The Unrecognized Genius of Britney's 'Blackout'
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- Опубліковано 22 лип 2023
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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
"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.
so gross & such insane beauty standards in the 2000s lol
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.
tea
That one and Glory ❤
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
The Swiftologist is dominating pop culture journalism on yt and I am living for it
I was thinking the same thing 🎉
@@kristenvanhandel653Kristen...pls pls go away
my fkn favorite yt genre fr
Agreed
Looking at it now, I love how she gave everyone the VMA performance they deserved. Giving them nothing instead of more. Queen behaviour! 🖤
literally go girl give us nothing as you should
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.
Yet people kept asking for more. Give us more, they said. Gimme more! 🤣
Blackout was ICONIC, it lives forever rent free in my brain. It SHAPED ME. 🤣
tea
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
noted and thank you!!
Waking up to a Britney swiftologist moment? I’m here for it. Slay 💅🏻
💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻💅🏻
Long overdue justice for this album (particularly “Break the Ice”, a true bop)
no fr bestie , break the ice truly is one of her best x
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 ❤
my goal when talking about Britney is always to respect her
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.
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 💜
the nicest compliment ever!!
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!
sooo true Landon!!
all her albums especially after the first two, and not Britney Jean, but the other 6.
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.
ah im so glad!
in the zone is more cohesive and britney wrote more on it...
my personal fave
@@Foxsuper1 i’ll listen to it when i get a chance!
Britney doesn’t compare to Taylor or Ariana. Did she even write her own music?
@@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.
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. 🤩
hope you loved it!!
Blackout is not only my favorite Britney Spears album, but it's also in my top 100 favorite albums of all time!
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.
so glad I have other viewers who are as invested in her as I am!!
same
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
justice for blackout!!!
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
Would love more on Britney! Some ideas: the media treatment(more in depth), her lost album(Mona Lisa), her influences on todays pop star.
so true this is a deep well of content
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😭🫶
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....
Lol that sounds like something I’d do ~ play the same album for 2 years
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? 😅
I love hearing that people are learning English with my videos!! Makes me so happy
So true! Been practicing my English with this channel too lol he’s great
@@robertabolliger7841 really, he's so articulate and well-spoken! Icon
Blackout is a nostalgic album for me, but I haven’t listened to it in a while! now I MUST revisit
you must
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*.
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.
Radar has always been my favorite, so so good
great choice
Radar is such an earworm! Rare that it was also on Circus
get naked is absolutely one of my favorite songs ever! the production there is INSANEher voice...the duet....I JUST CAN'T!
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
SUCH A GOOD SONG
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!!
truly a punk ahead of her time
YES IVE ALWAYS BEEN A BREAK THE ICE FAN + the music video 😫😫
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 ❤✨‼️‼️
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
The mention of mariah carey reminded that u SHOULDDDD talk on the gliiter debacle
I forgot how much I love this album, it’s definitely one of my favorite Britney albums.
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!
I just had to pause this for a Gimme More interlude…absolute perfection.
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
Get Naked (I got a plan) is criminally underrated. My favorite song of hers
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!!! 😅
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..
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
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.
I TOTALLY AGREE! Aaliyah was incredibly futuristic
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
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.
haters...
The intro is so good, he should let it run for longer!
i’ve been loving your content, thanks for all your hard work!
i recently relistened to the whole album and now ur posting a video essay about it?? love the video as always
As both a Swiftie and a member of the Britney Army, I am SO HAPPY about this.
I have waited for this pop culture moment. Legend!! 🤩
It’s neat to listen to Blackout and realize it was pre Gaga. It really changed pop trajectory. Same with the unreleased songs “Dramatic” and “Rebellion” and “Mona Lisa”, a darker haunting tone was in her long before Blackout
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.
I was skeptical going into this video but you NAILED IT!!!! 10/10
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.
I love Kesha :)
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!
YESSSS this is so amazing I’m so glad you’re doing this 😭😭
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. 😂
If you google “what is the pop bible?” Blackout comes up as the answer
This is amazing! Thank you so much for this intellectual deep dive. You articulated so much that I've been thinking about Britney and this moment in pop culture and offered some insights that hadn't occurred to me, too.
Britney Spears is a fellow rebel. This was her punk era, for sure.
Loved it! I used to be obsessed with Britney so really nice to hear your perspective. Your videos are not only my comfort moment but also a lot of thoughtful information about one of my favorite topics to talk about ❤ looking forward to the next one
ah thank you for this comment!
I’ve been obsessed with your videos (and podcast) lately!❤ You are so incredibly well spoken and never fail to provide a fresh perspective!
Thank you so much!!
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.
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!
Love love this video!! You’re always so well spoken 🫶🏼
tysm
Just found your channel recently and the amount I’ve been binging is crazy!! Absolutely love all your takes and how you articulate them!
thank you
First time seeing your channel. You have an undeniable presence and delivery.
The amount of information I gathered from this, I’ve never knew much about Britney, this is the content I love, thanks for giving us soo muchhh!!!
thanks for watching!
This was so unbelievable to listen to. You are beyond talented! The way you put this video together and spoke so elegantly is admirable.
Wow, thank you!
YES Zack I am very happy to see you branch out once again. A delightful listen, as always
thanks for listening!!
might i just say , i love you and your content so much 😭🩷 britney , taylor and lana are my holy trinity and you covering them means so much !!
so glad!!
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.
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.
thanks love
i can’t even with blackout. it is such an absolute masterpiece. me as a genz got to it later than most seeing as it was released the year i was born. but me as a 11 bopping to Britney Spears this album has gotten better. Most recent comparison to this is Hard To Forget Ya from Glory. it’s absolutely art and I loved reading her book and her perspective on it.
this showing up on my recommended page and i’m so glad for it! blackout is such an underrated gem and i wish more people talked about how amazing the artistry is in there. why should i be sad, hot as ice, gimme more, break the ice… hit after hit from that album
Thanks for making me deep dive into Britneys discography and loving it!!❤ Watching the Radar music video just made me realise where Taylor Swift's Blank Space came from
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!
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.) ☺️
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!
really appreciated this comment :')
Same same! I find myself naturally more curious and analytical in my day to day since I’ve starting taking classes from The Swiftologist. 🙌🏼
I love that young people are getting in to Britney years after. But us die hard stans knew the masterpieces that were her albums when they dropped.
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.
Wow Zach! I have never seen a content creator respond to so many comments like you. You seem so committed to creating a community…I appreciate that. This video was excellent. I found you through your Taylor content, but will probably watch anything. You are just mesmerizing, and I am always so engaged in your content…thank you!
thanks for noticing that Sarah
This is such a good video! Keep up the great content, you are so talented!
Love this Zach. So brilliant and well done
thanks for watching!
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.
thank you for noticing :) I hope you'll subscribe!
@@theswiftologist Already done!
The beginning WOWOWOWW lol loved it
What billboard did to this album was utterly outrageous! This album should've won a Grammy! (Or lots of it) It set the path for a whole genre of music in the late 00s and early 10s, everyone tried to copy Blackout after it came out. I'll never forgive Billboard for having boycotted that masterpiece that is Blackout.
loved the video!! gave me lots of context on britney! in the future~for another Taylor video, I would love a scooter braun/masters 2019 breakdown and how everything came to fruition. I love you and Madeline but 2019 Part 2 wont be for a while 💜💜💜
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!
Maaaan u is a storyteller truly amazing how you narrated events and your thoughts throughout the video 😮
Tysm!
just so excited!
LOVE THIS VIDEO. the blackout album is my favorite Britney album of all time.
thank you - you have excellent taste !!
Thank you! This IS GOLD!
Glad you enjoyed it!
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.
aw thank you!!
I also just wanna say you are the first UA-camr I have ever been noticed by
omg. i actually loved this video a lot. ive never been very interested in britney but i knew about the free britney movement. after watching this im very intrigued with her. i would LOVE to see another video like this that could maybe cover her circus album! :)
ah thank you for giving her/this video a chance!
i need more video essays for taylor! i love these videos!!
any suggestions on topics?
Called it!!!! Yessssssss more Brit content please!! (Love Tay too but this is great)
so glad you made this
anytime king
Thank you for covering Britney's Blackout era. I'm gonna subscribe 😅
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!
I love this album! I didn’t know much about what going on with Britney neither was a fan but I knew a lot of songs and I loved Gimme more. It was a great hit. It has a dark cloud over it though, but as I always loved musicians expressing their inner and outer conflicts through music, I liked it a lot.