Over the weekend, the Internet flipped its shit over a leaked MP3 purporting to be Britney Spears's long-lost demo for "Telephone," a song Lady Gaga had originally written for Spears (who ultimately declined to use it) before recording it herself. There's some debate over whether it's actually Britney — we have listened and it's either her or the robot from Forbidden Planet — and it's pretty awful, but regardless of its authenticity or quality, it's definitely the best thing Britney's done in years.

Even though the demo seems to have been leaked by shady persons outside of Britney's camp (iLeaks.com first posted only a snippet and demanded $750 to unleash the whole thing, which they did last night, meaning somebody paid, we guess), and she presumably never intended for it to be heard, its perfectly timed release inadvertently makes her seem with-it for the first time in forever. If you've not noticed, "Telephone"-covering is a trend! Through no savvy of her own, Britney suddenly seems as hip as our servicemen in Afghanistan and this gentleman from ChatRoulette.

More than that, though, in a time when other female pop artists like Christina Aguilera and Ke$ha can't wear a silly outfit without being accused of consciously biting Lady Gaga's shtick, this allows Britney to borrow some of Gaga's hype in a way that's transparently accidental. Plus it serves as a reminder that Spears was already a pop spectacle back when Stefani Germanotta was still but a lowly songwriter. And, hey, Britney's new album is allegedly maybe dropping next month and all of this makes for some pretty terrific prerelease publicity.

In conclusion, whether it's her voice on this demo or not, Britney should probably reimburse the poor guy who spent $750 so we could hear it. Listen below.