Blackout revives Britney’s career, say insiders

ON HER new CD Blackout, Britney Spears acknowledges that 2007 has not been a charmed year for her.

“I’m Mrs Bad Media Karma — another day, another drama,” the 25-year-old pop princess croons to a thumping dance groove on the song Piece of Me.

“Another day, another debacle” might have been a more apropos lyric. In just a year, Spears has become the ultimate case study for the When Celebs Go Bad file. She has been an out-of-control party girl, landed in rehab, lost temporary custody of her two young sons, given a horrendous performance on live TV, and even been arrested.

But despite her litany of woes, Blackout — out in the US and Britain— may be the one positive note in an otherwise dreadful year. So far, it has earned her a top 10 single on both sides of the Atlantic — with Gimme More — and some of the best reviews she has had for some time.

Could Blackout be the break Britney needs?

Industry insiders, fans and some critics are saying yes.

“One of the problems for Britney right now is that the public is more focused on her personal life than her music.

“This record is an opportunity to change that,” said Rolling Stone executive editor Joe Levy.

Nate “Danja” Hills, who produced four songs on dance-focused Blackout, said: “A lot of people are tired of hearing about the negative stuff going on in her personal life and they’ll gravitate to the new sound she’s putting out. This is a rebirth. It’s a new musical chapter for her.”

Ms Spears, who turns 26 in December, has not released an album of original material since 2003’s In the Zone. Since then, she’s been relegated to the tabloid realm of celebrity.

Gimme More was the top-selling digital song on the week of its release, and Spears losing custody of her two toddlers a week later didn’t slow sales.

Ryan Schinman, president of Platinum Rye Entertainment, said of the new album: “I’d be shocked if this didn’t go platinum.”