After a six-year hiatus, Britney Spears returned to music on Friday with the release of “Hold Me Closer,” her collaboration with Elton John.
The song, which is an EDM reimagining of John’s 1971 hit “Tiny Dancer,” marks Spears’s first new release since her legal victory last November, which freed her from the 13-year stereotype that has eroded her career and life. controlled personal life.
Last year, Spears revealed that she stepped away from music and performed after the stereotype “killed my dreams.” His last album, “Glory,” came out in 2016.
Ahead of the release of “Hold Me Closer,” Spears tweeted that she’s learning “every day is a clean slate to try to be a better person and make me happier.”
She said that she “wanted to be as fearless as I was when I was younger.”
John said she was inspired by her husband, David Furnish, to join forces with Spears, adding that she believed their duet was much needed after such a “painful time”. Will boost confidence.
“I’m so excited to be able to do this with him because if it’s a big hit, and I think it can happen, it will give him more confidence than ever and make him realize that people really care about him.” love and care for him and want him to be happy,” he said in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.
A quick scan of social media and it looks like fans are happy with the joint release.
One fan wrote on Twitter, “Such a nice, beautiful song, you guys make an amazing team! We’ve missed you so much, you can’t imagine how glad I was to hear you sing again.”
Another said: “Welcome back!!!! Hold me to you is awesome! You look great!”
Among music critics, however, opinion was more divided.
Giving the song a four-star rating, The Guardian’s Michael Cragg noted that Spears “throws in some playful ‘yes’, ad works that delighted rather than one’s robotic maneuvers being locked in a waiting car from the studio.” Feels like real screaming.”
She went on to say that “Spears hints at finding herself in music again. Even if it’s just once – and who can blame her if she doesn’t want to return to pop full time – it seems like enough.” ”
According to Vogue’s Christian Aller, “There’s something about Brittany’s voice and a dance track that go so well together—like red wine and a basket of bread. She does things with her vocal tone that go well.” All the other pop girls just can’t so she’s the real princess of pop.”
Writing in the UK Times, however, critic Will Hodgkinson was not as enthusiastic. Stating that “Britney Spears’ return should be welcomed with open arms,” she described “Hold Me Closer” as a “bloodless remix” that “gives no room for Spears to shine while the original Kills the magic too.