It’s not called Lyrics, and for good reason. Madonna’s latest release is a true release of pop energy and dance. It combines Madonna’s signature songs with French techno master Mirwais Ahmadzai (former musician for French electro band Taxi Girl), an acoustic guitar, and polished touches by William Orbit. Song titles include the words "Impressive, amazing, perfect, paradise"—and if that’s not a hint for fun I don’t know what is.
Music takes her back to her club roots, and the modern sounds reflect the changes in dance music. The opening track "Music" (the least impressive track on the album), as well as "Impressive Instant" and "Runaway Lover" sound very Ibiza Summer 2000-techno "Holiday"! Certain techno elements bring Air and Daft Punk to mind. Le francais Mirwais Ahmadzai’s production is edgy and unfinished, giving it an urban grittiness whereas Orbit is much more layered and almost classical. Their differing styles—from city street to celestial—do show the spectrum of techno and electronica—a risk for a pop album.
Yet for all of the production the most shocking is the use of a simple guitar—I never thought I’d live to see the day a Madonna song would start off with just her voice and guitar strumming. The unadorned and raw quality works very well with "I deserve it", a melodious ballad with beats. "Don’t tell me" is created with Mirwais’s stop and start programming with a few country-like strums. "Gone", produced by William Orbit, blends organic guitar, velvety production and Madonna’s talent for catchy verse into a perfect song.
"Nobody’s Perfect" would be positively imperfect but for the Mirwais’s programming and keyboards. "What it feels like for a girl" featuring an excerpt of Charlotte Gainsbourg reading, is not at all like "not a pretty girl" by Ani Di Franco. It’s more of a continuation of "candy perfume boy". "Paradise (not for me)" sounds a bit PJ Harveyesque—and her warm voice ("Into your eyes my face remains" she sings) contrasts well with the computer generated sounds. Plus she sings in French so everyone gathered at Queen in Paris can go crazy. Personally, I think she should have covered "Lemon Incest" with Charlotte Gainsbourg for a real treat.
This is a compelling album, musically strong, with great pop songs. A dying breed, it seems.
Madonna Music
