Madonna’s single “Give Me All Your Love” leaked yesterday, and perhaps to diehard fans it sounds like synthed-up angels singing hallelujahs.
For many of us though, it’s more like the musical equivalent of a bouquet of hydgrangeas.
Madonna and manager Guy Oseary quickly responded that the leak was merely a demo and that completed versions of her new tracks won’t be released officially until the new year. That said, if this is the musical direction, Madonna is taking, it’s not a good omen.
“Give Me All Your Love” blends Katy Perry-meets-Gwen-Stefani chanting, echoes of Ashlee Simpson’s regrettable foray into New Wave-y synth-guitar sounds, and a “Hold It Against Me” redux breakdown —
and that’s exactly the problem.
Madonna is her own artist, a woman who has proved over four iconic decades in the business that she is more than capable of creating much more inventive and exhilarating music than this.
“Love” is cloying, derivative, and, frankly, boring — the kind of second-rate single I’d expect to hear from a less-experienced pop ingenue who takes what they can get.
And that’s without mentioning its lyrics (“We can drink some wine/ Burgundy is fine”), which are some of the lamest Madge has turned in since the rap from 2003′s “American Life.”
At 42 years old, J.Lo got a lot of flak for talking about “party people” in her club bumper “On the Floor.” Should Madonna, who is 11 years older and a more formidable artist on so many levels, indulge in this same type of child’s play? Cheerleader chants and talking about “danc[ing] our lives away,” Madonna? Really?
If nothing else, hopefully the leak will give Madonna a push to drastically retune her upcoming album. If not for the fans, then for her own legacy.
Madonna is her own artist, a woman who has proved over four iconic decades in the business that she is more than capable of creating much more inventive and exhilarating music than this.
I like the demo quite a bit, but those who disapprove of the direction she's taking shouldn't be entirely dismissive just yet. The final product could be quite different, and if the song is not going to be released until the new year, I think it's reasonable to assume that Madonna would take some of the criticism of the track to heart and make some changes. There's plenty of time to rework the tune, should it be decided that revisions are in order.
It's a demo so who cares? I bet the real version is a lot better.
