Confessions II Review And First Impressions

[imogen2133 495]

Ok so it just came out here in Aus and I have some thoughts, I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

So first off I can easily say I did not enjoy this nearly as much as COADF and I would not say this is a part 2 to that really. It is very cohesive in the way that "Hard Candy" is in that most of it sounds the same and there is not much variation from song to song. Also autotune-donna from her last few albums (especially Madame X) is alive and well here and I personally am not a fan of it at all, her pronunciation is also better on some songs than others but there are plenty where it sounds like she has marbles in her mouth and it is hard to tell what she is singing. It felt quite early 2010s at times as well (in a bad way) and the songs also don't really go anywhere most of the time and the continuous mix feeling is there through the songs themselves and not just when one song transitions to another. The features also don't add much to the songs and the lyrics are really nothing special either. I think if you liked the 3 songs that have already been released you will like this album a lot but I personally didn't like it overall.

[NewEnglandWitch 31]

I am excited to hear it tomorrow (USA)! I can’t tell if I should be hyped or forewarned at this point. I was hype after the title announcement, but really didn’t care for the film. The singles have been ok for me so far, but Madam X is also the only album of hers I can’t listen to….. truly have no clue what to expect now 😂

[Ladle Ghoulash 50,705]

1 hour ago, imogen2133 said:

most of it sounds the same and there is not much variation from song to song.

Did we listen to the same album? If anything, I was impressed by the relative variety on the album: pulling from 90s progressive house, reggaeton, trance, techno, synthpop, eurodance, nu disco, ambient electronic jazz/noir, some jungle influence, pop r&b, dream pop…

Edited 5 hours ago by Ladle Ghoulash

[MDevacelli 2,154]

The deluxe tracks are PERFECT, they really sound like Ray of Light II, it's like two albums part II in one 

Edited 4 hours ago by MDevacelli

[GregJA 5,504]

I can't wait to hear it - I'm hoping Bizarre is just like the version Martin played at his concerts

[proxy 855]

1 hour ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Did we listen to the same album? If anything, I was impressed by the relative variety on the album: pulling from 90s progressive house, reggaeton, trance, techno, synthpop, eurodance, nu disco, ambient electronic jazz/noir, some jungle influence, pop r&b, dream pop…

I really don't think anyone expect an objective review on this forum lol

[Ladle Ghoulash 50,705]

3 minutes ago, proxy said:

I really don't think anyone expect an objective review on this forum lol

Idk there’s a lot of big Madonna fans on here, but I just thought that take in particular was just pretty out there lol

[imogen2133 495]

3 hours ago, Ladle Ghoulash said:

Did we listen to the same album? If anything, I was impressed by the relative variety on the album: pulling from 90s progressive house, reggaeton, trance, techno, synthpop, eurodance, nu disco, ambient electronic jazz/noir, some jungle influence, pop r&b, dream pop…

Well I am aware there are multiple genres here and I appreciate the trance elements I just don't think the album does anything particularly new or innovative with it's genres but it was my first listen so I will listen again and re evaluate. I do want to like this because the last album I liked from her is COADF but I also wont force myself to like it and I admit I felt a bit underwhelmed from my first listen but I have said that about some Madonna songs in the past and they ended up growing on me so we will see.

Edited 2 hours ago by imogen2133

[imogen2133 495]

1 hour ago, proxy said:

I really don't think anyone expect an objective review on this forum lol

I am not really particularly biased towards or against Madonna personally and I don't care much for the big made up feud/competition between her and Gaga that fans continue to perpetuate but I also like Gaga more overall obviously and only like a few Madonna albums personally (COADF, ROL, Like A Prayer, Music) but I did want to give it a fair shot and like it but I was just underwhelmed is all.

[Future Lovers 7,424]

I think you have deeply, deeply misunderstood why this is called Confessions II

[Bronco 23,652]

12 minutes ago, imogen2133 said:

Well I am aware there are multiple genres here and I appreciate the trance elements I just don't think the album does anything particularly new or innovative with it's genres

I mean

Thats a fair opinion to have 

But that's not the same as saying the songs all sound the same. 

[Doroteyo 449]

4 hours ago, imogen2133 said:

Ok so it just came out here in Aus and I have some thoughts, I will try to keep spoilers to a minimum.

So first off I can easily say I did not enjoy this nearly as much as COADF and I would not say this is a part 2 to that really. It is very cohesive in the way that "Hard Candy" is in that most of it sounds the same and there is not much variation from song to song. Also autotune-donna from her last few albums (especially Madame X) is alive and well here and I personally am not a fan of it at all, her pronunciation is also better on some songs than others but there are plenty where it sounds like she has marbles in her mouth and it is hard to tell what she is singing. It felt quite early 2010s at times as well (in a bad way) and the songs also don't really go anywhere most of the time and the continuous mix feeling is there through the songs themselves and not just when one song transitions to another. The features also don't add much to the songs and the lyrics are really nothing special either. I think if you liked the 3 songs that have already been released you will like this album a lot but I personally didn't like it overall.

wow you're either trolling you or your first impression is just false cause nothing you said reflects what the album sounds like.

My impression is that it evokes a lot of her previous eras and does so very well while still feeling fresh. I would compare it to Mayhem in this way. It feels like a celebration of her artistry, it's bigger and bolder than Confessions I (imo), because it captures classic madonna from the 80s and 90s but brings her to the 2020s. It's less commercial, which is why it may not be your cuppa.

Personally, it sounded like a triumph to me. Listen again from start to finish -- and this time, dance along. 

[imogen2133 495]

22 minutes ago, Future Lovers said:

I think you have deeply, deeply misunderstood why this is called Confessions II

How so?

[imogen2133 495]

21 minutes ago, Bronco said:

I mean

Thats a fair opinion to have 

But that's not the same as saying the songs all sound the same. 

Very true I agree.

[MountainMonster 2,563]

Sister, you won’t find much solidarity in anti-Madonna sentiment here.

but I agree. It’s a big meh for me.