Never one to shy away from controversy, pop icon Madonna’s latest delivery was preceded with another spiritual debate not unlike the media crossfire that her provocative Like A Prayer video sparked back in 1989. This time around, it is her fellow Kabbalah followers who she has irked, even if her intention was actually meant as a sign of respect and not the opposite! But, religion aside, the musical temperament on Confessions finds Madonna firmly focused on firing up the dance floor. And before anyone starts showering praises that she has once again re-invented herself (let’s face it, Goth fashion was around long before the Frozen video and Mirtwais was a talented musician and producer before Madonna rediscovered him), just bear in mind that disco music, sampling and the business of reworking old classic tunes into fresh dance floor movers have all been going on for a very long time now!

That said, the Abba-sampling first single, Hung Up, which Madonna performed at this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards, is still a brilliant dance track, as are Sorry, I Love New York and the Moroder-nicking Future Lovers. The “Back to Boogie” bug is not constantly blazing however, and some of the tracks glide along at a more mid-paced groove, with some songs, such as Get Together or Let It Will Be, having quite a Kylie affinity to them. Nevertheless, none of this stops Confessions from being significant, as much for being Madonna’s “Return to Disco” record as well as for its re-affirmation that the Retro Groove still rules the dance floor!

Rating: ***

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