22. madonna - mdna

MDNA Review




After several days of listening to MDNA, and only MDNA, I've finally gotten off fawning over it and giving a more concrete review of this album. In essence, the queen proves that she will be there through the endless years to show us how pop should really be done.


1) Girl Gone Wild
This is easily the most generic song on the album, but fret not, for this song is absolutely unrepresentative of this album. The starting of this song, where she confesses to god, signals that bitchdonna is back to kick some asses. In the music video, she truly is a girl gone wild, working the chains, and the guys of course, much like she did back in the early 90s. Certain little monsters who are either severely lacking in pop culture knowledge or are just pure stubborn claim that this video is a rip off of Mother Monster's Alejandro. When you actually do some homework on Youtube, or if you are an older monster, simply just by living through the 80s and early 90s, you should know that Alejandro is a rip off of multiple Madonna videos, including Express Yourself, Vogue, Justify My Love, Erotica and Human Nature. What Madonna "ripped off" Lady Gaga is what Lady Gaga ripped off Madonna. In other words, Madonna is referencing her earlier works. Now hide in your eggshell, squeeze back into your Mother Monster's slimy pussy and reflect upon your sins.
Rating: 4.5/5

2) Gang Bang
Probably the most eccentric song on the album, and possibly ranks as one of her best songs ever. The seemingly cowboy-like beats coupled with her vocals which gets fiercer by the verse, is refreshing and exhilirating, especially after the dubstep breakdown and the final chorus, where she seems to be having so much fun killing people. If I have to join her in hell, I would certainly do so.
Rating: 5/5

3) I'm Addicted
This song is sort of psychedelic, just as the title suggested. It's catchy, but certainly not generic. Thus, it's quite a surprise that Benny Benassi could produce this song, though I do think that The Demolition Crew probably is the mastermind. The defining point comes when Madonna solemnly declares that she needs to dance, before the dubstep drops in and she sucks us into her addictive world, chanting "M-D-M-A, M-D-N-A...". If the chant didn't get stuck in your mind, you probably have no soul.
Rating: 5/5

4) Turn Up The Radio
Yet another "Hello" soundalike. But when sang by Madonna, it instantly becomes much more energetic than any of his previous works. Also, do not think Madonna simply took the song and sang it. She's definetely added her touch to the lyrics, as can be seen from certainly cheesy rhymes, such as "moth to a flame" and "playing this game".
Rating: 5/5

5) Give Me All Your Luvin'
The weakest song of the entire standard edition. In this song, Madonna demands all our luvin'. If this song (or the Superbowl performance) doesn't convince you, this album should do otherwise.
Rating: 4/5

6) Some Girls
Hard to think this would be an Orbit produced song. There's nothing really special this song, other than consisting of so much vocal distortion.
Rating: 4.5/5

7) Superstar
This song is sweet and catchy. If you don't think much of this song on the first try, you should repeat this song several times, for it's a grower. The scene that comes to my mind is Madonna strutting down a street before settling down on a bench in the park swaying and singing "ooh la la, you're my superstar" while twirling her hair. I would describe this as her new True Blue (the song). It really could put a smile on your face. However, I really couldn't figure out which part her daughter, Lourdes, sang on the song.
Rating: 5/5

8) I Don't Give A
Quite a radical twist to the album, having a slight hip hop feel. Nicki Minaj easily fits into the song, as she steps back into her comfort zone and does what she does best. If there's any collaboration that Madonna has done best, it would be this. The lyrics, is of course another highlight of the song. Throughout the song she sings about how she doesn't a (fuck) about her life, while near the end, Nicki Minaj proclaims "that there's only one queen, and that's Madonna." How right. It's a heinous slap in the face of any pretenders to throne and whoever thought she was going to be a coy lamb about the clown show that's been going on for 3 years. The word "reductive" was a sign of what's to come.
Rating: 5/5

9) I'm A Sinner
This song is reminiscent of 'Beautiful Stranger'. It's not exactly as catchy as the previous songs, and I don't really have much thoughts on this song except for it being simply, quite nice. That's all, now let's get on with the album.
Rating: 4/5

10) Love Spent
Another amazing song. My second favourite from this album. It starts off with a banjo, before turning out to be a more serious song. My favourite part though, comes after the next banjo special, where the ambience changed all of a sudden, and she burst into another chorus, which seemed to have so much more emotions, as if her life depended on it. On a sidenote, the accoustic version of this song is worth listening too.
Rating: 5/5

11) Masterpiece
The Golden Globe winning song. The song which "doesn't stand a fucking chance" Fortunately, this track doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Masterpiece was also the first sign that Madonna's "better" vocals are back. It acts as a great lead out to the next song too.
Rating: 5/5

12) Falling Free
Is she trying to recreate 'Mer Girl'? It's been so long since we've heard her sing with such bare melody. Just because it's one of the few times Madonna does this, it's worth listening.
Rating: 5/5

13) Beautiful Killer
Yet another song that reminds me of 'Beautiful Stranger'. I feel compelled to sing "I'm gonna wake up yes and no" (Die Another Day) against the first line though. It has that huge sense of familiarity on so many levels and is the best song on the deluxe part of the album, along with the next track.
Rating: 5/5

14) I Fucked Up
In this song, Madonna (surprisingly) admits she did make mistakes during her marriage with Guy Ritchie. It's a beautiful ballad, and like several other songs on the album, halfway through this song, the entire mood changed into something more light and cheerful, as she thought of the happily ever after she could have if she didn't fuck up. This is without doubt, the most personal song on the album, and only William Orbit can squeeze it out of her.
Rating: 5/5

15) B-Day Song
This song has an indie feel to it. It's simple and the vocals tend to be a little retro. M.I.A. easily blends into the song, as it should have been since it's so light and catchy. What would have been a stupid song turns out surprisingly delightful.
Rating: 4.5/5

16) Best Friend
In my opinion, Best Friend is the worst track on the album. This song sounds like it came from Hard Candy. Not to be mistaken though, it's still manageable as a bonus track.
Rating: 3.5/5

17) Give Me All Your Luvin' (Party Rock Remix)
Nothing much to comment on this. I'm never really interested in remixes anyway.
Rating: 3.5/5


In her 4 years of absence, many have been eyeing the throne, but with MDNA, Madonna shows she's not about to give up the throne. Begging for it wouldn't get you anywhere either. This album will definetely rank up there with one of her best. She is still capable of creating a new peaks in her career, and anyone who speaks of her old age as a hindrance in their review is jealous, sexist and ageist. If you missed out her last pop revolution (Confessions On A Dance Floor), then listen to this album now.


MDNA (Standard Edition): 57/12 = 4.75
MDNA (Deluxe Edition): 78.5/17 = 4.62

Labels: madonna, mdna

posted by datf @ 01:03