The Unrecognized Genius of Britney's 'Blackout'

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In this video, we dissect the rollercoaster of a year that was 2007 for Britney Spears, and delve deep into the creation and aftermath of her iconic album, 'Blackout.' We all remember the infamous head-shaving incident and the other intensely personal moments of Britney's life that were so publicly displayed. Yet amidst this chaotic backdrop, she birthed 'Blackout,' a pop masterpiece.
This was not a stereotypical celeb confessional or a mainstream cash-grab attempt; instead, 'Blackout' was an eclectic, gritty, and daring compilation of pop music that dared to redefine the genre. With the use of groundbreaking vocal effects and new technology, Britney changed the landscape of pop music, leaving an undeniable imprint on current pop stars from Charli XCX to Taylor Swift.
Despite the album's fleeting moment in the limelight, its influence continues to ripple through the music industry to this day. Yet Britney's narrative is often only truly seen in hindsight, with the shifts in public opinion mirroring the personal struggles she's faced.
This video is not about Britney's trials, but rather the pivotal moment she leaned into her artistry, using her music as an escape and refuge from a relentlessly scrutinizing world. 'Blackout' represents a 'Free Britney,' a figure who was unafraid to express herself through music that resonated with authenticity and strength.
Join me as we revisit this iconic era, delving into the creation, impact, and lasting legacy of Britney Spears 'Blackout.' This video is a testament to Britney's resilience and influence as a trendsetter and tastemaker in pop culture, proving that her mark on the music industry is irrefutable.
kws: Britney Spears, free Britney, Britney Spears book, blackout, video essay, swiftologist, pop masterpiece, Britney Spears impact, pop culture analysis, Taylor swift, Lana del rey, slayyter, Charli xcx, mind your business, Britney Spears paparazzi, every time

[@SpeakMoew]

"embarrassingly out of shape" with 6 pack abs, toned arms and legs. The misogyny was so blatant. I appreciate your explanation of it being glorified voyeurism.

[@theswiftologist]

so gross & such insane beauty standards in the 2000s lol

[@Red-kn9ch]

Would love more on Britney! Some ideas: the media treatment(more in depth), her lost album(Mona Lisa), her influences on todays pop star.

[@theswiftologist]

so true this is a deep well of content

[@BgcBad]

This was such a thought provoking video and I was all the way here for it. Britney Spears as a performer is always going to be young with the perfect looks and body. We as a society cannot seem to distinguish the difference between Britney the person and Britney the performer. You can’t expect the two to be the same.

[@berrygirl111]

i recently relistened to the whole album and now ur posting a video essay about it?? love the video as always

[@reverendB]

This is my first time watching your channel. The depth of research you do is incredible. I'm a fairly new Britney stan. I learned a LOT from this.

[@theswiftologist]

thank you for noticing :) I hope you'll subscribe!

[@reverendB]

@@theswiftologist Already done!

[@TheAngelOfDecember]

Thank you so much for this analysis! So interesting😊 blackout is the most iconic pop album of all time. And piece of me has been my favorite "you don't even know me" - song, it is truely a piece of britney.

[@ktp1699]

I LOVE these videos! your journalistic talents really shine when you do these deeper dives and talk about these larger societal issues. And we need to keep talking about the treatment and expectations of women, esp young women, in the entertainment industry. As someone who was around during this time period- Britney’s treatment was both distributing but also normal. People actively celebrated the down falls of young female celebrities. And people were so invested in her virginity while also sexualizing her. It truly was a disturbing time.

[@juliagarrison1305]

I look forward to your review of Britney’s upcoming memoir.

[@theswiftologist]

me too

[@danno1375]

I always remember reading an article about her 2007 vma performance and they called her “thunder thighs” which is just outrageous. Whats funny and strange is that her body was seen as out of shape back then but would be celebrated in todays society as body positive and “curvy”

[@Its_about_drive_its_about_po]

Those interviews were absolutely horrible, like what was the reason to ask about her virginity? And the fact that everybody laughed like a soundtrack in the background 😭

[@Mrs.Currie]

And I think it was a woman who asked...hard to imagine how she would feel if asked the same question I'm front of a crowd.

[@SpeakMoew]

The leather jacket is such a vibe

[@drinkmoreagua8984]

I’ve never listened to a Britney album but you have influenced me

[@kelly_ypoc1239]

Blackout = Pop Bible

[@yelruhasil]

The Swiftologist is dominating pop culture journalism on yt and I am living for it

[@theswiftologist]

[@mariag.q.1187]

I was thinking the same thing 🎉

[@uravergeswiftie3408]

​@@kristenvanhandel653Kristen...pls pls go away

[@meghansullivan6812]

my fkn favorite yt genre fr

[@cowhidesunglasses]

Agreed

[@marykatedennis3868]

I am always shocked more people don’t talk about Blackout. Not only is it her best album, it’s one of the best pop albums of it’s time.

[@theswiftologist]

tea

[@loretta3556]

That one and Glory ❤

[@Li_Tobler]

Gimme more is such a banger, I remember it like it was yesterday - first hearing it on MTV while getting ready for elementary school and being MESMERIZED and shooketh to my CORE

[@boetvdberg]

Looking at it now, I love how she gave everyone the VMA performance they deserved. Giving them nothing instead of more. Queen behaviour! 🖤

[@theswiftologist]

literally go girl give us nothing as you should

[@ihavequestions8914]

I got that back when it aired live. My immediate thought was "oh she's so over this shit". I loved it then and still love it now.

[@silvermoonies]

Yet people kept asking for more. Give us more, they said. Gimme more! 🤣

[@berbearlol]

Blackout was ICONIC, it lives forever rent free in my brain. It SHAPED ME. 🤣

[@theswiftologist]

tea

[@edenstar196]

Waking up to a Britney swiftologist moment? I’m here for it. Slay 💅🏻

[@theswiftologist]

💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻

[@joncapistrano5583]

Blackout was way ahead of its time. The album is something that could be released today by someone like Charli XCX, and that's a testament to how timeless it feels despite the album being 17 years old.

[@tzui4998]

Young people doesn’t know that it was not ahead of its time… it was the music from this time. This whole ahead of its time makes no sense

[@loganr7108]

i’m gonna be honest, before this video i knew essentially nothing about britney spears. i will definitely listen to blackout and dive into her discography soon. edit: i’ve listened through the album about twice, and i’ve come back to a few songs multiple times. if i was to describe blackout in three words, they would be iconic, sensual, and fun. it is a very good album, and i think it is very well produced, which i wasn’t really expecting. also, i can definitely see how pop stars like taylor swift and ariana grande were influenced by britney.

[@theswiftologist]

ah im so glad!

[@Foxsuper1]

in the zone is more cohesive and britney wrote more on it... my personal fave

[@loganr7108]

@@Foxsuper1 i’ll listen to it when i get a chance!

[@BreakerOfChains219]

Britney doesn’t compare to Taylor or Ariana. Did she even write her own music?

[@loganr7108]

@@BreakerOfChains219 did i say she did? taylor and ariana are my favorites. there were just some songs that reminded me of them. it’s not that deep.

[@landonmillwood180]

Piece of Me has always been my favorite song on the album! The whole album is banger from front to back. It’s truly legendary, and my favorite album of all time. During 2021 with the Free Britney movement, I turned this album on and was hooked. She has an incredible discography!

[@theswiftologist]

sooo true Landon!!

[@Foxsuper1]

all her albums especially after the first two, and not Britney Jean, but the other 6.

[@olivia8465]

Long overdue justice for this album (particularly “Break the Ice”, a true bop)

[@byron.sw__]

no fr bestie , break the ice truly is one of her best x

[@kitchensinkchronicles3272]

ok but i would LOVE more videos about Britney. this was so good!! pop music journalism from someone who actually understands what they’re talking about is something i need more of in my life

[@theswiftologist]

noted and thank you!!

[@epiphaniesss]

I love the fact that this video revindicates britney in a way she'd like. one of the things she criticized about the wave of documentaries about her (like framing britney) was that those would focus on her being a slave with no willpower, without emphasizing her positive highlights of the era. it's not super common to see britney referenced as the craftsman of her own work, and here you debunked a lot of people who dismiss her as an artist. i didn't know how involved she was in the blackout creative process. thank you ❤

[@theswiftologist]

my goal when talking about Britney is always to respect her

[@Cookiefarrer]

I hope you know you are just as iconic as the pop stars you cover. My jaw hit the floor when I saw that you were covering this album. The video did not disappoint 💜

[@theswiftologist]

the nicest compliment ever!!

[@sheeatsfood27]

This is the analysis I’ve been waiting for! Blackout truly is one of the best pop albums of all time, and I am so excited that the Swiftologist is diving into it. 🤩

[@theswiftologist]

hope you loved it!!

[@emptyaisles]

I always admired Britney as she was omnipresent in my childhood, but seeing her being treated so unfairly made me so invested in her in 2006. I became a stan with Blackout and its a pop masterpiece. This is the first video I've seen of yours and truly appreciate everything you covered. My favorite song has always been Get Naked (I Got A Plan). Others include Hot As Ice and Perfect Lover (surprised its not one of your faves), but the album as a whole is so cohesive and a non-skip album for sure. Thanks for your video essay.

[@theswiftologist]

so glad I have other viewers who are as invested in her as I am!!

[@Foxsuper1]

same

[@one_more_chance4694]

She was literally me on any Friday night out with my friends. 😢 Just having fun in our early 20s. I really think she had kids in the hope that someone would let her retire.

[@tvil8]

I had a boss working retail that played blackout for like 2 years straight in the store and all the rap heads would comment how they couldn't believe how sick the production was on her songs. People knew.... they knew....

[@wplants9793]

Lol that sounds like something I’d do ~ play the same album for 2 years

[@antoniaruth3781]

Your videos are SO compelling and for me, as non native-speaker, better than any lesson I could take, cause your choice of vocabulary is so broad 😄 I usually watch you for your analytical Taylor videos, but I found myself equally engaged with this take on Blackout because of the depth of your information and your speaking. I’m honestly impressed that you manage to talk so eloquently without any obvious breaks, how do you do that? 😅

[@theswiftologist]

I love hearing that people are learning English with my videos!! Makes me so happy

[@robertabolliger7841]

So true! Been practicing my English with this channel too lol he’s great

[@Li_Tobler]

@@robertabolliger7841 really, he's so articulate and well-spoken! Icon

[@Rolafairy]

This is the video I’ve been waiting all my life! This album is just dance pop perfection! Literally walked so late 2000s early 2010s edm pop could run

[@theswiftologist]

[@honeymoonfaded]

Zach, there are very few chance you’ll see this comment but before I even start watching the video I want to thank you for making being a fan and a Wikipedia of pop culture cool all around the world, I’ve always felt very stupid that my main interest had always been pop colture but your content flipped my mindset like a coin and it has been life changing. Cheers Zach, you incredible human being😭🫶

[@ChelseaHansen]

Amen! Thank you for this! I loved this album so much and felt like this was one of her best works but it was so clouded by her personal life after it was released. Radar and Oo Oo Baby were my JAMS for years! I love looking back on this time and recognizing what a bad ass she was. So punk!!

[@theswiftologist]

truly a punk ahead of her time

[@alienlove2182]

So excited to see you dive into the other pop holy texts. You have a care and craft to commentary a lot of creators who cover Britney don’t, so I’m really excited to see you dive into this!

[@theswiftologist]

[@danichiong6727]

Blackout is a nostalgic album for me, but I haven’t listened to it in a while! now I MUST revisit

[@theswiftologist]

you must

[@kattaslash4474]

YES IVE ALWAYS BEEN A BREAK THE ICE FAN + the music video 😫😫

[@lonnie6088]

Radar has always been my favorite, so so good

[@theswiftologist]

great choice

[@wplants9793]

Radar is such an earworm! Rare that it was also on Circus

[@zacharyrivas8074]

Blackout is not only my favorite Britney Spears album, but it's also in my top 100 favorite albums of all time!

[@BrunetteGiant]

Listennnnn Blackout is Britney’s best album. I’d say people don’t talk about it enough, but people don’t talk about it at ALL. I’m so glad you’ve done a deep dive on this album, specifically

[@theswiftologist]

justice for blackout!!!

[@heatherlxnn]

I cannot wait for the day Zach drops a book - whatever the genre. His use of language and prose is so pleasing and the attention to detail in these essays is *chef's kiss*.

[@theswiftologist]

[@amandawebster7244]

Black Out was her best album. I loved her book but I loved this in 2007. I bought it in the shadows bc everyone was on my case. Everyone forgot about this but not you. You absolutely nailed this. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[@omarherasme6699]

Great video!! I don't know if anyone agrees but I think Aaliyah's 2001 was also influential for the rnb/pop landscape that occurred in the 2000's. Timbaland's work on that album is amazing, aside from Eric Seats and Rapture Stuart. Timbaland also kept on working with Justin and Nelly, bringing commercial success for all parties involved. And it also brought Danja into working with Britney as you said. But I think that also Aaliyah was ahead of the curve when it came to perfectly mix pop music and rnb.

[@theswiftologist]

I TOTALLY AGREE! Aaliyah was incredibly futuristic

[@ncallaway9731]

It’s so funny hearing ppl say u don’t hear many ppl talk about this album or regard it as one of the best pop albums - because I was there & am old enough since I’m 33 to remember everything clearly and yes while it didn’t perform anywhere near “as well” as her previous albums - it still was well received, it just didn’t get a lot of promo. And I would say by the time 2014-2015 rolled around ppl were regarding it as a classic & I see it getting talked about daily on Twitter for the last 3 years at least

[@tonyivanova7795]

YES JUSTICE FOR BREAK THE ICE! i gasped when i heard you say this was your fav track. Thank you for this video you are a breath of fresh air

[@theswiftologist]

SUCH A GOOD SONG

[@rahichakraborty6941]

Firstly, thank you Zack for such an informative and deep dive video.. and other things are that, about this album, it is my favourite Britney album and being a swiftie there’s just so many relations i have found with this album and my personal favourite Taylor album, Reputation, over the course of time.. Blackout came out in 2007, after media backlash and also personal issues of Britney Spears.. 10 years later, Reputation came out in 2017, also an album that came out of very dramatic events in Taylor’s life.. Both the albums have 15 songs, and the album’s duration is 55:45 minutes.. another thing is that both Blackout and Reputation came out kinda similar time, one in late October and other one in early November… i might be stretching a LOT but these two albums are my personal favourites coming from my very favourite artists so i had to say it..

[@EvieAsgard]

"Very punk" - THANK YOU. I have been saying for years, what is more truly PUNK than a hugely famous bubblegum pop star shaving her head entire head in 2007 of all years to show the world and her "team" that she's not their perfect little manufactured product?! And I firmly believe if it had been almost anyone else, people would have recognized that sooner. Poor Brit truly was (and honestly still is) damned if she did and damned if she didn't. Sad because she's actually kind of a punk icon. At least Chino recognizes it. (And you, of course!)

[@byron.sw__]

EEEEEEEEK I KNEW IT 😭😭 I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG EEEEK . IVE BEEN A LIFELONG BRITNEY STAN OMG I LOVE HER SO MUCH AND BLACKOUT IS THEEE POP BIBLE 😭😭🩷 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COVERING THIS XX

[@danielle.jarli_22]

I have waited for this pop culture moment. Legend!! 🤩

[@soaribb32]

I was a teen in 2007. I was a Jehova Witness (more like Weirdness tbh). At this time, I started listening to secular music and squeezing out of the bubble. This album was the soundtrack of my most liberared moments. I have nothing but gratitude for the legendary miss Britney Spears

[@matthewparkermusic]

THANK~YOU THANK~YOU THANK~YOU FOR THIS !!!! Your sweet, kind soul shines thru on this apropos review of one of the GREATEST pop albums of all time with our POP PRINCESS & America’s SWEETHEART Miss Britney Spears. She’s a wonder & with all the hit pieces put out on her, it’s refreshing to come across your beautiful expose on our girl !!!! You’re awesome & a WONDERFUL human being JUST FOR THIS ALONE ❤✨‼️‼️

[@soaribb32]

Sweet Dreams My LA Ex is such a fucking bop ❤❤❤❤

[@jessicamarisol4940]

19:50 they were actually clip in extensions that were the right color match and just not working with her hair that day. I read her book lol

[@BoomerBaskins]

Hi. I know I’m late. Can I ask you a question? How old are you? Lmao I know that’s weird but I mean NO HARM. I’m a 35 yr old gay male, Britney fan since day 1. You look too young to hit this nail on the head like you did. Kudos to you. I lived through this. I remember working at Circuit City (kinda like a Best Buy iykyk) during the release of this album. Stealing it. (College student times were rough don’t judge me). Going out to my car on my break and popping this in my cd player. Literally melting into the seat. This was transformative. This was epic. I remember going back in from my break and purchasing 2 albums because I felt guilty. It broke my heart that this girl just turned out something so iconic and massive and all she got was public judgement and ridicule. Thank you for covering this. Still to this day, this is one of the best pop albums of all time. It deserves this renaissance of attention it is receiving. Thank you.

[@barbaraniven5773]

i always look forward to when you post! there are so few youtubers who will go further than saying they like/dislike someone and i always come away from your videos with a new set of questions or things to think about. you are genuinely such an intelligent and articulate thinker and it truly inspires me to push myself further!

[@theswiftologist]

really appreciated this comment :')

[@ChelseaHansen]

Same same! I find myself naturally more curious and analytical in my day to day since I’ve starting taking classes from The Swiftologist. 🙌🏼

[@shaneyswift3127]

I'm way late to this party, but the body shaming after she birthed TWO BABIES is just so disgusting. As a mom of two myself, postpartum bodies are never the same as pre-partum bodies, and that should be CELEBRATED, not shamed. Fuck everyone who body shamed her at any stage, but an extra dose of fuckery to those who pointed the body shaming at her after creating two living beings. For shame.

[@freakofbooks]

Been listening to her music a lot lately and I’m five chapters in on her book! This helps a lot as I was very young during this era and didn’t really know much about her!

[@davidpatterson555]

Britney changed the game…. more than once!

[@kyleek.cosmos3371]

I just had to pause this for a Gimme More interlude…absolute perfection.

[@DanteCyrus-r7g]

This is by far one of my favorite albums by Britney with Circus coming in second. Honestly I would jump up and down with the joy of a child about to go to Disney if Britney would bless us with a Blackout 2.0 lol

[@claramartinez7242]

You are so incredibly thoughtful and I enjoy your reflections so much! This is video 4 or 5 of yours I have listened to, and as a Swiftie and pop diva fan, I would love to hear your thoughts on so many other divas, be it on an album or era specific basis. T Swift, Ariana, Lizzo, and Britney- you have been so well researched and contemplative about each of them. I can’t wait to hear who you muse about next! From Cher to Madonna to Mariah to Alanis or Olivia… I feel like you would have many interesting insights to share! Can’t wait!

[@abigailmccartnie]

Britney’s cd was the first i ever owned I got one for my 6th birthday in 2004 and I remember when blackout came out I loved it! And I haven’t listened to it in forever but Britney is one of the artists my moms loves listing to the most and I grew up listening to so much of her music. Loved this video! Can’t wait to see what other topics you’ll be talking about (aside from Taylor ofc lol.) ☺️

[@theswiftologist]

[@brieannaolder992]

I was 14 in 2007 and remember the shaming that went down on Britney. I feel like maybe I need to go back and try listening to her albums, because at the time I just felt like she wasn't cool anymore and didn't bother. I watched the doc Hulu did on her a few years ago and felt so sad. Misogny was really running rampant in 2007. And the obsession with her virginity is so cringe.

[@lemonbalm3781]

love this video but i can't believe you didn't catch/comment on the connection between Piece of Me and Look What You Made Me Do!! i'm convinced that taylor including both "karma" and "another day another drama" in a rhymed couplet was a reference and tribute to britney in her blackout era. tbh even though you didn't directly address it this video is making me realize how inspired the reputation era was by it!

[@Esse2222]

I would love for you to do a Madonna Deep Dive.

[@GotUOnMyRadar]

If you google “what is the pop bible?” Blackout comes up as the answer

[@fictionesque1992]

I would looove to see some videos on Kesha by you. She's somewhat contentious topic matter but I find the progression of her career so interesting especially since she's said she was kind of faking positivity/recovery for High Road.

[@theswiftologist]

I love Kesha :)

[@danybussieres3660]

Fine, i’ll keep blackout on repeat for the next 6 months

[@marcorubboli9415]

YES Zack I am very happy to see you branch out once again. A delightful listen, as always

[@theswiftologist]

thanks for listening!!

[@samanthalacerda5362]

get naked is absolutely one of my favorite songs ever! the production there is INSANEher voice...the duet....I JUST CAN'T!

[@jurajvivana5827]

Omg I love Britney, thank you for this video😭❤

[@theswiftologist]

[@LukeAlexander]

A slay of epic proportions, we ride

[@theswiftologist]

💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻

[@RingoRoad]

am i the only one completely obsessed with perfect lover?!

[@yuoooouy]

The mention of mariah carey reminded that u SHOULDDDD talk on the gliiter debacle

[@user-mn3bu8wq9v]

I RARELY comment, but as a fan of Britney for decades, I loved this video! As a 14 year old then, I didn’t grasp the intensity of scrutiny surrounding her, nor the challenges she seemed to be grappling with. I remember there was a movement to boycott Blackout, too. On a positive note, I’m happy Britney’s free, and Blackout’s still receiving attention. Not only you're an articulate speaker, but your analyses are clearly profound. All the best!

[@brandonjensen9603]

I love the jacket! Btw did you see your picture fall in the background?! 😂

[@theswiftologist]

omg no I didn't thanks for telling me im gonna hang it back up now kldnfsjdfs

[@natalie_rose2861]

Piece of Me is my favorite Britney song. However the only Britney albums I've listened to are her 1st 3.

[@nyxs1102]

Just found your channel recently and the amount I’ve been binging is crazy!! Absolutely love all your takes and how you articulate them!

[@theswiftologist]

thank you

[@Jack-nd3wt]

Will you do a video on Madonna?? I think ray of light era is really interesting

[@theswiftologist]

intriguing....probably not I don't know too much about her!

[@lorenzosbrollini4112]

I know I'm one year and more late, but i loved and love this consideration of Britney (finally)... The world doesn't deserve (and will never do) Britney

[@quinnfamilyfun5707]

Love all your videos! I come here as a Swiftie but I wouldn’t mind learning bits about Britney here and there. I listened to this album and I feel the same way about it as you do with Reputation.

[@theswiftologist]

aw thank you!!

[@quinnfamilyfun5707]

I also just wanna say you are the first KZbinr I have ever been noticed by

[@brookelouise1561]

Gimme gimme more Spearsologist please!

[@brookelouise1561]

Your video essays are so good

[@theswiftologist]

@@brookelouise1561 thank u Brooke for your support as always

[@jakekelly3110]

i've recently gotten into your podcast Evolution of A Snake, which is so amazing, and it makes me so happy to see your insight into Britney's artistry. Especially at a time, once again, when her personal life is all anyone wants to talk about. she isn't called the Princess of Pop for no reason and I'm beyond proud of how much she's contributed to the evolution of modern pop music.

[@isaacroot5459]

The intro is so good, he should let it run for longer!

[@isobel723]

I just want a swiftologist video on Haylor. I don't care about Harry Styles, I'm just obsessed with the fact that she keeps bringing him up in songs!!! 😅

[@sg8191]

Britney is proof of how much harm those around you can do if you let them. I believe both her family and partners were jealous of her. There will never be another Britney. I hope she finds peace one day and does something that truly makes her happy, away from the spotlight that hurt her so much. She’s worked incredibly hard from a very young age, and she deserves a peaceful life from now on.

[@dramaminedream22]

Blackout is one of my favorite Britney albums. She has so many bangers. I could never figure out why so many people trashed the album when it came out.

[@theswiftologist]

haters...

[@cymonearmstrong8764]

Hot as ice and get naked just put me in a mood like no other those r perfectly written and produced pop songs! And of course piece of me because I’m immediately back in highschool in 2007 when I hear it!

[@gurolukyasmine]

Love love this video!! You’re always so well spoken 🫶🏼

[@theswiftologist]

tysm

[@mattpacker4372]

BRITNEY IS A LEGEND off the pop girls end off. if Britney comes back (which I wouldn't blame her if she didn't) I will yet again look forward too enjoying an exciting album! SOMEDAY is a beautiful song also written by her. also house off blues was fun and iconic again. outta this world would be included♥

[@cassandral.5840]

THE PREDICTIONS WERE TRUE! GAGGED! 🖤

[@CriticalTechReviews]

Blackout is one of my top ten favorite albums ever, and that's a very difficult list to get onto (sharing ranks with The Fragile, Disintegration, Confessions, New Demons, From Death To Destiny, Warrior, The Downward Spiral, Technique, Korn). Blackout is a masterpiece. I knew she generally didn't write her lyrics, but I always found it odd how despite that supposed disconnect, Blackout felt so strongly "her." Now I know why! This album never fails to make me happy and empower me. I hope more people discover it. Maybe a 20th anniversary re-release in 2027 with a very small tour or something, if she ever feels up for that kind of thing again? Bunch of commemorative merch, too. People would buy tf out of those CDs and records. Maybe a bigass box set with all the WIP stuff that didn't get released.

[@ascendednightingale2456]

Just got into listening to Britney after your video about her book. Awesome job! Also, in this video, at 23:13, a picture falls down on your shelf behind you randomly, and it cracked me up so bad. 😂

[@katlavender2806]

break the ice is awesome, and the video! i could be wrong, but i dont think too many artists used animation at that time... linkin park's breaking the habit comes to mind. great video, would really love to see more brittney content!

[@theswiftologist]

very true :)

[@angel_of_rust]

i know this album was doing something great when 3 of its singles were all memorable. Break The Ice, Gimme More, and Piece of Me all sounded really great even years before I started actively listening to music. Rihanna's probably the only other artist that I could say is comparable in that regard. turns out this album's electro-industrial influence made it age so well, and electro-industrial is one of my favorite genres right now.

[@rueroxanne972]

I was too young at the time to keep up with the news, but I lovedddd all the bops she was releasing. This is a great video essay, with really nice editing!

[@one_more_chance4694]

She never turned into a bad girl, she was a bad girl all along, it’s just that nobody was looking past her marketed persona. Imagine cancelling Britney for wearing a crop top nowadays, when Doja Cat is writhing around in a mud bath.

[@har9312]

At 23:15 something falls in the background. Britney 2007 calling

[@jessicamarisol4940]

I LOVEEEE break the ice 😭😭 its my favorite song off the album too

[@liaboyd8464]

Oh, I'm so happy about this video essay. I was led here initially for the TS content, but I love your pop obsession. BS is one of the GOATS of pop. Thanks, Zach.

[@theswiftologist]

thanks love

[@rightwhereyouleftme__]

I was in Grade 9 when this dropped and this album was huge. Piece of Me was my absolute fave and I played the fuck out of it on my ipod nano. Break The Ice is still a song I will listen to today, it is so good. Gimme More was played at every single house party at least 5 times. Great times, I remember them fondly.

[@theswiftologist]

gimme more at a house party, immaculate vibes

[@soaribb32]

🧡 The Britologist 💜