tik boom”

Britney said that a lot of the songs have to do with the break-up that she experienced this year with longtime love Jason Trawick. Cameras were rolling the whole time – they’re filming a documentary and have been for the past few months. On stage with Brit and Will was Bravo’s Andy Cohen.
While songs were playing, Britney‘s assistant came up to the stage and held up a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper with a straw in it. Before sipping into it, she laughed, smiled, and said, “I feel so weird.” She also noted during the event that her favorite snacks in the studio are sushi and skittles!
ARE YOU EXCITED for Britney Spears’ upcoming album Britney Jean?


BREATHEHEAVY REVIEW OF THE ALBUM:

Britney Spears answered questions and played several songs at her “Britney Jean” album listening party at Will.I.Am’s studio Thursday evening, and BreatheHeavy.com was there to enjoy every pulsating minute of it.

Host Andy Cohen (swooon) kicked it off (while “I Am Britney Jean” cameras were rolling) with a few questions about what makes this album so personal for her. She says she went through a lot this year with her breakup with Jason Trawick, and “Perfume” is a great reflection of that.
Andy intro-ed the first song of the night: the William Orbit-produced track, “Alien.”
Britney whispered to Andy that’s her favorite track off the album! She says fans can relate to “Alien” because sometimes we all feel “alienated, shy, or nervous.”
“Don’t Cry” sounded great in the 30-second snippet that leaked earlier this week, but it doesn’t do the full track justice. The bass is super heavy, upfront vocals and a killer intro.
Another banger was “It Should Be Easy” feat. will.i.am and Robo-Britney (in a good way). The breakdown is sick and very electro-pop; a perfect track to jam to at any afterparty in Vegas. They’ll provide the fog, strobe lights and alcohol. You bring the sunglasses.
Probably the most impressive track of the night was “Tik Tik Boom” featuring T.I. and produced by Antony Preston – you could definitely see Britney’s face light up during this song as she shook her shoulders; Will.I.Am could not sit still through it.
Britney told the audience she’s a pretty shy person and that it’s a little awkward hearing her own music in front of a group of people while sitting on a stool – she told Will.I.Am earlier in the night she’d rather perform it instead.
She’ll get that chance starting December 27 in Las Vegas! Great job tonight, Brit & Will (& Andy).

EONLINE REVIEW OF THE ALBUM:

Britney Jean really is Britney Spears' most personal work yet.
About 100 people gathered for a listening party tonight for Brit's upcoming eighth studio album, where they were treated to a preview of "Alien," "Perfume," "Tick Tick Boom" featuring T.I., "Don't Cry" and "It Should Be," featuring will.i.am, who hosted the event at his Hollywood studio.
"It's my most personal album," Spears said. "I went through a breakup this year and a lot of the album has to do with that."
In between tracks, Andy Cohen moderated a chat on a makeshift stage with Spears and Will.i.am.
The pop princess called herself a "perfectionist" about work.
"I love what I do so I have a hand in everything that I do," she said.
The 31-year-old showbiz veteran also revealed her favorite snack foods while recording—sushi and Skittles!
Spears looked fab. Her signature blond hair was down and fell over her shoulders. She wore tight black pants, a sleeveless black shirt and black heels.
She said of the new album, "I want people to listen to it and be inspired."
Britney Jean goes on sale Dec. 3. Its first single, "Work Bitch," dropped in mid-September.
Earlier this month, Spears released "Perfume," the second single from the album.
"'Perfume' is incredibly special to me because it hits close to home, and I think the story is relatable to everyone," the pop princess told me exclusively at the time. "Everyone's been through an insecure moment in a relationship that's left them vulnerable and I think this song captures that."
About three weeks after Britney Jean drops, the mother of two will launch her two-year residency, Piece of Me, at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

MTV REVIEW OF THE ALBUM:

The pop superstar hosted an intimate listening party in Los Angeles on Thursday night, playing four never-before-heard tracks from her highly anticipated álbum.
Britney Spears went back to basics Thursday (November 21) with an intimate listening party for her new album, Britney Jean.
Decked in black and white, Spears, executive producer will.i.am and panel moderator Andy Cohen blended right in with the futuristic and minimalist West Hollywood venue — complete with white walls and black lights. Classic Spears hits, including "...Baby One More Time" and "Womanizer," put the crowd of about 100 journalists and industry insiders in the mood for some new fare, and appropriately prepped the group for Spears' new-yet-delightfully familiar sound.
Time and time again, Spears has said that Britney Jean is "one of my most personal albums to date" — a sentiment she reiterated once more, confessing that "a lot" of the material was influenced by her breakup from ex-fiance Jason Trawick. But fans might be surprised to hear what actually fueled the new album. Asked by Cohen about her recording studio snack of choice, Spears didn't have to hesitate. "I like sushi," she said. "Sushi and Skittles."
Her superstar work ethic certainly didn't hurt, either. Without naming names, will.i.am recalled working with countless hard-partying artists who hang around the studio for hours, often with an entourage, without recording anything of value. "Britney's the total opposite," he said.
Spears played four never-heard tracks for the room, plus her latest single "Perfume," which she described as a "vulnerable song." Looking past the lyrics, "Perfume" is a rare gem in Spears' repertoire. With her vocals front and center, the song is synthesizer free and chock full of emotion. "We wanted to treat her vocal as the main character of the song," said Will.i.am.
But for fans eager to hear more club-ready bangers from the pop princess, fear not: "It Should Be Easy," featuring vocals from will.i.am, delivers with thumping beats, synthesized vocals and a dance-ready groove. As does the smash "Tick Tick Boom," featuring T.I., which —much like the title —sneaks its way towards a supersonic climax in the chorus. Both tracks demonstrate Spears' ability to truly excel on her uptempo material, and will have longtime Britney fans dancing like it's 2003.
But it's not all party jams on Britney Jean. "Alien" is a midtempo but powerfull follow-up to 2007's "Piece of Me" that chronicles Spears' life in the spotlight. "We all have moments in our life where we feel a little alienated," Spears said of her fame. On the chorus, the singer assures listeners that they're "not alone." And on the breakup anthem "Don't Cry," the 31-year-old tells the story of saying goodbye to a lost love. "I'll survive," she sings, but "you don't need to see me cry."
Overall, Spears hopes that her eighth studio album is an inspirational listen. "I want people to listen to it and be inspired," she said, "to work out and have a good day." For his part, will.i.am promises that Spears "brought her supreme best" to the project, contributing heartfelt lyrics and delivering "beautiful melodies." "Take the time and listen to this album," he urged fans. "It's a beautiful piece of work." Britney Jean hits shelves on November 29.