Madonna. The Queen of Pop. The woman who has been creating electrifying pop music since the 1980s, and who notoriously promotes youth rebellion and world peace. The material girl, who has been in the music industry for nearly three decades, has impacted the pop genre by creating numerous hits, bold fashion trends and selling out concerts worldwide. With such accomplishments, Madonna even has trouble topping herself.
The 53-year-old musician returns this spring with the release of her twelfth album, “MDNA.” The album’s title was chosen as an abbreviation of Madonna DNA and as a reference to MDMA, the active ingredient in the drug ecstasy (which is often associated with electronic dance music). Already the musician is being slammed with complaints over the album title for encouraging listeners to use MDMA. The singer took the issue to her Twitter account, saying: “I don’t support drug use and I never have.”
However, her lyrics beg to differ. In her song “I’m Addicted,” multiple drug metaphors are used. “Now that your name/ pumps like the blood in my veins/ pulse through my body, igniting my mind/it’s like MDNA and that’s ok.”
Despite the drug references, if you’re looking for an upbeat and fun album, you won’t be completely disappointed by “MDNA.” The majority of the album is full of catchy lyrics and upbeat tempos that you won’t be able to keep yourself from sing- ng. However, I am going to say this album is worth listening to but not worth buying.
Lyrically speaking, I personally feel a little cheated. The amount of profanity leaves at least five of her songs to be left on unchecked on your iTunes playlist. Because Madonna worked on this album for nearly four years, I expected stronger lyrics than “Some girls got an attitude/fake tits and a nasty mood/hot s*** when she’s in the loop.” And other songs, when they’re not driven by beat breaks and merged with horrific lyrics, give the impression that she really didn’t even try.
Madonna, your name doesn’t sell. I didn’t live in your era when you were the powerhouse of the pop community. You need to be able to sell to your consumers and not make me feel like you’re a complete sell-out.
She does have songs that, the moment you hear them, you’ll recognize the old Madonna sound in. Both “Masterpiece” and “Falling Free” are produced by William Orbit, who worked on her “Ray of Light” album. These two singles are the only songs that bring the soothing sound we once heard when she sang about world peace. “Falling Free” adds a different element to the album by slowing down the mood using only the violin, flute, and harp. These slow songs without the electronic beats are where she shines the most.
Other songs on the album that aren’t either the old sound or a disaster aren’t too bad. Actually, they’re rather tolerable and I can see them making the top 40. I just hope she doesn’t anticipate a Grammy for this work.
Madonna still does manage to place in the top 40. But from a woman who had over 114 million viewers watch her Super Bowl half-time show (most watched in history), announced the largest world tour and rated Billboard’s Most Anticipated Album of 2012, this album does not bring solidity to her reputation.
“MDNA” was released March 23 and is worth a listen. This album is not kid friendly but is simply fun. Rating 3/5.
