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- Verified Buyer
Here's my brief (as possible) rundown of the album now that's it had time to really settle in:Living For Love - 4/5Great song with a nice message, sets the tone for the album - some of the lines are really great, and in light of the fall seen round the world at the Brits, this song took on even more special meaning .. no matter what knocks you down, you can get up again. As a lead single, it's not bad, but it's also not a song you instantly love that gets stuck in your head. This one takes time to fully appreciate. Still, if the leaks hadn't happened and this album had been released as planned, I'm pretty certain this would have been a hit - maybe not #1 or even top #10, but I think it would have done well. It was kind of doomed from the start, unfortunately.Devil Pray - 5/5Quintessential Madonna tune .. love it! Loved this instantly and still love it just as much today. It's also got that special Madonna touch - I can't imagine anyone other than her putting this song out - it's kind of weird, it's kind of folksy electronic (think Don't Tell Me and parts of American Life). Not sure how this would perform as a single, but I still want it released. It's screaming for an epic video.Ghosttown 4/5Initially, I really loved this song - it screams big hit. It also stands up well to other big Madonna ballads. I think what others have said is very true - if this song had been put out by Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, etc, it would have been massive. W/out the leaks and with a stronger performing lead single, who knows how this might have impacted the charts? I still like it, but I don't find myself going back to it as much as other tracks. I can actually see other pop stars pulling this song off, which is part of the problem. For whatever reason, it doesn't stand up as a song I can only see M putting out. Still, great song - and great to see her put out a ballad.Unapologetic Bitch - 3/5I love the reggae feel - the Diplo production is very forward-thinking and enjoyable. Over time, however, this song doesn't do it for me as much as others. I'm not a huge fan of the lyrics or vocal delivery. Still, not bad.Illuminati - 4/5One of the biggest surprises for me - I'm not sure what I was expecting when I first heard she was going to have a song called Illuminati (I actually rolled my eyes) .. but, I love this track. It's weird and dark and dancy and fun. Great production too. You gotta love all the name-dropping as well (Jay Z and Beyonce, Kanye, Gaga, Obama, etc). I love that she's playing with the idea of the Illuminati and sort of turning it on its head.Bitch I'm Madonna - 4/5The song itself isn't deep - it's a fun party song that will get you dancing. Taken in context of Madonna's life at the moment, this song (and video) is a statement. I see it as a big F*ck You to anyone trying to box her into a corner (you're too old to do that, why are you still putting music out, why are you trying to act young, etc). I'm not always a fan of the guest raps, but I like Nicki's contribution here. The production is also great. I know it grates on some people's nerves, but I really love the weird sawing sounds towards the end. This song is a treat and will be great live.Hold Tight - 5/5Loved it from the first listen and still love it now - there's something so romantic and warm about this track. I actually like this better than Ghosttown at the moment and think it could be a great single. In ways, it reminds me of Rain - her voice is just so inviting in this track.Joan Of Arc - 4/5This is one of the tracks that I would have initially rated as one of the best, but, for whatever reason, I don't find myself going back to it as much as others. I do think it's strong, and I like the vulnerability. It's also a great commentary on the age of the internet and how what we put out there has consequences, good and bad.Iconic - 3/5I wasn't a huge fan of this one initially, but it's grown on me. The Mike Tyson opening is odd .. and something only Madonna could pull off. The rap from Chance the Rapper is also good. I might like this one more when I see what's done with it live, whether it be a performance or video interlude.HeartBreakCity - 4/5A lot of fans love this song - it's grown on me, but isn't one of my favorites. Lyrically, it's pretty solid - great breakup song.Body Shop - 5/5This is a great track with a wonderful middle eastern flair. Again, when I first heard that she would have a song called Body Shop, I rolled my eyes and couldn't imagine liking it ... well, I was wrong. This is a cute, flirty song that reminds me of True Blue in ways. There's an innocent charm. The production is good too (minus the weird volume thing).Holy Water - 5/5 for sure!I love this song. Call me crazy, but I think it's one of the most interesting tracks here - I think it's one of the most intriguing songs Madonna has ever put out. Everything about this song is a home run for me. I'm obsessed with it and haven't tired of it one bit. Bless yourself and genuflect!! Oh, and that Vogue sample is perfect. It really shouldn't work as well as it does.Inside Out - 5/5Another highlight - this is a great song - sexy, dark, almost industrial production - I wouldn't change a thing about this song. When I first heard it, I was really surprised that it was a Madonna song - something about the production reminds me a little of Closer by Nine Inch Nails (believe it or not). This one could make for a great single and video. I hope to at least see it live during her upcoming Rebel Heart Tour.Wash All Over Me - 4/5Great lyrics, but there's something slightly lacking about this track for me. I prefer the album version to the dance version that initially leaked, but I can't help but feel like they didn't take this song far enough. It's hard to describe, but it falls just a little short. It's like it should be an epic track, but it doesn't quite get there. Still, a definite highlight. Some of the best lyrics of the album.Best Night - 4/5Love this song! This one is very sensual, the production is great - and the Justify My Love samples are amazing. I could see this doing well as a single.Veni Vidi Vici - 4/5Great retrospective on Madonna's career - and the chorus is so nice. She sort of raps/speaks much of the song, dropping lines from many of her old hits to sum up her career. The Nas rap is great too.S.E.X. - 4/5I know many people don't like this song, but it has enough going for it to satisfy me. The dark production is great. It's a song I can't imagine anyone else putting out. The weird chant of random things with her lispy grillz voice is fantastic. I like that she took a chance with this song.Messiah - 5/5This is probably one of my favorite songs by Madonna ever - period. Amazing lyrics, amazing production - the religious metaphors, the sadness, the somber vocal delivery - everything works. I lump this together with Wash All Over Me - although I think this is the better track. It harkens back to the Like a Prayer days for sure. It's a mysterious track that no one else could pull off with as much passion.Rebel Heart - 4/5There's a lot of talk about which is better - the album version or the leaked, more dance-oriented version. I don't think they're all that different, really. I'm happy with the album version, although I wish it was a little longer. This is Madonna looking back on her life - deciding that she's right where she's supposed to be and glad she took the road less traveled. Even though it's Madonna reflecting on her life, the message is universal.Beautiful Scars - 4/5I like this song, which has some of the best lyrics of the entire album. I know some fans hate the final version, but I love it. It's sort of a ballad with a strong disco flair.Borrowed Time - 3/5Not a bad track, and probably one of her better "message" songs, but it's not a real standout for me. Still, it's nice to have as a bonus.Addicted - 4/5I think a lot of people love this - not sure why. It reminds me of Heartbreak City - neither are bad songs, but I think there are far better tracks. Madonna had a song called 'I'm Addicted' on her last album, MDNA - I think I'm Addicted is far better (granted, they're not really comparable other than similarities in titles).Graffiti Heart - 4/5Of the last 3 bonus tracks, I prefer this one. It's a 80s throwback in ways - I love that Madonna writes about some of her old artist friends like Keith Haring and Basquiat. This song really honors them and their contribution to the art world.Overall, I rate Rebel Heart as a 5/5 album. There really is something for everyone here. I understand the criticism of it not being cohesive - the very random track order was jarring at first, but I look at it differently now. It just seems like a great collection of songs - Madonna gives us dance, she gives us something deep, she gives us something weird and unexpected, she gives us strong ballads , etc. This album really should have been a bigger hit than it has been. It's her best work since Music as far as I'm concerned - certainly her best album out of her last three. No one can accuse M of phoning it in this time around .. she comes off as newly inspired and experimental, which I love. The sheer volume of tracks available is astonishing. There really are no stinkers in the bunch.
