‘Not Myself Tonight’
Christina Aguilera
RCA Records
Madonna’s legacy has carved a curious motto for every modern pop diva: Consistency is boring; reinvention is key. Christina Aguilera has followed Madge’s lead with unfailing enthusiasm, transforming from Mickey Mouse Club cherub to X-rated tranny and retro soul mama — and now, it looks like she’ll be a futuristic dance-club robot. “Not Myself Tonight” is filled with thumping Euro-style bleeps and lyrics about taking shots and breaking a sweat on the dance floor. At first it may sound more like Britney — or even a toned-down Gaga — than reinvention, but Aguilara’s out-of-this-world voice doesn’t fail her: Gaga could never reach these highs and groans.