Britney's 'Glory' is all about getting what you want from men
You've probably seen the "If Britney made it through 2007, I can make it through today," meme. White text overlays the the now infamous photos of a freshly bald Britney Spears attacking a car. Now it's so pervasive you can purchase a variety of mugs with the message on Etsy. A decade later, Spears' late aughts mental breakdown is quaint.
Spears has spent most of her career since promising to deliver a comeback album, and Glory is certainly a delight.
This is an album from a woman who has been through a lot of bullshit, but Britney's not complaining. She's stronger (and wiser) than yesterday, and now it's nothing but her way.
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Glory is a joyful celebration of the female gaze -- men exist to please and admire her, as they should. When Britney demands, "raise my roof," it is an honor. "Do You Wanna Come Over?" is essentially three and a half minute long "u up?" text that celebrates sex as a mutually beneficial transaction. Let's be real, horny Britney has always been phenomenal.
Men are fairly disposable on Glory. If they don't give Britney what she wants, she's happy to move on, because she's not afraid of demanding what she wants.
Like the sun-drenched cover, Britney's pretty chill across the 17 tracks, which maybe should have been whittled down. The airy album opener, "Invitation," sets the tone.
On 2013's Britney Jean, her most recent and least successful album, Spears and the writers and producers on board, including will.i.am and Sia, seemed insecure. The result was a weird mix of songs that either tried to overcompensate for whatever they felt Britney lacks -- whether that be vocal talents (fair) or hipness with the young people (Who, by the way, worship Britney. Haven't you heard the '90s are back?)
Being a divorcée on the prowl suits her.
This is Britney Spears, people. Why focus on what she isn't instead of taking advantage of what she is? She became an international superstar as the girl next-door with a wild streak, and after some time in between, she's all grown up. Being a divorcée on the prowl suits her. Ballads are over, slow jams are in.
Glory makes good use of the freaky flourishes that made "Toxic" one of her best songs, defining the direction of everything's she's done since.
One of the best songs, "Clumsy," is also the most self-aware. "Oops!" exclaims Britney, reminding the listener that she has, indeed, done it again.
She knows her worth, and if you don't, it's not her problem.
Songs like "What You Need" have a rockabilly flair that fit in naturally with her Southern charm. "That was fun!" declares Britney when it's all said and done, accurately assessing the situation. In 2016, Britney who seems to have finally outgrown the need for a conservatorship, is less about relying on anyone in particular, especially a man, to get her kicks. She knows her worth, and if you don't, it's not her problem.
Glory ends with "Coupure Électrique," which Spears sings entirely in French, because why not? Las Vegas has its own Eiffel Tower.
The song title translates to blackout, which is the name of Britney's underrated 2007 album -- she knows what she's doing more than people are willing to give her credit for.
Topics Music Celebrities
Tricia Gilbride was a Reporter for Mashable Watercooler. Tricia focused on the intersection of celebrity culture and the Internet. Previously, she worked as a fashion writer and a social media manager. She also edits Women-Artists.org, a blog and annual print publication, and looks exactly like her cat.
