Last week, The Amp rated the demo leak of Britney Spears' new single "Hold It Against Me" a solid meh. But today the full version has arrived -- a bit early thanks to a leak posted at the Prophet Blog (via the vigilant ONTD) -- and we have upgraded our review to a bona fide "YES."
As Spears and producer Dr. Luke both promised, the finished version of the song is "way better" -- brighter and grittier synths, a punchier throb, a warped bridge reminiscent of the most twisted parts of "Toxic." It's like a touch of "Ooh Ooh Baby" from "Blackout" mixed with a little "Shattered Glass" from "Circus." And since Spears has been putting out her most imaginative and propulsive dance music since her dark period (2004-2008), the fact that she's drawing heaviest on her most recent work (despite the fact that she's reunited with some of her earliest collaborators, Luke and Swedish hitmaker Max Martin) is great news.