Album: Britney Spears - The Singles Collection

From the moment Britney Spears debuted on The Mickey Mouse Show 16 years ago (yes, really) to her shaven-headed annus horriblis in 2007, Britney has been the figurehead for pop music and the trappings of fame for the last decade in a way no other artist has been able to match.

The Singles Collection - just in time for Christmas and with a heavy promo campaign - is her second Greatest Hits following 2004's My Perogative. To give her her dues, she's had some worthy hits since then, so this release doesn't feel entirely supefluous - although true fans would perhaps have preferred a return to form instead, despite the vague bipolar shine that glossed last year's Circus.

Opening with the vocoder-heavy 3 - about, yawn, threesomes - synthy hip-hop influenced pop (although what isn't?) is clearly the order of the day for Nu-Britney with some dodgy Euro-lite melodies, this is a shaky start. But jumping back to what feels like another universe, the enduringly baffling-lyrics of ...Baby One More Time still don't matter as it's unadulterated brilliance sets a standard.

A largely chronological tracklisting makes sense and of course peaks in the middle with the still awesome Toxic (co-written by the UK's own 80s/90s popstrel Cathy Dennis, don't forget) and the supersexy Boys. It's almost melancholy to listen to, in comparison to the rough around the edges (in a bad way) opener.

Closing with treats from the underrated Blackout (Piece of Me, Radar) mixed with the hits that need no introduction from Circus, this is a valiant record, and a reminder of why Britney consistently tops the list of the most-Googled celebs. Her cultural relevance, while often criticised, has never wavered, and that's not least because of the strength of these tracks. If The Singles Collection ends up in your stocking this year, be grateful.

www.myspace.com/britneyspears

Buy The Singles Collection for around £9 on CD from Amazon or download it from 7digital for £7.99.