One of Britney Spears’ musical collaborators has opened up on the battles he faced working with the star on her 2007 album ‘Blackout’.

The singer released her hit fifth studio album amid a difficult period in her personal life, which ultimately saw her placed under a conservatorship with dad Jamie at the helm. 

And reflecting on the LP,  Christian Karlsson of Galantis – who co-wrote the record’s second single Piece of Me – says: “Blackout is a standout pop album but it was made when I think she was not in a good headspace.

“Everyone that worked on the album was trying to help her come back in whatever way we could, which was with music.

“I was told by her label, ‘Don’t write about what’s going on with her, write other stuff’,” he added, according to The Sun.

“I was like, ‘I have to write Piece of Me‘. I wanted her to come back and she really liked it. She was working hard on the vocals.”

His comments come after Britney spoke out about her 13-year-old conservatorship during a hearing on June 23, telling Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny it had left her “traumatised” and living in a state of “denial”. 

“I’ve lied and told the whole world ‘I’m okay. And I’m happy.’ It’s a lie,” she said. “I thought [if] just maybe I said that enough… Because I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatised.

“You know, fake it till you make it. But now I’m telling you the truth. Okay? I’m not happy,” insisted the Stronger hitmaker. “I can’t sleep. I’m so angry. It’s insane. And I’m depressed. I cry every day.”

Following Britney’s shocking claims surrounding her treatment in the conservatorship, fans supporting the #FreeBritney movement and stars took to social media to lend their support.