In The Zone
by Britney Spears
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Dot Music
    20
    Quite the most lifeless and unloved record to be released by an artist of Spears' global stature.
  2. Spin
    67
    A hectic sonic pileup. [Dec 2003, p.130]
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  3. The Guardian
    80
    Unlike previous Britney albums, In the Zone has no filler and no shoddy cover versions, just 57 varieties of blue-chip hit-factory pop.
  5. Vibe
    70
    A supremely confident dance record that also illustrates Spears's development as a songwriter. [Jan 2004, p.126]
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  6. Q Magazine
    70
    A sprightly collection of provocative pop. [Jan 2004, p.122]
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  7. Stylus Magazine
    57
    Review 1: It's as lost and macilent and alluring and eager to please and disturbingly empty-eyed as she is. [Score=67] Review 2: Ultimately, In the Zone suffers greatly from Britney's uneasy transition from teen tart to sexually powerful woman. [Score=47]
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  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    The harder Spears tries to be Madonna or Janet Jackson, the less convincing she is.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Despite inventive touches like zigzagging strings and humping-android hooks, too many tracks... are little more than wobbly, rhythm-based contraptions intended to advance Spears' sex-princess-on-the-loose image.
  10. E! Online
    83
    She finally delivers an album that's more fun than filler.
  11. AllMusic
    60
    She may be older now, but she still sounds like a little girl, which undercuts both the glistening, sensual midtempo grooves that dominate the album and the big, booming uptempo cuts that offer a change of pace.
  12. The A.V. Club
    70
    Especially without the aid of visuals, Spears remains a chilly nonentity who gets upstaged by her surroundings, but there are worse things for her to be than window dressing for some of the most state-of-the-art beats money can buy.
  13. Launch.com
    60
    While the kiddie trance and dirrty hip-hop are as blatant a bid for credibility as young Brit's moans upon discovering the joys of all-night raving and her own hand, the pop princess of old keeps peeking through the steamed-up windows, and ultimately saves the disc from disaster.
  14. Blender
    70
    This I'm-coming-out record is an unhesitant move from songs of the heart to songs of the groin. [Dec 2003, p.130]
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2003
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2003

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 708 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 588 out of 708
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 708
  3. Negative: 86 out of 708
  1. iamanicon
    May 24, 2011
    10
    Sexy, soothing and inspired. The first album Britney delivered that was a great pop album. It sounded current and modern.. It still does - 8Sexy, soothing and inspired. The first album Britney delivered that was a great pop album. It sounded current and modern.. It still does - 8 years later.… Full Review »
  2. infsai
    Mar 27, 2020
    7
    It's an okay album. It has many nice songs (like its first three singles: "Me Again the Music", "Toxic", and "Everytime"). However besides theIt's an okay album. It has many nice songs (like its first three singles: "Me Again the Music", "Toxic", and "Everytime"). However besides the singles nothing is much memorable, and it's pretty old, and it got many nice drop-outs like "And Then We Kiss", which I'm in love with.… Full Review »
  3. yeahrtyeahrt
    Feb 16, 2020
    9
    i got the urge to revisit this album and its **** incredible. idk how this hasnt become a cult classic
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