alphastreet said:

This really is becoming her year

It seems to be sizing up that way. #1 album, beautiful videos, media blitz of interviews (she still needs to lose the grillz), and a small venue tour coming. It's fun so far.

SoulAlive said:

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Seriously,I don’t get it.Why do you click on Madonna threads? You don’t like her or her music Are you just bored? lol

I NEVER said I didn't like Madonna or her music.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

Yay! Finally heard it. Impressions:

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Medellín: some people have commented that it takes some listens for it to sink in, but I still find it an uncreative attempt to cash in on reggaeton. The melodies just sound cheesy and Madonna's lyrics scream "rich old lady in vacation in south america picks up a prostitute (Maluma) while drunk". Not very relatable. It still left me feeling sour. I still think that when she licks Maluma's foot in the video that's kind of hot though.

Dark Ballet: I started getting bored of hearing the word "beautiful" when the Moog synthetizer-like keyboards came up, and was very pleasently surprised. Madonna's no actress though, so her pseudo-british accent in the song's coda didn't catch on to me. Overall great song!

God Control: Very well constructed lyrics, fantastic instrumentation, reminded me of Donna Summer's songs that begin slowly then blow out into dance numbers. I like that she didn't go all the way to make the gun control message super explicit in the lyrics, while still retaining the sense of urgency. It's also a really groovy track and I'd love to dance to it in the club.

Future: might sound fun if I hear it in a bar with friends. The lyrics seem to demand a different instrumentation than what she put out.

Batuka: sounds nothing like the Santana song of the same name lol. But seriously, was not expecting something like it from Madonna. Sounds quite experimental, even if it has a pretty poppy beat. I like it.

Killers Who Are Partying: the lyrics sound sincere coming from Madonna, at her age and career stage. I like the portuguese Fado inspired music, and it was sweet hearing her speaking portuguese, even if with a strong american accent - and trying to emulate Brazilian portuguese in a song inspired by a rhythm from Portugal, but whatever, I'm sick of french considered the "fancy language".
Crave: this was my favorite of the early released songs, I love that the lyrics and music are very simple and minimalist. Swae Lee has no business in it and his lyrics make no sense, though.
Crazy: Her portuguese is clearer in this, with less accent. Still it's brazilian portuguese that she's emulating (I'm not complaining). Fun song.
Come Alive: Fun song. Now this sounds like a good attempt to catch on to popular rhythms. Sounds like a stripped-down Björk song.
Extreme Occident: Wow, more portuguese. Cool! I'm in the middle way to this song, content-wise. I wish she'd be more straight to the point about her political reflections, a political spectrum doesn't work in real life in a dichotomy like this. Nice song though, has a relaxing vibe.
Faz Gostoso: I knew the original version by Blaya - a singer born in Brazil but who lives in Portugal since she was little, and sings "Faz Gostoso" with a brazilian accent, as its style is reminiscent of Funk Carioca, which is originally from Rio de Janeiro. Madonna comes back with her american accent on portuguese, though now I suppose it's because her portuguese lyrics are sung fast. Not to be nitpicky, but although she does her job pretty well here, Anitta is not the best funk singer from Brazil besides being money-hungry and a whore for United States success. Plus she sings like Madonna's portuguese with an american accent was contagious. Really fun party song, sounds more "clean" somewhat than the original Blaya version.
Bitch I'm Loca: a reggaeton muuuuuch more fun than Medellín. The former sounds sugar-coated next to this. This is straight on dancing at 3am in the club drunk by tequillas. Loved. It.
I Don't Search I Find: same situation as last song, but now in a New York gay club in the 90s. It reminds me of a more recent trend of re-using this aesthetic of 90s house/club music to make more ambient-sounding music - this reminds me of stuff like Robyn, Aphex Twin, Moby, etc.
Looking For Mercy: sounds majestic and sincere as well - is this maybe for her daughter Mercy? (in the same way as "Little Star" and "Intervention"). I miss this Madonna sweetness sometimes.
I Rise: I liked this song when it was first released, but I have to say, what an anti-climatic ending. It felt like it needed two or three more songs after this for the album to end. It's cool though. Nice emotional song.
...
Overall I don't think this is a masterpiece of something, but it's Madonna doing her thing and that's great. The songs that stand out will stand out even more when they're performed on tour. Mirwais' production was felt all the way troughout, though, and musically I think it's a breath of fresh air. I was longing for this Madonna since I heard that mess that was Hard Candy, and was not disappointed. Will mean to hear the songs from the Super Deluxe Edition later on.

[Edited 6/28/19 20:02pm]

alphastreet said:

Would have also liked to see her on tour, but it’s too expensive. I hope it’s at least released

Hasn't everything from The Girlie Show onward been released, with the exception of the Re-Invention World Tour, which that documentary was put out instead. I sorta feel like that was a better option for that particular tour. One thing I enjoy w/ her tours is when she uses a remix version in concert. I loved the remix of "Nobody Knowns Me" she used on that tour.

6 Reasons Why Madonna's New No. 1 Album Is Historically Important

Madonna is back at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 this week for the first time in several years with her latest studio effort Madame X, which debuts in the top spot with just under 100,000 equivalent units. The “Like A Prayer” powerhouse is no stranger to the throne, but this latest success is special—here are six reasons why.

Fifth-Most No. 1 Albums

With nine No. 1 albums to her name, Madonna has moved up into the top five when it comes to the artists with the most leaders on the Billboard 200. She may be tied for fifth place, but at least now she’s closer to the record, and she may continue to rise in the future. With nine leaders, she’s tied with Eminem, Garth Brooks and The Rolling Stones, all of whom have also ruled on nine separate occasions.

Leading the way are The Beatles, who scored 19 No. 1 albums. They are followed by Jay-Z, who has 14, Barbra Streisand and Bruce Springsteen, who claim 11, and Elvis Presley, who nabbed 10.

Fourth-Most No. 1 Albums Among Solo Artists

StrangeButTrue said:

Nice review, Matthaus! Regarding the ending sounds like you need Funana and Ciao Bella to round things out. There’s another deluxe track but let’s not talk about that one. [Edited 6/28/19 20:57pm]

Thanks. Well I guess I'll have to hear it right now.

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Funana: that's the sort of club-friendly Madonna I like. It sounds fresh while still retaining a sort of 70s disco sensibility - which is made a bit too obvious by the lyrics, although I loooooved hearing Prince and Bowie mentioned.

Back That Up To The Beat: the music is a good party-banger, but the lyrics sound like something from a naive 19-yo popstar. Also, the strings-sounding keyboards are super pretentious at the song's close.

Ciao Bella: This was giving me Secret Garden vibes, like it could be a remix of it or something. I don't know why, but when I saw the title was in italian, I was expecting her to sample her own voice yelling "basta per favore!" in Rome in 1990 lol. This ambient-dance style seems also reminiscent of 90s club music being reappropiated with today's sensibilities - the way 80s style music was appropriated by 2000s pop music. Now that was a good ending to the album.

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The album would have benefited a lot of having those three songs included on the standard edition.

[Edited 6/29/19 7:18am]

what's really annoying about "Back That Up To The Beat" is that Madonna never actually says the word "beat"

apparently,there is some kind of Madame X documentary available to Amazon Prime members

SoulAlive said:

apparently,there is some kind of Madame X documentary available to Amazon Prime members

It was quite interesting. About Madonna being inspired when she came to Lisbon(capital of Portugal) because of her son's passion for football there. She discovered her musical passion & inspiration there after becoming frustrated and lonely there as the artist she was. Which led her to meeting a man name Dino(who seemed VERY enamored by Madonna) that introduced her to a new musical culture there in Lisbon. That eventually turned into Madame X a name she was given by Martha Graham (whom she repeatedly clashed with) at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance when she first moved to NY at 19. Because of her rebel, disobedient ways.

She compared her inspiration living in Lisbon with her own self when she first moved to NY discovering and reinventing herself to become the aritst she aspired to be. I was very touched by her dedication to the culture there, learning the different languages,dances & melodies which she brilliantly showed in the short documentary.

[Edited 6/29/19 19:03pm]

[Edited 6/29/19 20:48pm]

SoulAlive said:

apparently,there is some kind of Madame X documentary available to Amazon Prime members

There are a few shots with her with plain makeup and only a red lip. It's a very interesting look for her. I like it. There's also a few shots of her in a black wing hat, an exaggerated version of the Handmaid's Tale wing hat.

She does seem very inspired to new heights with her time in Lisbon. I feel like this video will end up on a DVD somewhere, probably the concert, perhaps.

ChocolateBox3121 said:

SoulAlive said:

apparently,there is some kind of Madame X documentary available to Amazon Prime members

It was quite interesting. About Madonna being inspired when she came to Lisbon(capital of Portugal) because of her son's passion for football. She discovered her musical passion & inspiration there after becoming frustrated and lonely there, Which led her to her meeting a man name Dino that introduced her to a new musical inspiration in Lisbon. That eventually turned into Madame X a name she was given(by Martha Graham) at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance when she first moved to NY at 19. Because of her rebel ways.

[Edited 6/29/19 13:42pm]

Interesting back story.

alphastreet said:

I feel her best albums in the past two decades were better when she lived outside the USA. It’s like she soaked up the influences in those environments in a way that’s hungry like her early New York City days. I used to say her albums improved while she was married but she broke that cycle with living in Portugal and creating madame x

And when she's worked with a producer who knows how to work with her. I was hoping for an ethnic influence on the album and it's certainly there, even if we don't immediately recognize it. Mirwais knows how to channel what she wants and make it come to fruition. She mentioned she wanted to take what she heard and turn it upside down, chop up guitar parts, etc. I cringed a bit when she said she liked changing human voices to robotic. That's my one minor gripe about the album. There's a tad too much of that on there, but the production etc over rides it, mostly.

StrangeButTrue said:

https://www.youtube.com/w...lNZM-7Z02s

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Did someone say X-Static Process? This is one of my favorite vocal performances of hers.

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Hoping the X on the title means that Madame X may drag this one out on the upcoming tour.

[Edited 6/28/19 11:15am]

What a gorgeous performance. Beautiful vocal delivery.

TrivialPursuit said:

Madonna performed at the NYC Pride Festival tonight.She did four songs: "Vogue","American Life","God Control" and "I Rise"

"God Control" performance

https://vk.com/video-4784_456241817

Vogue: https://www.youtube.com/w...hcA506lCGA

My favorite independent and unofficial Madonna community was closed unceremoniously this morning, apparently under pressure from the label and management.

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Anyhoo, yes the Pride performance looked super fun. I'm glad for her.

SoulAlive said:

StrangeButTrue said:

My favorite independent and unofficial Madonna community was closed unceremoniously this morning, apparently under pressure from the label and management.

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Anyhoo, yes the Pride performance looked super fun. I'm glad for her.

Madonna-infinty.net? I was shocked it closed too... was the main Madonna forum i was on, don't really know any other ones to go on now. Apparantly the owner hd had enough of the 'toxic environment'. A lot of the fans were always moaning on there.

alphastreet said:

Madonnanation has a message board, but I haven’t posted in over 15 years

I used to go on Madonnalicious and MadonnaTribe but found the latter too snippy.

Sad to see Infinity go, it was a great resource for several years filled with well intentioned and well versed fans of all ages. Sure there were the occasional loonies and sometimes the critiques were a little too colorful, but it was probably the most comprehensive Madonna fan site experience available. I'll miss it. RIP little fan forum, you had a great run.