Rebel Heart
When hackers forced Madonna to release tracks from *Rebel Heart* early, it only drove expectations higher for the album, which comes in a standard 14-track version and a sprawling 19-track deluxe edition. The opening trilogy—“Living for Love,” “Devil Pray,” and “Ghosttown”—offer comfort food, melodies fans can take to heart, helped along by Diplo and Avicii. “Unapologetic B\*\*\*\*h” slides into reggae. “Illuminati” collaborates with Kanye West. “B\*\*\*h I’m Madonna” teams with Nicki Minaj. Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson find their way into “Iconic,” while Madonna sings purely on “Joan of Arc.”
On her new album, Madonna attempts to take on the mantle of What Madonna Means To Us In 2015. Rebel Heart finds her recoiling and resigning from it, refusing it, examining her own history and crushing it under her boot heel.
It’s a testament to Madonna’s star power that every new album she releases is an event. However, the promotional cycle for Rebel Heart was provocative even by her standards: A hacker leaked demos from the album back in December, prompting the early release of six full songs just before Christmas (and an arrest several…
A chaotic, sometimes amazing and occasionally cringeworthy record that too often sounds like five people shouting ideas at the same time.
When the tracklist was posted for Madonna’s 13th record, with titles like “Unapologetic Bitch,” “Iconic” and “Bitch I’m…
Rebel Heart was introduced to the world with an indiscipline uncharacteristic of Madonna.
Tucked inside the lumbering mass of songs is an album that would, under any other circumstances, make for her best in at least a decade.
Half of Madonna’s 13th album seems concerned with proving she can keep up with the kids. The other half is mature, reflective – and far more affecting
Rebel Heart pairs classic songwriting and contemporary adventure in Madonna's least desperate album in years, says Neil McCormick
Pop's original goddess proves why she will never be toppled. New music CD review by Lisa-Marie Ferla