Madonna's best record
Review Score: 








(10/10)
What Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band did for The Beatles, Ray of Light does for Madonna; new influences (in particular her daughter and the 'electric' William Orbit), a new direction (namely motherhood) and a different style (visually and musically)...yet it's essentially still the Madonna we've loved since the mid 1980's - she's still sexy, still pushing the boundaries and she's still got something to say.
Despite the electronica/techno music (which completely rocks, incidentally), Ray of Light seems to be Madonna's most personal and spiritual album - it's like she's sharing her intimate thoughts and feelings with us for the first time in 15 years.
This seemingly new-found 'freedom' seems to be reflected in both her her voice and new style. Thanks to her work for and on Evita during her 'music hiatus', Madonna's voice sounds more incredible than ever - it's sweeter, deeper, more powerful and seemingly more effortless.
Madonna has never looked so fresh and beautiful, either - the evidence is in the CD booklet and her Ray Of Light video clips (especially the title track and the "Power of Goodbye") - go see for yourself and then try and beg to differ! :)
The tracks themselves are a perfect combination of everything from sweet and intimate (e.g. "Little Star") right through to cranking dance-floor power-tracks (e.g. "Nothing Really Matters")- and everything in between!
With the exception of Shanti/Ashtangi (personal opinion, mind you), I can't fault any of the tracks on the album, but if I had to pick a couple of faves, they would have to be "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" and "Swim" for their gorgeous mellow-ness (if that's a word!) and "Ray of Light" and "Skin" - two completely awesome, thumping tracks that never fail to get me up and 'dance' (I use that term very loosely LOL.)
To date, Ray of Light is my favourite Madonna album (with Music running a very tight second) - all the songs blow me away with their power, passion and somewhat intimate 'look-in' of the world's most influential and successful female music artist. Nobody does it like Madonna!
How any self-declared Madonna fan could not own this album is completely beyond me! What are you waiting for??!!
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