Madonna
Interscope
I don’t understand why so many people are trashing this album, it’s far from Madonna’s worst output and it’s filled with incredibly catchy and fun dance tunes. Maybe it’s about expectations, Madonna’s last album Hard Candy was one of her most un-original – and in the past when Madonna’s had a dubious album, she’s returned with a killer, and by that benchmark MDNA may fall a little short.
Collaborations with producer Benny Benassi are some of the albums highlights, Girl Gone Wild is a blast and I’m Addicted is made for the dance floor. Martin Solveig is behind the production desk for the boisterous Turn Up the Radio, but one of his other productions, lead single Gimme All Your Luvin’ quickly becomes tiresome it also appears in a remixed form featuring LMFAO. Ray of Light producer William Orbit contributes a bunch of tracks including Some Girls, I’m A Sinner and the hypnotic Gang Bang (no, it’s not what you think it’s about). The first disc closes with the ballad Masterpiece from the film W.E. and the intriguingly baroque Falling Free, written with Madonnas brother in law alt. country musician and in demand producer Joe Henry – who has become a regular contributor to Madonna’s albums.
The second disc features some more subdued tracks – Beautiful Killer is a captivating sing-a-long song , B-Day Song is a second collaboration with M.I.A, I F**ked Up is slightly dull, while Best Friend is better than your average album track. It is an album that quickly grows on you and repetitive listening is encouraged. Throw the album on the stereo for a few days and you’ll be signing and dancing along in no time. Make sure you get the deluxe 2CD version for the full MDNA experience.
Graeme Watson
