Britney Spears, whose career has been full of both commercial success and criticism, has recorded a song with a younger kindred spirit, Australian rapper Iggy Azalea.

Entitled "Pretty Girls," the single officially came out Monday and a video was promised in a week's time after the audio file leaked over the weekend.

A flirtatious party anthem that appears designed for crowded bars, "Pretty Girls" is driven by a synthesized rhythm line -- a hallmark of producers The Invisible Men, who were behind Azalea's hit "Fancy."

"All around the world, pretty girls / Wipe the floor with all the boys / Pour the drink, bring the noise," the two women sing in unison.

Spears, 33, said she had approached Azalea through their managers.

"I love her work and I had the idea to do a real 'Girl Power,' fun, Valley Girl video," Spears told radio host Ryan Seacrest.

Spears became a sensation in the late 1990s, reviving the genre of teeny-bopper pop, but she also found herself a favorite target of the tabloid press and late-night comedians.

"Pretty Girls" is Spears' first release since her 2013 album "Britney Jean," which had mixed success. She has been performing a residency since 2013 in Las Vegas, where she recently injured her ankle in an onstage fall.

Azalea saw her career soar with her debut album "The New Classic" but she faced strong criticism over her style, notably the white Australian's adoption of an accent that is identifiably African American.

Azalea, who has mostly taken a step back from Twitter after heated feuds, pleaded with her nearly five million followers over the weekend to wait for the official release of "Pretty Girls."

The song is the latest high-profile work to be leaked, with albums by Madonna and Bjork recently finding their way online before the official release.
Source: AFP