Entertainment

Everything We Know About Britney's New Album

by Amy Roberts

If, like me, the wondrous back catalogue of Britney Spears is your music of choice after a few too many glasses of white wine, then the fact that Britney announced the release date of her new album, along with its title and artwork, on Twitter, is as amazing news to you as it is to me. Bearing the spirited name of Glory, Spears' new album is scheduled for release on August 26, and, if the glowing, alluring cover art for the album is anything to go by, it's going to be hot. In the lead up to the release, information concerning the track list and its overall sound has been hinted at and teased via interviews with several people involved in the production. So what can fans expect from Britney's new album? Do we know anything about it at all?

Why yes, yes we do. In fact, we probably know more about it at this point than you'd think. With the first track from the album, "Make Me" having been released in July, it's comforting to know that Spears hasn't changed her overall sound at all. The song brings some seductive summer vibes and sex positive empowerment to the table, and I can only hope that Glory will be just as sumptuous and poppy as her previous works (and perhaps twice as fierce).

But what else can we expect? Here's everything we know about Glory so far:

1. The Album Will Feature The Song "Private Show"

In July, Spears released the commercial for her new perfume, Private Show, which featured (you guessed it) a teasing glimpse at the song. Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Tonight, the singer confirmed that the song will feature on Glory,

'Private Show' is inevitably a sexy song and it promotes feeling sexy and girls feeling alive and I think that’s fun for girls.

Considering that "Make Me" is also undoubtedly a song which celebrates women owning and celebrating their sexuality, it could be that Glory is an album built around this concept. After all, what's more glorious than feeling comfortable with your sexuality and having fun with it?

2. It May Take Inspiration From The Weeknd

In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun podcast, Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph implied that her new album might sound like The Weeknd, by stepping up its musical vibes to deliver the same seductive R&B and poppy nuances,

It’s different, it’s a turn. The last few albums have been pretty straightforward pop. This is almost like if you can imagine Britney meets The Weeknd. It’s got a really interesting vibe, it’s a lot of really cool stuff.

I can totally hear it in my head, and it sounds amazing. If Glory does happen to sound anything like The Weeknd, then Spears' vocals will perfectly slay that sound.

3. Britney Thinks Glory Features The Best Music She's Made In A Long Time

Back in March, Spears gave an insightful interview with V Magazine in which she discussed the development of her upcoming album, and how it might defy expectations of her — in a good way. Stating that she wasn't "rushing anything" and wanted it "to be done right," specifically to please her fans, she elaborated:

Honestly, I’m just particular with this record. It’s my baby, and so I really want it done right. I would much rather have it be completely how I want it to be, whether that takes another year for me to do, or two months. I have no idea at this point. But I just know that the direction I’m going in is so good. It’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time. I’m proud of the work, and it’s very different; it’s not what you would think at all.

4. DJ Mustard Has Produced A Song For It (And It Sounds Cinematic)

Back in 2015, R&B and Hip Hop music producer DJ Mustard (who produced several songs on Rihanna's Anti), announced to ThisIsMax that he'd been collaborating on a song with Spears for her new album. In the interview, he described the process as being, "Harder than hard. It's a movie." A later interview with Billboard saw him describing the track as being "a super big hit" and a "motion picture." Color me intrigued, fella. With all these terms being thrown around comparing the song to some kind of cinematic oeuvre, I can't help but wonder whether such a tune has been developed for the endgame of a massive music video release. Anything that will allow us to enjoy throwback vibes to Crossroads, I beg of you.

5. The Album May Feature Some Supreme Songwriting Talents

Back in July 2015, Idolator announced a studio session between Britney and the esteemed songwriters Ian Kirkpatrick, Simon Wilcox, and Chantal Kreviazuk. Kirkpatrick is notable for having worked on some of Jason Derulo's biggest hits (like "Want to Want Me"), Wilcox was a contributing songwriter on Nick Jonas' colossal hit "Jealous," and Kreviazuk has co-written songs with artists like Jennifer Lopez and Gwen Stefani. So far, so very pop perfection right? But it gets better.

In October 2015, Spears also collaborated with hit British songwriter Burns (who has written for Ellie Goulding) and the amazing Mischke (who has worked with Little Mix and, astoundingly, Michael Jackson). Then, just to throw an entire box of damn cherries on top of that already perfect cake, the pop star sent fans hearts racing when she posted a picture to Twitter of her in the studio with hit makers Justin Tranter and Julia Michaels.

If you're currently sat there bellowing, who? at your screen, then let me explain them in terms you'll definitely understand: Justin Bieber's "Sorry", Gwen Stefani's "Make Me Like You" and Selena Gomez's "Hands to Myself." That's right: they're the unstoppable songwriting duo behind those songs. I think it's safe to say that Spears is in safe hands with all these guys, right?

Like, let's just be honest about this right now — Glory is going to be phenomenal, right guys? I believe in Spears, first and foremost, but, if all of the buzz, production details, and the first few glimpses of songs are anything to go by, then this album is going to be something else. I'm definitely getting a few bottles of white wine in for August 26 in preparation of its arrival.

Images: Giphy (3)