Madonna - Rebel Heart (Review)

The highly anticipated 13th studio album from the Queen Of Pop is slated to be released next month, and there are rumors it may be moved up to next week to coincide with her Grammy Awards performance on Sunday.

Madonna began work on this album last year. She was very active on Instagram throughout that year documenting her process with many collaborators including Alicia Keys, Avicii, Diplo, Kanye West, Mozella, Nas, Natalia Kills, Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, Toby Gad, and many others.

Nearly a week before Christmas, a number of unfinished demos and work in progress versions of songs from the album leaked online forcing Madonna and her team to release the first 6 songs as 'instant downloads' when fans pre-ordered the album on iTunes. The lead single "Living For Love" was one of the songs to be released then. A full remix package has also been released and a music video is in the works. The album was originally envisioned as a concept project with two discs each containing a particular them with one being "Rebel Heart" with the more socially conscious and emotional songs and then "Unapologetic Bitch" with the more playful and light-hearted songs. That concept was abandoned due to the leaks and it is now one album going back and forth between the themes.

Here is a track by track writeup.

OneRepublic - If I Lose Myself

This is the lead single from their latest album Native which was released last week. The song is an uptempo with Rock and Dance elements, but it doesn't deviate from their usual style. Ryan Tedder's vocals are amazing as can be expected.

The Alesso vs. OneRepublic remix is in an uplifting Electro House style and it contains several drops with the verses and chorus. Those drops resemble the original version minus the beats. This version may help the song on radio as Dance/Electronic-influenced songs are still getting a lot of airtime.

• Watch the music video for the original version here (YouTube)
• Listen to the Alesso vs. OneRepublic remix here (YouTube)
• Buy the original version here (Amazon)
• Buy the Alesso vs. OneRepublic remix here (Beatport)
• Buy the Alesso vs. OneRepublic remix edit here (Amazon)

Grade: A-

Leona Lewis - Happy

This is the first single off of her second album entitled Echo. Co-written by Evan Bogart, Ryan Tedder, and Leona Lewis herself, it is also produced by Ryan Tedder. "Happy" is a midtempo, pseudo-epic track. It definitely goes beyond some of what Ryan Tedder has come up with in the last few months. Leona's vocals are really stunning on this. Lyrically, this is pretty good too. This would work well remixed. This seems like something Jason Nevins, Moto Blanco or Tony Moran could do really well.

Listen to the song here (YouTube)

Grade: A-

Jordin Sparks - Battlefield

This is the lead single off of her forthcoming sophomore album. After a string of hits on radio, she is back with another song that will do the same. Written and produced by Ryan Tedder ("Bleeding Love", "Halo", "Already Gone"), this one may not grip the listener as quickly as some of her other singles, but this one is a grower. The lyrics may be a tad cliche in some parts, but they work. This song does call to mind some of Tedder's other songs, but this one is much Rock-ier. Jordin's vocal performance is top notch as can be expected. A decent start to her new album era.

Buy the song here (iTunes)

Grade: A-

Beyonce - Halo

This is the 'second' single off of the Beyonce side of her I Am...Sasha Fierce album (fourth overall). As can be expected, this is a ballad. Co-written by Ryan Tedder and Evan Bogart, this one is a perfect fit for Beyonce. Vocally, this is one of her best performances to date. She shows some restraint and it really pays off. This could prove to be one of the biggest hits of her career.

Grade: A+