In a move that will either excite or frighten her fans, Madonna has compared herself to Kanye West . She tells Jim Farber of the New York Daily News that Kim Kardashian’s husband is the “new” Madonna. It could be an accurate statement, given that both stars like to shock.
As Farber notes, Kanye West has become the star people love to hate, and that is something Madonna is very familiar with. In fact, Madonna and Kanye have talked about their love for pushing people’s buttons.
“We know, and recognize, that we have that in common,” she states. “We’re comrades in the envelope pushing genre,” Madonna reveals.
Madonna and Kanye West may be pushing musical buttons as much as social buttons. They collaborated on several tracks for Madonna’s new album Rebel Heart . Some of those collaborations include “Holy Water,” “Wash All Over Me,” and “Illuminati.” Madonna’s Rebel Heart has garnered several favorable reviews. Andy Gill of the Independent says that Rebel Heart reinforces Madonna’s musical relevance.
“If any confirmation were required of Madonna’s sustained cultural relevance, it was surely provided by a mere wardrobe malfunction out-shining the combined micro-celebrity wattage of the entire Brit Awards line-up. It’s fortunate, then, that this ironic triumph should be followed by confirmation of her musical relevance. Rebel Heart capitalizes on the comeback charm of 2012’s ‘MDNA,’ and in places repeats aspects of its success.”
Jedd Gottlieb of the Boston Herald says Madonna remains the Queen of Pop on Rebel Heart .
“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.”
Some critics seem to appreciate Madonna more when she isn’t trying too hard to be sexual and over-the-top. Rolling Stone summarizes what some other critics think about Rebel Heart .
“Unfortunately, cameos from Nas, Chance the Rapper and Mike Tyson don’t elevate their respective songs. And Madonna lets her own appetite for over-the-top sex songs run wild on a handful of cringy tracks… The album is at its strongest when Madonna shoves everyone to the side and just tells it to us straight.”
Madonna will begin her Rebel Hart World Tour in Miami on August 29. Have you listened to Rebel Heart ? Tell us what you think about it in the comments section.
[Photo Credit: Interscope Records]
