 In the Zone is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Britney Spears . It was released on November 12 , 2003 , by JIVE Records . Its music incorporates R & B , dance , house , trip hop , and hip hop styles with instrumentation from guitars , drums , synthesizers , strings , and Middle Eastern musical instruments . Its themes range from love , dancing , empowerment , and in the case of songs such as " Touch of My Hand " , sex and masturbation . Contributions to the album 's production came from a wide range of producers , including Bloodshy & Avant , R. Kelly , Trixster , Moby , Guy Sigsworth and The Matrix . 
