Madonna Wins Back ‘Queen of Pop’ Title: ‘Rebel Heart’ Tracks Earn Praise

Madonna has always been called the “Queen of Pop,” but many people – including big fans – have wondered if she had become a legend who is living off her former glory. Madonna has been criticized a lot these past few years for “chasing her youth.” Some call these claims sexist and ageist. Luckily for Madonna, the general consensus on her new music is that she is, once again, at the top of her game.

Madonna fans and critics have hit the internet to praise the singer after she was forced to release songs off her upcoming Rebel Heart album. This happened as hackers leaked 13 unfinished tracks last week. In fact, the album immediately hit number one on music sales charts in 41 different countries based on pre-orders alone. Billboard, the top music industry magazine that is usually harsh on new music from superstars, has praised Madonna’s first single, “Living for Love.”

“Living For Love’ sounds like a giddy combination of Madonna’s past and present, and represents an encouraging sign for a 2015 project that was unexpectedly thrown into jeopardy at the end of 2014.”

The lead single is a confident club banger about finding your way back after a breakup. It’s an epic and uplifting song that could expose the Queen of Pop to a different generation. Madonna proves to be a confident vocalist who may not be able to hit all the notes Lady Gaga or Aria Grande can, but one who can emotionally seduce her audience. Madonna’s vocals prove even more confident in songs like “Devil Pray,” a heartfelt song about the false promises of drugs, and “Ghosttown,” a solid ballad about two souls surviving in a world that has crumbled.

Three of the songs, “B***h I’m Madonna,” “Unapologetic B***h,” and “Illuminati” haven’t earned the unanimous praise the others have. Jim Farber of the New York Daily News believes these three songs find Madonna chasing trends rather than creating them.

“Unfortunately, the other three cuts sound like they’re playing catch-up with the hits of today. ‘Illuminati’ pairs the star with producer Kanye West, who gave her a dark needling rhythm that sounds like something left over from his last album.”

However, Farber offers nothing but praise for Madonna’s other tracks and even if he didn’t appreciate the three later tracks, many fans did. In fact, “B***h I’m Madonna” is the most-downloaded individual track from the album and the most downloaded track Madonna has had in years. Do you think Madonna has another huge hit on her hands? Madonna fans and haters, it’s time to sound off and tell us in the comments section.

[Image via Interscope Records]