Between the sixteen trillion Facebook posts, massive build up via Youtube and the blogosphere effectively going into some sort of homosexual Chenobryl – it feels pointless to write a review of MDNA. You know how it sounds, you know what to expect and yes, you know it’s a damn good album. However, there are three stand out tracks that deserve particular attention.
Love Spent is essentially all the things that have worked about Madonna since 1983. The song wouldn’t be out of place on Ray of Light, American Life, Confessions, Hard Candy, Erotica, Music – everything! Mixing her consistently inventive lyricism with banjos, Mario Brothers electronica, a banging beat and a few kitchen sinks, this is exactly what we want from Madonna.
If Turn Up The Radio isn’t released as a single, than I should give up blogging because I clearly have no idea about what is going on in the music world. Infectious and brimming with Martin Solveig’s current sound, Turn Up The Radio demands you have fun. It’s the most commercial track on the album but shouldn’t be punished for it – it perfectly rounds out the first four clubby tracks of MDNA.
Preceding Radio is I’m Addicted, a track that one ups Girls Gone Wild’s Benassi helmed dance feel. Pulsating, aggressive and catchy as sin, it plays out like the evolution of Confessions on a Dancefloor. One criticism? Shouting MDNA towards the end of the track comes across as both desperate and pointless.
MDNA is one highlight after another. Coming across as Ray Of Confessions, it reinforces Madonna’s irrepressible ability to make us dance and think at the same time. Nearly 30 years into her career, she hasn’t just given us an easy pill to swallow – she might have just made her best album to date. 4 stars.
If it wasn’t bad enough that this year’s Grammy Awards almost entirely neglected multiple winner Amy Winehouse’s death because of Whitney Houston’s, I also discovered that a young man can make mistakes and be forgiven. Right? Wrong.
The slick beats, synthesisers and Chris Brown’s lightning feet aren’t enough to distract me from the fact that he violently beat Rihanna. The song is rubbish enough to be played on commercial radio every four minutes, I’m just hoping that it only goes to no.1 in countries where it’s ok to hit women.
As for the Grammys – shame on you for the invitation, performance and wins of Chris Brown. 1.5 stars.
M.I.A – Bad Girls
M.I.A has struggled with the balance of being a badass Bollywood bohemian and top-of-the-pops Timbaland tart. Her first album was groundbreaking, yet alienating, while her second proved to be surprise hit, with her Clash-sampling “Paper Planes” assaulting the US charts. However her third album, Maya, received tepid reviews and failed to achieve airplay (because well, it was a giant wank.)
With “Bad Girls”, it appears M.I.A has nailed the happy medium. The Eastern influence is as undeniable in the tune as it is in the video, but the hip-hop percussion is Americanised enough to hear it in retail stores globally.
A welcome return to form. 3.5 stars.
Nneka – Shining Star
Nneka has been hovering around the lower parts of the UK charts for the last few years with her socially-conscious-for-the-masses, Michael Franti meets Neneh Cherry thing going on.
“Shining Star”, as twee as it could come across, is incredibly charming. Nneka’s vocals are sweet and infectious, the hip-hop-lite beat is accessible and the song could grace more cafes than a pretentious cafe blogger.
Nneka might never reach the top of the charts, but she’s at least of the top of the drab, dull mass heap of current radio. 3.5 stars.
Adelaide songstress Sia Furler has had a career that the millions of mass-produced pop marionette dolls could only dream of. She has released a succession of critically acclaimed albums, written and guested on songs for some of the world’s biggest stars, been the key voice of UK chill out troupe Zero 7 and now her dominance of commercial radio looks set to be ongoing as she earmarks the release of her sixth album.
Though it took the better part of a decade, Sia finally found semi-fame when her heart-wrenching ballad “Breathe Me” featured in the final moments of the critically acclaimed HBO series Six Feet Under. A slow and steady three years later, she released Some People Have Real Problems, arguably her finest album to date. Tracks like “Buttons” and “Lullaby” achieved international recognition and airplay, leading to an unforgettable performance on David Letterman – America’s doors were open.
In the gap between her third and fourth album, We Are Born, Sia concentrated on her song writing skills, writing for Christina Aguilera’s epic flop, Bionic. While her contributions were the album’s memorable moments, Sia saved the best for We Are Born. An electro-pop album with heart, it received critical acclaim and hosted track after track of exceptional work.
In 2011/12, we have been introduced to a different kind of Sia – the guest star. With David Guetta’s anthemic “Titanium”, Flo Rida’s “Wild Ones” and Skip-hop Hilltop Hoods’ “I Love It”, Sia came dangerously close to being on radio more than commercials. The first two even hit no.1 in the UK.
While hearing Sia’s inimitable voice on radio is welcome, her fans yearn for her sixth album, where her immaculate song writing, compelling lyrics and momentous voice can shine.
To commemorate the release of her Best Of today, here are my Top 5 Sia Moments: (Zero 7 tracks not included but if they are foreign to you, check out “You’re My Flame”, “This Broken Social Scene” and “Destiny.”)
5. Drink To Get Drunk (Healing Is Difficult)
As much as it pains me to feature a song without an official video clip, “Drink To Get Drunk” is just too good to refuse. From the almost awkward piano melody to the glossy hip-hop beat, to the eclectic mix of instruments that shouldn’t work, all the way to lyrics that are so stupidly simple yet so completely amazing – this is the Sunday morning hair-of-the-dog theme tune for those who aren’t quite sure if they’re coming down or going up.
4. Clap Your Hands (We Are Born)
“Clap Your Hands” was the quintessential track off We Are Born, perfectly encapsulating the electro pop sound of the rest of the album. With a typically Sia clip that was equal part bonkers and cute, “Clap Your Hands” found a home on both commercial and alternative sides of the fence, becoming her first Australian Top 20 single and polling 13th in Triple J’s Hottest 100 in 2011.
3. Soon You’ll Be Found (Some People Have Real Problems)
More about the performance than the actual song (which is still stunningly haunting), this was one of the biggest stepping stones in Sia’s career. Enhancing the lyrics with sign language (Sia has many deaf fans due to her lyricism and energetic shows), Sia charmed David Letterman and guests with this sensational rendition.
2. Day Too Soon (Some People Have Real Problems)
When typical pop stars write love songs, they are usually some rubbish about being the only one in the club, or thanks to Jason Derulo’s modern day poetry, “Much more than a Grammy award, that’s how much you mean to me.” Ugh. When Sia writes a love song, it involves epic vocal and emotional crescendos, lyrics that fly flippantly between triumphant strength and trembling vulnerability and well, the most ridiculous use of a swan since Bjork attended the Oscars in 2001. Bravo.
1. Breathe Me (Colour The Small One)
Since I’ve made quite a few references, it is fair to say that the majority of Sia’s appeal lies in her lyrics. Over the top yet completely relatable, we share her story. Fitting then that the final scene of one of the most loved television shows in history featured Sia’s masterpiece. I have posted Six Feet Under’s last six minutes but I sincerely recommend finding Mylo’s remix. I’m going to do the unthinkable and nominate it as the superior “Breathe Me”. *Cowers to avoid thrown rocks*. For more truly manipulative heart wrenching, check out Sia’s “Lullaby” in the final episode of the Bic C’s debut season.
You can hear Sia Furler on Tegan & Sara’s upcoming album, while her own album should surface by late 2012.
