Madonna’s new album lacks substance

Madonna may want to portray herself as a “Girl Gone Wild,” but this riotous woman isn’t releasing pop gold. The reality of is Madonna’s twelfth studio album, MDNA, is an overall “OK” album, but the gratuitous auto tune usage and controversial lyrics make for a somewhat disappointing experience.

Fans shouldn’t expect a great deal of collaboration on the record. The only two artists featured are rappers Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. Madonna could have extended a few more invitations to the party.

The album begins with “A Girl Gone Wild,” an awesome track and, most importantly, an attention grabber.  Lyrics like, “I got that burning hot desire, no one can put out my fire” show off her sexy confidence that melts into a little cockiness. The song has a likeable techno-pop beat.

“Gang Bang” is dark and gloomy, but it maintains a pop beat that you can dance to. Lyrics such as “Bang bang, shot you dead, shot my lover in the head/ Bang bang, shot you dead, girl I have no regret/ He deserved it” are a little controversial. The song appropriately ends with the sound of police sirens.

The next song on the album, “I’m Addicted,” has a beat similar to “Gang Bang.” This song should have been cut from the album or the order of the album should have been changed. Madonna is obviously using autotune, and her voice sounds so far away the lyrics are barely decipherable. The song is about her addiction to someone, but unfortunately it fails to keep the listener’s attention.

However, the strong beat on her following song, “Some Girls,” will regain your interest. The song was about how some girls seem to always get their way, but she never does.  “Some girls always get what they wanna wanna/ All I seem to get is the other.” As a whole, it was a pretty cool track.

On “I Don’t Give A,” featuring Nicki Minaj, Madonna sings about being in a relationship where giving all you have is never good enough. Nicki Minaj’s verse is great and she ends with, “There’s only one queen and that’s Madonna ….” Then the sounds of opera voices begin to sing “ha ha ha” in a dissonant tone until the song concludes. I liked it– it was a great final touch.

On Madonna’s next song “Turn Up The Radio,” she sounds exactly like a chipmunk, I’m assuming due to autotune. Fortunately, the song is positive, motivating, and inspirational. She tells listeners and fans to turn up the radio when things in life aren’t going so well. “When the world starts to get you down and nothing seems to come your way/ There’s a glow of the distant light calling you to come outside to feel the wind on your face and your skin.” It’s a nice song with a pop beat.

Madonna’s 2012 Superbowl performance song, “Give Me All Your Luvin,” featuring rappers Nicki Minaj and M.I.A, was a good song, but both of the rappers’ verses were very short. Minaj delivered, however, M.I.A’s verse seemed pointless and could have been eliminated. Minaj’s verse should have been extended.

Next on the album is “B-Day Song” which should have been named “Birthday Songs for Hippies.” The song was slow, dull, and made me think of hippies and the 70s. On a positive note, this song is the first time Madonna plays up her vocal strengths. Other than that, there was nothing exciting about the song.

“Superstar” is cute, but sounds a lot like a nursery rhyme. Fortunately it has a great beat and catchy lyrics.

The next controversial song on the album is “I’m A Sinner.”  It includes the lyrics, “I’m a sinner and I like it that way… ” This song’s lyrics may receive some negative attention amongst religious listeners.

In “Masterpiece,” Madonna shows off her voice in its most natural form with bare minimum of autotune. It has a nice, slow beat and is quite different from all the other songs on the album thus far.

Madonna’s voice sounds amazing as she sings the next track, “Falling Free.” However, the song is mediocre. The violin instrumental on “Love Spent” was an amazing idea. This track has a techno- pop styled beat and it sounds great. When the song ends the beat noticeably and nicely fades out.

Madonna’s voice sounds the best on “I F***ed Up” which is one of my favorites. Madonna sings about being in a relationship that she eventually ruins. “I f***ed up, I made a mistake, no one does it better than myself… I wish I could have you back maybe one day.” The song starts off slowly and then increases to a rapid pace which is a great touch.

“Beautiful Killer” is the last track on the album and, although it has a nice beat, it shouldn’t have been the last song on the album. Madonna didn’t end the album as strong as she began. Whatever happened to going out with a bang?

The album has its moments, but it’s doubtful that it will be the best thing you hear this year. Excessive auto tune, weak writing, and a lack of flair all make for a second-rate album.