If ever there was an artist that did not require an introduction it would be Madonna, the Maradona of the music industry and the most successful solo female artist in the world. 'Hard Candy' comes as Madonna's eleventh album spanning over a career that first began in 1982, and will be the last album of original material released from her on the current contract -- although you could say it is a certainity that she shall continue to be present in the studio despite being a few months over her 50th birthday. The butt of many jokes, it is undeniable that shall still looks in great condition as she jumps around in leotards, and doesn't exactly fit in with the half-dead, nursing home impression that some give of her.

"No boundaries and no limits."

'4 Minutes' is one of the tracks of the album, and is one of the few tracks that Pharrell Williams doesn't have a credit on. Although you do get the nostalgia of Madge singing 'tick tock, tick tock.' This creates a mixture of the R&B infulence, as well as dance, and is an example of why Hard Candy is such a solid pop album. One of the most interesting aspects of the album that has gone relatively unnoticed is that recently graduated Kanye West also throws himself on to a track with the woman that graduated thirty years back, for 'Beat Goes On'. Unfortunately the track sounds about two years too late, having said that if you liked music in 2006 and/or are diehard Kanye then you should appreciate this. I'm slightly uncomfortable with how long some tracks are, as 'She's Not Me' and 'Incredible' both have moments of excellence, although lose out on that perfect five-star rating as they drag on. Perhaps these tracks were designed to dance to, but that's not what I thought this album was about, and you will grow bored, likely to be skipping tracks before the end.

'Dance 2night' is the second time on the album track listing that Madonna decides to abreviate the word 'to', because that must be a modern touch she was looking for. I don't think we need to be told to abreviate, because if we want to we will, but thankfully txt-speak isn't the most standout aspect of the packaging. Rather it is Madonna dressed in another of her wrestling leotards, this time with a championship belt wrapped around her waist ready to battle. With a big swirly pink lollipop in the back, I guess this is supposed to be the visual impression of what agressive candy is. Just incase you have forgotten what you have listened to previous, Justin Timberlake once again lends vocals and brings up the subject of 'saving the world'. I feel the track is good on its lonesome, but is a poorer version of what we have already listened to. Having slammed Madonna for her long-lasting tracks, I must praise her for finally throwing in a ballad after ten tracks, and 'Devil Wouldn't Recognize You' is inspiring lyrically. There's no real need to touch on vocals, as if you've ever heard Madonna before you will know exactly how you expect her to sound, and there are no huge notes and her ordinary voice is what sets her aside from the likes of Mariah Carey or even Leona. Comparing the artist on charisma would be an unfair comparison however.

• 01, Candy Shop (4.15), 2*
• 02, Four Minutes ft. Justin Timberlake (4.00), 4*
• 03, Give it 2 Me (4.47), 4*
• 04, Heartbeat (4.03), 3*
• 05, Miles Away (4.48), 3*
• 06, She's Not Me (6.04), 4*
• 07, Incredible (6.19), 3*
• 08, Beat Goes On ft. Kanye West (4.26), 4*
• 09, Dance 2night (5.03), 3*
• 10, Spanish Lesson (3.37), 2*
• 11, Devil Wouldn't Recognize You (5.09), 4*
• 12, Voices (3.39), 3*