Lady Gaga, music's pop princess of the moment, better watch her back: Christina Aguilera has assembled an army of grrl power for her forthcoming fourth studio album, due later this fall.
Aguilera announced earlier this year she'd be hooking up with electro acts Goldfrapp and Ladytron, on top of her go-to producer Linda Perry and ambient Aussie songstress and "new best friend" Sia. Now, she'll be heading into the studio to record with the beat-happy riot ladies of Le Tigre.
Le Tigre haven't even recorded an album since 2004's This Island, yet now they're all about working with an ex-Mouseketeer. Then again, we kind of saw this coming: Back in '04, lead singer Kathleen Hanna told EW: "'Ilove Christina Aguilera. She has, like, mini-feministmessages.'' Meant to be!
Needless to say, all of this is very interesting. What's next for Aguilera — announcing she's working with Hot Chip?! (Not a bad idea, actually. Somebody get on that.) Xtina offered a brief glimpse of what her next album could sound like with last year's greatest hits collection, Keeps Gettin' Better, which included thumpers like "Dynamite" and the title track. Namely: more pulsating, ready-for-the-floor synth beats, less belting and jazz-era crooning.
With Le Tigre and co. on board to help pen and produce the tunes, her new album looks like it will move even further toward the avant-garde electro-pop genre. Or, as Gaga puts it, "great art."
What do you think of the new direction Aguilera has taken? Are you digging the electro-y vibe, or do you wish she'd work those God-given vocal chords more? And which pop star holds your allegiance: Xtina, or the doppelganger she doesn't know and thinks might be a man, Lady Gaga?
More from EW's Music Mix:
Adam Lambert is gay!: Surprised?
Black Eyed Peas, 'I Gotta Feeling': Does it have that boom boom pow?
Lady Gaga's new 'Paparazzi' video/mini-movie: We have no words









Comments (1-30) of 44 Add your comment
The sound of an elephant passing gas would trump ANYTHING associated with Lady Gaga. Drivel.
First off, these Lady GaGa vs. Xtina crap is getting old. I know it get you hits EW but come on, even you should see how futile this is.
Needless to say, the influence and blueprint for this album was discussed during her Back to Basics tour, when at the time GaGa probably had just been signed.
So all this “Aguilera” is copying or trying to be the next GaGa is total bull. Anyone who follows her career knows she conceptualizes an album before making official statements.
This has been in the works way before GaGa started her 15mins.
Here! Here! I LOVE my Xtina and was hearing about her plans for this coming album 3 years ago….People like to feel like they are so out of the box and if someone else likes it or does something like it then they are copy cats….Get over yourselves and your egos!
Although Lady GaGa is really good Christina’s vocals pretty much trump everyone elses. I do prefer Christina though more in the Stripped era mode then the futuristic mode. Her vocals are too good for futuristic but anything Christina does should be great.
As long as the album is good and produces some good hits, I’m on board. Her last album was ok, but nowhere near as good as her first one.
How alternative of Kathleen Hanna to work with Christina. Wow. What a Riot Grrrl.
now THAT’s interesting!
Gosh, Aguilera copying Gaga once again. What’s new? It seems like Aguilera have to get an army of people to make a crappy album filled with fillers. When you going to do it on your own?
I hate how you had to turn this into some GagGag comparison. They’re both just doing their thing. Christina’s album is going to be spectacular and I’m just so anxious to buy it! Don’t bring in any stupid fake rivalries or negativity please.
Christina Aguilera copying Gaga once again. What’s new? Using Army of producers to get you hits, that’s not new either. No originality or talent rely on gang of artists already accomplish.
Christina Aguilera copying Gaga once again. What’s new? Using Army of producers to get you hits, that’s not new either. No originality or talent rely on gang of artists already accomplish.
Nice try, Julie. None of her collaboraters are exactly hitmakers. If she wanted hits she would be working with the same people her peers are.
Julie is a bitter idiot who knows nothing about music. Like Michael said, if Christina cared about hits, then she would work with the same ‘hot’ producers that everyone else is working with. She’s actually working with people who could help her create QUALITY pop music, not your typical generic club songs that are popular nowadays. The fact that Le Tigre even agreed to work with Christina says a lot. I doubt they would ever consider working with some of the talentless musicians that are on the charts at this very moment.
I didn’t say hitmakers. I said accomplish artists. Artists with talent for writing and musical talent. Aguilera always having an army of those to give her samples and bit to have a hit and the look she just rip off of her peers. If it’s not Britney, it’s Gwen Stefani, and if not her it’s Gaga. She even tried the Lil kim ho look. lol
Julie you know nothing of Talented artists. Christina is not using anyone to get anywhere…if you haven’t noticed that she is there and will remain there due to her exceptional talent. She has accomplished what she has by working her a$$ off and creating unbelivable hits one after another. she is her own producer and writes just about all her music unlike other artists out there who pay other people for their lyrics…like Britney you think she ever wrote a single song?? Why are you even looking at this page if you have so many negative things to say about her. Maybe she’s just having fun trying something new w/ her music. music is always fundamental and experimental. She is doing this because she wants to not to impress people like you who sit around and do nothing but judge people harshly. She has won how many grammy’s?? that’s all i have to say.
Funny you bring up Gewn…I love Gaga but SORRY…she reminds me of what Gwen was doing with her two solo albums the hair, the sound, the crazy looks in vids…Come on Gewn did it!
Tons of artists work with specific people when making a new album. If Christina chooses to work with another accomplished artist on her cd, then where’s the harm in that? Should she work with producers who can only deliver generic beats to dumb herself down?? And Christina is involved in her projects and co-writes on EVERYTHING. BTW, how did she steal a ‘ho look?’ And steal from Britney? A manufactured bubblegum act with no talent? And Gwen and Christina are friends – doesn’t mean they bite off of each other. Who knows what kind of styling tips they’ve shared between each other. Look, I don’t expect you to know much about music especially since you’re probably a Britney/Gaga fan. I guess you’re bitter that Christina is actually working with renowned musicians instead of simple-like producers. Funny, Goldfrapp or Le Tigre would NEVER in a million years work with people like Gaga or Britney. I guess Le Tigre are impressed with talent.
whatever she does better be a hellofalot better than ‘keeps getting better’. That was the most borring, canned song I’ve ever heard her do. The reason why Gaga is so popular is cuz her songs are incendiary and bizarre. So hopefully working with these more avant garde artists will get her out of her own head and into something a little more fun and free.
Well TINA WAS FIRST, HER SINGLE KEEPS GETTING BETTER CAME FIRST, HER VOICE IS FANTASTIC, AND SHE HAD THE BIG HAIR FIRST. TO EACH IT’S OWN. SO LET HER BE HERSELF, NO ONE CAN BRING HER DOWN…. EnVY IS A BAD THING.
I been a fan of La Aguilera when she came out with her Spanish album and she was amazing then and now. She has the power and talent to do what she wants and with all the different collaborations she has, for the new LP its sure this will be a hit in my book. She has work ethics this means that she will only give us the best and that what music should be about not about how many CDs they can sell or how many #1s you can have and we have seen her las two records. Its quality that matters not the other things, she is past the phase. With the gaga thing we will see if she has the power that La Aguilera has but in my opinion I m not into all the pop things she dose so we will see she may be another crazy pop tar. I cant wait till the new album comes out from CHRISTINA AGUILERA because I know I will be enjoying her music in different perspectives and that is something to look forward too.
The Fame is going to be one of those records that kids are still playing in 10 years. Even though I think she has a fantastic voice, I have never bought a Christina Aguilera record or downloaded any of her songs.
I think Aguilera has a fantastic voice and real staying power. Ga-Ga is all marketing. Be interesting to see who’s around in the biz at the end of 2019.
Why call Christina an “ex-Mousketeer”? She’s proven she’s grown beyond that.
And, why do I have to have “allegiance” to either Lady GaGa or Christina? Why can’t I like both? This is as bad as the Angelina/Megan nonsense from earlier today. Quit comparing women unnecessarily! It’s like you’re hoping to start catfights. Shallow and sexist.
I so agree with you…Men actors/artisit can co exisit yet Women we want everyone to take sides….we want them to fight…put eachther down…maybe its a secret way of not having a lot of strong women….cause we can ONLY like one…its sad that a lot of women buy into that…As a gay man I love women and I had Aguilera, Gaga, Brit, Clarkson etc Cds…I love them all..Xtina is my fav…My Diva but that doesnt stop me from enjoying and supporting hot powerful women who are doing there thing
Also, I’m LMAO at the idea presented below, that Christina has been ripping off Britney. NO ONE can rip off Britney, because Britney doesn’t do anything original or on her own. I’m not a huge Christina fan, but even I can see she has more talent in her little finger than Brit has in her entire body.
To all the idiots here who clearly THINK they follow music but don’t follow it THAT closely. Gaga’s “JusT Dance” was released in March of ‘08 with a video out in May. Most Popular top 40 stations and Mtv didn’t start spinning it until the Fall of ‘08. When Xtina performed “Feeps Getting Better” on the Mtv Music Awards last Fall, she did STEAL the entire Lady Gaga look & sound, BEFORE Lady Gaga was getting radio & video spins. Everyone who had yet to hear of Gaga had NO IDEA that Xtina’s entire look & sound was a rip off of Someone else’s, so to the same poster who claims “Keeps Gettin’ Better” came first you are WAY OFF. I do hope Xtina’s new album sounds nothing like Gaga’s, and for another anyone looking for other sounds before her album drops, Xtina sings a new electro-pop tinged song at the end credits of the the movie THE SPIRIT, which I think is now out on dvd. The song is NOT on the soundtrack.
All you idiots (including you, Jeremy) can suck it with your “Christina is ripping off Lady Gaga” insinuations. Christina’s been at this game for well over a decade now, she started back when Lady Gaga had to go to bed before 8 p.m.. Christina’s a true innovator, she’s always changed her look and sound with each record, and managed to remain relevant doing so all without flipping her lid, so that makes her more like Madonna than Britney and Gaga combined. Not to mention she’s got REAL talent, so that sure helps in the credibility factor. Oh yeah, and she writes songs that make sense and are relatable, like domestic abuse. What does Gaga write about? Taking a ride on a “disco stick”? Oh yeah, what a feminist icon she is. At least Christina shows that you can be empowered in your sexuality and be intelligent and classy at the same time. Lady Gaga just comes off as a dumb ho. If anything, she’s a ripoff of what’s already there. Christina’s does her own thing.
And she’s been plotting this album for well over a couple of years now. She doesn’t need to scrap her plans for her album simply because some dimwits are accusing her of ripping off of something that’s a mediocre, fifth rate version of her. This record will blow everybody, including Lady CACA out the water. So haters, keep hating. Your hate only makes Christina stronger. And it gives her extra inspiration for her music.
Christina isn’t ripping off Gaga or Britney’s look. She’s ripping off Madonna’s idea for constantly changing her look – and that’s not a bad thing.
Christina has proved herself over and over and Gaga is just coming on the scene. Gaga is the one who needs to prove herself now to even be compared to Christina.
if you whatch the video for the song that christina collaborated on with P.diddy, “tell me” you would see that her look is similar to her look for this album, and that was released way before Lady Gaga came out, and even before her “back to basics” album she was sporting the 1920’s look remember the song she did with Nelly?
I love christina Aguilera and can’t wait for the new album! it sounds weird but Im sure it’ll still be good and still have some ballads and positive messages, like all her previous albums.
Wait, I thought Le Tigre broke up years ago! Are they existing for real as a band or is this a one time studio thing?
goldfrapp are too good to work with christina dirty aguilera. if christina was smart she would hook up with mark ronson ( amy winehouse producer ). if christina wants an underground sound than she should hook up with glass candy, but that would sound weird.
Christina is winning followers and actually is creating expectation with all of these unknown elments she’s creating. She never will be a COPY of anyone cause everybody knows she change her way in each career stage.
to PHIl
if its time frame you want. christina spoke about her new direction on her 2007 tour. futuristic is owned by no one, its a style, xtina will change again and gaga will probably stay the same. i understand u like gaga but u need to think about it….do u really think xtina copied her? i mean really, she doesn’t need too, if anything as reporters say, gaga has been given more media attention off xtinas back because of what peple say