New releases

With an album title like Blackout, and song titles such as “Rebellion” and “Freakshow,” Britney’s comeback CD—her first since 2003—focuses more on the rollercoaster life of the artist rather than her musical ability.

Many critics are quick to point out the irony of Joni Mitchell both maintaining her protest against the music industry’s superficiality and signing onto a label managed by Starbucks.