While many-a-Britney Spears fan will point to the singer’s lengthy catalog of hits as reason why she has “nothing to prove,” 2016’s reality – nearly 20 years into her storied career – spells of quite the contrary.
At one time the diva, even at her worst and most “absent,” was still able to shift units on the strength of her name alone. 2013’s ‘Britney Jean’ brought evidence of the opposite, delivering with it the first time the stageblazer rightfully missed the top of the Billboard 200 on the premiere week of an album release (see: Eagles/Billboard drama during ‘Blackout’ era). Granted, most will defend the misstep by citing her Vegas residency as reason it was not properly promoted, but others took the failure as indication her popularity had finally begun waning.
Fast forward to 2016, post her history-making run in Las Vegas and a redemptive Billboard Awards performance, “forgiveness” in the court of public opinion may have very well been granted if critical response to the singer’s 9th album, ‘Glory’ (in stores today), is anything to judge by.
Based on the set’s first releases – ‘Make Me’ (featuring G-Eazy), ‘Private Show,’ ‘Clumsy,’ and ‘Do You Wanna Come Over’ – some worried the pop diva’s nonary effort was set to crash and burn. However, upon the set’s full unveiling early this morning, critics are singing quite a different tune – some even citing it as her best effort since 2007’s underrated, game changing ‘Blackout’:
As the positive reviews come rolling in, we won’t know until tomorrow what the predicted commercial response will be. What we want to know is if you – That Grape Juice faithful – will be joining the number of critics singing the singer’s praises. In other words:
P.S. We definitely know two people who won’t have to answer the question above as they’ve been deemed the winners of That Grape Juice’s ‘Glory’ competition. Congratulations to: