Ask Billboard

Hi Keith,

 

I'm just wondering if you have any updates on the long-rumored Britney Spears album that is supposed to be released this fall. As a long time dance-pop fan, Spears' album really is the most anticipated release on my list this year. I've heard all kinds of rumors and rave reviews in the media mainly from producers who have worked on it, but there doesn't seem to be any confirmation from Spears' record label as to a release date.

 

I know Britney did some kind of video shoot a few weeks ago, but with all the press she gets, nothing relates to her music. I'm really hoping you have some insight as to when a new single is scheduled to drop or any other information on her upcoming fifth album!

 

Thanks,

 

Alexandra Ramzan

Los Angeles

 

Hello Alexandra,

 

There's a reason why Spears' record label hasn't confirmed a release date for Spears' forthcoming album. There isn't one.

 

Gina Orr, a publicist with Jive Records, says that there is nothing currently scheduled for release from Spears. Does that mean Spears' album isn't on its way? Nope. Jive simply doesn't have it on its released schedule yet.

 

Source: billboard.com

I'm not really that surprised, Jive didn't set up an official release date for "In The Zone" until September of 2003, and it was released the second week of November...

I guess it's not all that surprising to me either. November is still about 3 months away and why should they be in a hurry to schedule an exact release date when they usually get moved around anyways?

this is seriously desperating -_-

This may sound a little out of turn and probably a bit hypocritical because I am really looking forward to new Britney material.

 

However, in my opinion this is all being rushed. To me it looks like one day when Britney realised her marriage was over she thought "....hmmm, well the marriage I swore would work ended in tears like everybody warned me, I know i'll do a new album!" and she's just kind of doing it to "pass the time" so to speak. [Go on, feel free to stone me.]

 

I actually wish Britney would wait. I wish she would get herself out of the damn tabloids [Come on people don't say "well she can't" there's plenty of huge stars that manage to keep a low profile], really keep a low profile, get herself into shape properly like working out regularly, growing her hair back, getting back into the normal routine she goes through before releasing an album and really come back and stun everyone.

 

Like I said initially, I really can't wait for her new album because I do think she's an icon, but it's all just a bit half-arsed for me, this may sound rather rude to everyone but if her new video premieres in the next few weeks - the first time I see it I will just think "there's a bald chick that's only known as tabloid fodder under that wig", because that is really what she has become.

 

I really do hope for her sake, and the sake of music in general that she really does just back off for a while, lay low, sort herself and wow everyone like we know she can instead of just rushing something out to shut up critics when in reality doing something that she isn't ready for is only going to tarnish her reputation and get her tonnes more criticism which I simply don't think she's mentally prepared to take in at the moment.

This may sound a little out of turn and probably a bit hypocritical because I am really looking forward to new Britney material.

 

However, in my opinion this is all being rushed. To me it looks like one day when Britney realised her marriage was over she thought "....hmmm, well the marriage I swore would work ended in tears like everybody warned me, I know i'll do a new album!" and she's just kind of doing it to "pass the time" so to speak. [Go on, feel free to stone me.]

 

I actually wish Britney would wait. I wish she would get herself out of the damn tabloids [Come on people don't say "well she can't" there's plenty of huge stars that manage to keep a low profile], really keep a low profile, get herself into shape properly like working out regularly, growing her hair back, getting back into the normal routine she goes through before releasing an album and really come back and stun everyone.

 

Like I said initially, I really can't wait for her new album because I do think she's an icon, but it's all just a bit half-arsed for me, this may sound rather rude to everyone but if her new video premieres in the next few weeks - the first time I see it I will just think "there's a bald chick that's only known as tabloid fodder under that wig", because that is really what she has become.

 

I really do hope for her sake, and the sake of music in general that she really does just back off for a while, lay low, sort herself and wow everyone like we know she can instead of just rushing something out to shut up critics when in reality doing something that she isn't ready for is only going to tarnish her reputation and get her tonnes more criticism which I simply don't think she's mentally prepared to take in at the moment.

Although that is really, how do I say it....'offensive' to many Britney fans, I 100% understand your opinion. The 1st paragraph however -_- (you saw how that would come across) But I agree though, with when you say that she should wait a while, properly 'grow' back to what she properly is. However, would you not think, that no matter what she does she will always be in the public eye? I mean even her walking out in daylight gets her snapped by the paparazzi. She is, no mattter what, always going to be in the public eye. It's the media's consistent source of news. But, I see exactly where you are coming from, and nice that you have backed up your view ^_^

 

In my opinion, JIVE never officially set a release date for 'In the Zone', like Tyler said they roughly said September '03, but didn't release till November <_< . I think the best bet for Britney fans is to update on her album with official release dates, and not rough guesses. Hopefully, it will be in the Autumn, but if not, we'll have to wait, there isn't anything we can really do.

Although that is really, how do I say it....'offensive' to many Britney fans, I 100% understand your opinion. The 1st paragraph however -_- (you saw how that would come across) But I agree though, with when you say that she should wait a while, properly 'grow' back to what she properly is. However, would you not think, that no matter what she does she will always be in the public eye? I mean even her walking out in daylight gets her snapped by the paparazzi. She is, no mattter what, always going to be in the public eye. It's the media's consistent source of news. But, I see exactly where you are coming from, and nice that you have backed up your view ^_^

Thanks. ^_^

 

I do know what you mean God does that girl get hounded, but even people who used to be in the tabloids constantly like Cher, has completely shut herself away in order to get rid of the press. Come on it's not like Britney is short of a quid or two, it's not like she can't get someone to go and get her some milk. I just really think it's in her best interest to keep herself well out of the limelight, sort herself out and then absorb all of the attention she will get from the press when she is indeed ready to return, and I mean ready in every sense of the word.

I honestly think the music is not half-assed at all, and I am confident that the album is amazing. I do agree that her image is not what it needs to be right now. She needs to dissapear for a couple of months and let people miss her image wise as well as music wise. I think the album would still be succesful if it were released this year, but if she waits a bit longer and begins to get GOOD PR starting now and until then it could be a massive success.

I do agree with you Kelly and I don't think many would actually find it all that offensive. I mean it's all pretty true so what can you really say.

 

I don't know if many people understand this but she has actually been recording for quite a while now. I really don't think the album was being rushed and she's worked with SO many talented producers. I'm sure Britney has worked on a number of songs already and has got so many great ones to choose from.

 

It is pretty agreeable though that if the album is released later on it would probably still be a good thing for her. If she tried to clean up her image before the album release then that would be a great thing.

Ah, goodness..dates seem to be moved around for releases all over the place..I can wait as long as it takes, hopefully by the time November rolls around, we will see a new album.

Ah, goodness..dates seem to be moved around for releases all over the place..I can wait as long as it takes, hopefully by the time November rolls around, we will see a new album.

 

hope for that too :D

I honestly think the music is not half-assed at all, and I am confident that the album is amazing. I do agree that her image is not what it needs to be right now. She needs to dissapear for a couple of months and let people miss her image wise as well as music wise. I think the album would still be succesful if it were released this year, but if she waits a bit longer and begins to get GOOD PR starting now and until then it could be a massive success.

I understand you have huge faith in Britney HO dear, but you can't say you honestly think the music isn't half arsed when you haven't even heard any of it yet. ;)

 

I do agree with you Kelly and I don't think many would actually find it all that offensive. I mean it's all pretty true so what can you really say.

 

I don't know if many people understand this but she has actually been recording for quite a while now. I really don't think the album was being rushed and she's worked with SO many talented producers. I'm sure Britney has worked on a number of songs already and has got so many great ones to choose from.

 

It is pretty agreeable though that if the album is released later on it would probably still be a good thing for her. If she tried to clean up her image before the album release then that would be a great thing.

Yeah I heard she's working with some amazing producers and stuff which is always a good thing, but I think if she has some amazing material coupled with her fragile image the album will do quite well. However, if she waits until she's utilised damage control and is all sorted out I think it will do even better.

 

I know what you mean about her trying to clean herself up, but in reality Jive and Britney are rushing to release the album by the end of the year, which probably means a November release, and I honestly don't think that's enough time for Britney to repair the damage to her reputation. It's quite the rollercoaster, because you see her looking good, happy and doing normal things which gives you hope, but then the next day you hear she's crippled a photographer with an umbrella or something. It's like 1 step forward, 2 steps back if you get what I mean.

I'm kinda thinking a great comeback album is just what Britney needs to help turn around the bad press and get her back on track. The promo and work surrounding the album will give her something else to concentrate on other than partying or maybe hurting her image even more.

I'm kinda thinking a great comeback album is just what Britney needs to help turn around the bad press and get her back on track. The promo and work surrounding the album will give her something else to concentrate on other than partying or maybe hurting her image even more.

Agreed, I think it will definitely be part of the healing process for Britney. However I think one of the troubles she will have is that every interview she will give will focus less on the album and more on her state of mind and her side of the events of the last 6 months.

Wow, that would be a nightmare. :( I'd hope she can just make it positive and hopefully she'll become a pro after so many of those interviews! :D

Edited August 13, 200717 yr by Music Maniac

I agree with Dylan, a hit song will make up for all the bad...look at Mariah Carey :o :P

I agree with Dylan, a hit song will make up for all the bad...look at Mariah Carey :o :P

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig difference. :P

 

Yeah Mariah probably had the press as bad as Britney had it, however between Charmbracelet and Mimi, Mariah actually did shut herself away and keep herself out of the limelight. :P Then look how things turned out for her. ^_^ See what I mean? :P

True, I agree with you on the most part... BUT, I feel that we are underestimating her ALOT, and that she is doing alot better then the tabloids portray her to be. I don't know if you remember but ALL throughout the "Britney" era and the "In The Zone" era there was NOTHING but bad publicity from the tabloids. They have always been against her and it isn't going to stop anytime soon. However, her hit singles and great albums have always kept her more on the positive side when it comes to the public eye, but considering that she hasn't released a NEW album in almost 4 years, there is nothing positive for fans or spectators to rely on, minus the tabloids.