[Music Review] Madonna's Rebel Heart

I have loved Madonna since I was a child. Her last two albums have been a little underwhelming to me. I will be honest and say that I haven't purchased any albums since Confessions on a Dance Floor was released. I adored that album. Her last two, Hard Candy and MDNA, just didn't do it for me.

Then came Rebel Heart.

This is Madonna's thirteenth studio album with Interscope Records, and she's collaborated with so many other great artists on this new record.

From track one on, this album had me hook, line, and sinker. It's classic Madonna, evolving with the times. 

There is something for everyone on here, I think. It has your dance tunes, something I've always lived for from Madonna. It's also got some things that really drop that bass, a reggae inspired tune, slower ballad like tunes. 

If you really get into the lyrics, she delivers that meaning something fierce. A few tracks left me with goosebumps up and down my arms, like HeartBreakCity. She's always had a way with making words just cut through you and hit you straight in the soul.

The first track, Living For Love, is as modern Madonna as it's going to get. It's got great lyrics and a great beat. 

Just like Cher, this woman does not age!

I love the concept of this video. I hope you dig it as much as I do.

I'm going to put the rest of this behind a cut, because I can see myself being very wordy about this album!





Track two is called Devil Pray. This is a very laid back track. It's got a lot of mentions of drugs, something I didn't expect from Madonna. She's sexual, erotic. I think this song is really catchy as far as beat goes, it's just not something I expected.

Ghosttown is a great ballad. This track sent goosebumps up and down my body. It's very romantic, almost feels like a throwback to some of her earlier ballads from the early 90's. I could see this song getting some great radio play if she decides to release this as a single to promote the album.

Unapologetic Bitch is nothing less than what I'd expect of Madonna. She has always been one to express herself and not give a damn about what anyone says. This has a very reggae and island feel, not quite La Isla Bonita feel. It's definitely a breakup song, with her coming out on top of the game.



I'm not quite sure what to think about Illuminati. While I get the concept of the song and what she is going for, but the beat just doesn't work for me.

Bitch I'm Madonna is something I've expected to hear from her for years, because bitch, she's Madonna! I think this song is pure fun. It features Nikki Minaj, so how could it not be fun? It's definitely a party song, one of those songs you jam out to with the girls on the way to go dancing. Maybe a modern day Girls Just Want to Have Fun?

Hold Tight is another one of those ballady songs with a great beat behind it. It's got great lyrics, shows her romantic side.

Joan of Arc is another ballad type song with the lyrics that hit home pretty hard. I can see myself singing this loud and proud while I'm cleaning house, or into my hairbrush. It, to me, speaks of strength and struggles, and needing that person to be your rock while you allow yourself a moment of weakness.

Iconic features Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson, an unexpected mix in my opinion. Iconic is definitely a word that describes Madonna, and this song is pure power. Fight for your dreams, put in the work, make your mark in this world, the power is all in your hands.



Heartbreakcity goes back to that ballad breakup song with the anger under it all after you find your lover has been doing things behind your back. I also feel this is a super powerful song. It just gives me such goosebumps.

I'm not sure how to describe Body Shop musically. It's one of those songs that sounds totally innocent, that childhood would sing like mad and not know the difference. In typical Madonna fashion there are so many double entendres. Honestly, I feel this has such a summer feel. I can see myself cruising on a road trip to the beach jamming to this.

Holy Water doesn't really do much for me. I haven't really built an opinion on this one. I hate to say that about any track Madonna does, it just doesn't leave an impression on me.

Inside Out To me, this is another classic Madonna song. It's got such great lyrics, shows her romantic side. It's also got that sexy undertone that just really does it for me.

Wash All Over Me is another that gave me goosebumps. I would say this is in the ballad category again, and her voice with those lyrics... It is very calming.

Best Night has such a great jam feeling to it. It would be one of those songs that goes on a "night with your lover" mix. I'm not the best dancer in the world, but it makes me want to jump on a pole and gyrate my hips.

Veni Vidi Vici features Nas. For those who didn't take Latin in school, it means "I came, I saw, I conquered". This is another one of those power songs that tells you to never give up and fight for your dreams (if I'm hearing the lyrics right). Nas coming in adds the perfect touch to the song, that extra boost of power that makes you want to get out there and just work your tail off to achieve those goals you've set for yourself.

S.E.X. Madonna, to me, has always been such a sexual individual. I couldn't have been that only kid running around the bookstore dying to see what was inside of that silver wrapper of her Sex book. This is another one of those songs that would go on a "romantic night with your lover" mix, another song that makes me want to jump on a pole and do my thing. Maybe even a lap dance for my boyfriend? It just makes me feel sexier listening to it, haha!

Messiah This brings me back to the "Like A Prayer" years, when Madonna used a lot of religious imagery. This is another ballad, goes more toward the romantic side of things. There is a lot of longing in this song.  I really hope that she does a video for this. I'd love to see what they come up with as far as a concept and cinematography.

Rebel Heart is the title track of the album, and is nothing what I expected. I expected some sort of dance track, but it's very poppy and not quite what I expected to hear for a title song. I hate to compare it to something more like Katy Perry as far as this goes, but I could see Katy singing these lyrics. It's got a great message, like her life story in a single song. It's very uplifting, the perfect way to end the album.


Now that you've read my views on each track, I hope that you purchase this album. It is honestly her best album in ten years, since the Confessions era. It is everything that I would expect from Madonna and more.

You can purchase her album on iTunes.

You can also follow her on her other networks, which is worth it!

You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

For more information about Rebel Heart and tour dates, go to her official site, Madonna.com. She's opening this tour in Miami this year, and I want to go so bad!

Disclaimer: I participated in the Madonna Rebel Heart album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided an album to review but all opinions are my own.