THIS IS NOT RETRO SAYS…
I’ll be honest here and admit that I’ve not been particularly moved by any of Madonna’s albums since ‘Ray of Light’ in 1998, and if it had all been down to ‘Give Me All Your Luvin” – the first single from ‘MDNA’ – then I might have dismissed the album as more of a return to the sound of ‘Hard Candy’ than a return to form. However the ballad ‘Masterpiece’ – included on this album as well as on the soundtrack to the recent ‘W.E.’ movie produced by Madonna – has been on the radio a lot and make me prick up my ears because it sounds a lot like the Madonna of days gone by, in other words a lot like ‘my’ Madonna.
Despite the nods to her past (and within the lyrics across this record, there are a LOT of references to her past) ‘MDNA’ is an album firmly rooted in the here and now. If it’s dancefloor Madonna you’re after then ‘Girl Gone Wild’ and ‘Turn Up The Radio’ will tick those boxes for you. If you want something a bit darker and a bit more twisted then ‘Gang Bang’ might be more to your taste, and if it’s an emotional connection you crave then try ‘Masterpiece’ or ‘Falling Free’.

Unlike some of Madonna’s more recent releases this is an album with something for everyone. I wonder if it’s Madonna’s decision to include ballads alongside the more bombastic dance numbers that gives the album a more confessional, personal edge, or perhaps it’s her decision bring back William Orbit’s distinctive production skills on several of the tracks, but this is a pretty good album. Think ‘Confessions On A Dance Floor’ with added ballads, which is no bad thing at all. [Richard]

MADONNA - MDNA

WE’LL GIVE IT…

TRACKLISTING

Girl Gone Wild / Gang Bang / I’m Addicted / Turn up the Radio / Give me all your Luvin’ (ft. M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj) / Some Girls / Superstar / I Don’t Give A (ft. Nicki Minaj) / I’m a Sinner / Love Spent / Masterpiece / Falling Free

RELEASE DETAILS
‘MDNA’ was released on March 26th 2012 on CD, a limited edition 2-CD package, and via download.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Please rate this release below, and share your thoughts in the comments section further down the page.
[five-star-rating]