Music

Highlights: "Music," "Don't Tell Me" It's ridiculous to justify how awkward this album is and how terribly it's aged by saying any of this was 'experimental' even by the most mainstream US pop standards. Cher's "Believe" had tested the waters for autotune two years before, and NSYNC was having a blast earlier that year running the gamut of gaudy special effects from ring modulation to step filtering to sequencers and ARP. Madonna has always been derivative, and by this time she's just in over her head, too. Do we care about lyrics? Ideas? Because she pretends to. Laughably absurd lyrical bookends to the album: singing about the bourgeoisie and how "selling out is not my thing" when she is literally Madonna. Can't you just do what every honest sellout does and send audiences glum and bitter putzing dispatches on your barbarism of reflection from the barren apex? Whatever. No good songs, but only four I skipped halfway through out of disgust.

Pretty ostentatious to name your album "music", as if to encompass all music. Also, how does one talk about this album? "Have you heard music?" "yes, of course" "no, I mean Madonna's music" "like a virgin? yes" "no, I mean her album music" "yes she puts her music on albums" "no" All jokes aside this is pretty bog standard pop music. This is probably the worst of the 3 albums by her I've come across on this list (so far?), but it's inoffensive. Except for her cover of American Pie. That shit was a war crime.

I always check the tracklist before listening to an album and omit the bonus tracks or international release tracks from my listen, which is how I avoided the human rights violation that is the Madonna cover of American Pie, which I'm about 60% sure is one of the direct causes of 9/11. Best track: Paradise (Not for Me)

I wanted to like this but I found it formulaic and quite boring actually. A two is being generous

It's hard not to see the influence this album held on the next 7 years of pop music. It feels like a quintessential pop album of the 2000s because it's the first of that kind.

In 2000 I was 10 and really starting to get into music on my own. I remember being younger than this age and liking rock music on the radio, like Nirvana and classic rock, but around this time is when I started to be more aware of music. Her song "Music" I remember hearing and being a real guilty pleasure. Of course to my friends I couldn't like her because she was "pop" and young boys don't listen to pop music they listen to rock music because you don't develop that part of your brain that allows you to not care about silly social conventions like that until you are older (atleast for me until I was in my late teens / early 20's). I think there is really something special for me personally about the general time period of 1998-summer 2001, the music that came out in that time period was so vibrant and I really vividly remember moments of life happening while listening to music from then. I think specifically of these records: Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory Korn - Follow The Leader Kid Rock - Devil Without A Cause Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication Outkast - Stankonia Eminem - Marshall Mathers / Slim Shady Those were really pivotal for me and it was a time period where I was able to more autonomously look for and listen to music on my own. I was 8 to 10 years old! I could listen to what I what when I want. And I did! I remember listening to so much music during those 2.5 years and just doing my thing and loving life- playing sports and hanging out with friends, becoming obsessed with baseball and videogames, and not really having a care in the world. That specific time kind of ended after 9/11 and I think that was the start of puberty / teenager issues / listening to music with more serious sounds and lyrical topics. I do theorize that 9/11 played some part in that transition because up until that point I didn't really have a concept for experiencing the sometimes really terrible parts of the world. I wasn't expecting the start of this review to end up about 9/11 but that's the fun of hearing records that take you to a place in your life. I wouldn't say that this album was as special as those others listed but "Music" was a single from that era. Outside of this track the album isn't that bad. I think it's short of a 4 but higher than a 3, like a 3.3 for me.

6/10 more interesting than i expected, cool beats.

Meh. Bland, over produced, shiny and expensive. Not her best work. Also includes her cover of American Pie, which is so bad it is virtually a hate crime.

This was a nice revisit of a CD I had bought when new, but went with the other CDs into a box some time ago. It's been a while. This one really shows how Madonna has been able to successfully reinvent herself so many times. It was a sound that felt very modern at the time and which I think has held up since then. "This is the one with acoustic guitars and robot voices," is probably how I would distinguish it. I loved it, it made me move and groove today.

I liked this album back in the day, but it hadn’t stayed with me like Like A Prayer or Ray of Light. I’m glad to have revisited it, because I enjoyed the cool electronic vibe. Driving around Seattle listening to this today felt a little like I was in some kind of Tron universe. 23 years after its release this still feels like the future.

This album was everything when it came out. Listening to reminds me of good times, I’m just singing my lil heart out. Don’t tell me is soo good. I still love it and I think It’s fucking great!

I danced to this when I was three and four years old. I love Madonna.

The 2000 U2 album All That You Can’t Leave Behind feels like it is desperately trying to re-capture former pop-star glory with mixed results. This 2000 disc by Madonna succeeds at that same task (apart from the clunker of an American Pie cover) without the desperation. It also innovates by combining techno and country in a way that hadn’t been done before (and not super-well since).

Pretty glad when that one ended. It sounded to me like she was fulling a contractual obligation.

2 star album, 0 star cover

Madonna has had one of the most successful, enduring careers in modern music. Music is her eight studio album, and a significant departure from the pop singles that made her famous. This collection of tracks are closer to dance and electronica than her earlier work. This is a surprisingly good album, with memorable tracks like "Don't Tell Me."

I played this during my morning commute and now I am SO HYPED for writing INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL for SOFTWARE

m u s i c

I liked vibing to this one. The music was sorta pop/electronic, but also soft enough that I could listen while working without getting distracted.

One of Madonna's most mature albums. Very entertaining, very catchy. I love it.

This has aged much better than I would have guessed. At the time it just sounded like the state of pop radio, because it was the music Madonna was making. But now it sounds inventive and creative, even refreshing. Unfortunately the album takes a nose dive with the last couple songs (I especially don't think the world needed that version of American Pie, which thankfully wasn't on the original release anyway). Take those two out though, and this is a surprising gem of an album.

Very good electronica that I hadn’t heard before.

Good album

Kind of weird use of electric sounds on some songs- but I generally liked it.

This album really surprised me. Much better than I remembered based off the radio singles.

I love this album. Sooo…yep.

Top notch turn of the century production, but the songwriting, particularly the lyricism and melodies were weak for a release for an artist this big.

Not as off-putting as the Yoga-core that Madonna trafficked in on Ray Of Light, “Music”takes its cues from the downtempo and trip-hop of its time. I’m not saying Madonna made an Air record, but…actually, I kind of am saying that, especially now that I hear her singing in French on “Paradise (Not For Me)”.

MY FAVOURITE MADONNA ALBUM (and the first one that this generator has generated for me)! I was thinking of this album just earlier today! This album is an excellent exploration of electronic music, building on the experimentation of ‘Ray of Light’ (widely acclaimed as her best). Of course, it contains the monster hit ‘Music’, alongside plenty of deep cuts with important messages, such as ‘What it Feels Like for a Girl’ and ‘I Deserve It’. I’m unsure why there is so much Madonna hate on here. Perfect arrangements and fantastic vocal technique. The influence on every single pop song from the 2000s should not be underestimated. To paraphrase another review, it sounds like the quintessential 2000s album because it influenced plenty of albums from the 2000s, despite this being the third decade of her career. Unpopular opinion: Madonna’s cover of *that* song is better than the original 😘 10/10

Whoa. I had no idea. The production has me floored

Ahh yes, 2000's Madonna, brings back some memories. Overall, I enjoyed this album. I wouldn't listen to it regularly, but I can appreciate the music. Favorite Tracks: Music, Amazing, and Don't Tell Me. Awful Track: Nobodys Perfect. Shit 2000's auto tune (thanks Cher) and horribly grating noises that don't resemble good songs.

Actually really liked the album, apart from the aptly named "Nobody's Perfect" which is a good summation for the song itself because it's an overly autotuned piece of poop. The overall tone of the album feels like a mish mash of random directions but I don't really mind that, it provides relief from the norm of some albums to bore me to death with the same sounding songs.

I had never listened to this album until today. I haven't listened to many of Madonna's albums. I guess that I am not a huge fan. I enjoyed it.

I know it sounds a bit bad but I'd like to know how much of this she really had a hand in? Maybe the lyrics? Yeah I can see that, but I don't think she produced it REALLY did she? I genuinely like Ray of Light and can hear Orbit in this as well. Whilst I applaud her intentions to push boundaries and put herself on the line this is at the end of the day just dancey Pop.

I wish the whole album was in the same vein as the two great songs “Music” and “Don’t Tell Me”, I think that would have been awesome. Unfortunately the rest of the album is mostly low energy dance tunes mired in an autotune muck. Mostly uninteresting save for a couple of high notes.

Madonna trying to be modern but what's lost here are any good songs. Best song is a cover of a song that's 30 years old

Typically like Madonna and this is right in the middle of her re-invention when I think she's perhaps a little too comfortable - she's at her best when working with up and coming producers and bringing outside influences to the mainstream, which I guess is being tried here mixing electronica with country. However as a listen it's not anywhere near her best "I deserve it" stand out tune. 3

Weirdest country album I’ve ever heard. Haha just kidding Production was really good. Very late 90s french electronica. Madonna was the weakest part of the album; is she good or just super hot? Will have to listen to more of her lesser known work.

It has been a long while since I first heard Like a Prayer. I honestly forget Madonna exists sometime. But if you go back and look at that review, I didn’t not enjoy that album one bit. Safe to say those feelings were not a one time thing. I just don’t get it. And I could say that for a lot of albums I’ve heard over the last 191 days. But Madonna just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m going to say the same thing I said back then, because it still stands the test of time. Her music ellicits zero emotional response within me. Absolutely nothing. I feel lifeless when I listen to her music. What is the purpose of listening to music if that’s all I am able to take away from it? This is some of the most boring, bland, derivative and lackluster 2000’s pop music I’ve ever heard. What is she doing here than everybody else before her, and better at that? Even if this was considered “ahead of its time”, it would not be deserving of that title by any means. The autotune over her vocals on Nobody’s Perfect is enough to just throw the whole album out. Or the way the guitar is spliced up on Don’t Tell Me? Genuinely pissed me off a little bit. Such strange choices with the production and instruments that lack substance and stand as nothing but overly glossy and gimmicky pop trash. Keep Madonna far away from me. Rating: 3/10

Nostalgia is a powerful drug. This was one of the car CDs of family holidays and also my feminist awakening

Pop at its best

You can literally just hear however many millions they spent on this. The production is incredible, and it hides some of the cracks on the weaker tracks. "Music" is just so perfectly arranged, "Don't Tell Me" is, I think, my favorite Madonna song, and the cover of "American Pie" is just hilariously weird and doing its own thing, such a brilliant little oddity.

Her final epic album

Excelent album. Cant believe i never listened more of it

horrid lyrics on some tracks

## In-Depth Review of *Music* (2000) by Madonna Madonna's *Music*, released in 2000, marks a significant chapter in her career, showcasing her ability to reinvent herself while maintaining her status as the "Queen of Pop." This album blends various musical styles, explores diverse themes, and reflects her artistic evolution. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the album focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and a summary of its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrical content of *Music* reflects a duality that runs throughout the album: celebration and introspection. The title track, "Music," serves as an anthem for unity and joy, emphasizing music's power to bring people together. Lines like "Music makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel" highlight the social implications of music as a unifying force across different classes and backgrounds[2]. Other tracks delve into personal and emotional territories. For instance: - **"What It Feels Like for a Girl"** explores themes of female identity and societal expectations. The lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and empowerment, capturing the complexities of womanhood. - **"Gone"** presents a more introspective view, reflecting on loss and longing. The poignant lyrics evoke feelings of heartache and resignation. Madonna's ability to juxtapose light-hearted themes with deeper emotional currents is evident throughout the album. While some songs celebrate the exuberance of life, others reflect on personal struggles and societal observations. ### Music Musically, *Music* is an eclectic mix that combines elements of electro-funk, pop, and folk influences. The production features a blend of organic instruments and electronic sounds, showcasing Madonna's willingness to experiment with new textures. - **"Music"** itself is driven by a catchy electro-pop beat that incorporates elements reminiscent of disco and funk. The use of synthesizers creates a vibrant soundscape that invites listeners to dance. - **"Impressive Instant"** features vocoder effects alongside Madonna's unadorned vocals, creating a contrast that enhances the song's energetic feel. The track embodies a futuristic sound while retaining pop sensibilities. - **"I Deserve It"** introduces acoustic guitar elements that provide warmth against the backdrop of electronic production. This song exemplifies Madonna's ability to integrate different musical styles seamlessly. Overall, the album's sound is characterized by its upbeat tempo and innovative production techniques that keep it fresh and engaging. ### Production The production of *Music* was primarily handled by Madonna herself alongside Mirwais Ahmadzaï, who played a crucial role in shaping the album's sound. Their collaboration resulted in an experimental yet accessible sonic palette. - The use of electronic elements is prominent throughout the album, with tracks like "Nobody's Perfect" featuring glitchy sounds that create an immersive listening experience. - Madonna's decision to incorporate live instruments alongside electronic beats adds depth to the overall production. Songs like "Paradise (Not for Me)" showcase lush string arrangements that contrast with more synthetic tracks. - The production quality is polished yet retains an underground vibe, reflecting Madonna's ability to balance mainstream appeal with artistic integrity. ### Themes Thematically, *Music* navigates through various concepts: - **Unity Through Music:** The title track encapsulates this theme perfectly, celebrating the power of music as a universal language that transcends barriers. - **Female Empowerment:** Tracks like "What It Feels Like for a Girl" challenge societal norms surrounding femininity and gender roles, making statements about women's experiences in contemporary society. - **Introspection:** Songs such as "Gone" delve into personal reflections on relationships and emotional struggles, showcasing Madonna's vulnerability alongside her strength. These themes contribute to the album's overall narrative arc, creating a cohesive listening experience that resonates with listeners on multiple levels. ### Influence *Music* was influential not only for its sound but also for its cultural impact. It re-established Madonna as a relevant artist in the new millennium after some criticism in the late 1990s. The album’s exploration of dance music culture resonated with audiences during a time when electronic music was gaining mainstream popularity. - The title track became an anthem for club culture and was embraced by LGBTQ+ communities for its inclusive message[3]. - Madonna’s ability to blend different genres influenced many contemporary artists who sought to merge pop with electronic sounds. - The album also marked a return to form for Madonna in terms of chart performance; it produced several hits that dominated airwaves globally. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Innovative Sound:** *Music* showcases Madonna's willingness to experiment with new sounds while maintaining her pop roots. - **Cohesive Themes:** The thematic exploration of unity, empowerment, and introspection creates a rich listening experience. - **Cultural Relevance:** The album resonated with contemporary audiences and influenced future artists in the pop and electronic genres. - **Catchy Hooks:** Memorable choruses make many tracks instantly recognizable and enjoyable. #### Cons - **Lyrical Depth:** While some lyrics are impactful, others may feel less substantial or repetitive compared to her earlier works. - **Production Choices:** Some critics argue that certain tracks rely too heavily on electronic effects at the expense of lyrical substance[5]. - **Mixed Reception:** Although many celebrated its innovation, some fans preferred her earlier albums’ more straightforward pop sound. ### Conclusion Madonna's *Music* stands as a testament to her enduring legacy as an artist capable of evolving while staying true to her roots. Its blend of catchy melodies, innovative production techniques, and thoughtful lyrics make it a significant entry in her discography. While it has its drawbacks—particularly regarding lyrical depth—the overall impact of *Music* is undeniable. It reflects not only Madonna’s artistic vision but also her ability to connect with audiences through universal themes that resonate across generations.

Ray of Light was her masterpiece. This one is pretty good too.

Despite the cover art, not much country music here. It's more of the same electronic sounds from Ray of Light, with a few more surprises. We start off with a few dancefloor ready cuts before the second half goes a bit more eclectic and chilled out, which I like better. It's all quite interesting production wise, not sure if it sounds retro or futuristic. I can't decide if I like this more than Ray of Light but it's in the same conversation. Favorites: Runaway Lover, Don't Tell Me, What It Feels Like for a Girl, Paradise (Not For Me).

Ik had vrij lage verwachtingen, maar dit luistert best lekker weg. Een artiest als Madonna drukt mij bij nog wel eens op de irritatieknoppen, maar deze niemendallerige dancenummers zitten best goed in elkaar en wat zou ik dan gaan zeuren. Gelukkig hoort de belachelijke en volstrekt overbodige cover American Pie niet bij het oorspronkelijke album, anders was er zeker een punt afgegaan, misschien wel meerdere.

I know a lot of music fans (snobs) look down on pop, but I’ve never been that way. There’s no trophies for writing off an entire genre of music that’s scientifically designed to be catchy and pleasing to the ear. This album was solid. Just enjoy the damn music! 🎶“Music makes the people come together.” 🎶 — 4/5 Highlights: I Deserve It Don’t Tell Me Paradise (Not For Me)

I Deserve It is the exact style of the latter half of Madonnas career that I really like. I think the William Orbit time in her career is the most interesting time for her. It's a production style that works so well. Really good. Prefer it to Ray Of Light 4

I went into this album not expecting too much, but ended up really enjoying it. There are really surprising elements here. Don’t get me wrong, it is a pop album, but how was I unaware that Madonna had elements of glitchwave in an album? That definitely peaked my interest from the start. Seriously, have a proper listen to Don’t Tell Me. It’s really weird, but it’s so catchy.

ok here's the thing. I'm going to be the biggest Madonna defender in this group. I know. Sometimes you just have to resign yourself to your fate. And yet I remain fascinated by Madonna's midcareer albums all the same. Here we have the lingering influences of trip hop Madonna loved in the late 90s with the rising influence of French house on European club music in the early aughts combined with an odd, uh, country? musical sensibility Madonna never explored before or since at a time when no other major pop star was doing that (I think? It's honestly hard to tell because eve calling this "country-inspired" seems deeply wrong in a way I can't articulate but in a way I'm going to continue doing), just before all of these influences cascaded into Madonna making her easily worst album three years later. I don't expect everyone to like this, sure. But I still find it fascinating years later. The fact that it has all-time great pop tracks like the title song and "Don't Tell Me" doesn't hurt, either.

Great! I knew every song. I've listened to this album hundreds of times. It's timeless. ❤️

Madge kicked off her third music decade with a fantastic album. She always found a way. Several stand out songs to me: Music, Don’t Tell Me, and What it Feels Like For a Girl. And…..NOBODY should remake American Pie. Seems an odd choice for this album anyway. It’s a club/disco/electronic album and I’m here for it.

4 yeah this was some pretty solid madonna, 3.5 but i’ll round up

Pre-listening thoughts: listen as bizarre of a pick as this may be I am SO relieved to get Madonna after the onslaught of 90s grunge and indie rock. It’s something different. Post/during listening thoughts: interested why they picked this Madonna album tbh. Like I feel like they should’ve picked True Blue no? But whatever. It’s a weird fusion of genres and has a veryyyy turn of the century electronic feel to it. It’s a little all over the place - maybe this is her Red before Red lol. Upon second listen it’s so camp y’all just don’t get it. Y’all will hate me for saying this but none of yall would be having a BRAT summer if not for this album. This is kinda fire lowkey maybe I should listen to more Madonna 7/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but there’s some good stuff for pop girlies here Fav tracks: Music, Runaway Lover, I Deserve It, Amazing, Gone Least fav tracks: none tbh

Not as good as older Madonna

An interesting album, I've never heard these Madonna songs before. I liked Music, Amazing, What It Feels Like For a Girl and her version of American Pie.

Pretty good and free-flowing and mostly fun, this is pretty easy to like now, when Madonna's cynical and continual reaching after relevance far in the rearview. The clubbier cuts that open the record are totally forgettable and mindless (as is anything with auto-tune) but much of the rest works well and has some emotion in it, seemingly. "I Deserve It, ' "Gone" and "Nobody's Perfect" and especially "What It Feels for a Girl" (maybe the best song) almost sound sincere. "Paradise" is also cool. Production mostly holds up, too. Like one said, pretty decent overall, but a grudging 4 (mainly for middle-effort with only a moderately sized amount of cringe).

Not my kind of dance music but she gets props for being an innovator and an icon.

Soo goodd

Lots of influences expressed well, with good sound variety. The album starts out really dance-y and shifts to a more trip hop oriented sound in the latter half, with more straightforward pop senses sprinkled in. This transition is a bit awkward, and overall, the cohesion of this album isn't strong. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it and could see myself coming back to it.

muito sad girl, mas extremamente coeso

This is all a bit low key but not in a bad way. Just more emphasis on her pure vocals I feel like. Really chill and enjoyable listen! 4.5

Siempre al día.

Yes, discazo. Aunque igual me gusta harto Ray of Light

This is an interesting one because I always knew that Madonna went through a bunch of reinventions in the 90s and 00s through pop culture osmosis but I’ve never actually listened to an example of it. This was an interesting first time because it’s wildly different from her 80s music and is just unique in general since it tries to fuse both country and electronica. Sometimes it really works (paradise) and sometimes it really doesn’t (American pie cover) but it was a surprisingly fascinating listen either way.

I am not the biggest Madonna fan, but I really enjoyed this album. Ray of Light is definitely my favorite album of hers, and I like that Music sonically carries over part of that aesthetic. It does sound a bit dated here and there, but I didn't really mind that. For me, the highlights on this album are the "ballads" - such as What It Is Like For A Girl, Paradise (Not for Me), and Gone.

Much respect for Madge. Seventeen years into her career and she puts out an album that shows she can still bring it to the dance floor with solid club bangers. For me, this album is below her 80s classics but just below; the strength being the production quality. A nice mid-career release showing she still had a lot in the tank.

I really like Madonna and it was nice listening to this album again. There are some really good and clever songs on this album. It has a nice feel to it. I wish it ended a little stronger as I don't really care for the last couple of songs as much as I do the others. I will try to listen to them more and see if they grow on me.

very good album showcasing Madonna's ability to stay relevant and unique.

A surprisingly good album and love Mirwais’ contribution. It’s very clear eyed and stark in its intention to be a good pop album, and it hits all the right marks - well balanced, not too long and with a few good modernish Madonna hits.

Better than I remember

It’s Madonna. Of course it is good. Quite a few memorable hits including on of my favorite Madonna songs, “Nobody’s Perfect.” 4/5

Yes. Of course I'm a sucker for Madonna. It seems like I'm a 4-star girly on this platform. I enjoyed myself just fine with this album. Not as good as Confessions on a Dancefloor of course, but a fun listen anyways.

3.8 - actually liked this a lot more than beyond light.

The singles are unreal from this album - Music and Dont Tell Me especially are both still bangers in their different ways. I definitely don't like or love all tracks on the album, bit of a mix bag but interesting all the same - prefer the slower ones like I Deserve It and What It Feels Like For A Girl rather than dance tracks.

Not too shabby.

THIS IS FUCKIN COOL

Pretty cool!!

La reina del pop. Un 4.

I went into this only knowing the song "Music" - I really enjoyed this album apart from the last song which is a truly unnecessary cover of "American Pie". The rest of the songs are experimental electronic pop gems that range from club bangers like "Impressive Instant" and "Runaway Lover" to slow jams like "Paradise (Not For Me)" and country samplers like "Don't Tell Me", "Amazing" mixes house beats with surfed out guitar.

I enjoyed this album - to songs, the mood the production. Didn't really listen to it at the time, but appreciate it now.

Overall it's a really good album.

This album immiedieteely hooked me with it's techno/trance-esque production and fun, anthem-like lyrics. Runaway Lover especially was just a blast. Starting with I Deserve It, the album took an odd turn into this country inspired pop territory. I wasn't a fan, save for the percussion being wicked tight and reminded me of trap beats. After a short dip into generic pop land, we're back into this odd, spacey auto tune slow jam with Nobody's Perfect. This album is at it's best when it's less Sheryl Crow and more Bjork. Also, probably the best version of American Pie I can think of.

I’m a little surprised that this Madonna album is on the list. There are 4 or 5 true classics from her and this one doesn’t measure up to them. That being said, this is still a very good album, and possibly great if you take off the more embarrassing moments, like the “Beautiful Stranger” retread of “Amazing”, and the career low point of “Nobody’s Perfect”, which became the template for her next album, the still awful “American Life”. This is also the point where she became obsessed with autotune bullshit, which completely ruins vocals 9 times out of 10 to my ears. It doesn’t sound futuristic anymore. It’s a lazy studio trick (that many use to mask the fact that they can’t actually sing, except Madonna has proven that she really can sing so it’s pointless) showcasing a lack of ideas and pointing out that she is no longer driving ahead of the curve, but following others. I’m a super Madonna fan from everything she put out between her 1983 self titled debut album and 1994’s “Bedtime Stories”. Pure magical brilliance. I can more than tolerate 1998’s “Ray of Light”, and this record. Beyond this, it becomes a wasteland of overestimating relevance with a few moments of being good but never truly great again.

This is around the time I stopped listening to Madonna as much because her early aughts evolution was a bit jarring to me at the time (though I LOVED Ray of Light). I know the hits from this album, but I really enjoyed it as a full listen. Amazing is a great song I wasn’t familiar with. She really layers a lot of funky and interesting beats and sound effects throughout these songs. It’s a bit more forgettable than her 80s catalog, but still a good Madonna time. Queen’s gonna queen.

She's the queen of pop. A lot of this electropop is well ahead of it's time.

Loved it

I certainly haven't listened to everything Madonna, but I think this might be my favorite now. The pop plus some folk/country at points. This kind a felt fresh in some ways, and certainly did back then as I loved Music and Don't Tell Me. Listening to this album for the first time, there were many other tracks I liked too like Nobody's Perfect, What It Feels Like For a Girl, and Gone.

Exceptional!

I would never have sought this out but I super dug it! It’s a terrific compilation of pop and electronic. Madonna keeping it fun and relevant through a strong career arc.

Fashion show runway music, highly produced, voice autotuned like a robot, but classic.

I've always liked Madonna. Soft spot for this one. Newly wed, we had the cassete in the car an the cd at home. Love the rhythm (and sound) of the bass in Amazing. Not on this album, the single Beautiful Stranger came out similar time - great pop track.

'Music' tanta roba. In generale non mi dispiace lo stile disco-pop di questo album, anzi! Svolta un po' country, comunque piacevole su 'i deserved'. Con anche 'American Pie' diventa un ottimo ascolto.

Ehhh discazo realmente, es la primera vez que escucho a Madonna más a fondo.

Really nice pop album. Showcases Madonna's evolution into modern pop while still having her signature melodic voice and upset songs.

"Music" is the eighth studio album by American singer Madonna. In reponse to the pop chart dominance of acts such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, Madonna collaborated with Mirwais Ahmadzi and William Orbit to go in a more experimental direction. The album incorporates elements of house, funk, country and folk into the overall dance-pop and electronica styles. It worked as the album hit #1 in 15 countries including the US and UK. There are overall themes of partying and love differing from her previous album "Ray of Light" which was more introspective. Critically, the album had mostly positive reviews. The self-titled song "Music" opens up with a vocoder. It then kicks in with a funky beat and synth. The beat continues with strange synth sounds. She just wants to dance with her baby. "impressive Instant" takes the dance music to the club level. A deeper bass and beat. Synth space sounds. More use of the vocoder...almost stepping into Daft Punk territory. A love at first sight song. Slow synth keys begin "Amazing." The music kicks in. A echoing, reverbing guitar and prominent bass. Electronic beats. Great, haunting guitar breaks reminding me of David Bowie. My favorite song on the album. An acoustic guitar starts and stops and starts begins "Don't Tell Me." Country meets electronica here. An electric drum backbeat. Strings are added. She urges her lover to stop controlling her. Why not venture into the ambient and that is what she does in "What It Feels Like to be a Girl." An ambient synth melody and underlying electronic beats. The ambience builds. She condemns male chauvinism and urges men to imagine themselves as a girl. This is a very, very good album. Not one song really fits into any one category. There's funk mixed with club dance, both rock and country with electronica and even the ballads have dance/electronica elements. A very high production level as one would expect. I didn't hear one song not worth a listen. A strong recommendation.

4.0 - I always felt this record dwelled in “Ray of Light”‘s shadow, the more “serious” of the two projects. I’ve changed my mind. “ROL” finds Madonna clinging desperately to relevance with her late-to-the-party rave anthems mixed with yoga-inflected wisdom, offering incantations to a “zephyr in the sky.” Yawn. This record, on the other hand, shows a quirkier Madonna stripped of these pretensions, ready to hang. Sonically, “Music” has aged far better. I like the glitchy, hyperpoppy elements that remind me of “100 gecs.” As is often the case with Madonna, you still get some schlocky philosophizing on clichés and truisms (e.g., “nobody’s perfect”) but she balances that with a pre-#MeToo ballad about the female struggle that resonates (“What It Feels Like For A Girl”). My only real gripe is that the record ends on a melancholy note and I would’ve loved more of side A’s frenetic energy to send this off.