90%
After the stylistic detours of
In the Zone and the halfhearted comeback of
Blackout ,
Circus refocuses Britney Spears’ energies on what she does best: sexy, icy dance music. Though sometimes positioned as the successor to
Madonna, Britney has always been more of an American answer to
Kylie Minogue. Her voice doesn’t have the flexibility necessary to play among Madonna’s myriad musical styles, but when it comes to the throbbing pulse of “
Circus,” “
Shattered Glass,” and “
Radar,” Britney’s cat-like come-ons work wonders.