HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Maybe three days late but I just want to say Happy Birthday to my lovely plus size and beautiful sister Vavoyla......

HELL YEAH MADONNA IS SET TO TOP UK & US CHARTS

Madonna's MDNA expected to debut at #1 in the USA, with Madonna surpassing Elvis in the UK!

US
She’s no longer “Like a Virgin,” or even the Material Girl, for that matter, but Madonna is still a pop diva superstar.
Madge’s Interscope debut, MDNA, her 12th studio album and first under a recently inked deal with Live Nation, is her first new collection in four years, since 2008’s Hard Candy. It’s a lock for #1 on next week’s HITS Album sales chart, with between 325-350k, beating that album’s 280k opening.
Those figures are based on one-day sales figures which our crack retail staff arrived at by throwing darts at a board. Take that, Soundscan!

Soundscan/HitsDailyDouble

UK
Madonna is setting the pace this week as new album MDNA leads the pack in the Official Albums Chart race.
Her twelfth studio album has seen the Queen of Pop collaborating with top flight dance producers including William Orbit, LMFAO and Benny Benassi, and features single Girl Gone Wild, the video for which harked back to Madonna’s classic Erotica days.
MDNA is looking like a solid Number 1 for the 53 year old pop icon this weekend, and leads today by a cool 29,000 copies.

Official Charts Company

TRUTH or DARE BY MADONNA

Truth or Dare the new Fragrance by M's advert.

Madonna and Jimmy Fallon MDNA Facebook Interview

Hot off the press M's Live streaming interview at Facebook. According to M's group this is the only promo that will be done for the MDNA album.

GIRL GONE WILD (Uncensored with the ASS) lol

Apparently the video shown by the E Channel is heavily edited and we werent able to see some of the juicy parts of the video including one of the male models ass and that same model seemingly playing with himself.
On another note it really cracks me up when some write ups claims that the video is a knock off of Ga Ga's Alejandro, and that M borrowed Adele's wig for the video. One just have to look back 20 years prior to that, if there's anybody M is referencing to, is herself.
The video although very avant garde is sort of a Been There Done That thingie but much edgier I guess...
But I definitely love the nod to Tura Satana as Varla in Faster Pussycat Kill Kill Kill with the outfit she wore in the dancing section.
LUV the choreography and of course KAZAKY



DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately the link to the original uncensored version of "GIRL GONE WILD" was pulled out by youtube and replaced by this sanitized version. Anyways just look at the GIF below as these are the scenes that was deleted.

Not in the E News version

Androgynous men in heels 1994,long before GaGa did it

Tura Satana

poofy hair from the Sex era 1992
Adele is like 2 years old at around this thing came out LOL

GIRL GONE WILD VIDEO

IT LEAKED!!!!!!

OMFG!!!!

As expected after days of endless waiting. MDNA finally leaked and it definitely feels like Christmas.
Apparently AOL Radio streamed the whole album without any announcement, but with the old reliable and persistent Madonna Loons waiting in the wings catches the whole thing.
And off they went in a mad scramble to rip it then leaked it.
This Album in its entirety is simply glorious and Divine. Notable songs are Gang Bang; I'm A Sinner, Turn up the Radio, Love Spent and Superstar.
But as the Filipino idiom goes "Walang Tulak Kabigin ".
The Album is Pure Pop Perfection. I had doubts in the start esp. when Give Me All your Luvin leaked but now I'm a believer.
I can’t wait for my pre ordered physical deluxe album on the 26th.
Don’t forget to grab your copy from your favorite music stores. Let’s make this album No. 1

MDNA LEAK

MDNA will be released worldwide on the 26th, and on the 23d in some parts of Europe.
It will be 7 days before that, and Madonna's fans including myself are giddy with excitement for the said release.
Fans were treated with a sneak peek of what the album offers by leaking a snippet a day for two weeks now, even leaking a whole song in the process.

Being a fan the strategy is working as there is a frenzy and demand for the album plus the fact that almost all of the reviews from major critics had been glowing and positive, in which I am oh so looking forward to the Meta Critics result with the said positive reviews, I am thinking this would be in the level of M's "Ray of Light" Album.

Anyways another aspect of this frenzy is the yearning of fans for the album to leak in the internet in whole as we are simply hungry for a new material from the queen. It had been four years since her last studio album "Hard Candy" after all.

The first single Give Me All Your Luvin's Demo leaked unexpectedly last year and to some extent I assumed it was hurt by these primarily because the response was underwhelming there by dampening its chances of being a big hit, although it reached the US Top Ten it quickly disappeared into oblivion right after the ultra-successful Super Bowl Halftime show.

So a matter of days into its release rumors circulated thru social media that the whole album will leak in the internet. For three days, the whole Madonna hemisphere has gone nuts and in a total frenzy. Most forums are hinting of the imminent leak even pinpointing the time and date, But sadly up until now it never happened.
A series of links was floated but unfortunately all of it were fakes, one even duped me into downloading, only to find out that the contents is, of all things GaGa's Born This Way. LOL

I remember during the American Life Era several links was also floated and one in particular came from M's camp, upon playing you'll hear M's voice saying "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOURE DOING?”M's camp had been very careful and put a tight lid on this one as most artists new release are leaked thru the internet two weeks before it hit stores and MDNA is still intact.

But don't fret because apparently streaming of the whole album will be available in some websites starting on the 21st. And more likely the full leak will follow. Which got me to thinking that this is not a qualified true blue leak as this thing is authorized by M and her record company. Darn it, so for now I’m hoping it still leaks. Don’t get me wrong I have already pre ordered it but I am really so hungry for new material from the Queen.
And they say it’s going to leak tonight, If not this will happen to me....LOL

ATTACK OF THE KILLER B SIDEs

Madonna had been known to have really great B side songs, In the past we have had Get Into the Groove which was later featured in the movie Desperately Seeking Susan and was later released as part of the Immaculate Collection, then we have Causing A Commotion and Gambler from Vision Quest, A few others more on her back catalogue that's either unreleased or leaked thru the internet without seeing the light of day and given an official release.

And now the full song "I FUCKED UP" was leaked in full courtesy of Perez Hilton. The song is part of her new album MDNA but is only a Bonus track.
Listening to it, I wasn't expecting anything spectacular as of course its just a bonus track, But just like her other B sides this thing is so effin brilliant and listenable.

The thing is this song is so honest and introspective of M's relationship with Director Guy Ritchie. And the title I Fucked Up one wouldn't think that this is such a lovely ballad with a twist. I am loving this track although some say its really weak but I don't care and I think its utterly and positively honest and lovely. Besides I think this is M's Adele moment in her album not vocally of course but rather a really fabulous Break up song......
And I adore the last line from the song saying"I Wish I could have you back one day, Or Not"......
C'Mon Take A listen...

BTW I do dedicate this song to all the boys I Loved before LOL

MDNA ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE REVIEW

Rolling Stone

Early one morning the sun was shining and she was lying in bed, wondering why he had her cash and if her hair was still red. An idea for a song bubbled, and she wasn’t sure if this one should be about heartbreak, revenge or the old get-into-the-groove thing. And then – light bulb! – why not multitask it? That was her therapy, after all. Failure? Not an option. Resistance to her will? Futile. The husband who was no longer there? Well, it was nice sometimes to imagine his head popping like a melon. Till death and all that. Now — where did she put her phone?

Yup, MDNA is our lady’s divorce album. Seven out of 16 songs address her split directly, and that’s low-balling if you think the chick with “fake tits and a nasty mood” in “Some Girls” could be the lingerie model who became Guy Ritchie’s new baby mama.
Revealing herself has always been part of her art, and this is hardly her first album that’s dark, messy and conflicted. But MDNA stands as Madonna’s most explicit work. Only who would have expected her to be this explicit with her… feelings?

How explicit?
“Wake up, ex-wife/This is your life.”
“I tried to be you wife/Diminished myself, I swallowed my light.”
“Lawyers/Suck it up/Didn’t have a prenup.”
“Every man that walks through that door will be compared to you for evermore.”
She’s been personal, but never this detailed before. In part, it’s an old punk-rock impulse: Show the world no one can hurt you more than you hurt yourself. Except she has cross-wired exposure and pain, which gives this set of confessions their discomforting immediacy.

As the beats swirl, Madonna pursues release, vows to rise above and wishes things had turned out differently. She also sings about new love (fits like a glove), and asks for someone to lick the frosting off her cake on “B-Day Song.” The music chases the latest articulations of club land ecstasy, but often returns to the blend of synth-driven electro and Sixties-pop classicism she’s staked out since “Like a Prayer.” Back after a 12-year layoff is William Orbit, who handles the most pained tracks (including “Gang Bang,” which bitch-slaps Ritchie’s shoot’em -up aesthetic with a nod to Kill Bill). New in town is Martin Solveig, the French producer behind the cheerleader fantasy of “Give me all your Luvin’” who is forced to curb his love of Prince, in service of sounding like William Orbit. Handling the big dance-floor tracks are Italian duo Benny and Alle Benassi, who put the empty boom of the club into songs like “Girl Gone Wild.”

Hooks emerge quickly; there’s lots of naughtiness for the DJ to bring back, and the music has depth that rewards repeated listening. The first impression is a desperation most people will mistake for Madonna’s old impulse for commercial connection. That’s never far away, but this is something far more personal. There’s something remarkable about Madonna’s decision to share her suffering the way she once shared her pleasure. Her music has always been about liberation from oppression, but for the first time the oppression is internal: loss and sadness. Stars – they really are just like us.

Key Tracks: “I Don’t Give A,” “B-Day Song,” “Love Spent”

Joe Levy – 3.5 / 5

POSTSCRIPT

I'm a little baffled that MDNA which had been getting generally high marks from other Publication only gets a 3.5 out of 5 stars from Rolling Stone, I mean they gave Hard Candy a 4. But anyways 3.5 is very good so I rest my case. Although I have to say the the write up is kinda cuckoo .Does not really reads like a review of the album but rather a critique on the details of M's divorce rather than its contents.

Lady GaGa in MANILA

Just when the Pinoy Monster thought that their Mama Monster had forsaken and left them out in the cold, An announcement including the Philippines in her Born This Way Ball live in Manila on May 21 2012 at the SM MOA Arena was released. It looks like GaGa will be the first artist to perform at the new and modern SM Arena. Bongga devah.
Earlier Manila was not included in the Asian Leg of the Tour only neighboring South East Asian countries were included. This is indeed a very welcome news for GaGa's fans.

BILLBOARD - MDNA Tack by Track Review

I'm simply amused and oh so impressed with the Reviews coming out about MDNA, M's new album. The latest of which is Billboard.com.

"A collection of thoroughly pumping pop tunes, some of which are slices of sheer brilliance"

by Keith Caulfield, L.A. | March 09, 2012 11:00 EST

MADONNA is still very much the Queen of Pop
Nearly 30 years after first hitting the Billboard charts in late 1982 with her debut single "Everybody," Madonna is still showing the pop world how it's done.

"MDNA" -- her 12th studio album -- is a collection of thoroughly pumping pop tunes, some of which are slices of sheer brilliance. Not only does Madonna take us to the club with "MDNA," she exhausts us, drains us, and confides in us. Five minutes after an aerobic workout on the dance floor, we're in her private booth, where she's spilling her guts about relationships and how things just didn't turn out the way they planned. Then, another five minutes later, we're back to dancing up a storm to a song like "Gang Bang."

Yes, "Gang Bang."

The track is one of the album's many stand-outs. It's a dark, throbbing tune that is twisted and surprising and altogether pop-tastic. (Yes, that's a word.)

Also notable is the summery pop nugget "Turn Up the Radio," the full-throttle digital rave-up of "I'm Addicted" and the driving, clever word play of "Love Spent."


"MDNA" reunites Madonna with her "Ray of Light" co-producer William Orbit, who polishes her songs with cosmic flourishes and rushes of fuzzy-retro bits. Madonna also enlists the production assistance of Martin Solveig, the Demolition Crew, Benny Benassi, Alle Benassi, Hardy "Indiigo" Muanza and Michael Malih.

Curiously, the set's first single -- the rah-rah "Give Me All Your Luvin'" -- doesn't properly prepare the listener for what they're going to get on the album. Basically: set it aside and go into "MDNA" with a clean slate.

Here's a Track-By-Track Take on "MDNA":


"Girl Gone Wild"
"Girl Gone Wild" The second single from "MDNA" is also the dance floor-ready opening number from the set. In a way, it's very dance-by-the-numbers with Madonna -- a "good girl gone wild" -- singing about her "burning hot desire" to have some fun. The production is familiar Benny Benassi -- all driving, thumping, electronic beats. It's comparable to his remix of Madonna's own "Celebration" single. The track does a good job of getting stuck in one's head, thanks in large part to its "hey-yay-yay" sing-song chorus. One notable difference in hearing this track on a proper stereo setup with quality speakers: you get carried away a bit more by the "whoosh," shall we say, of the song.


"Gang Bang"
"Gang Bang" Commence freaking out, hard core Madonna fans, as "Gang Bang" is the song you've been waiting for. It's dark, clubby, driving, thumping and altogether sickening. (Meaning: It's fantastic, y'all.) Consulting our notes, the scribbles include the words "OMG," "dubstep breakdown" and "GOD THE BEAT." So yeah, it's freaking amazing.

Eight songwriters, including British pop singer Mika (?!), collaborated on the song. On March 8, he Tweeted that it's "weird as fuck, underground and lyrically cool, it's amazing and bizarre. I love it, she sounds so good singing words so harsh." Madonna sing/speaks over the tweaky production about how she keeps her "enemies close" and how she "shot my lover in the head." Truly, "Gang Bang" is going to be one of the most talked-about tracks on the album and is completely unexpected after hearing "MDNA's" first two singles (the cheery "Give Me All Your Luvin'" and dance-by-numbers "Girl Gone Wild").

"Gang Bang's" lyric "Drive bitch!" -- so eloquently used in the song -- will become quite the catchphrase in the coming months. (Notably, as "Gang Bang" is explicit -- and perhaps un-editable -- it will be omitted from the "clean" version of "MDNA." A shame.)


"I'm Addicted"
"I'm Addicted" Hey, you wanna go dancing? We'll meet Madonna at the club, as she's got this fantastic, swirling, digital get-down number she wants to play for us. "Something happens to me when I hear your voice and I have no choice," Madonna sings on the hypnotic, Daft Punk-y song. And when Madonna says in a cool, instructive tone, "I need to dance," you know what -- you'll need to dance too. (And now we know where the title of the album comes from, as Madonna chants "MDNA" in "I'm Addicted.")


"Turn Up the Radio"
"Turn Up the Radio" A cousin to "Girl Gone Wild," this tune is a summery pop number that's as effortless as it is simple. It's mindless fun where Madonna sings about how the "temperature's pounding'" and longing to "escape" and how she's "sick and tired of playing this game." (Haven't we heard that before? Enough with the games Madonna!) -- Basically the point of the song here is: "turn up the radio until the speakers blow." While the lyrics aren't provocative or necessarily new, it's still a peppy little tune that would sound great "on the radio."


"Give Me All Your Luvin'"
"Give Me All Your Luvin" (featuring Nicki Minaj & M.I.A.) You've already heard "Give Me All Your Luvin'," the album's lead single, which peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The throwback cheerleader-like song almost seems like it was a commercial for Madonna's Super Bowl halftime show as opposed to a proper promotional single for "MDNA." Its lyrics and vibe aren't indicative of "MDNA" as a whole and mislead the listener into thinking the album is going to be full of singsongy jingles with by-the-numbers lyrics.

"Some Girls" The album's second William Orbit co-production, "Some Girls" will likely remind listeners of his work on the "Ray of Light" album. The tune has his trademark swirly, cosmic-like flourishes that zig-zag out of the speakers. On the track, Madonna lyrically references herself with the line "put your loving to the test" (oh hay "Express Yourself!") whilst elsewhere singing "I never wanna be like some girls."

"Superstar" Notably this track features the backing vocals of Madonna's eldest child, Lourdes (credited as Lola Leon), and name checks everyone from Marlon Brando and Michael Jordan to Julius Caesar and Abraham Lincoln. The gist here is: "Ooh la la, you're my superstar" and "I'm your biggest fan, it's true." Armed with yet another kicky dubstep bridge, Madonna also amusingly sings about how the "Superstar" subject of her devotion is "like John Travolta, getting into the groove." (Get it? She's referencing herself again -- but in a smart, cheeky way.)

"I Don't Give a F" (featuring Nicki Minaj) A very rat-a-tat-tat song, where Madonna barrels through a list of rants that vaguely reminds one of her rapping on the "American Life" single. She sings about how she "tried to be your wife" (Hey, Guy!) and "in the end it was a failure." Nicki Minaj puts in her second appearance on the album, where she closes her feature with the swipe "There's only one Queen and that's Madonna. Bitch!" The song ends with a rather lengthy orchestral bit that's epic and sweeping, but comes out of nowhere.

"I'm a Sinner" Reminiscent of William Orbit's own Ultra Violet remix of the "Ray of Light" single, the chugging track is so very, very Orbit. It's like the love child of "Beautiful Stranger" (another Orbit co-production) and "Ray of Light." Mid-way through, Madonna gets inspirational and recites "Hail Mary full of grace / get down on your knees and pray" followed by "Jesus Christ hang on the cross, died for our sins it's such a loss" and so on. (Yes, there's more, but we couldn't write that fast.)


"Love Spent"
"Love Spent" "You played with my heart, till death do we part," Madonna sings on this driving, building track. It's got these whooshes (yes, a technical term) that hark back to '80s tracks like Kim Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes." It's a mesmerizing song that includes a wonderful little strummy bit (possibly a banjo?). The lyrics work some clever word play comparing love to money: "I want you to hold me like you hold your money / hold me in your arms till there's nothing left." Madonna co-wrote this track with a team of professional writers, and the assistance is evident and welcome. (We love you Madonna, but we also love it when you collaborate and produce amazing, beautiful pop, like "Love Spent.")

"Masterpiece" This was the first taste the public got of "MDNA," as it was unveiled late last year as the closing-credits song of the Madonna-directed film "W.E." (Though, at the time, it was unclear if the track would ultimately turn up on "MDNA.") The Golden Globe-winning track is very pretty -- percolating along with a clicky little beat, an acoustic guitar and delicate strings. Madonna's vocals are lovely, comparing someone to "a rare and priceless work of art."

"Falling Free" The quite gorgeous ballad reunites Madonna with her brother-in-law Joe Henry, who has co-written at least one song now on four different Madonna albums. He co-penned "Don't Tell Me" from 2000's "Music" album, as well as "Jump" from "Confessions on a Dance Floor" and "The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" from the diva's last set, 2008's "Hard Candy." As an album-closer, it's perfect, with the lyric "I let loose the need to know / we're both free -- both free to go . . . "

Hell Yeah ....GANG BANG

Bitch out of order
Bat out of hell
Fish out of water
I'm scared, can't you tell?
Bang bang, shoot you dead
Bang bang, shot you dead

This song is so fuckin wicked, I mean hell yeah the Queen is definitely back.....
These reminds me of Erotica Era and as one reviewer said this is Girls gone Wild on female Viagra! The bass is so fierce and I am so loving the really sick back beats.

BEST BET....

In the past American Idol, A handful of Fil Ams made it to the Top 12 and knowing just how talented Filipinos are at singing, one would think that we would have produced an American Idol in the last ten season run.

Unfortunately most Fil-Ams were generally waylaid and lost . The highest finish would be Jasmine Trias whom I personally think does not deserve to be a third runner up, I mean for cryin out loud Jennifer Hudson was eliminated early on in that season.I would have preferred the other pinay Camille Velasco but sadly she didnt show much charisma and overly self conscious so she got eliminated. Then there's Ramiel Malubay who had a nice voice but sadly is kinda boring and lacks personality.

And of course last year's Thia Megia who had that perfect soulful Adele like voice, but lacks the showmanship that is needed to survive and win the top prize.

So now were on the 11th Season of American Idol,I am oh so seriously hoping and betting on Pinay Mexican Fil Am or whatever she's called as the new hope for us. The girl oozes with self confidence and a really great voice. Though she does kinda reminds me of Ella Mae Sayson both in looks and voice which is a good thing I think. But what the heck this girl is very good. Initially I was not impressed when I watched her home made videos but when she performed "I Love You I do" last week I became a believer.

This girl can sing which she proves again this week by belting out Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You".
I just wish that she be really consistent and that the American voting public so to speak votes for her.....

MDNA Sampler...

It's 19 days before the actual release of Madonna's 12th studio Album MDNA and so far the reviews from the Albums listening parties had been quite positive. Both major media outfits such as UK's The Guardian, Attitude Magazine etc. and a sprinkling of noted bloggers had been favorable. I for one is so looking forward to the eventual physical release of MDNA. Anyways to appease meself I contented myself by listening over and over to the snippets that had been leaked thru the internet, Namely I'm Addicted and Love spent. Judging from these two I think the album would be fabulous. C'mon and take a listen.

This Gay And Age....

PBS online documentary on Teen Gays in Middle America....Eye opener really especially to stereo typing son of a bitches...
In a way I do cherish the fact that I am in the Philippines, May not be perfect but we had it so good compared to this kids in the US.

SEX.....20 YEARS AFTER

Celebrating 20th anniversary of one of the most controversial coffee table book in history - SEX by Madonna.

It's been 20 years and the book had been dubbed by BookFinder.com as the most sought after out of circulation publication.

And I have two copies the American and the Japanese Edition. Well technically the Jap version is my sister's....

Happy Anniversary , May just be one of the most important Madonna Memorabilia aside from her music...

We still LUV M

It makes me really happy that although Madonna's first single from MDNA "Give Me All Your Luvin" is dropping out in most iTunes charts, In the Philippines MyMusic Store (the countries only legal Music download site), M is still up there at number 2.
Just goes to show that the Philippines is not ageist at all and that we love us some Grand mama's and papa's after all.
Personally I think this is not M's best work but comparing it to the crap that is being churned out by other artists, it actually is a fairly decent song although as I have mentioned not up to the Queens standard but rather a fun catchy forgettable song, but as Madonna's team says it’s a buzz single made primarily to announce that she's back and was used for the Super Bowls performance purposes.

I'm just so glad that the Philippines is showing and giving M some Luvin....

First Review: MDNA Attitude Magazine

Wanting Waiting Needing Cant wait for the 26th of March.....So so Excited
Madonna: MDNA (Interscope)
Review by Matthew Todd, Attitude Magazine April 2012

There’s a fun moment at the end of the video to the first single Give Me All Your Luvin’, when Madonna flings a baby doll off camera and away from her breast. It isn’t a subtle marker of starting anew with her loyal audience of gays and good-time girls, but it is comically satisfying nonetheless. Party Madonna is back and she wants us to know it.
Teaming up with producers Martin Solveig, Benny Benassi, The Demolition Crew and old hand William Orbit, MDNA is a dose of what she does best. While that may seem like just dance music, there is more to Madonna’s oeuvre than that.
Girls Gone Wild, the biggest pop stomper on the album, kicks off with a reference to Act of Contrition from Like a Prayer. The production might sound like she’s been listening to a fair bit of Rihanna, but who’s counting. Madonna brings her own authority, creating the kind of anthemic party song that she does best, the kind where everyone from your three-year-old niece to your 60-year-old mother gets up on the dancefloor. Much of MDNA is about having fun, but despite that, this is a dark album. If Like a Prayer was her divorce record and Hard Candy suffered, one senses, from being put together as her relationship with Guy Ritchie was falling apart, then MDNA is a fuck you ­ to her marriage, the life that came with it, and partly to herself for losing her identity in a partnership. She’s out to recapture who she is, and she has demons to slay.
The strangely titled Gang Bang sees her singing in a weird theatrical drawl about taking revenge on a lover who ruined her life. ‘Shot you dead, shot my lover in the head…I’m going straight to hell…I’ve got a lot of friends there’, she deadpans before yelling, ‘Drive bitch, die bitch!’. It’s kind of stupid, kind of amazing, kind of funny and kind of fucked up ­ but gives the album one vital ingredient to Madonna’s success that all contenders, apart from Lady Gaga, have never clued up on: drama.
The Solveig-produced I Don’t Give A…, is one of the album’s tour-de-force moments. Beginning by recounting a typical day, it becomes intensely honest, and is, as is her way, a telling-off of her critics. Love her or loathe her, Madonna has made her name by raising a middle finger to, well, just about everyone. ‘Wake up, this is your life, children on your own, gotta plan on the phone, meet the press, buy a dress, do all this to impress…do ten things at once and if you don’t like it I don’t give a….’ It’s here that she makes specific reference to her ex-husband. ‘I tried to be the perfect wife…I diminished myself…it swallowed me…if I was a failure then I don’t give a…’. The track builds to a genius, choral, almost Tim Burton-esque conclusion.
This strongest, most immediate section of MDNA continues with Turn Up the Radio, which begins like a delicate ballad as she pleads with the listener to stop for a moment, to get away from the world through music. It may sound trite but there’s urgency in its simplicity. It transforms into the album’s most pounding moment, reaching a climax that threatens to blow the speakers. Some might find it unusually generic, but she makes it her own and fans will be happy to have a dancefloor filler that will shake the clubs and would happily find a slot on the next series of Glee.
One of the later highlights is Superstar, surely the sweetest song Madonna has released since Cherish. It twirls along, an open-top summer anthem, serenading a new lover with a hypnotic chorus. It’s simple and pretty and a perfect song to sing on her summer concerts ­ and should definitely be a single.
MDNA ends, as recent Madonna albums do, with deep melancholia, from the Orbit-produced Falling Free, one of the saddest songs she’s ever written, through to the confessional I Fucked Up on the Deluxe Edition, accompanied by Beautiful Killer, a fun, 80s-sounding, strings-laced tribute to French actor Alain Delon.
Overall, this might not have the serious pop intensity of Confessions, it’s not as drastically new or experimental as music critics might like, but it’s fun, fucked up, dancey and full of drama. It’s what her fans have been waiting for: a wallop enough of an album to put her back up there, at checkmate against Lady Gaga, who, despite her brilliance, doesn’t quite give you songs that are as easy to disco dance to as some of these are. Is Madonna still ‘the Queen’ as Nicki Minaj gabs at one point? On the strength of MDNA, it’s hard to argue against.
[Note to Monsters: Lady Gaga is frikkin’ amazing, too. Don't kill us.]
4 STARS ****