 Calling the song " a decidedly lubricious duet " , Alex Needham of New Musical Express said that " She sings about boys , he sings about girls . A simple concept , but an effective one , resulting in Britney ’ s best single [ in ] ages . " David Browne of Entertainment Weekly said that The Neptunes ' productions on the album , " I 'm a Slave 4 U " and " Boys " " swaddle her in writhing , kick @-@ the @-@ can beats , but never have a groove and a verse been so betrayed by a limp chorus . " Nicki Tranter of PopMatters said that the remainder of the album was " tried and tested " dance @-@ pop , noting " Boys " and " Cinderella " revisiting " old Britney territory exploring predictable issues including her love being irreplaceable , her use of the dance floor as an appropriate courting place , and her much @-@ loved girl @-@ ness . " Leah Greenblatt of Entertainment Weekly called it a " popping , Janet @-@ esque groove . " Yale Daily News writer Catherine Halaby considered the song " an envelope @-@ pushing ( when you consider her claims of wholesomeness ) smutfest . " 
