GenQ Music

The undeniable queen of pop, the ever changing image and longevity in the industry is back with her 11^th studio album, Hard Candy. The album comes surrounded by hype and anticipation, following her massive dance floor smash hit, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Released by Warner Bros., Hard Candy is the final studio album to be released under her contract with the music company.

There has been much talk about the apparent attenuation of Madonna’s creative grasp on this album. Up until now she has had a big part in writing and producing duties for all her albums since 1986’s True Blue. Hard Candy sees the queen of domination finally submit to the will of the young, hip and happening producers of the time, including Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Pharell Williams of N.E.R.D fame. And it shows.

The album gives off an overall hip-hop/pop aura, with an underlying dance core. It features the vocal talents of Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams and Kanye West.

Of the album, Timbaland stated in an interview: "It's kinda like 'Holiday' with an R&B groove." Justin Timberlake spoke with industry magazine Hollywood Daily People and noted: "It’s an R&B/pop/dance record, but it’s still Madonna... A couple of times I pushed her in a direction where it took a minute before we saw eye to eye. Her approach was, 'Well, I just haven’t done that' and I was like, 'Yeah, that’s why you should do it'”.

The first single off the album, ‘4 minutes’ is a Timberlake, Timberland & Madonna collaboration with a phat bassline and brass groove that is loud and commanding. People would be easily mistaken for thinking that this was a Timberlake song in which Madonna makes an appearance, for the vocals are equally shared. However the combination produces fireworks and, added with the sexy video clip, you could easily place such a song on the Mr and Mrs Smith soundtrack.

Album opener “Candy Shop” is a perussion-liscious, sexually intense groove-fest that successfully ‘gets you off your seat’ as Madonna commands. Put this one up loud and shake your arse to this catchy chorus. “Heartbeat” is a classic Madonna dance track with a more subtle urban feel; William’s background vocals the perfect accompaniment. This song has a great energy and carefree feel.

“Miles Away” is more wistful and guitar driven, as well as featuring more sombre percussion whereas “Incredible” is snare and bass driven track with robot-like lyrics about the times in your life when everything felt right.

“Beat Goes On” features a Kanye West cameo and more of a vocal offering by Williams in the chorus, as well as an almost disco-like melody and repetitive, catchy lyrical line-up.

Timberlake and Madonna team up in Dance 2night and the result is a funky, melody driven yet chilled out RnB track more reminiscent of a track on a Timberlake album. Not that I’m complaining. The sound becomes Madonna and she fits it perfectly (like most things!).

“Devil wouldn’t recognise you” is up there with my favourites on the album, though I can’t put my finger on why. Hard Candy is full of delectable treats encompassing all the colours of the rainbow, yet somehow this one stands out. The piano driven melody strikes a chord that melds well with the synthesized intricacies embedded into the music.

Saving the best for last, “Voices” carries an incredibly satisfying baseline and vocal melody that work so well together. And any song that speaks of master and slave has my attention. “Who is the master, who is the slave?”. Once again this song utilises piano and some strings and brings some variety to the sound.

Hard Candy is another hit for the Queen of Pop and re-invention. After having recently conquered the dance genre of the time, Madonna has returned with yet again a new sound and a fantastic array of new songs. Get it on and turn it up.

"Candy Shop" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 4:16
"4 Minutes" (featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland) (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) – 4:04
"Give It 2 Me" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 4:48
"Heartbeat" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 4:04
"Miles Away" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) – 4:49
"She's Not Me" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 6:05
"Incredible" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 6:20
"Beat Goes On" (featuring Kanye West) (P. Williams, Madonna, K. West) – 4:27
"Dance 2night" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, H. Lane) – 5:03
"Spanish Lesson" (P. Williams, Madonna) – 3:38
"Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, J. Henry) – 5:09
"Voices" (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, H. Lane) – 3:39

Tags: Hard Candy, Justin Timberlake, madonna, pharell williams, Timbaland