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Christina Aguilera: Better And 'Better'

November 14, 2008 03:13 PM
Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

From exposing her erotic side on her 2002 "Stripped" album to emulating pinup dolls in videos like "Candy Man" and "Ain't No Other Man" on "Back to Basics" in 2006, Christina Aguilera is all about reinventing herself.

Now, with the Nov. 11 release of "Keeps Getting Better: A Decade of Hits," which will be sold exclusively in Target, the 27-year-old singer is reinventing some old hits.

The album includes new versions of "Genie in a Bottle" and "Beautiful," titled "Genie 2.0" and "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)," respectively, plus the new songs "Keeps Getting Better" and "Dynamite." Staples such as "Dirty," "Come on Over" and "Hurt" also appear.

Produced by longtime collaborator Linda Perry, the new and remixed tracks all feature "futuristic sounds with beats driven more toward dance music," Aguilera says. "This time around, I'm playing with this superhero element based on the fact that fans have grown up with me since I was 17 and have continually supported my changes throughout the years."

The album—which follows recent Target exclusives with John Legend, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers—will come in standard and deluxe editions, the latter including a DVD with videos for all the tracks on the album. Fans who pre-order from Target.com will receive "Keeps Getting Better" as a free download, and those who buy the album will also get a free ringtone for the song.

"I can't even believe what I was able to call it—time really flies," she says. "I constantly change my image. I'm a very visual artist and am constantly trying something new. Luckily, from what I can tell from reading letters and conversing with them when on tour, my fans love and are always open to my love for change. It's a really gratifying moment for me and such an opportunity to be free and let go."

Beyond marking Aguilera's first decade in the business, "Keeps Getting Better" serves as a sneak preview for the artist's next studio album, which she says will arrive in summer 2009 and will be mostly produced by Perry.

"With my last album, I had music that was very '20s, '30s and '40s, and was very detailed and part of a very specific genre and sound," she says. "But with this new album, I wanted to go in a completely opposite direction—a very futuristic, robotic sound and computer-sounding vocals. I'm experimenting with my voice in ways I've never done before, almost like a technical, computer-generated sound, which is different for me because I'm the type of vocalist that just belts. I'm always inspired by new things because I get bored."

"The album is very pop and very upbeat, and it's inspired by [Andy] Warhol and the late-'60s scene," says RCA senior VP of marketing Scott Seviour, who adds that Aguilera has been in the studio as often as she can, considering she became a mother in January. "Once you hear the new material you'll have a very clear idea what the direction of it is."

Aguilera is planning to tour next year. Her last outing in 2006-07 was promoted by AEG Live and grossed $48 million, drawing 607,568 fans to 63 shows, according to Billboard Boxscore.

In addition, Aguilera—who recently introduced her first stateside fragrance, Inspire—is already working on a new perfume slated to hit stores next year. "There are a few more things in the works," she says, "But those are surprises."





Christina Aguilera: Better And 'Better'

November 14, 2008 03:13 PM
Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.

From exposing her erotic side on her 2002 "Stripped" album to emulating pinup dolls in videos like "Candy Man" and "Ain't No Other Man" on "Back to Basics" in 2006, Christina Aguilera is all about reinventing herself.

Now, with the Nov. 11 release of "Keeps Getting Better: A Decade of Hits," which will be sold exclusively in Target, the 27-year-old singer is reinventing some old hits.

The album includes new versions of "Genie in a Bottle" and "Beautiful," titled "Genie 2.0" and "You Are What You Are (Beautiful)," respectively, plus the new songs "Keeps Getting Better" and "Dynamite." Staples such as "Dirty," "Come on Over" and "Hurt" also appear.

Produced by longtime collaborator Linda Perry, the new and remixed tracks all feature "futuristic sounds with beats driven more toward dance music," Aguilera says. "This time around, I'm playing with this superhero element based on the fact that fans have grown up with me since I was 17 and have continually supported my changes throughout the years."

The album—which follows recent Target exclusives with John Legend, Carrie Underwood and the Jonas Brothers—will come in standard and deluxe editions, the latter including a DVD with videos for all the tracks on the album. Fans who pre-order from Target.com will receive "Keeps Getting Better" as a free download, and those who buy the album will also get a free ringtone for the song.

"I can't even believe what I was able to call it—time really flies," she says. "I constantly change my image. I'm a very visual artist and am constantly trying something new. Luckily, from what I can tell from reading letters and conversing with them when on tour, my fans love and are always open to my love for change. It's a really gratifying moment for me and such an opportunity to be free and let go."

Beyond marking Aguilera's first decade in the business, "Keeps Getting Better" serves as a sneak preview for the artist's next studio album, which she says will arrive in summer 2009 and will be mostly produced by Perry.

"With my last album, I had music that was very '20s, '30s and '40s, and was very detailed and part of a very specific genre and sound," she says. "But with this new album, I wanted to go in a completely opposite direction—a very futuristic, robotic sound and computer-sounding vocals. I'm experimenting with my voice in ways I've never done before, almost like a technical, computer-generated sound, which is different for me because I'm the type of vocalist that just belts. I'm always inspired by new things because I get bored."

"The album is very pop and very upbeat, and it's inspired by [Andy] Warhol and the late-'60s scene," says RCA senior VP of marketing Scott Seviour, who adds that Aguilera has been in the studio as often as she can, considering she became a mother in January. "Once you hear the new material you'll have a very clear idea what the direction of it is."

Aguilera is planning to tour next year. Her last outing in 2006-07 was promoted by AEG Live and grossed $48 million, drawing 607,568 fans to 63 shows, according to Billboard Boxscore.

In addition, Aguilera—who recently introduced her first stateside fragrance, Inspire—is already working on a new perfume slated to hit stores next year. "There are a few more things in the works," she says, "But those are surprises."



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