An unedited vocal version of the track Alien from Britney Spears’ latest album has fans and detractors alike scratching their heads over the cringe-worthy pitch of her voice.

In fact, Spears sounds downright terrible without the auto-tune sweetening on her vocals, but producer William Orbit has come out with a statement defending the pop star. In a Facebook post from last week, he calls it a vocal warm-up take instead of the final recording of their song.

“I’d like to affirm that ANY singer when first at the mic at the start of a long session can make a multitude of vocalizations in order to get warmed up,” wrote Orbit. “Warming up is essential if you’re a pro, as it is with a runner doing stretches, and it takes a while to do properly. I’ve heard all manner of sounds emitted during warm-ups. The point is that it is not supposed to be shared with millions of listeners.”

But the unsweetened track has gotten out and Orbit has been compelled to explain that what the public has heard is in no way meant to be an official recording. “A generous singer will put something down the mic to help the engineer get their systems warmed up and at the right level, maybe whilst having a cup of herb tea and checking through lyrics before the session really kicks off. It’s not expected to be a ‘take.'”

Spears has long been criticized for her vocal style and bubble gum dance tracks that have been tinged with sexuality. Her music videos and elaborately produced stage shows helped launch her to stardom in the 2000’s and she is currently in the middle of a two-year Las Vegas residency on the Axis Stage at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.

“Whomever put this on the Internet must have done so in a spirit of unkindness, but it can in no way detract from the fact that Britney is and always will be beyond Stellar! She is magnificent! And that’s that,” declared Orbit.