Rebel Heart Reviews

[groovyguy 63,869]

Updated list of reviews and metacritic score details with links on 1st post of the thread @ http://www.madonna-infinity.net/forums/index.php?/topic/832-rebel-heart-reviews/?p=18949

 

Updated Metacritic Score :

http://www.metacritic.com/music/rebel-heart/madonna

Metascore  68 [Updated 3/6/2015]

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critics

 

Critic Reviews

Positive: 9 out of 15

• [*]

80 The Independent (UK) Mar 6, 2015 [*]80 New York Daily News (Jim Faber) Feb 27, 2015 [*]80 The Telegraph (UK) Feb 25, 2015 [*]75 Entertainment Weekly Mar 5, 2015 [*]75 Chicago Tribune Mar 6, 2015 [*]70 Rolling Stone Feb 25, 2015 [*]70 Slant Magazine Feb 26, 2015 [*]70 Drowned In Sound Mar 2, 2015 [*]70 Billboard.com Mar 5, 2015

Mixed: 6 out of 15

• [*]

60 Uncut Feb 25, 2015 [*]60 Q Magazine Feb 25, 2015 [*]60 The Guardian Mar 5, 2015 [*]58 Entertainment Weekly Mar 5, 2015 [*]58 Pretty Much Amazing Mar 2, 2015 [*]50 New Musical Express (NME) Mar 4, 2015

Negative: 0

[groovyguy 63,869]

MADONNA – ‘REBEL HEART’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

4.25/5

http://www.breatheheavy.com/madonna-rebel-heart-album-review/

In an era characterised by catastrophic leaks and performance disasters more so than music, Madonna’s outstanding ‘Rebel Heart’ may end up her most underrated effort yet.

 

There’s no denying that discourse surrounding Madonna has changed dramatically in the last decade. Once seen as the living embodiment of all things pop culture, she’s now the subject of increasingly patronising and ill-informed think pieces questioning her relevancy in a genre she created. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that ‘Rebel Heart’ is a bold reaffirmation of Madonna’s supremacy – if there’s one thing the Material Girl likes to make more than a fuss, it’s a point.

 

The comment du jour about ‘Rebel Heart’ seems to be that it’s a far stronger attempt than 2012’s lacklustre ‘MDNA’ or even 2008’s criminally unappreciated ‘Hard Candy’, but as overwrought an observation as it may be, it’s an important one. Ultimately the failings of both ‘MDNA’ and ‘Hard Candy’ weren’t a result of their respective sonic directions, as is widely claimed, but actually from their lack of standout tracks. Both records worked fine as albums (perhaps ‘Hard Candy’ more so than ‘MDNA’) but failed to house memorable, instant Madonna classics.

 

This isn’t a problem ‘Rebel Heart’ faces.

 

The record opens with the still triumphant “Living for Loveâ€. Although it failed to make the kind of chart impact Madonna and Interscope undoubtedly hoped for, it’s certainly one of Madonna’s best singles to date. With a distinctly current house beat, a ridiculously catchy chorus and an uplifting message, ‘Rebel Heart’s’ lead single instantly felt like the encore on one of Madonna’s record breaking world tours.

 

Equally, Avicii co-production “Devil Pray†has a very immediate impact – between the country infused acoustic guitar instrumentation and bonkers chorus lyrics (“We could sniff glue, we could drop E and we could do acidâ€) which are paired with a sinister, distorted post-chorus breakdown, this isn’t a song you’ll forget anytime soon.

Moreover, songs like Mike Tyson (still inexplicable) and Chance the Rapper featuring “Iconic†have such a vintage Madonna message that it’s almost impossible to imagine them sung by any of her peers. Self belief, relentless determination and joie de vivre are nothing new for Madge, but paired with Diplo’s production, they sound simultaneously fresh and nostalgic. Not an easy feat. Similarly, when Kanye West lends a production hand to the much buzzed about “Illuminatiâ€, the track maintains it’s identity as a Madonna song thanks to her largely unacknowledged talent as a songwriter.

 

Indeed, a rare coalition between brilliant songwriting and fantastic production lies at the core of ‘Rebel Heart’ and contributes to the album’s inevitably victory. Madonna claimed earlier this year that her intent was to create songs that could be stripped of their production and still stand on the merits of the songwriting alone; songs, she claimed, that could be enjoyed just as much with only a guitar to back them.

On numbers like “Hold Tight†and “Inside Outâ€, this is certainly the case. “Hold Tight†boasts impressive production – the song rides the same kind of vibes as Coldplay’s “Princess of China†– but boils down to memorable lyrics (“We’re scarred and bruised but our hearts won’t die on usâ€) and a soaring melody; it’s ultimately much more than its production.

 

However all things considered, it’s not the tracks that transcend their production that number amongst the best on the album, it’s the tracks where the production matches the strength of the song that come out on top. The Eastern inspired “Body Shop†showcases the most forward thinking instrumental on ‘Rebel Heart’ but is also home to one of the catchiest tunes. Likewise, on “Best Night†an outstanding “Justify My Love†sample sits next to euphoric, sexually charged lyrics and a compelling sitar riff.

 

All of this isn’t to say that ‘Rebel Heart’ is a perfect record, but its faults lie in forgettable moments more so than weak tracks. Realistically, the deluxe edition of the album could do with being a good two or three tracks shorter – the Diplo produced, reggae flavored “Unapologetic Bitch†and break-up piano ballad “HeartBreakCity†epitomise this best. Whilst neither are bad songs by any stretch of the imagination, they get lost in the sea of pop magic that the more memorable moments on ‘Rebel Heart’ comprise. Unfortunately, rumored second single “Ghosttown†probably falls into this category too, which won’t help the album’s longterm sales.

 

All five deluxe songs earn their place and the nineteen track edition of the album is clearly intended to feel like the definitive version of ‘Rebel Heart’. The only super deluxe moment that really begs to be included in the main body of the record is ‘MDNA’ follow-up, “Addictedâ€. Despite being relegated to bonus material, it’s a standout on the album, due in part to it’s complicated sister in 2012’s “I’m Addictedâ€. Seemingly two parts of the same whole, “Addicted†offers a more realistic look at an obsessive, unhealthy relationship and is another damning nail in Guy Ritchie’s coffin. It also sports a catchy hook, some sharp lyricism and more than deserves a place on the standard or deluxe editions of the album.

 

Madonna revealed to Billboard magazine that before almost the entire record leaked in demo form last year, prompting a rush release of six tracks to iTunes in December, she had been planning to release ‘Rebel Heart’ as a double disc collection – one part Rebel, one part Heart. This tension is still extremely apparent on the album, and at times ‘Rebel Heart’ could have benefited from Madonna maintaining her original approach. There’s a sense that the fun in songs like “Bitch I’m Madonna,†which features another stellar feature from “Give Me All Your Luvin'†and “I Don’t Give A†collaborator Nicki Minaj, sits uncomfortably with the introspection of the stunning “Wash All Over Meâ€, which is Madonna’s best ballad since the ’90s. The self-assuredness and vulnerability aren’t happy bedfellows but nonetheless, the arguably contradictory nature of the record seems to reflect the arguably contradictory nature of Madonna herself.

Of course when you think about Madonna’s nature, you think about sex – the two ideas have been synonymous since Madge burst onto the VMA stage in a wedding dress back in 1984 – so it should come as no surprise that Madonna is not letting the press or the public dictate her sexual appetite based on her age. Of the two frankest sexual discussions on ‘Rebel Heart’, one is a runaway success. The other is, um, not.

 

“Holy Water,†co-produced by Kanye West and co-written by the endlessly underrated Natalia Kills, is an album highlight. With a clattering urban instrumental, funhouse sound effects, a “Vogue†sample and one of the most outrageous lyrics of M’s entire career (“Yeezus loves my pussy best†where “Yeezus†is purposefully distorted to sound like Jesus,) this is a track that has endlessly replay value. Its counterpart “S.E.X.†is dramatically less successful. Arguably the only truly inadequate track, this ode to intercourse crosses the line between outrageous and cringe-worthy, with clunky delivery of single-entendre lines like “I’m an open door, let you come inside of me.†In actual fact, if you can get past the horribly embarrassing lyrics, it’s a catchy track, but those lyrics give you a lot to get past.

 

Ultimately, if there is a competition between the rebel and the heart of this record, it’s the heart that wins. Madonna proves comprehensively with ‘Rebel Heart’ that she’s at her best when she’s reflective. The endlessly self-referential “Veni Vidi Vici†is one of the record’s undisputed highlights – a track that looks back over Madonna’s seemingly endless career with some laugh out loud lyrics (“When I struck a pose, all the gay boys lost their minds†– no lies detected) and some confrontational honesty (“They tried to criticize my every single moveâ€).

 

And actually Madonna shines the brightest when the bravado of tracks like “Bitch I’m Madonna†and “Unapologetic Bitch†fades away and she’s at her most vulnerable. The painfully unguarded “Joan of Arcâ€, a musing on the struggle of notoriety which isn’t as self-indulgent as the subject matter suggests, is one of the most sympathetic moments of the Material Girl’s career. The heartbreaking “Messiah†operates in the same way – Madonna exposes her insecurities and relationship failings to her own musical advantage.

 

However, no track better emphasises the power of Madonna’s self-analysis than the titular “Rebel Heart.†A retrospective of her life rather than her career, “Rebel Heart†is a look at who Madonna really is – beyond the broken records, behind the reinventions and provocations, it’d seem Madonna is just as confused and fucked up as the rest of us. Sure the track would have benefited from Avicii’s original production, as heard in demo form last December, but that doesn’t negate its strengths. It’s a perfect uplifting track to close with and a reminder of Madonna’s layers.

 

Fundamentally, ‘Rebel Heart’ numbers amongst Madonna’s best. Learning from the oddly hollow ‘MDNA’ and ‘Hard Candy’, this is the most engaged the superstar has sounded since career highlight ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor’ and is an effective reminder that when she puts her mind to it, Madonna’s still got it. Between clever lyrics, catchy hooks, all-star collaborations and her most memorable material in ten years, ‘Rebel Heart’ is proof that when it comes to pop music, age is just a number.

 

Hit: “Living for Love,†“Devil Pray,†“Hold Tight,†“Holy Water,†“Veni Vidi Vici†and “Rebel Heartâ€

Miss: “Unapologetic Bitch†and “HeartBreakCityâ€

 

4.25/5

[groovyguy 63,869]

Great review by Greg Kot who is a very strict critic.

 

Chicago Tribune (3/4 stars):

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-madonna-rebel-heart-review-new-madonna-album-20150306-column.html

 

 

[groovyguy 63,869]

So Is It Love Or Hate From The Critics For Madonna's 'Rebel Heart'?

http://www.contactmusic.com/madonna/news/madonna-rebel-heart-album-reviews_4623082

The Queen of Pop’s 13th studio album is finally here but how does it measure up to her back catalogue?

 

After leaked demos, Instagram controversy and a fall inducing wardrobe malfunctionMadonna is finally able to let her music do the talking as Rebel Heart gets its long awaited release. With over 30 years in the music industry and 13 albums under her belt, Madonna surely shouldn’t have much to prove, except, of course that she’s still relevant.

 

With 19 tracks Rebel Heart is by far Madonna’s longest offering and the album also features a number of big names in the producer’s chair from Kanye West to DJ Diplo.

 

Writing in Rolling Stone, Caryn Ganz describes Rebel Heart as “a long, passionate, self-referential meditation on losing love and finding purpose in chilling times,†giving the album 3.5 stars out of five.

 

But while some might wondering why Madonna felt 19 tracks was necessary, The Guardian's Alexis Petridis offers an explanation, calling Rebel Heart â€œessentially two separate albumsâ€. “One is wistful and thick with reflections on failed love affairs and intimations of self-doubt,†Petridis writes. “The other offers dirty talk and defiant I’m-still-here snarls set to EDM-inspired productions, frequently the handiwork of Diplo.â€

 

The New York Daily News’ Jim Farber feels Rebel Heart contains “some of the most finely structured pop melodies of Madonna’s 32-year career.†Adding that “the slam-dunk opener, ‘Living for Love’, stands with her great gospel-soul songs of the past: ‘Like a Prayer’ and ‘Express Yourself’. Of the ballads, ‘Ghosttown’ rates with her best: ‘Live to Tell and ‘Crazy for You’.â€

 

“Madonna has never gotten the credit she deserves as a musician, or as an album artist,†writes Billboard’s Joe Levy. "Her essential interests are unchanging -- dancefloor ecstasy, European balladry, 1960s pop classicism -- but her expression of them finds new articulations. Rebel Heart has 14 producers working in seven different teams and still it sounds exactly like a Madonna album.â€

 

So at 56 years old and after 30 years in the music industry and with 13 albums under her belt, is Madonna still relevant? In a word, yes and Rebel Heart should be all the proof we need.

[vanjaborrderline 103]

everyone seems to hate:

 

unpologetic bitch

illuminati

bitch, i'm madonna

hold tight

inside out

iconic

holly water

 

everyone says this songs are hightlights:

 

living for love

devil pray

goasttown

heartbreak city

joan of arc

body shop

messiah

rebel heart

beatiful scars

[groovyguy 63,869]

New York Times' ArtsBeat is positive!

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/madonna-is-still-madonna-on-rebel-heart/?_r=0

[stfan97 2,847]

New York Times' ArtsBeat is positive!

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/06/madonna-is-still-madonna-on-rebel-heart/?_r=0

 

I posted their podcast too if someone can rip it:

https://player.fm/series/music-popcast/madonna-is-still-madonna-on-rebel-heart

[groovyguy 63,869]

[groovyguy 63,869]

Boston Herald

Many pop acts, and most female pop artists, inextricably link themselves to youth. Stars exploit the beauty, rebelliousness and vogue of a fresh bloom, the connection with the obsessiveness of teen culture, to become icons.

 

The problem is people age. Even Madonna. Maybe especially Madonna, under the hot lights of three decades of scrutiny.

 

I wish Madonna didn’t carry the burden of being 56 in a world where Britney is ancient at 33, because Madge’s new album is her best this century. If we could forget how old she looks (she could barely pass for 45, gasp!) or how last month’s Grammy performance was less than awesome, we could focus on how great “Rebel Heart†is.

 

“Rebel Heart†rolls forward Madonna’s expanding, innovative approach of finding bridges between her classic ’80s and ’90s aesthetic and current sonic trends. Like 2012’s “MDNA,†a good record in itself, she continues her introspection on her 13th studio album, out Tuesday (to fit our maddening, modern age, there are two different deluxe editions with bonus tracks). But between the self-examination she doesn’t forget to have fun. Would Madonna ever forget fun?

 

Thwarting a leak, Madonna released six of the 14 tracks in December. “True Blue†fans got a hook and harmony reminiscent of old-school Top 40 in “Living for Love†— a joyful, fresh and nostalgia-inducing single to compare with her best. They also got choice album cuts that, with help from producers du jour Kanye West, Diplo, Avicii and Billboard, explored EDM tricks, lyrics obsessed with the divine (some things don’t change) and catchy choruses.

 

The other eight songs continue the delicious balance of Material Girl and modern Madge. “Iconic†begins with a sample of Mike Tyson ranting about his unparalleled skills before dropping down into a club-thumping beat with slippery, wicked verse from Chance the Rapper (who was born 10 years after Madonna debuted in ’83). Getting into her specialty, “Holy Water†blends sex with the sacred and includes a well-placed snippet of “Vogue.â€

 

Not everything is great. Actually, not everything is good. This is a modern pop album, so there are songs that should be cut to make the music fit on two sides of vinyl — I nominate “HeartBreak­City,†“Inside Out†and “Wash All Over Me.â€

 

Don’t expect another “Like a Prayer.†She’ll never equal that (nor will Katy Perry, Taylor Swift or Maroon 5). But ignore the eternal gossip around Madonna’s personal life, close your ears to suggestions she’s too old to be relevant, and embrace the mix of the exotic and familiar. Her still impressive blond ambition remains one of pop’s great voices.

 

[groovyguy 63,869]

Seems a lot of the critics don't get the rebellious side of Madonna! :(

[kesiak 3,090]

Reviews on Rebel Heart [Full Album]

 

[*]60 Q Magazine Feb 25, 2015

 

 

I honestly don't understand Q Magazine anymore - they gave 4 stars to MDNA for crying out loud...

[Melrose95 172]

Why are reviewers like that Boston guy mentioning her Grammy performance as being less than greatIt got really goid reviews, was the most watched performance of the night and proved she could singAnother history rewrite?

[Rod Erick 70]

From AllMusic Guide:

 

Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine  [-]

Rebel Heart was introduced to the world with an indiscipline uncharacteristic of Madonna. Blame it on hackers who rushed out a clutch of unfinished tracks at the end of 2014, a few months before the record's scheduled spring release. Madonna countered by putting six full tracks up on a digital service, a move that likely inflated the final Deluxe Edition of Rebel Heart up to a whopping 19 tracks weighing in at 75 minutes, but even that unveiling wasn't performed without a hitch: during an ornate performance of "Living for Love," she stumbled on-stage at the BRIT Awards. Such cracks in Madge's armor happily play into the humanity coursing through Rebel Heart (maybe the hiccups were intentional after all?), a record that ultimately benefits from its daunting mess. All the extra space allows ample room for detours, letting Madonna indulge in both Erotica-era taboo-busting sleaze ("Holy Water") and feather-light pop ("Body Shop"). Although she takes a lingering look back at the past on "Veni Vidi Vici" -- her cataloging of past hits walks right on the edge of camp, kept away from the danger zone by a cameo from Nas -- Rebel Heart, like any Madonna album, looks forward. Opener "Living for Love" announces as much, as its classic disco is soon exploded into a decibel-shattering EDM pulse coming courtesy of co-producer Diplo. Madonna brings him back a few more times -- the pairing of the reggae-bouncing "Unapologetic Bitch" and Nicki Minaj showcase "Bitch I'm Madonna," their titles suggesting vulgarity, their execution flinty and knowing -- but she cleverly balances these clubby bangers with "Devil Pray," an expert evocation of her folktronica Y2K co-produced by Avicii, and "Illuminati," a sleek, spooky collaboration with Kanye West. These are the anchors of the album, grounding the record when Madonna wanders into slow-churning meditation, unabashed revivals of her '90s adult contemporary mode, casual confession ("I spent sometime as a narcissist"), and defiant celebrations of questionable taste. Undoubtedly, some of this flair would've been excised if the record was a manageable length, but the blessing of the unwieldiness is that it does indeed represent a loosening of Madonna's legendary need for control. Certainly, the ambition remains, along with the hunger to remain on the bleeding edge, but she's allowing her past to mingle with her present, allowing her to seem human yet somewhat grander at the same time.

[ExPeRiMeNtalist 0]

Why are reviewers like that Boston guy mentioning her Grammy performance as being less than greatIt got really goid reviews, was the most watched performance of the night and proved she could singAnother history rewrite?

it wasn't good lol, none of her performances have been this era and fans need to get real

[Frank 43,985]

none of her performances have been this era and fans need to get real

 

And u just came here to enlighten us, right? Thanks a lot.

 

:Madonna051: :Madonna051:

 

[Rod Erick 70]

6/10 (MDNA got 8/10 from the same site. I guess everything depends on the critic assigned to review an album.) 

 

http://www.popmatters.com/review/191224-madonna-rebel-heart/

 

Back in 2003, she barked the phrase “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?†at downloaders despite not knowing herself what she wanted to do with her career at that point. Now, with Rebel Heart she’s dropped the overt hit-chasing to instead take on her most radical incarnation yet: that of an actual, relatable human being, flaws and all.

[Fighter 28,888]

Frankly the Grammys performance wasnt amazing by any means. It was good though. Ive heard less than stellar reviews ever since it happened from the media, from fans,... I loved it at first but after the superior Brits performance, Its easier to admit, grammys seemed unpolished, no wonder she changed to choreo and added the two new dancers.

[Rod Erick 70]

http://time.com/3735645/review-madonna-rebel-heart/

 

 

"There are albums where it’s been difficult to remember that Madonna is a real person and not just a figurehead, a concept, a lightning rod. That’s not the case with Rebel Heart: it has surprising gravity, and doubles as a portrait of a lion approaching the winter of a career without precedent. It’s the realest, and the best, Madonna has sounded in quite some time." - Time Magazine

[Rod Erick 70]

3/4 (L.A. Times)

 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-madonna-rebel-heart-review-20150308-column.html

 

"Nor can you live your creative life in front of millions without giving yourself whiplash every once in a while. The difference between pop agitators like Madonna and her lesser offspring is one of determination. “Rebel Heart,†like its creator, pushes through the pain and, more often than not, lands solidly and with great grace on its feet."

[kesiak 3,090]

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/08/madonna-rebel-heart-review-observer-basqued-polemicist

 

The Observer (UK): 3 / 5.

[Rod Erick 70]

Grade: C

 

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/03/madonnas_rebel_heart_is_defian.html

 

"Perhaps, the album's most interesting song is "Holy Water," which finds Madonna copying what Lady Gaga was doing seven years ago (which is sort of like Madonna copying herself)."

[Fighter 28,888]

Grade: C

 

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/03/madonnas_rebel_heart_is_defian.html

 

"Perhaps, the album's most interesting song is "Holy Water," which finds Madonna copying what Lady Gaga was doing seven years ago (which is sort of like Madonna copying herself)."

 

they basically called gaga trashy  :1f614:

[Rod Erick 70]

No rating provided

 

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/03/09/madonna-rebel-heart/zjQ7dPyEVcrKOKPjzgs8GO/story.html?p1=Article_InThisSection_Bottom

 

"After months of leaks and speculation, “Rebel Heart†finally arrives on Tuesday, and it is a strong, welcome detour in the artist’s recent discography. Or just call it a return to form since the album is her most satisfying effort in a decade and nimbly connects the dots between Madonna’s various eras and guises.

It works on many levels because it allows Madonna to be the most dynamic character of all, the one she repressed on her previous three studio albums of jittery dance-pop that felt desperate to be viable. Madonna gets to be herself on these new songs, exposing a vulnerability and sincerity we arguably haven’t heard from her since 1998’s “Ray of Light.â€

[Crawford 16]

First strong negative review I've seen comes from The Washington Post, with pearls like "Rebel Heart will sound like a string of poor decisions made by an icon with evaporating confidence and deteriorating taste."   ...

 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/be-still-the-unseemly-beating-of-madonnas-rebel-heart/2015/03/08/645dc50c-c5a2-11e4-b2a1-bed1aaea2816_story.html

[groovyguy 63,869]

'Rebel Heart' review: Madonna fearless in artistic turning point

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/rebel-heart-review-madonna-fearless-in-artistic-turning-point-1.10025427

REVIEW

BOTTOM LINE: Getting her artistic groove back.

Madonna is ahead of the curve once again with her new, ambitious "Rebel Heart" (Interscope) album.

She went a little too far with her 2003 album, "American Life," and then opted for the safer (well, safer for Madonna) world of dance music for a few albums.

 

With "Rebel Heart," she is innovative again, searching for ways to express her rebellious side and her softer, more heartfelt side. Madonna rarely gets credit for the strength of her melodies, but on this album, they are undeniable. From the gospel-influenced stomp of the single "Living for Love" to the reggae-tinged kiss-off "Unapologetic Bitch," the focus here is on creating a musical backdrop as memorable as the lyrics -- not through production, though Madonna has certainly assembled a who's who of collaborators here from Kanye West to Avicii and Diplo, but through melody.

 

"Joan of Arc," one of the best songs of her storied career, is an example of what musical magic occurs when all the pieces of a Madonna plan come together. Lyrically, it's a revelation, as she discusses the perils of fame and how all the negativity gets to her. "Never admit it, but it hurts," she sings, before adding, "Even hearts made out of steel can break down." In the end, though, love gives her strength and she remains quietly defiant.

 

Of course, Madonna can still be openly defiant, too. In "Holy Water," she uses West's aggressive synths and beats to gleefully blend sexual and religious imagery. The mix of joyful, classical-influenced EDM bits and trap-inspired hip-hop on "Bitch I'm Madonna" is a thrilling tension, even before Nicki Minaj shuts it down with a powerful verse.

 

Madonna breaks new ground with these combinations of hard and soft. On "HeartBreakCity," she takes what could have been a French torch song and toughens it up, adding a thunderous choir and massive-sounding production.

 

Despite her unexpected revelations on "Rebel Heart," Madonna is more artistically fearless now than ever, ready to forge new styles at a time in her career when most would be considering acoustic interpretations of her hits and decades-themed cover albums.

 

THE GRADE A