The new album from Britney Spears – ‘Circus’ - has been posted on the Web at social media service, imeem.com, one week ahead of its release in stores on December 2, Spears’ 27th Birthday. ‘Circus’ is among the most anticipated CDs of this year, as Spears rebounds from a tumultuous 2007 and early 2008.

In fact, two days before the release of the album, MTV is scheduled to air a new documentary about the oft-troubled starlet, featuring frank one-on-ones with her, in which Spears admits her marriage was a mistake and shares her desire for more personal freedom. Last year, the 26-year-old Spears went through a bitter custody battle over her two sons, and exhibited strange behavior in public; and was hospitalized twice for psychiatric evaluation in early this year.

Of late, Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, has assumed control of her business and personal affairs, and Spears seems to have turned her life around. The ability to complete and promote her new album is an indicator of the pop star’s apparent health.

‘Circus’ features 13 tracks by Spears - including the familiar ‘Womanizer’, which was previously released, and other songs like ‘My Baby’, ‘Unusual You’ and ‘Kill the Lights’ - which registered users can listen to without any charge.

Releasing songs on the web is the latest strategy for promoting musicians and their work ahead of an album release. Imeem.com has previously released music from recording artists including Fall Out Boy, U2, Lil Wayne and The Rolling Stones.