With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Madonna Indulges with 'Hard Candy'
Listen
0:00
Next week, Madonna returns with her 11th studio album, called Hard Candy. Today, the former Material Girl — who turns 50 this summer — released a sneak preview of the entire album on her MySpace page. She's doing everything possible to stay musically relevant.
You know how twisted pop music has become? Madonna, superstar and icon and mogul, is begging for a hit.
Madonna's new single, "4 Minutes," is an airtight, spit-polished production loaded with current stars, designed to send the message that Madonna still matters.
Unlike some of Madonna's career highlights, this album takes no chances. Madonna is recycling what has worked for other artists recently – marching band horns as used by Kanye West, a beat from producer Timbaland and a vocal cameo from Justin Timberlake.
Sponsored message
Beyond that single, the album has several high-revving dance tracks that might make you forget that Madonna is pushing the half-century mark. And then there's "Candy Shop," an electrobeat bonbon in which Madonna celebrates her eternal hotness. She keeps talking about how her sugar is raw, and after the first few times you can't miss the faintest hint of desperation. You realize she's trying to convince herself. And trying way too hard.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
