The road to ‘Rebel Heart’ has not been smooth. There was a leak, a crass, if emotional, reaction to that leak, a marketing gimmick that crossed the line and then the fall that launched a million Vines. Through it all, Madonna has remained.
Madonna, who we are told is a star on the wane. Madonna, who not only has the temerity to be a woman, but a woman over 50. Madonna, whose every move is still followed, documented and discussed. Madonna, who snapped her fingers and rustled up some of the world’s most in-demand producers. Madonna, who has put together a record that suggests she’s not done with that pop crown just yet.
‘Rebel Heart’ is, objectively, far too long. Its standard version runs close to an hour, the deluxe package about a week and a half. But, dotted throughout are moments of grandeur, reflective passages and a disarming air of self-awareness. There are also some tremendous duds, but more on that in a moment.
Ghosttown, after overcoming a few autotune wobbles, is a spacious, atmospheric ballad of real weight. Its chorus, too, recalls one of Madonna’s finest moments, Frozen: “When the world gets cold, I’ll be your cover.”
Similarly, there is genuine vulnerability at the heart of the subtly melodious Joan of Arc and the stately Wash All Over Me plays out as grains drop through the hourglass: “In a world that’s changing, I’m a stranger in a strange land.”
The other side of ‘Rebel Heart’ - spearheaded by Diplo and Avicii’s production stints: Unapologetic Bitch, Bitch I’m Madonna, Living For Love, Devil Pray - takes its braggadocious role too seriously and flounders.
The former has its merits and a gleeful kiss off - “You know you never really knew how much you loved me ‘til you lost me, did you? You know you never really knew how much your selfish bullshit cost me, well fuck you.” - but there’s a palpable air of keeping up with the Joneses. Diplo, perhaps, is simply too ubiquitous. His work is instantly, absolutely his in a way that the more introverted moments here are Madonna’s.
On a record that could have been all about the past - synth-pop is so hot right now - it’s the future that poses the biggest question: which path will this rebel’s heart follow?
Madonna Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue December 01 2015 - LONDON O2 Arena - London
Mon December 14 2015 - MANCHESTER Arena
Wed December 16 2015 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena
Sun December 20 2015 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
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