Circus

Britney Spears fans can come out of hiding to loudly and proudly exclaim, "I love Britney!" without feeling embarrassed. The young pop singer's album, Circus, reminds everyone of why Britney rose to the top of fame in the first place. The 13 track album marks Spears's comeback as songs like "Womanizer," "Circus" and "If U Seek Amy" top the charts. The beats and lyrics of those three songs are rhythmic and declare the princess of pop, or "queen of pop" as a newscaster in her songs announces, as the most wanted woman. Once again, Spears allows everyone to step into her world and become hypnotized by her music, whether you want to or not.

This is the first Britney album I have been able to completely listen to and enjoy in a really long time. Most of the CD has songs that will have you moving to the tempo of the music and belting them out. Before you reach the end of the songs, you will at least know the chorus, due to a signature repetitiveness Spears provides. Sound bad? It's not. The repetitiveness in the songs is the signature of pop music and what keeps you tuned throughout the CD.

Most of the songs are high energy, with three clearly being ballads that remind you of the Britney Spears we met in "Baby One More Time." Songs like "Out from Under" and "Blur" are especially reminiscent of her earlier teenage voice, singing of boys. With "My Baby," we hear a more mature Spears, whose vocals have strengthened and real emotions are felt throughout the melody.

Like the message she sends in many of her songs, "Kill the Lights" and "If U Seek Amy" make Spears the aloof queen bee who knows you want her. In "Kill the Lights," she is directly singing to a photographer and more realistically painting a portrayal of her celebrity status. "You don't like me; I don't like you it don't matter. The only difference you still listen I don't have to. In one ear and out the other, I don't need you. I'm not perfect but you aren't either." It's true.

Then there's "If U Seek Amy." Only Britney could have gotten away with a song like this. It's what we have come to expect from her after her "good girl gone bad" transformation. It's one of her most clever songs and it balances out well with the rest of her music. There are a couple of songs you can skip after listening to them half through, but otherwise, Spears surprises. Much of the music is the same from past releases, but there is a new edge to the singer. Everyone has been waiting to see if Britney would make it out alive, and she did...by coming out on top.