'I want so badly to be good'.
And that you are MDNA. That you are.
Madonna has yet again delivered another album of solid pop songs after the not-so-great Timbaland driven 'Hard Candy'. After avoiding leaks, snippets, videos (but I did read reviews, I couldn't resist myself), I sat down and found myself completely immersed in the beats and bleaps of MDNA.
The album opens with the fantastic and catchy 'Girl Gone Wild'. It pretty much sets the tone thematically for the album; sort of Madonna re-asserting herself as the ultimate femme fetale, fierce and empowered. 'Gang Bang' is completely beat driven and totally and utterly camp, especially that last minute and a half. Her voice on this track at times sounds like she has a very bad cold; personally, I've never heard her sing like this. That's not to say I don't enjoy it though. The song, if it's ever made a single, needs a BAD ASS video clip. I suggest Quentin Tarantino, David Cronenberg or
The album really has a sort of summertime feel to it, especially 'Turn Up the Radio'. I've already decided that if and when I get my driver's licence, this will be the first song I'll play.
The two 'ballads' on the album, 'Masterpiece' and 'Falling Free' are also stunning. God. Madonna really knows how to bring it home, doesn't she? (Answer is yes. Always yes).
I've also done a simple table about the Nicki Minaj and M.I.A songs:
I Don't Give A... yay!
B'day Song... meh
Give Me All Your Luvin... ya-meh.
'Love Spent' and 'Beautiful Killer' are also some excellent tracks. 'Frankly, if my name was Benjamin/We wouldn't be in the mess we're in' and the cute shout out to Alain Delon at the end of 'Beautiful Killer' really sort of re-affirming that Fun!Madonna made a return after almost a decade of being SeriousFace!Madonna (can't deny that the second half of 'Confessions..' was quite dark lyrically, so it counts). Yes, this is technically her post-divorce album, and she does address it on a few tracks, but more often than not, she's letting loose and having fun. A sort of return to form in a way.
RATING: 4/5 Lucky Stars
Highlights: Girl Gone Wild, Gang Bang, Masterpiece, Love Spent, Falling Free, Beautiful Killer, Turn Up the Radio
