Album Review: Madonna - MDNA

Madonna's 12th studio album MDNA offers some familiar futuristic EDM sound with a touch of Madge. This could sound like her previous work Hard Candy, when all artists at the time were aching to be Timbalandised. As Madge is known to cope with trends very well and can transform into what is relevant, she manages to score an album with today's sound - electronic dance music. Working with producers like Benny Benassi, Martin Solveig, Ray of Light collaborator William Orbit, among the few, Madonna proves yet again why she has the staying power in the business. However, for fans as myself, I feel the album does not deliver a seemingly come-back attempt from a 4-year hiatus, and also that hope for a Ray Of Light ish smash album also dissipated. 

The concept of MDNA, in reference to MDMA drug, or an abbreviated version of Madonna, or Madonna DNA rocked my brain for a couple of months. Those months I have anticipated that she will deliver an in-your-face album to all of the princesses threatening her of her Queen of Pop throne. But to no avail, I feel that she wasn't able to do so. Perhaps with album sales, she did prove her loyal following. But as a loyal follower myself, I feel she has again succumb to the pressures of the post-GaGa pop world. I was hoping she would be setting new trends and not trying to prove why she is the queen. Although some good tracks were produced, there are no tracks sounding they could pass the test of time. But it might be too early to judge so let's see.

On a lighter note, I want to highlight some of the tracks that are worthy listens: Gang Bang sounds like a sequel to Revolver and its video could only be aptly directed by Quentin Tarantino; other tracks like I'm Addicted (where she repeatedly sings MDNA then it turns out to be MDMA in the end), Turn Up The Radio, I Don't Give A comply to today's standard of what an EDM-inspired track should be. Another track that sounds like her previous hits: Beautiful Stranger for I'm A Sinner; and Ray of Light for Beautiful Killer. Do check out the deluxe edition, as it has some great add ups.

Track list

01. Girl Gone Wild
02. Gang Bang
03. I'm Addicted
04. Turn Up The Radio
05. Give Me All Your Luvin'
06. Some Girls
07. Superstar
08. I Don't Give A
09. I'm A Sinner
10. Love Spent
11. Masterpiece
12. Faaling Free

Deluxe:

01. Beautiful Killer
02. I Fucked Up
03. B-day Song
04. Best Friend
05. Give Me All Your Luvin' (Party Rock Remix)
06. Love Spent (Acoustic) (iTunes pre-order only)

Let me know what you think--

Album Review: Rihanna - Loud

Rihanna's 5th studio album Loud landed in most markets today 15 Nov 2010. Though I got the leaked iTunes version, I'm still waiting to grab myself a physical copy of the album. 

Having done my initial listening sessions, I've really fallen in love deeper with Only Girl (In The World) and thought that it was the best choice as a lead single. The song speaks so much about the album's feel and character - fun, carefree, flirty, LOUD! The synths entagled in rich rhythm and drums plus the signature electro sound of Stargate makes a perfect club anthem! This song is sure to join the ranks of her other hits that will forever be etched in her career that launched her to stardom. Songs like Umbrella, Don't Stop The Music and Unfaithful. 

I also noticed the evolution of Rihanna's voice in the album, her range was higher, wider giving a vibrant impact on the album's loud attitude. This is mostly evident in Only Girl and Complicated

It was also confirmed by Rihanna's team that What's My Name (featuring Canadian R&B sensation Drake) will be the next single and the video is already being shot. My impression of the song is Stargate's Euro synthpop meets Rihanna's Barbadian singing style plus Drake's sexy voice. The result, a dancey, radio-friendly record but otherwise, forgettable. 

Other songs like the provocative S&M, which is another Stargate produced track was also confirmed to be the third single and an accompanying music video will also be released. Man Down is probably the most Barbadian-influenced track in the album - very similar to her I Got That track from Good Girl Gone Bad. The fun & playful Raining Men (with Nicki Minaj) is also an attention grabber along with the mellow side of the album California King (Bed), Cheers (Drink to That) and Love The Way You Lie - Part II which this time, features rapper Eminem) proves Rihanna's versatility as a recording artist. Love The Way You Lie part II is an acoustic throwback to RiRi and Eminem's chart-topping hit Love The Way You Lie. Do you remember Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' The Empire State of Mind? A. Keys also had her own piano version of the song in her 4th studio album. Nothing, I just want to segue that info and relate it to how Rihanna did it with hers. LTWYP2 in my opinion is a much better version with Eminem's less raps and more of part from RiRi.

Noteworthy tracks: S&M, Only Girl (In The World), Love The Way You Lie - Part II, Cheers (Drink to That), California King (Bed)

Track list:

01. S&M

02. What's My Name

03. Cheers (Drink To That)

04. Fading

05. Only Girl (In The World)

06. California King (Bed)

07. Man Down

08. Raining Men

09. Complicated

10. Skin

11. Love The Way You Lie - Part II

What do you think?