Officially confirming rumors that have been circulating since the beginning of the year, Britney Spears announced a two-year residency at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Tuesday. While the “surprise” announcement on Good Morning America was anything but surprising, the singer did reveal new details about her upcoming album and Vegas stay.
"Work Bitch," the first single off her still untitled eighth studio album, reached the coveted No. 1 spot on iTunes in more than 35 countries within 24 hours of its release. The single's success isn't surprising. After all, Spears is one of the top-selling female artists in history.
The disappointment lies in Spears's own promise to the public to deliver her most personal album to date but instead releasing a heavily produced track by Will.i.am that consists of more talking than singing about, well, working. Lyrically, the song leaves a lot to be desired. Much like last year's collaboration with Will.i.am on “Scream & Shout,” the recipe to the hit appears to be incessantly repeating the same couple of words backed with a psychedelic beat.
This isn't to say that the song isn't a hit, because it is. Spears and Will.i.am are chart-topping veterans and know how to work a bass. What the song lacks in lyricism, it makes up for with its overall whimsicalness. It simply doesn't deliver on the promises made by Spears, but the rest of the album showcases a more personal side.
When asked what she wrote about for the album, Spears uncharacteristically opened up on Good Morning America, saying that it stemmed from her relationship with Jason Trawick. The two were engaged for more than a year and split in January. “Breakups suck, man,” Spears said, later revealing the album will contain at least one ballad.
Spears's last studio album, 2011's “Femme Fatale,” didn't include any ballads. The new album will be released on Dec. 3, the day after the star's 32nd birthday.
December will be a pivotal month in the singer’s career as she begins her residency at Planet Hollywood. With 50 shows planned for each year, Spears’s two-year stay will be a divine pop takeover of the Vegas Strip. The name of the show, “Britney: Piece of Me” is a nod at the star’s single that spent 20 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100. She has declared she will incorporate both her greatest hits and new material in every performance.
Spears’s first show is on Dec. 27, with tickets going on sale this Friday. Among the VIP packages offered is the option to meet Britney and get a picture with her. That offer alone is enough to drive any Britney fan to Sin City.
Reach the reporter at jurgiles@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @MrsMathers94
