New Britney Spears song featuring Backstreet Boys released weeks after star vows to never perform again
Britney Spears rereleased Glory with new artwork. (Britney Spears)
Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys duet on her new song “Matches” and the verdict is unanimous: it’s a bop.
Britney trades verses with the boyband on the track, which depending on your interpretation is either about a seriously hot love affair, or murder by arson.
It comes as part of a deluxe reissue of Britney’s 2016 album, Glory. There had been some debate as to whether Britney was on board with the rerelease, given her recent court statement that she had no desire to continue with her career while her father remained in control of her affairs.
However, Britney said she was “so excited” about “Matches” on her Instagram, adding: “The love you guys have shown this album this year has been stupid amazing ?????? …. like I can’t even believe it !!! I hope it brings you joy. GOD BLESS YOU ALL ??? !!!!!”
Her boyfriend, Sam Asghari, commented with four “100” emojis, a sentiment echoed across the internet.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK NOT ONLY GOD BUT JESUS FOR THIS MOMENT
BRITNEY X BACKSTREET BOYS#matches pic.twitter.com/QXGlzeG1nJ
— Jamie Lynn Vest ? (@_CallMeJamie) December 11, 2020
Matches is not just a song, it is a lifestyle, a reason to breathe, a way to escape this cruel world full of evil, it is art, it is the first gift you open at Christmas, a hug from those you love is everything you ever wanted.
BRITNEY X BACKSTREET BOYS pic.twitter.com/YzxJJbtnqo— Ƨ Λ I F F Ƨ P Σ Λ Я Ƨ (@mxsaiff) December 11, 2020
If you don’t stream Matches when it comes out I’ll take them and light your house on fire#BritneyIsComing pic.twitter.com/gUBHBTlzuJ— Just free Britney already. (@itzgodney) December 10, 2020
More than one person pointed out the serendipity of Britney releasing a song called “Matches” just months after she burned down her home gym.
Britney listening to matches while her gym is burning down.
BRITNEY X BACKSTREET BOYS pic.twitter.com/inWTWyJOFn— Matthew (@mattyyygus) December 11, 2020
‘Free Britney Spears’ battle continues.
Britney Spears has, in recent months, been fighting to remove her father Jamie Spears from the conservatorship that controls her career, finances and elements of her personal life.
On 10 November her attorney Samuel D Ingham III told a Los Angeles court that she is “afraid” of her father and “will not perform again if her father is in charge of her career”.
Judge Brenda Penny declined to suspend Jamie Spears from his role. However she did agree to appoint corporate fiduciary company the Bessemer Trust to serve as co-conservator alongside him, and said she would consider future requests for Jamie’s removal.
Following the ruling Britney hinted that she would continue with her fight, sharing a picture of children jumping over a skipping rope to Instagram with the caption: “Keep JUMPING towards your dreams.”
The cover for the Glory rerelease shows Britney breaking free of chains – which some have taken as a metaphor for her current situation.
The star first shared the imagery – believed to have been taken by Dave LaChapelle for the original album release, but dropped at the last minute – earlier this year, following a campaign to push the album to the top of the iTunes chart. She said at the time: “I have no idea what happened, but because of you, I’m having the best day ever.”
