She spent the year putting her life together, and with this latest release, the pop queen signifies her return to the top

Yes, she’s back, ladies and gentleman. And, if anything, you have to give the woman credit. She’s married and divorced twice, had two kids and been put under involuntary psychiatric care twice during the past four years.

Real Quick: Blackout by Britney Spears Released on Jive Records, Stater rating (out of five): ★★★★ Just do it! Take “Circus” off repeat. Dig these tracks out of the depths of your MP3 player. Yes, we’re giving you permission to indulge that guilty pleasure. &bull …Baby One More Time “Baby One More Time,” “(You Drive Me) Crazy,” “Sometimes”] &bull Oops!… I Did It Again “Oops!… I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” “Stronger” &bull Britney “I’m a Slave 4 U,” “I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman,” “Overprotected &bull In the Zone “Me Against the Music,” “Toxic,” “Everytime” &bull Blackout “Piece of Me,” “Radar,” “Gimme More,” “Break the Ice”

None of this is as much of a curveball as her sixth studio release, “Circus.” Since those first few synthesized riffs of “Womanizer” leaked three or so months ago, the Britney Spears comeback machine has been on overdrive. The chorus of the title track is both a declaration and a call to arms to all those who stuck with her through her very public trying times-and everyone else who sat back rolling his or her eyes, all the while wishing the pop princess would reemerge stronger than ever:

“All eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus / When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip just like a circus / Don’t stand there watchin’ me, follow me, show me what you can do / Everybody let go, we can make a dance floor, just like a circus.”

She’s done just that and more. “Circus” isn’t just the album that should’ve followed 2003’s “In the Zone.” The album is a three-ring party from start to finish, chock-full of everything we were addicted to her first reign around.

“If U Seek Amy” is destined to become some kind of new millennium cult favorite. Even less fulfilling tracks such as “Mmm Papi” and “Lace and Leather” deliver and satiate a long latent turn-of-the-century, feel-good dependency. The slower songs are hit and miss. “Out From Under” is a signature Spears heartbreak ballad. “Blur” combines the glitz on her tragic downfall.

Do yourself a favor, too, and download some of the bonus tracks. There’s a new version of “Blackout”‘s “Radar.” “Phonography”is the album’s equivalent of the quasi-provacative “Touch of my Hand” from “In the Zone.” And “Amnesia” is just catchy.

After this weekend’s MTV special and her performances on “Good Morning America” Tuesday, you can’t deny Spears’ triumph. She did herself a huge favor, put together a kick-ass production and management team and pulled herself together.

“Circus” is a sign that our favorite ’90s pop startlet is playing her own game, and we’re all helpless pawns who can’t possibly resist.

Contact managing editor Adam Griffiths at [email protected].