Circus
by Britney Spears
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Dec 2, 2008
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 638 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 528 out of 638
  2. Mixed: 42 out of 638
  3. Negative: 68 out of 638

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  1. TiaS.
    Jan 2, 2009
    10
    This is Britney Spears' absolute best album. With songs like ''Unusual You'', ''If U Seek Amy'', ''Womanizer'', ''Circus'', and ''Kill The Lights'' it's no wonder as to why this album went straight to #1 on the Billboard.
  2. JoshPinder
    Jan 3, 2009
    10
    Britney is at the top of her game with this fabulous Circus album, it's a mesmerising powerhouse of an album that more than earns being titled the greatest album of 2008. Womanizer,Circus,Out From Under,Kill The Lights,if You Seek Amy,Shattered Glass,Unusual You,Mmm Papi,Mannequin,Lace & Leather,My Baby,Rock Me In,Phonography and Amnesia are nothing but fantastic...all of which Britney is at the top of her game with this fabulous Circus album, it's a mesmerising powerhouse of an album that more than earns being titled the greatest album of 2008. Womanizer,Circus,Out From Under,Kill The Lights,if You Seek Amy,Shattered Glass,Unusual You,Mmm Papi,Mannequin,Lace & Leather,My Baby,Rock Me In,Phonography and Amnesia are nothing but fantastic...all of which should be released as singles for sure.… Expand
  3. JamesB.
    Jan 5, 2009
    10
    I love it. Amazing!
  4. Jacky
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    She is back?and the album is amazing.
  5. ElizabethH.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    I absolutely love this album, definitely one of the best she's ever created and its one hell of a comeback.
  6. tOnnYa.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    An amazing album. womanizer = 10/10 at first i thought it was a cool song, but the more i listen to it, the more i like it Circus= 10/10 The production sounds like POM2, but it's just as fun as Slave... Out From Under= 9/10 lovely ballad, her vocals are great, but i'm not that into slow music kill the Lights= 10/10 Amazing track, clever lyrics, the New queen is HERE Shattered An amazing album. womanizer = 10/10 at first i thought it was a cool song, but the more i listen to it, the more i like it Circus= 10/10 The production sounds like POM2, but it's just as fun as Slave... Out From Under= 9/10 lovely ballad, her vocals are great, but i'm not that into slow music kill the Lights= 10/10 Amazing track, clever lyrics, the New queen is HERE Shattered Glass = 10/10 Good ol Pop!!!! If You Seek Amy=10/10 Amazing track, the best Track on Circus, Love it, Clever, and fun Unusual You= 10/10 A True Gem Blur= 9.5/10 In the style of "Early morning" with a Very Timbaland Kinda Beat. Mannequin=10/10 a new Experience, amazing track Mmm Papi=8/10 Fun track, silly yet catchy Lace and Leather=9/10 Very Late 70's-early 80's, Guitar solo, cool... My Baby=10/10 not really feeling the track, but the lyrics are beautiful, she really loves her babies Radar= 10/10 Fun amazing track, It's super cool P.S. i know haters will come and give Brit a 0 rating, saying she's talented and the usual stuff, i've read it all, anyway she worked hard, if you don't like it, give it at least 4 cause she really worked hard.… Expand
  7. A.j.P.
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    This album(Circus) is by far Britneys' BEST WORK. She has shown the world that recovery is possible along with time and dedication. She is back on track and music and dancing is her element. She also is able to see her children and rebuilding a relationship with them. We should all be happy that she picked herself back up with help from dad and the families support!! I wish you well This album(Circus) is by far Britneys' BEST WORK. She has shown the world that recovery is possible along with time and dedication. She is back on track and music and dancing is her element. She also is able to see her children and rebuilding a relationship with them. We should all be happy that she picked herself back up with help from dad and the families support!! I wish you well Britney and everyone shuld buy your album!!!… Expand
  8. toma.
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    Excellent Album, fantastic tunes and suprisingly addictive!!
  9. elined.
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    BEST ALBUM EVER, great comeback!!!!
  10. MattK.
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    Excellent production and the normal catchy songs you would expect from any Britney album. 10/10 Superb.
  11. CarrieC
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    I find that her new album is just as good, if not better than 'Blackout'. I feel like all of these so-called music critics who have given this album poor ratings merely do not care for Britney, Pop music, or both and therefore they have a bias opinion. Any fan of Britney will absolutely love this album. So just ignore all of the haters, because what they think really I find that her new album is just as good, if not better than 'Blackout'. I feel like all of these so-called music critics who have given this album poor ratings merely do not care for Britney, Pop music, or both and therefore they have a bias opinion. Any fan of Britney will absolutely love this album. So just ignore all of the haters, because what they think really doesn't matter anyways.… Expand
  12. gerrys.
    Dec 7, 2008
    10
    The best pop electro album of 2008.
  13. StellaL
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    It's very addicting and danceable...circus, womanizer, If U Seek Amy are the best tracks, but there are many more that are worth listening to. If you love dancepop, then this is an album to have. Not one of Britney's best, but it's one of the most played on my itunes. Good job, Brit!
  14. christianp.
    Jan 4, 2009
    10
    I think this is a cool album...ang my fave from this album is If you seek amy(say it fast).
  15. BillyI
    Jun 7, 2009
    10
    Well Ms Spears you are certainly back and this albums proves it. You are really the comeback queen with this amazing new album full of pop-dance tracks each could be a single. Your best work to date without a dout. A+++
  16. AdamJ.
    Dec 10, 2008
    10
    Circus is an addicting and adventurous tale of pop perfection. Welcome back Britney!
  17. EvanW.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    Great Album! Can't wait for tour!
  18. LoganC.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    Honestly, this CD is pretty good, but not as good as blackout...very different, but good. She knows how to make some great hits and there's a song for every mood. It's nice to see her back above waters and alive again. Hopefully her tour will surprise us all! I luv this girl!
  19. KevinR.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    Great CD. Blackoput is much more original, but she sounds much better on Circus which is nice. It's more self-conscious of a CD, but there are some great moments: Unusual You, If You Seek Amy, Blur, and Out From Under is her best ballad since Everytime. GO BRITNEY!
  20. LeahC.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    I love this CD! I just rushed to Target and bought the Deluxe Edition! Britney is and always will be amazing. I am so happy that she is focused and successful. I love you Britney!
  21. VinhP.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    Catchy, Bouncy, Noisy, Nasty, Sexy, and Tasty.
  22. RodrigoM.
    Dec 2, 2008
    10
    It loos like a Blackout 2 , but a lot better!
  23. AdamM.
    Dec 3, 2008
    10
    Love B. Love the album.
  24. chrisw.
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    Best cd ever...im a mother of 7...plus 3 foster children....Britney has been thru a lot and I give credit to anyone who is trying to rebuild their lives!!! PLUS...the cd is just fierce...go out and get a copy of your own!!!!
  25. aaronhardy
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    Go out and buy this cd or you will regret it the pop queen is back on top!!!!!
  26. feliciaw.
    Dec 4, 2008
    10
    I've never liked Britney Spears...But I see that she is trying and is working on a better life for herself and her children...I just picked her cd up to get a taste....YUMMMM....the cd CIRCUS is steller!!!!
  27. MandiC
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    Great album-listen to it non stop! Go Britney!
  28. SophieL.
    Jan 11, 2009
    10
    Love this album - a few of the tracks are slightly dry in the middle (unusual you, blur and mmm papi) but generally another Britney classic. Tracks such as womanizer, circus and if u seek amy show Britney at her best. A different sound from her "crazy" and "baby one more time eras", more electro-pop than bubblegum, but no less enjoyable.
  29. SeanC.
    Jan 2, 2009
    10
    Great album! Unusual You is the stand out track here!
  30. JuanF.
    Jan 4, 2009
    10
    Easy, breezy, fun, pure pop.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2008
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Halfway through, Circus shifts from defiant booty calls to subtler material; suddenly, it's a first-rate electro-pop album.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    60
    Obviously all is still not perfect in Britney's world, but Circus still does more than enough to remind us of why she's one of the world's most iconic pop stars.
    Read full review
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    Her voice--treated and autotuned to within an inch of its life throughout--still sounds like that of the Mouseketeer who brought us '...Baby One More Time’, with every breathy “Mmmm… yeah!” and all the oh-so-naughty lyrics, such as the ones above, sounding forced and unconvincing. Of course, on a large number of the tracks here she has the solidly cool-sounding (no doubt expensive) backdrop of futur’n’b pop.
    Read full review
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