(Spears, Karlsson, Winnberg, Jonback, Lewis, J. Que)
Album: Blackout
Wub wub wub wub. Wub wub wub wub. Did Britney bring dubstep to the mainstream? Critics certainly took notice of this quirky, wobbly number when Blackout landed in late October 2007. While Spears only wrote a couple songs on Blackout after penning most of In the Zone (she exerted creative control instead by serving as executive producer for the album), she does have writing credits attached one of the best and most innovative moments on the album. On “Freakshow,” Spears uses her now trademark speak-singing over a thumping beat, layering some throaty vocals over the bridge and chorus. Per its title, it’s appropriately bizarre and completely mesmerizing in its wacky wonder. Spears’s voice is pitched and warped throughout, often beyond recognition. Historically, “freak shows” shocked and amazed viewers, usually at the expense of those in the exhibition. It’s exploitation to the max, so it serves as an apt comparison to just a night on the town for Spears, the world’s most gawked at and scrutinized celebrity. The song masterfully captures the weirdness the lyrics evoke, but Britney makes it clear that she is the one calling the shots here. Yet another Blackout track that bucks convention, the song (though not a single) has lived on in several of Britney’s most recent tours. And may it continue to shine in all of its weird glory for years to come.
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