Madonna - Confessions On a Dance Floor

I'm not going to start this review by dissing her last album like the rest of the critics have done because I actually enjoyed the 'American Life' album even though it really was not one of her best but it still had some nice moments and intersting production bits.

As the title clearly states this album is an all dance record from start to finish ( Think Kylie's fever album ) except that there are no gaps between the songs cause they were mixed together by producer Stuart Price ( Juliet , Les Rytheme Digitals ) who also produced 9 of the 12 tracks that are on the album.

I have been listening to it for two days non stop now and I didn't switch to anything else since I got it ( more like downloaded it!) cause I really wanted it to sink in and amazingly with every listen I discovered a new element and sound in the songs themselves which makes you realize how many layers of music production that's been done here. Madonna's writing on this record is one of her best and she's back to her famous F.off attitude which we all have to admit that it's exactly what we love about her ( or at least the fans do ). Almost every song on this record is actually single worthy which is why I really hope that she releases more than 3 singles ( she only officially released 3 off her last two studio albums ) this time around.

Anyways , Here is what I think about the songs :

1. Hung Up : The first single off the record which everyone by now knows that it samples Abba's 'Gimme , Gimme , Gimme!'. I think that this was a good choice for a first single cause the rest of the songs would have probably been too weird for people to accept from the first listen and this one is simply the most radio friendly song on the whole record with its whole catchy chorus and the sort of regular production u'd expect from a Madonna song.

She sings : "Time goes by so slowly for those who wait. No time to hesitate".

2. Get Together : I don't think I ever heard a Madonna song that sounds like this. It's has a very strong European underground dance/trance feel to it ( Think Stardust's 'music sounds better with you' ) while she sings in a laid back and rather soulful way. I quite like it though it took me some time to get used to but after a few listens I started appreciating it more and more.

She sings : "It's all an Illusion , there's too much confusion"

3. Sorry : This is one of the best tracks on the record and I am glad they chose it as the second single. Madonna starts by saying sorry in different languages then the Chorus kicks in with a beat that reaminds me alot of the beat used in 'Material Girl' but this one is a bit faster and with a great bassline along with some lovely string arrangements in it's background.

She sings : "I've heard it all before and I can take care of myself"

4. Future Lovers : I tried so hard to like this song but I just really couldn't which makes me glad to know that this is probably the very last song that Mirwais ( Music , American Life ) produces for her. It's very trancy but the tune is way too repetitive and You end up getting bored of the song after just one minute.There are some bits where she talks/chants and that reminded me alot of her single 'Rescue me'. I am not sure if it will eventually grow on me , but for now I am just not loving this one

She sings : "there's no love like the future love"

5. I Love New York : This one was a bit hard for me to swallow at first but after listening to it a few times It started growing on me the same way that 'Ray of light' did after listening to it several times. This is one huge dance/trance track , you can actually picture the crowd around her jumping to it in a nightclub.. the lyrics in it are also interesting with bits that sort of imply that she's making fun of the American President.

She sings : "If you don't like my attitude , then you can F.Off"

6. Let It Will Be : This is one of my fave tracks on the record with its lovely String arrangments ( Think 'Die another day' ) and the beats that sound a bit similar to Kylie's 'Can't get you out of my head'. I Really love how she sings the chorus in it and the way she plays with the title : 'let it be' , 'would you let it be' , 'just let it be' , 'let it will be' and so on.

She sings : "Now I can see things for what they really are"

7. Forbidden Love : This is a very cute song , very poppy unlike the rest of the record. The song features Stuart Price as a background vocalist with Madonna singing in a slight Vocoder ( robotic ) voice effect. The music on this one reminds me alot of the songs that came out in the 80's which is quite refreshing.

She sings : "Just one smile on your face was all it took to change my fortune."

8. Jump : I really like her vocals on this one , It reminds me alot of her voice back in the late 80's which is in my opinion her best musical period. Again this song features a bit of chanting done by her and some slight strings in the background along with a bit of vocoder effects.

She sings : "I haven't got much time to waste , it's time to make my way. I'm not afraid of what i'll face but I'm afraid to stay."

9. How High : I instantly loved this song. It features some really great production done by Bloodshy and Avant ( Britney's 'Toxic' ) and Is just nicely arranged and put together. True , it has alot of vocal effects but it works well for the song and the chorus is nicely sung. The song is bascially about Madonna's fame.

She sings : "Should I carry on? will it matter when I'm gone?"

10. Isaac : This song features Alot of chanting by a jewish guy whom Madonna apparently titled the song after. It starts with some string arrangements that sound a bit like the ones on her hit 'Papa don't preach' and along with the chanting madonna starts singing about spirituality along with some humming in the background. It's nice but it took a little time to grow on me.

She sings : "You'll find the gate that's still open even though your spirit is broken."

11. Push : This one has the heaviest beats on the album , sort of Indian like if you ask me along with a hint of RnB and Electronica while Madonna sings in very fast way which I don't think I ever heard her do before. I like the way it progresses later on and the vocoder effects kick in the background.

She sings : "every move I make , every step I take , It's all because you push me."

12. : Like It Or Not : With an amazing intro that sounds like the one used in her hit 'Frozen' , some slight guitar strings and then The stomping beat kicking in , I can say that this is one of the most interesting songs on the record vocally , musically and lyrically...and As stuart price said , it's the best way to end the record with madonna's typical 'No regrets' attitude all over it.

She sings : "This is who I am , you can like it or not , you can love me or leave me cause I'm never gonna stop."

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This is easily one of her best records to date and right up there with the likes of 'Ray of light' and 'Like a prayer' and I would recomend it to anyone who asks me about it ( not just cause I am a fan , but because it actually is good ).

Rating : 9.5/10

I am going to upload it and post the links on my blog soon , though I still think people should buy it once it's out next week.