Blackout (Britney Spears album)

In February 2006, it was reported that Spears was "in the midst of recording her next album, which could surface later this year." According to People, Spears said "her new music could reinvigorate the current pop scene. Eleven months later, Spears revealed in a personal message on her official website that she was "working hard to release the new album sometime later this year.

American producer Sean Garrett first spoke of his songs for Spears in May 2006. Garrett described the tracks together as "some real crazy-ass stuff that the world is going to love. After Britney's personal troubles in the beginning of 2007, Garrett said "She will be coming back really strong, I promise," and that there are "a couple of bombs, instant party classics that we worked up then, and we are still feeling strong about them."^[4] Garrett also told People that the album's sound "is like 'Toxic' times 10. In July 2007, Garrett stated "I've got this one record I've been holding for 10 months that...will shake up the world. It's uptempo, out of control...produced by me and Bloodshy," and also revealed that "the record is done and definitely what people want to hear from her." (The song turned out to be "Toy Soldier".)

Jonathan "J.R." Rotem said that Spears had uptempo club songs, relationship songs "and everything in between." He later said of his work with Spears that his "goal is to try to one-up it." Rotem also revealed "there's some dance stuff; there's some slow, more introspective stuff; some club things."

In August 2007, it was revealed that the album's first single, the Danja-produced "Gimme More," would be going to airwaves.

The album was originally slated to be released on November 13, 2007 The release date was later brought forward to October 30, due to numerus unauthorized online leaks and to prevent any future illegal distribution of songs. Internet blogger Perez Hilton is being sued by Zomba Label Group for posting at least ten unfinished or complete tracks on his website.

There was confusion as to the album's title prior to an official announcement. Spears's website ran a competition for fans to vote for the album's title; however, none of those names were used. Several sources claimed "Piece of Me" was the album's title as well as second single. On October 5, 2007, a message was posted on Spears's official website confirming that the title of the album is Blackout. A spokesperson for Jive Records has said that the title and theme of Britney’s fifth studio album Blackout is about "blacking out negativity and embracing life."

On November 13, 2007, U.S. store Target released a special edition of Blackout with the bonus track "Outta This World", a bonus mobile wallpaper and ringtone.

Spears won "Best International Album" for Blackout at France's NRJ Awards in January 2008. Spears was not present to accept the award, so a representative for "Jive Records" accepted it on her behalf