In perhaps her strangest launch campaign yet, Christina Aguilera‘s ‘Lotus’ has been the subject of ample debate as of late.

Though a stellar album, the lack of live performances to push it have raised many an eyebrow, as too have the lack of magazine covers, radio interviews and other promo vehicles. All factors which contribute to the project’s first week sales. Find out what they are after the jump..

According to the ever-reliable Hits Daily Double, ‘Lotus’ will open at #7 on the Billboard 200 with sales of…

There’s little spin that can take away from the fact that the figure represents the lowest debut numbers from Xtina’s solid-selling catalogue. Indeed, the figure is even trounced by the 110,000 opening of 2010′s criminally underrated ‘Bionic’ album.

Still, what the latter didn’t have was a hit – something ‘Lotus’ seems to be strutting towards with its second offering ‘Just A Fool (ft. Blake Shelton)’. For, having already shown its potential on iTunes upon initial release of the album, the song rocketed into the top 20 of the digital tally again last night following Christina and Blake’s live showing on The Voice. ‘Lotus’ climbed two spots to #14 too following the performance too.

While everyone loves a great comeback story, the reality is that it often takes time to rebuild a brand. Indeed, one needn’t look further than Aguilera’s rival and apt comparator Mariah Carey.

Like ‘Bionic’, 2001′s ‘Glitter’ was certified Triple Tin Foil, while 2002′s intended “comeback” ‘Charmbracelet’ didn’t fare much better. It wasn’t until 2005′s ‘Emancipation Of Mimi’ that Mariah’s commercial viability was restored.

Looking at Christina’s current predicament, we see a similar “slowly, but surely” climb. What we are sure of, though, is that she will have her “moment” again – be it this “era”, next, or somewhere down the line. Gifts like hers are too rare a find.

From our vantage point, it’s now down to Christina and her team to establish a successful “face” of the project, be it with successful singles, touring, steady album sales; or, if they’re up for the challenge, all of the above.

No more lengthy gaps between projects either. For, at her peak (which wasn’t actually that long ago), Xtina was cruising towards a brand of stardom that was ever-lasting. Just like Britney‘s and Beyonce‘s of the world. Yet breaks and knock-backs have thrown things off somewhat. She’s now tasked with getting back in the saddle and shutting down the naysayers – not just by lyric, but by action. We wish her the best of luck!