Did you hear the week’s big news about Britney Spears? No, not that she’s given ex Kevin Federline sole custody of their two sons. Spears is back in the recording studio, working with a “team of top-notch producers and songwriters.”

Last year’s Blackout was supposed to be a comeback of sorts, but it didn’t blow up in quite the way expected. The troubled pop superstar’s lackluster lip-syncing of lead single “Gimme More” at the 2007 MTV VMAs put the focus squarely on her personal welfare, not the music. Still, Blackout has sold 879,000 copies in the U.S. since its release last October, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The electro pop-centric disc had a lot going for it (no joke, Blackout is a solid effort), though each single enjoyed diminishing returns on the Billboard Hot 100. “Gimme More” reached #3, follow-up “Piece of Me” peaked at #18, and third single “Break The Ice” failed to impact the Top 40, ending its climb at #43. Perhaps Spears’ ongoing tabloid sideshow didn’t leave much of a public appetite for her tunes.

It’s unfortunate, since Blackout boasts several more should-have-been hits, like the spectacularly synthtastic “Heaven On Earth.” Hear here:

All three of the album’s singles did hit #1 on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart, so there’s at least one bright spot to this chapter of Ms. Spears’ career: She was saved by the remix. Before Blackout truly goes dark, take a listen to Kaskade’s reworking of “Break The Ice.” Hear here:

Guy Sigsworth, who co-wrote and produced Alanis Morrissette’s latest opus, is reportedly working with Spears again. The two have teamed up three times previously, most notably for 2004’s “Everytime.” It’s no secret that I’m a big Sigsworth fan, so I’ll be waiting with open ears.

Purchase Blackout via Amazon, iTunes. “Break The Ice (Kaskade Remix)” is also available from both.