Harry Styles' Stellar Solo Debut: A Track by Track Review

Sometimes great music comes to you from the most unexpected places.  When I think of One Direction, I am usually turned off.  Boy band.  Pop sugar.  Blech!  It's never been my thing.  That being said, I have been keeping an ear on the solo efforts of the band's members and for the most part I've been impressed.  Niall Haron's latest, Too Much to Ask, is a beautiful ballad, I love Liam Payne's work with Zedd on Get Low and his own Strip That Down, and yeah Luis Tomlinson's Back to You is pretty good, too! As for Zayn, for whatever reason I've just not found anything...yet...from his music that's called to me.  And then there's Harry Styles.

Gaining access to a wide variety of new music at an affordable price is the biggest benefit I've gotten from joining Spotify as a premium member, and when Harry's Sign of the Times, from his debut eponymous solo album came out, my interest was piqued.  Back in May, when the album was released, I checked it out...and absolutely loved it!

Harry Styles, the album, is a collection of ten tracks that are anything but pop sugar.  In fact, if I were to classify the album by genre, I would say it's a lot like a great 70's rock record.  The styles of the songs are varied, from upbeat to melancholy and everywhere in between.  There's not a song on the record I dislike, and throughout the life of the album, I've been turning people on to it with good results.  

With the U.S. leg of his tour in full swing, I thought that now might be a good time to review the record, something I'd been thinking about doing for awhile.  He's coming to NYC in a little over a week, and if I didn't have another engagement that evening, I would surely brave all the screaming teen girls to go check him out.  Ah well, maybe next time.  Anyway, here's my take on all of the tracks on Harry Styles... 

Meet Me in the Hallway

The serious tone of much of the record begins with this acoustic and melancholy piece that speaks of someone who's been jilted by someone, yet would jump back in a heartbeat.  The melody is haunting and the vocals in the verses and the chorus evoke both the sadness and desperation of the abandoned lover.  Check out the audio of this track here.

Sign of the Times

Styles' debut single is another melancholic masterpiece.  This one reminds me of something the Beatles might have done in their later years, or perhaps early Elton John.  Styles revealed that the song is about a young mother who is told she only has moments to live due to complications of childbirth.  Woof!  The multi-genre tune was a smash for the young singer and deservedly so.  It's still one of my favorites on the album.  Check it out...

Carolina

The record picks up in tempo on the third track, Carolina.  This psychadelic jammer is straight out of the 70's and was supposedly written for a beautiful young lady with whom Harry once had an apparently memorable blind date with.  Take a listen to Carolina here.

Two Ghosts

We're not who we used to be

We're not who we used to be

We're just two ghosts standing in the place of you and me

Trying to remember how it feels to have a heartbeat

The fourth track is an easy breezy acoustic gem that's thoughtful and reflective.  The album's second single has been compared to the likes of Pink Floyd, George Harrison, Bread, The Allman Brothers, and even the Rolling Stones.  Perhaps it's just a wonderful mish-mosh of all of these influences, and it's s good.  Check out a live, studio performance of the song... 

Sweet Creature

Sweet Creature was a promotional single released just ahead of the album and this acoustic folk tune is simply sweet.  Check out the song on John's Music World Song of the Day from May 30th.  

Only Angel

The sixth track off the album is one of two up tempo rock tracks.  The tune starts off with an, um, ethereal and 'angelic' intro before kicking into overdrive with nice guitar riffs and hard driving vocals. Great tune! Check out the audio of Only Angel here.  

Kiwi

The hardest rocking tune on the record has had people speculating that Styles has a secret child with a New Zealander.  Hmmm!!!  This one is fast-paced and hard driving and exemplifies the variety and range of genres found on this wonderful album.  Check out a performance of the tune right here.

Ever Since New York

Oh, tell me something I don't already know

My favorite tune in the set is simply brilliant.  The arrangements, the lyrics, the soft guitars, and the beautiful vocals.  Love, love, love!  I posted this video of him performing the song on the Today Show and it's definitely worth another look and listen... 

Woman

The ninth track off the album is admittedly my least favorite, though it's still pretty darned good.  It's a slow moving, dramatic rock ballad that's reminiscent, to me, of something Prince might have done. Check out the audio of Woman right here.

From the Dining Table

Harry closes the marvelous set much the way he opened it, with a melancholic ballad that Inquisitir's Kim McLendon compares to Nirvana's Kurt Cobain on his Unplugged performance of Where Did You Sleep Last Night?  The comparison is not far off, surprisingly, and it just goes to show you the incredible range of Styles' style on this album.  From the Dining Table is simply a beautiful and thought-provoking way to finish this stellar debut album that has made me a bona fide fan.  Check it out right here.

Song of the Day of the Day - Perfect Illusion - Lady Gaga

Let me preface this Song of the Day post by saying that I am usually a little over-critical of those artists whom I love the most.  That being said, we have finally become privy to the newest incarnation of one Lady Gaga, a multi-talented superstar who once seemed destined to claim the seat that Madonna created for women in pop.  I say 'once seemed' because both Gaga's music and its performance on the charts (and on my iPod), has never quite reached the height again that it enjoyed during the days of Fame/Fame Monster.  Born This Way, her last great record, was a departure from that early stuff, a successful 'reinvention' that would rival that of the early days of the Queen.

So in the year 2016, we are finally being treated to the follow-up to the lackluster ArtPop, though it must be noted that Gaga has flexed her talented muscles in other ways since with acting stints in American Horror Story, genuinely great recordings of classics with legendary crooner Tony Bennett, and impressive live performances.  There is no doubt that Lady Gaga is a gifted performer.   

What I've heard, and now seen, from this newest lead in to her first pop album in three years, is good, not great.  This lead single from the new album Joanne, called Perfect Illusion seems an attempt to return to the glory days of her first two sets. and surely it will grow on me and others,  The song's got a nice, percussive beat throughout and is as big sounding as anything she's ever done.  But is it fresh? I guess time will tell as I listen to it the rest of Joanne (due out October 21st) more.  Although right now I am liking the song, I'm not loving it, nor am I loving the sort of bland, desert/concert-themed video which was released just Tuesday night.  

Applause turned out to be the most successful song on ArtPop, and I hope that this won't be the case with Perfect Illusion and Joanne.  We shall see.  You see, I told you I was a little extra-critical of those I love.  Check out Perfect Illusion...

P!nk's 'Just Like Fire'

I'm actually surprised it's taken me this long to get to this.  I mean, P!nk has become my newest uber-icon, following in the footsteps of Diana Ross and Madonna, respectively, in the Soundtrack of My Life.  It has now been almost a week since her newest single debuted, hopefully a sign of exciting things to come...

P!nk's Just Like Fire, from the upcoming feature film, Alice Through the Looking Glass,  picks up where The Truth About Love leaves off, masterfully written lyrics that are catchy on the first listen and a similarly memorable track to boot.  I even love the little rap she does!  Let's hope that Ms. P!nk is still in the studio working on a whole new set.  In the meantime, she'll be performing the song on the Billboard Music Awards on May 22nd, so set your DVR's.  Now check out Just Like Fire...

We can get em' running, running, running, running.. 

Robin Shulz' "Sugar" - A Track by Track Review

It's been a long time since I've reviewed anything on here, other than my commentary in my Song of the Day posts. With so much new stuff out there lately, I've been wanting to put out some thoughts on what's good and what's not. I've been itching to review Janet Jackson's Unbreakable, Avici's Stories, Ellie Goulding's Delirium, Adele's 25 and more, but I just haven't had the time. Well, I've got a little at the moment, so I'm going to share a review of my favorite album of the season and that's Robin Schulz's Sugar.

You may know Robin Schulz from his melancholy and mesmerizing working of Lilly Wood and the Prick's hit Prayer in C last year, and I've posted a few of his songs both from his last record, Prayer, and the current one that I'll be commenting on below. Robin Schulz is a German deejay/producer whose touches on the songs he reworks simply catch my ear with every tune, and after his successes with Prayer in C and remixes of Mr. Prob's Waves and Clean Bandit's Rather Be, Robin seems to be shooting for stardom and competing with the big name deejay/producers like Avicii, Calvin Harris and the like with his latest, Sugar.

Sugar begins where Prayer left off, only this time in a more pop friendly manner. With tender melodies and funky beats, differing guest vocalists on each track, Sugar is an awesome mix of funky jams and chill beats, and a must for anyone who loves dance music with chill vibes.  There's not one song I can say I truly dislike. Check out my thoughts on Sugar...

Headlights

Oh, I know why you chasing all the headlights

Oh, 'cause you always tryna get ahead of light

Baby, when you go

You know I'll be waiting on the other side

And I know it's cold 

But if you stay then I could keep you warm at night

Sugar opens with the song Headlights, a tender and beautiful song with sung by raspy voiced singer Ilsey. The song starts out with some very melancholy strums of the guitar, but soon revs up into more uplifting and inspirational strings. The song was released ahead of the album, way back in April, and it actually reached #17 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.

Sugar

Now this was the song that got me from the start!  What so far is the biggest single off the album, the title cut one of the best tracks on the whole thing, and that's saying a lot.  With funky guitar riffs and smooth vocals from Canadian singer Francesco Yates, this one's as smooth as anything and oh so funky!  Check it out...

Sugar how you get so fly... 

Heatwave

The third track off of Sugar features smooth-voiced Akon on vocals.  This one's typical of the R&B singer's style, melodic and catchy and it stays in your head long after a listen.  Check out this island jammish mix of the tune on Akon Beatz YouTube page right here.

Yellow

This collaboration with English production team Disciple is very mellow.  Not my favorite, but it still does what chill music is supposed to do, and that's provide some pleasing, relaxing beats as a background to almost anything.

Show Me Love

From what appears to be the newest single, Show Me Love has the potential to do very well.  I posted it as Song of the Day last week and it garnered a respectable number of clicks.  I've also played it for some friends who all liked it, as well.  This one is another chill tune, melancholy and melodic and it features some really nice male vocals, presumably from an artist named J.U.D.G.E., who is credited with collaborating on this track.  Great song!

Love Me Loud

Here's a super-pleasing tune that's also got potential.  I simply love the vocals from folkish singer Aleesia, and the chorus is both uplifting and super-catchy.  Love Me Loud is another favorite after the title cut.  Check it out...

Pride

Oh, this one's just so sweet and happy!  With jazzy horns and soulful R&B vocals, this tune sounds like something that would come out of a modern-day Motown.   Another great one with some help from the French production team of Nius and soFLY, as well as some sampling of Marvin Gaye.

Find Me

Find Me is a haunting electronic jam that would work great on a late-night dance floor. 

Titanic

The horns that begin this song sound like a call to arms from the Planet of the Apes, lol.  Seriously though, this is another nice one, but it's pretty much as dramatic as the movie by the same name.  If we go down, we'll go down together...

This Is Your Life

Out of all the songs on Sugar, this one reminds me the most of Robin's previous set.  It's very chill, very melodic, and again a perfect background song for any situation.

Save Tonight

When I came across this one on my first listen of Sugar I immediately recognized it.  Unfortunately it is the only song I sometimes skip off the album, and that's only because the original version of the song, by Eagle Eye Cherry, was such a good song that to me it's hard for anybody to match the intensity of the original.  This version features a female singer named Solomay and it's nice, but no match for the original.

4 Life

I can't help but think of Macy Gray when I hear this one.   Guest vocalist New Zealander Graham Candy has a most unusual voice for a male singer, but I checked out some of his own stuff and sure enough, those are his vocals on the track.  Nevertheless I will probably always hear Macy when I listen to this nice love song.

Wave Goodbye

Here's a song that reminds me of something Avicii would do.  It's with bluesy, jazzy and a little dancey/chill-loungey collaboration with producer Henry PFR and singer Jeffrey Jey of Eiffel 65 fame.  Great production and definitely a nice complimentary jam to this set! 

World Turns Grey

Here's yet another head bobbing groove mix, this time of New Zealand singer Princess Chelsea's World Turns Grey.  This one also has a melancholy feel, as the title might lead you to believe, only this time it's the piano and soft vocals that give the song its aura.  Nice! 

Moonlit Sky

Under the moonlit sky

The stars fall and die

How the sea rages, oh love braises

It's like the world you've known

Before it's lost and gone

Unlike a world you've seen

Before it's lost to me

The final track has got a familiar voice, and feel, to it.  Electronic music legend Moby offers up his services in this nicely produced tune, and The Void Pacific Choir lends an ethereal, gospel feel to this beautiful song.

So there you have it!  If you're a fan of quality electronic music that's varied, danceable and just utterly enjoyable then I highly recommend Robin Schulz's Sugar.  One of the best albums of the season!

John's Music World Rewind - Robyn's "Body Talk"

Since I've posted Robyn songs for the past two days, I figured I'd delve back into my days at Associated Content/Yahoo Voices to share something I'd written on the Body Talk series I spoke of in the two posts.  Since it no longer appears anywhere else on the net, at least now it back out there and it just may spark some interest in someone looking for great new music to get a hold of...

“Body Talk Trilogy a Pop Landmark” – Chicago Tribune

 “Infectious” – Palm Beach Post

“A perfect pop specimen” – Slant Magazine

November 15, 2010

Critics everywhere are praising the triumphant return of Swedish pop singer Robyn to the American musical landscape.  She’s been named one of the “most under-appreciated musicians of 2010” by Entertainment Weekly’s Simon Vozick-Levinson, and I couldn’t agree more.  Last August, I previewed the upcoming release of the singer’s “Body Talk, Part 2” (see New Music Releases for September), the second in a trilogy of EP’s to be released this year.  The two “Body Talk” albums released to date have produced several wonderful tracks and the upcoming release of “Body Talk, Part 3” is sure to continue the trend.

After writing that piece back in August, I decided to give “Body Talk, Part 1” a try.  I downloaded the album from iTunes and took a listen.  I had remembered the singer from her hits back in the nineties (“Show Me Love” and “Do You Know (What it Takes)”) and so I figured the album might be a good addition to my catalog.  I quickly learned the songs, all of which were easily remembered for their clever lyrics and wonderfully pop/dance sound. 

“From the beginning, I always thought pop and substance were not mutually exclusive,” the singer recently said in an interview before embarking on her current tour of the States.  “I grew up with parents who were doing experimental theater, so I gravitated toward artistic expression, pop music on a weird, arty tip, but mixed with club culture, lounge music, dance beats.”  That’s exactly what you get when you listen to Robyn.

The songs from the “Body Talk” series thus far are well written and pleasing to the ears.  The series starts off with the electronic and hypnotic “Don’t F*****g Tell Me What to Do” and the quirky, yet catchy “Fembot.”  My personal favorite from “Body Talk, Part 1” is the vulnerable and infectious “Dancing on My Own.”  Other standouts include “Love Kills”, “Cry When You Get Older”, and the fearless, string-accompanied “Indestructible.”  “Hang With Me” works much better with its synth-pop makeover on “Part 2” (the song appears on “Body Talk, Part 1” as an acoustic, melancholy tune) and “U Should Know Better” is a fun and frenzied collaboration with rapper and friend Snoop Dog.

The third and final issue in the “Body Talk” series is set to be released on November 22^nd and word is out that there will be five brand new tracks on this set, including “Call Your Girlfriend”, “Stars 4-Ever” and the Max Martin produced “Time Machine.”   The lead single from “Body Talk, Part 3” is an electronic reworking of the ballad “Indestructible.”

Will you tell me once again

How we're gonna be just friends

If you're for real and not pretend

Then I guess you can just hang with me

...And if you do me right

I'm gonna do right by you

And if you treat me right

I'm gonna confide in you

I know what's on your mind

There will be time for that too

If you hang with me...

The singer has been performing her collection of “Body Talk” gems to wildly appreciative audiences around the US and Canada this fall and will continue on through the winter and early spring with various tour dates in Europe and a just announced show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on February 5th. The singer explains the popularity of her shows: "It's very simple," she says. "There's no pyro or big explosions. It's just about the energy on stage and the energy that happens between us and the audience. "It's about the music really," she says. "We're just trying to make people dance." And that’s exactly what Robyn does…

Somebody said you got a new friend
Guess she loves you better than I can
There's a big black sky over my town
I know where you're at, I bet she's around

Yeah I know it's stupid
But I just gotta see it for myself

I'm in the corner, watching you kiss her, ohh
I'm right over here, why can't you see me, ohh
I'm giving it all, but I'm not the girl you're taking home
Ooh ooh, I'm just dancing on my own

Pick up Robyn's Body Talk right here...

Janet's New Video for "No Sleep"...Nothing New

On Friday, Janet Jackson completed the first part of her much talked about comeback with the video for the new album's debut single, No Sleep.  Like the song, the video is nothing special, and very reminiscent of her classic That's the Way (Love Goes),  Not to say that I hate it...on the contrary, the song is starting to grow on me, and the video is pleasing enough.  The tune's got that classic Janet, head-bopping groove that we've all come to know and love, and the video is great if you like looking at Ms. Janet's beautiful face flitting around a very cool apartment.  But that's about it, except for an appearance by J. Cole, who ads a little rap interlude into the groovy mix.  To me, however, this is all nothing new, and I would think that a big comeback such as this one should herald in something fresh.  What do you think?  I'll let you decide for yourself...   

Janet Jackson's "No Sleep"

Well, we knew it was coming and yesterday Janet Jackson finally released a new song from her as yet untitled (as far as we know!) forthcoming album.  Well, it's been a loonnngggg time, seven years to be exact, since Miss Janet has put out anything new, and in this case, what is old is new again.  The new song, No Sleep, reunites the singer with friends and longtime collaborators Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and is a sultry, sexy groove taken right out of stuff from her glory days.  If you loved Janet then, you'll surely love her now.  Take a listen... 

Madge's Star-Studded Video for "Bitch I'm Madonna"...Meh!

Have you seen Madonna's new video for Bitch I'm Madonna, yet?  Well the vid for the third single off Rebel Heart dropped with great fanfare earlier this week and reviews are decidedly mixed.  First of all, as I said earlier, this tune is not my favorite track off of the album, though I don't hate it either...  

This one's similar in scope to the MDNA track, I Don't Give a F***, which also featured Minaj, and is even more frenzied than their prior collaboration. Bitch I'm Madonna is a lighthearted and fun track, and it sounds like they all had a good time making it. It's not my favorite of the new tracks, but it does remain in the brain for awhile after a listen and it does have a great hook, too!

Much of the fanfare the video received was its star-studded guest cameos, including the likes of Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Diplo, Rita Ora, Alexander Wang, sons Rocco and David, and of course guest vocalist on the song Nicki Minaj.  The scene is as frenzied as the song, a wild frenzied party in a high rise building, with bathing Asian beauties, scantily clad hunks, breakdancing and shot taking...and, and...ah well, check it out for yourself.  As for me, meh! It was fun watching it once...

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Inside Out

I heard on one review of Rebel Heart that Inside Out was a throwaway song, and I wouldn't necessarily say that, though the song almost surely won't be any sort of hit.  The tune is mid-tempo and a bit of a snoozer and it was most certainly meant to be filler.  Honestly, in my daily listening routine I've already deleted this one out of my Currents folder, so that should tell you something. There are several other tunes that had been leaked that are more worthy to be included on this set than this one, so take it for what it's worth.  This one's not available anywhere on the Internet for you to preview, so I guess you'll just have to get the album to make your own judgement.

In the meantime, check out the rest of my reviews of the tracks from Rebel Heart...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Joan of Arc

Iconic

Heartbreak City

Body Shop

Holy Water

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Holy Water

Religious themes have always been a part of Madonna's overall scheme, but never so much as on Rebel Heart.  By my own count, there are at least four tunes on this record that relate in some way to religiosity, and it would seem that the religious nature within her upbringing and throughout her life have brought her to a place where she's become reflective and is putting the pieces of the puzzle together in a way she never really has before.  

That being said, Holy Water may sound like it's religious, but it's pretty risque, too.  The tune is, to me, very 80's sounding.  It's slow moving and deliberate, and not really an easy one to like.  In fact, it doesn't come up on the favorites list of any of my Madonna friends, but I do like it, even if it's for the one, bitch get off my pole line, which is repeated over and over throughout.  It is soooo her!  Anyway, the song has morphed into a dancey vibe for the album, and so it's a much faster-paced jam than on the previously leaked version.  Check it out...

Madonna - Holy Water ft. Natalia Kills from CONT20V325yK1LLS on Vimeo.

Now bless yourself and genuflect!

Here are my other Rebel Heart track reviews so far.  Stay tuned for the rest...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Joan of Arc

Iconic

Heartbreak City

Body Shop

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Body Shop

YouTube

I posted Madonna's Body Shop as Song of the Day on Saturday and found out that some of my fellow Madge fans aren't so crazy about it.  I guess as far as Madonna songs go, the subject matter and lyrics are kind of...well, different...maybe even a little silly.  Well that's nothing new for this singer, who's penned and performed such inane classics as I Love New York, Spanish Lesson and maybe even Jimmy Jimmy.  I admit I liked those songs, despite their, to some, silliness, but that's just Madonna being silly, which is exactly what you get with this one.

What I love most about this song is the accompaniment of the Indian sitar to go along with the lyrics. Madonna's always employed international flavors to her music and I love the sound of the sitar. What makes this one stand out is the combination of this sound with lyrics about...automotive things.

You can polish the headlight

You can smooth out the fender

You can start the ignition

We can go on a bender

Okay, so just typing those words out made me see how absurd the words may sound, but what can I say, it's still catchy and appealing.  I'm pretty sure it won't make any sort of chart appearance, and it'll probably be skipped on many a Rebel Heart listen, but not on mine.  Check it out for yourself.... 

Check out my other Rebel Heart track reviews, so far...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Joan of Arc

Iconic

Heartbreak City

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Heartbreak City

madonnafanmadecovers

Now that the full Rebel Heart album is out, it's about time I got down to the rest of the tracks.  The 10th song on the track listing is the torchy Heartbreak City.  Well, torchy songs are never really my thing, even when it's Madonna, but if you like that kind of stuff, then this is a song for you.  Honestly, there were other songs from the leaks that I'd have put on the finalized version ahead of this one, but it's not my album, lol.  Anyway, check it out for yourself...

And here are my other Rebel Heart track reviews, so far...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Joan of Arc

Iconic

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Iconic, featuring Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson

I can, Icon

Two letters apart

One step, away,

Of being lost in the dark

Just shine your light

Like a beautiful star

Show the world who you are

Who you are

With only two days left before Madonna unleashes Rebel Heart on to the world, we take a look at the last of the tracks that have already been made available. Iconic is yet another fabulous song off the new, soon to be latest classic of Madonna albums.  The tune is an inspirational piece of lyric that Ms. M herself has learned along her own journey into becoming iconic.  It's another mid to up tempo ditty that's both futuristic dance-y.  Featuring a spoken intro of Mike Tyson and a rap interlude by Chance the Rapper, this one's definitely a winner!

Check out my previous thoughts on the rest of Rebel Heart, so far, and stay tuned for the rest...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Joan of Arc

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Joan of Arc

madonnafanmadecovers

Track #8 off of the new Rebel Heart album is a ballad where Ms. M reveals her most vulnerable side. It seems so far from what I've heard off the album, both released and unreleased stuff, this whole album is a self-reflection of Madonna's life and some of the conclusions she's come to at this point in her career. It's something we really haven't seen from the singer, at least not on this level.  

I don't want to talk about it right now

Just hold me while I cry my eyes out

I'm not Joan of Arc, not yet

But I'm in the dark, yeah

I can't be a superhero right now

Even hearts made out of steel can break down  

I said earlier that so far this latest 'reinvention,' or better yet, incarnation, of Madonna is the most refreshing we've seen since Confessions on a Dance Floor.  As we saw with MDNA, though, radio stations have become less and less likely to play her unfortunately, because from the sounds of what I've heard, Rebel Heart is a winner.  And even though I don't generally like ballads, I've got to say I'm really liking this one.  Take a listen for yourself...

Be sure to check out my thoughts on the other tracks of Rebel Heart, so far...

The First Six Tracks

Hold Tight

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews: Hold Tight

flamboyantdesigns

I told you yesterday that Madonna added three new tracks to her slowly-filling-to-completion Rebel Heart album, and so here we begin taking a look at them.  The first new track is called Hold Tight, and the first thoughts that come to mind in describing it is that is an ethereal dance track.  Having been privvy to an earlier version of the tune, which to me was a lot more hardcore dancey, I have to say I'm not loving this one, but I am sure it'll grow on me.  The chorus is catchy and the groove smooth, so...yeah!  Madge released an audio clip of the tune on her YouTube, so check it out and see what you think of Hold Tight.

Madonna's "Rebel Heart" Track Reviews - The First Six Tracks Reposted

Ten days ago, Madonna released three new songs in advance of her new Rebel Heart album, but before I share my thoughts on those new ones, I thought I'd repost my reviews of the first six here since they originally appeared on John's World and not this music blog. So check out these reviews and stay tuned for the next four coming very soon,..

Living For Love

What was supposed to be the first single of Madonna's new album, Rebel Heart, is also its opening track. Now I may be biased, but I absolutely LOVE this one! The tune opens with Madonna's nasally vocals over an accompanying piano on the verse, and slowly but surely building up towards an uplifting electronic house crescendo on the chorus. The track is by far her best lead single in a long time, perhaps signalling a new reign over at least the dance charts for this queen. Check it out...

Devil Pray

The second track off of Madonna's new Rebel Heart album is both an acoustic and a religiously-themed track, two things which Madonna fans have become used to over the years (see I'm a Sinner, Miles Away, Nothing Fails, etc.). These two aspects of Madonna music have never really boded well on the charts (with the exception of Like a Prayer, of course, and that was many moons ago!), and this one probably won't either.

That being said, Devil Pray is a pretty good song, and serves as yet another signal that Ms. M will be making a big splash onto the music scene once again. This one picks up where I'm a Sinner left off. On that track, our heroine was reveling in her sins, (I'm a sinner, I like it that way...), though towards the end she calls upon the saints to wash them away. In the same vein, this one speaks to the darker side of life, only in a more serious tone...

And we can do drugs
And we can smoke weed
And we can drink whiskey
Yeah we can get high
And we can get stoned
And we can sniff glue
And we can do E
And we can drop acid
Forever been lost with no way home

Yeah, the aim of the track is to make the Devil pray, pray to keep her upon the path of sin, as she once again calls upon the holy to help her and set her back upon the right path.

Mother Mary, can you help me?
Cuz I’m gone astray
All the angels that were around me
Have all flown away
The ground beneath my feet’s getting warmer
Lucifer is near
Holding on, but I’m getting weaker
Watch me disappear
Ooh ooh ooh sing hallelujah
Ooh ooh ooh save my soul
Ooh ooh ooh the devil was here to fool ya
Until my story’s told

Oh those sing hallelujah's! I always love that. Devil Pray probably won't make much of a splash on any type of chart, but it's got a great, steady rhythm and it's surely good enough by far to fall into the realm of songs to remember for Madonna fans everywhere.

Ghosttown

Ghosttown is one BIG song! Though I always prefer uptempo songs, every once in awhile a ballad really gets to me, and such is the case with this one. The first few times I listened to it, I kept thinking to myself that it sounds like someone else's song, not a Madonna tune...and it still does. I could surely hear Celine, P!nk, Gloria Estefan, or even Gaga doing this power ballad...and Madge nails it, again in a big way. This one's as dramatic as a song gets and it's yet another good sign that Ms. M is pushing envelopes again, breaking new ground and finding even newer ways to reinvent herself. It's the one song off the newly released tracks that was not leaked beforehand, and it's a gem!

Unapologetic Bitch

Ah, pushing new musical envelopes still! Yes, Madonna's new stuff is surely her best in a long, long time. Not that I'm diminishing anything she's done in recent years, but this new set of six songs is super-stellar and is quite possibly her most innovative since the continuous neo-disco classic Confessions on a Dance Floor. The 4th track on Rebel Heart hearkens classic dancehall music. That is, it's got a slow, infectious steady sort of reggae beat, and Madge's vocals blend perfectly with the music. With all of these great songs, it's hard to pick a favorite, but this one makes me shake mah booty, lol. If you'd like to pre-purchase the album and get the new tracks, click on the link below.

Illuminati

The Illuminati conspiracy is a conspiracy theory which holds that there is a "global elite" society that is either in control of the world or is seeking to take control of the world. As with most conspiracy theories, beliefs regarding the Illuminati conspiracy vary widely. As a result, it is virtually impossible to give a synopsis of the Illuminati conspiracy. Popularized in recent books and movies, the Illuminati conspiracy has definitely reached "cult fiction" status.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/illuminati-conspiracy.html#ixzz3MjwvU9pw

In this, the sixth new track off Madonna's Rebel Heart album, the singer tackles the age-old conspiracy of a secret ruling class, proclaiming its existence, but that no major players within today's pop culture are a part of it...

It's not Jay Z and Beyoncé
It's not Nickii or Lil Wayne
It's not Oprah and Obama
The Pope or Rihanna
Queen Elizabeth or Kanye
It's not pentagrams or witchcraft
It's not trying to s-stack for cash
Black magic or Gaga
Gucci or Prada
Riding on a golden cat

...but it's out there somewhere...

The all-seeing eye is watching tonight
That's what it is
Truth and Light
The all-seeing eye is watching tonight
Nothing to hide
Secrets inside
It's like everybody in this party, shining like Illuminati

Musically, this tune is vintage Madonna, electronica-dance style. It may not turn out to be a chart-topper, but it just might get some play on dance floors with its nice, thumpy, bass-y dance jam.

Bitch I'm Madonna

The last of the six new tracks from Madonna's Rebel Heart album was co-written and produced by deejay/producer Diplo and features the return of Nicki Minaj providing a rap interlude on the tune. This one's similar in scope to the MDNA track, I Don't Give a F***, which also featured Minaj, and is even more frenzied than their prior collaboration. Bitch I'm Madonna is a lighthearted and fun track, and it sounds like they all had a good time making it. It's not my favorite of the new tracks, but it does remain in the brain for awhile after a listen and it does have a great hook, too!

Let me tell you, this new album is going to be one of the great ones. Mark my words! I've been lucky enough to check out a lot of what's been put out there from the forthcoming album, and the tracks I've heard are mostly all stellar. Stay tuned for the next Rebel Heart track review coming very soon and mark your calendars for March 6th, which is the official release date for the set. Also, be sure to catch Ms. M live from the Brit Awards 2015 streaming live on YouTube at 8 p.m. next Wednesday, February 25th.