This is the Britney we have come to know, in rare form. Though “Don’t Hang Up” was given the (Euro, Latin and Aussie editions) bonus track slot for her 2003 album “In the Zone”, it remains a reminder of how great Britney Spears can be when in with the right people. On “Don’t Hang Up” we can hear Britney singing authentically without the use of vocoders or auto tune like we see now in her more recent albums. Her vocal is placed right smack in the middle of the track and takes center stage. Accompanied with her very OWN backup vocals, Britney’s voice really sounds like the real deal. Production courtesy of still mostly unknown production duo, Josh Schwartz and Brian Kierulf, this sounds like it would fit well in with the sound of “In the Zone”. Following the post-Neptunes “Boys” , Britney continued to flirt with melodies and singing keen to that of R&B contemporaries with this song and further on in her career (a la Blackout). What a throwback to the personality and “it-factor” that made Britney such a huge star in the start of her career.
Let us not forget this Britney! “Don’t Hang Up” reminds us of the icon at her best
