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Rating:
24 hours after its official release (in Italy), Hard Candy already appears monumental in the eyes of the media. MTV & Co. are buzzing with specials and videos on Heavy Rotation, newspapers start exclaiming Madonna!, radios blast anything that belongs to the international Madonna (and I'm not talking about religious mystical figures, just to be clear), and the very first hundreds of reviews begin to appear as if they were snowflakes in January.
Hard Candy, Madge's latest effort for Warner Bros, is already a success even without waiting to see the Billboard Hot 200. But without too much reverence, let's get to the point.
The entire album was produced by Chad Hugo, Pharrel Williams (7 tracks), and Justin Timberlake accompanied by the evergreen Timbaland (5 tracks). And it shows. It's not that it's wrong; it's just that from a talent scout like Ciccone, perhaps relying on already ultra-famous producers (even if still "à la page") who have saturated the market for some time now, is not the move we would have expected from someone who makes originality their profession. That's all.
Candy Shop is the first track, the one that gets the most attention, the one that doesn't spare critical or particularly condensed praise. But Madonna passes fairly well. A track all in all of old style, a minimal beat in the background and (thank god!) lyrics close to the term "cutting" (my sugar is raw!).
Then it's the turn of 4 minutes produced by the duo Justy & Timbo, very catchy, tinged with that Blackclub electronic beat that has been breaking through for a few years now (remember Promiscuous Girl? Exactly).
The party continues with Give it 2 me, candidate as the second single and summer hit, not much different from the previous track. Perhaps not the most successful song of Hard Candy, but the remix by Paul Oakenfold at the end of the CD rocks.
Only at the fourth motif do things start to seem really interesting. Heartbeat obviously has immediately sampled a heartbeat that yes, brings us back to the vintage rhythms of Confessions on a Dancefloor, but at the same time, it is the first little surprise of the album.
Miles away is one of the most beautiful tracks of this latest work, as well as one of the few ballads in Hard Candy. It tells the story of a love grappling with a physical distance that makes a difference. It recalls the days (artistically really productive) when Madonna relied on the hands of Mirwaiz, to be clear, the Franco-Turkish DJ who produced Music, American Life, and Confessions on the Dancefloor.
Immediately after comes what can be interpreted as the answer to Robbie Williams's She's Madonna. So much so that the song is called She's not me. A little parody of herself, it seems to have come out of the previous album, no additional remixes needed.
Incredible challenges modern, even ultra-modern sounds, comparable to the latest productions of Basement Jaxx or Audio Bullys. From a phonetic-productive point of view, impeccable. At times tacky.
For the eighth track, Madonna managed to gather big names like Timbaland, Pharrell, and Kanye West in the same recording studio. Beat goes On largely aspires to be one of the best tracks on the album. And not just for the synco-pop rhythm, but also for the lyrics that embrace the best intentions of Madge (Say what you like, do what you feel...). For the occasion with a truly impeccable freelancer Kanye West.
Downward hyperbole for Dance 2 night perhaps too justin-like. Certainly of that glam of which Justin is a master but which he has overused. Also because this isn’t Futuresex/Lovesounds return. Madonna's Latin blood pushes her to create practically in every album a space for Isla Bonita. Which can seem annoying if it weren't that this time with Spanish Lesson the beat is curious. All in all noteworthy.
The best part comes now. Devil wouldn't recognize you is absolutely the most authentic track on the album. Forget everything and completely offer yourself to this ballad of modern times. Dedicated to a type of artificial candor that not even the devil could unmask. It would be a first-degree crime not to release it as a single.
Coming to the end, one wonders who is really the master and who is the slave (Who is the master and who is the slave??). It's unclear whether it's Madonna dominating the scene for over 50 minutes or if it's the scene that has dominated her. Voices is thus the last track before reckoning with sensations and comparisons.
When all is said and done, Madonna doesn't overturn, doesn't shake up a new reality, and doesn't confuse as she is used to doing. This time she doesn't revolutionize but rather involves us in a journey that is interesting, at the very least, and of course, reaffirms herself as a great artist.
1- Candy Shop 7/10
2- 4 Minutes 7/10
3- Give It 2 Me 7/10
4- Heartbeat 7.5/10
5- Miles Away 8/10
6- She's not me 6/10
7- Incredible 7.5/10
8- Beat goes On 8/10
9- Dance 2Night 6.5/10
10- Spanish Lesson 6.5/10
11- Devil wouldn't Recognize You 8.5/10
12- Voices 7/10
Overall Rating: 8/10
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Candy Shop (04:16)
See which flavor you like and I'll have it for you
Come on in to my store, I've got candy galore
Don't pretend you're not hungry, I've seen it before
I've got turkish delight baby and so much more
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
All the suckers are not what we sell in the store
Chocolate kisses so good
You'll be beggin' for more
Don't pretend you're not hungry
There's plenty to eat
Come on in to my store
'Cause my sugar is sweet
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet (Dance Dance)
See which flavor you like and I'll have it for you
Come on in to my store, I've got candy galore
Don't pretend you're not hungry, I've seen it before
I've got turkish delight baby and so much more
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet (Dance Dance)
Yo
Peace to the gummy lil' kid
Let me dance in the corner in the UK
And the USA, hah
France I see you
Japan
All around the world
You know who it is
Yes her
It's the MA-DO-NN-A
You ready?
Let's go
Aye
03 Give It 2 Me (04:48)
What are you waiting for
Nobody's gonna show you how
Why wait for someone else to do
What you can do right now
Got no boundaries and no limits
If there's excitement, put me in it
If it's against the law, arrest me
If you can handle it, undress me
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
They say that a good thing never lasts
And then it has to fall
Those are the people
That did not amount to much at all
Give me the bass line and I'll shake it
Give me a record and I'll break it
There's no beginning and no ending
Give me a chance to go and I'll take it
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Watch this
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right)
Get stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid
(left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right)
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
You're only here to win
Get what they say
You're only here to win
Get what they do
They'd do it, too
If they were you
You done it all before
This ain't nothing new
You're only here to win
Get what they say
You're only here to win
Get what they do
They'd do it, too,
If they were you
You done it all before
This ain't nothing new
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Give it to me
04 Heartbeat (04:03)
On any given night
Catch me on the floor
Working up a sweat
That's what music's for
I'd rather not explain
For me, it's just usual
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
Once I get going I am gone
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
I'll keep it going all night long
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
This complicated life
I try to do my best
I always tell myself
It's all just a test
For me it's an escape
Cause dancing makes me feel beautiful
(And I can't pretend, it should never end, let the music play, are you watching now?)
Once I am moving, I'm alright
(You can really pop it now, it should never end, let the music play, cause I'm here to stay)
I'll keep on dancing through the night
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
Uh uh, get down
Uh uh, get down
See my booty get down, right
You probably think I'm crazy
I don't want you to save me
Don't mean to disappoint you
I've never felt so free
If you could stand in my shoes
Then you would feel my heartbeat too
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
Once I am moving, I'm alright
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
I can keep on going through the night
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know? Can't you see?
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
M-dollah, M-dollah...
05 Miles Away (04:49)
I just woke up from a fuzzy dream
You never would believe the things that I have seen
I looked in the mirror and I saw your face
You looked right through me, you were miles away
All my dreams, they fade away
I'll never be the same
If you could see me the way you see yourself
I can pretend to be someone else
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
When no one's around and I have you here
I begin to see the picture, it becomes so clear
You'll always have the biggest heart, when we're 6,000 miles apart
Too much of no sound, uncomfortable silence can be so loud
Those three words are never enough, when it's long distance love
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
I'm alright, don't be sorry but it's true
When I'm gone, you'll realize
That I'm the best thing to happen to you
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away...
07 Incredible (06:20)
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
Remembering the very first time
You caught that some ones' specials eye
And all of your care dropped
And all of the world just stopped
(I hope) I want to go back to then
Got to figure out how, got to remember when
I felt it, it thrilled me
I want it, to fill me
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone
And everything in life just goes wrong
Feels like nobody's listening
And something is missing
(I hope) I want to go back to then
Got to figure out how, got to remember when
I felt it, it thrilled me
I want it, to fill me
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
I remember when
You were the one
You were my friend
You gave me life
You were the sun
You taught me things
I didn't run
I fell to my knees
I didn't know why
I started to breathe
I wanted to cry
I need a reminder
So I can relate
I need to go back there
Before it's too late
It's time to get your hands up
It's time to get your body groving [x4]
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
Incredible
Let's finish what we started
Incredible
You're welcome to my party
I don't want this to end
I am missing my best friend
It was incredible
There is no reason
(Sex with you is...)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
Just finish what we started
(Let's finish where we started girl)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
You're welcome to my party
(I'm coming to your party girl)
Don't want this thing to end
I'm missing my best friend
Yes it was incredible
There's no reason to pretend
Incredible
It's time to get your body grooving
It's time to get your hands up [continuing in the background]
It's incredible, unbelievable
It's incredible, unachievable
It's incredible, metaphysical
It's incredible
(Sex with you is...)
Incredible
Let's finish what we started
Incredible
You're welcome to my party
(I'm coming to your party) [x2]
Incredible
(Hey girl)
Just finish what we started
(Let's finish where we started girl)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
(Hey girl, let's finish where we started, hey girl)
09 Dance 2night (05:03)
Madonna:
Move your body
Get me from across the floor
Everybody’s watchin’
But I just wanna give you more
Don’t care bout nothin’
Im fallin’ for your love in the worst way
Justin:
Move closer
I can feel your body rise
The heat from you
And I just have to fantasize
We’re all alone now
And I don’t care what people have to say
Chorus (Madonna)
You don’t have to be beautiful
to be understood
You don’t have to be rich and famous
to be good
You just gotta give more more more
Than you ever have before
And you got move fast, fast, fast
if you want this good thing to last
Let’s dance tonight dance tonight
and groove and see the world
And we'll hold hands tonight, hands tonight
just a boy and just a girl
I wanna dance tonight, dance tonight
Don't need no diamonds and pearls
Take a chance tonight, chance tonight
lets groove ourselves to the world
(Bridge)
Do it, do it
Let me turn you on
Let the music pull you through it
Til the break of dawn
Do it, do it
While the night is young
Let the music pull you through it
Til the lights go on
Now we're in our zone
Do you wanna take it further
And before too long
Gonna start to wonder
Are you a one trick pony
Or do you wanna keep running this race
Justin: I’m so into you...
Madonna: I’ve heard it all before
Justin: So what should I do?
Madonna: I told you catch me on the floor
Don’t spoil this moment
'Cause talk is cheap
I don’t have time to waste
(Madonna)
You don’t have to be beautiful
to be understood
You don’t have to be rich and famous
to be good
You just gotta give more more more
Than you ever have before
And you got move fast, fast, fast
if you want this good thing to last
Let’s dance tonight dance tonight
and groove and see the world
And we'll hold hands tonight, hands tonight
just a boy and just a girl
I wanna dance tonight, dance tonight
Don't need no diamonds and pearls
Take a chance tonight, chance tonight
lets groove ourselves to the world
(Bridge)
Do it, do it
Let me turn you on
Let the music pull you through it
Til the break of dawn
Do it, do it
While the night is young
Let the music pull you through it
Til the lights go on
11 Devil Wouldn't Recognize You (05:09)
As quiet as it is tonight
You'd almost think you were safe
Your eyes are full of surprises
They cannot predict my fate
Waiting underneath the stars
There's something you should know
The angels, they surround my heart
Telling me to let you go
I bet he couldn't
I bet he couldn't recognize
But I fell right into it
Who am I to criticize
Somehow I'll get through it
And you won't even realize
Falling through your own disguise
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on comming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do, I do, I do
You almost fooled yourself this time
Let all the saints be graced
You hide your sadness behind your smile
And you keep your lost heartbreaks
You stepped up there along a ledge
It's much higher than it seems
But I've been on that ledge before
You can't hide yourself from me
I bet he couldn't
I bet he couldn't recognize
But I fell right into it
Who am I to criticize
Somehow I'll get through it
And you won't even realize
Falling through your own disguise
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on coming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do, I do, I do
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on coming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
I do, I do
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
I do
12 Voices (03:39)
[Justin:]
Who is the master? Who is the slave?
[Madonna:]
Treat me like a curse
Then tell me I'm your saviour
I never liked the stranger
I used to know so well
Waiting for your answer
Is a kind of torture
Could I grow accustomed to this kind of hell?
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hell
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, it's like it's a rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
First you say you love me
Then you wanna leave me
Then you say you're sorry
You play the game so well
I bought your illusion
You're the greatest salesman
How could I refuse you
When you sold it to yourself
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hell
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, it's like it's a rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
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Other reviews
By The_dull_flame
"Hard Candy should therefore be yet another turning point for Veronica Louise Ciccone, but it seems like a flop: instead of leading as she did before, now she follows the trend."
"The days of 'Ray Of Light' are long gone, but the trauma of 'Confessions On A Dancefloor' is overcome."
By Alex84
Madonna manages to dignify even the smartest pop, conveying an exaltation that many other pop singers can only dream of.
Closing an album with dignity with a song that goes straight to the ears and heart means encouraging the listener to start the album from the beginning again.
By FabiettoPrayer
Confessions On A Dance Floor will be remembered as one of her most ingenious and perfect works; this one will certainly sell, it is already first, but saying the name Madonna, this album will not come to mind.
Hard Candy is an album to consume in the moment... from her, one expects decidedly better.
By CannibalKid
The album is a theme park of hip-hop sounds that dangerously flirt with dance and you can’t help but be swept away by this album conceived almost like a party mixtape.
Perhaps the only flaw of the album is then her vocal interpretation, good but not always up to the level of truly monstrous productions.
By tetsuoironman
"Where is the Madonna I knew? The Madonna that predicted trends without hesitation?"
"Madonna has become a funny caricature of herself, fallen at the smelly feet of any Rihanna."
