Hard Candy
by Madonna
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 562 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 398 out of 562
  2. Mixed: 89 out of 562
  3. Negative: 75 out of 562

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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    Hard Candy is a serviceable . The album is irritating.Atrocious for an artist of her calibre. So dissapointing
  2. someonewhocares
    Jul 4, 2022
    8
    Sometimes, You have to be in the mood to dance to listen to this album entirely. Songs like MIles Away, Give It 2 Me, and Spanish Lesson are all excellent songs to dance to.
  3. JacqueM
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Smash hits 4 minutes and 4 million copies sold Hard Candy, I am still waiting for the reissue of Vinyl.
  4. Amruk
    Sep 19, 2021
    5
    Recycling the same sound over and over throught this album kills it. Listening to whole project doesn't have any sense, hence every song is very similar to another. Listening to songs individually is much better, and they click then. Because of that I would argue that 'Hard Candy' is not only Madonna's worst album I've listened to, but also her attempt to do something like Drake doesRecycling the same sound over and over throught this album kills it. Listening to whole project doesn't have any sense, hence every song is very similar to another. Listening to songs individually is much better, and they click then. Because of that I would argue that 'Hard Candy' is not only Madonna's worst album I've listened to, but also her attempt to do something like Drake does nowadays. And also a bad attempt to ride Timbaland sound.
    However, even though that whole album is one-sound mush, there are some highlights. "4 Minutes" shows true Timbaland and Danja glory, while "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" is still similar to rest of non-singles, it's darker, and more enjoyable. Album closer "Voices" is the darkest song out there, and the most distinctive - it doesn't sound like anything on the album. I also like "Give it 2 Me", "Miles Away", "Heartbeat", "Beat Goes On", and "Dance 2Night".
    However too much cohesiveness it's not the only flaw here. "She's Not Me" and "Incredible" are stretched out to 6 minutes...why? Cut those unnecessery outros! "She's Not Me" is sucha sassy song, but it's dragged down with its leangth...    … Expand
  5. MeLikesMusic
    May 10, 2021
    5
    Okay. Being Madonna, nothing she does is not innovative. Nonetheless, after 3 years of releasing one of her best projects and a pop masterpiece which was Confessions On A Dancefloor, this album fell pretty flat for the standards. Although 4 minutes is an amazing song and Give it 2 me is almost as good, the more you get through the album the more you want to listen to anything else. LessOkay. Being Madonna, nothing she does is not innovative. Nonetheless, after 3 years of releasing one of her best projects and a pop masterpiece which was Confessions On A Dancefloor, this album fell pretty flat for the standards. Although 4 minutes is an amazing song and Give it 2 me is almost as good, the more you get through the album the more you want to listen to anything else. Less than half of the songs are pretty lackluster, and some songs like Incredible and She's Not Me, are way too long to be that mediocre.… Expand
  6. jeremy128
    May 4, 2021
    6
    El album tiene canciones increibles e inolvidables como 4 Minutes o Give it 2 Me, Excelente Producción, Letras Pegajosas, Pero hay algun Problema, El album ha envejecido muy mal, demasiado mal
  7. MyleeneFRW
    Nov 30, 2020
    7
    Честно говоря, при первом прослушивании альбом кажется обычным, местами скучным, но на самом деле альбом очень хорош, но многие песни АБСОЛЮТНО проходные.
  8. Justinscotts
    Nov 16, 2020
    9
    it’s fun. has bops.groovy. but not that the best thing ever. rather listen to the tour version Sticky and Sweet
  9. Rodsmerchan
    Sep 15, 2020
    10
    It’s the most underrated albums of Madonna’s Career. A piece of art that shines 12 years later
  10. leostarboy
    Sep 9, 2020
    7
    Overall, Hard Candy sounds a bit too much like Madonna’s trying to catch up with the American R&B princesses. Having said that, she holds her own for the most part, and when her own voice shines through, she reminds us why she’s outlasted so many.
  11. heitorlopees
    Jul 24, 2020
    4
    Sem dúvida o pior álbum da Madonna, os singles são muito bons mas no resto o disco se trona datado e com uma sonoridade igual em todas as músicas, para quem gosta dos sons dos anos 200 de Justin Timberlake e Timbaland é um bom álbum, mas para quem não ficou preso no tempo esse é um disco dispensável na discografia da Rainha.
  12. jcalves93
    May 23, 2020
    10
    Para um álbum que em 2008 foi acusado de soar clichê e mais do mesmo, Hard Candy envelheceu muito bem. Soa interessante e fresco mesmo depois de 12 anos. Um prato cheio para os fãs e para o público jovem que está conhecendo o trabalho da Madonna agora.
  13. FabPop
    Mar 27, 2020
    5
    So catchy at the beggining but so dissapointing by the end.

    Is a good attempt but not enough...
  14. infsai
    Mar 27, 2020
    5
    This album is too cohisive. Some songs (like "Heartbeat" and "Miles Away") could be even better if someone other than The Neptunes would handle those tracks production.
  15. grechen
    Sep 2, 2019
    6
    Hard Candy, although counting with good producers and songwriters, seems boring to what 4 Minutes, the first single of the album, promised.
  16. rodolpho_h
    Aug 6, 2019
    9
    I discovered this album a decade later and I love this record. JT, Tim and Pharrell did their own thing but M somehow managed to put a twist of her pop-oriented instinct with her signature lyricism. This album is pure fun and I love how buoyant this record is. There's this rawness that was lack since her Like A Virgin days and in tracks like Candy Shop and She's Not Me, she sang with soI discovered this album a decade later and I love this record. JT, Tim and Pharrell did their own thing but M somehow managed to put a twist of her pop-oriented instinct with her signature lyricism. This album is pure fun and I love how buoyant this record is. There's this rawness that was lack since her Like A Virgin days and in tracks like Candy Shop and She's Not Me, she sang with so much sass that I didn't hear since Erotica. The frivolous side of her seemed meshed with her serious confessional side better than COADF which I felt didn't match up enough. She and JT should collab more as I felt they connected with each other more as songwriters compare to Nicki Minaj or Quavo. That connection really reflects in this record and I love M pushed Timbaland signature beats further with tracks like Voices where lush orchestra somehow melts with trip-hop beats magnificently. I can relate to this record personally and the downside is that M singing was pushed into more staccato which at times felt vacant.… Expand
  17. ewertonmm
    Jun 15, 2019
    7
    What a hard task - to be the following release after the globally acclaimed Confessions On a Dance Floor (2005), no, really, what a DOUBLE hard task, she also had to present something new after only 2/3 years of her last reinvention.

    This is not a bad record at all, people just didn't get it because it's Madonna doing R&B. It's not like she hasn't done it before, it was just at a bad    What a hard task - to be the following release after the globally acclaimed Confessions On a Dance Floor (2005), no, really, what a DOUBLE hard task, she also had to present something new after only 2/3 years of her last reinvention.

    This is not a bad record at all, people just didn't get it because it's Madonna doing R&B. It's not like she hasn't done it before, it was just at a bad timing. Electropop/EDM was getting back at it's track and she was a little late. But, the whole record itself is very well produced, the highlights are amazing tracks (Devil Wouldn't recognize/Miles Away) and it was the background for the highest grossing tour for a solo act (still holds that record as of 2019!/female). I only wish she hadn't kept "Across the Sky" out of the final cut.    … Expand
  18. ManuelContreras
    Apr 7, 2018
    5
    muchos dirian que es su peor trabajo, es algo malo pero no tanto, el album tiene lo suyo
  19. gabomdna
    Dec 7, 2017
    8
    If she had included across the sky this would be an amazing album, but this has amazing beats, the rythms are incredibles, as simple as this, it's a wonderful album.
  20. tintin_tintine
    Oct 3, 2017
    10
    This is the best album for running. Period. Thanks to this album I've managed to finish my first marathon and Olympic triathlon last year. Strongly recommend for athletes and fitness music lovers!
  21. kevindouglas
    Feb 22, 2017
    7
    Bom disco, sonoridade exata das produções de Timbaland e Pharrell porém sem perder a essência de Madonna. Um álbum onde ela ainda conseguia alinhar a criação de hits com qualidade musical.

    Candy Shop: 7 4 Minutes: 6 Give It 2 Me: 5 Heartbeat: 7 Miles Away: 9 She's Not Me: 8 Incredible: 8 Beat Goes On: 9 Dance2Night: 6 Spanish Lessons: 6 Devil Wouldn't Recognize You: 8 Voices:    Bom disco, sonoridade exata das produções de Timbaland e Pharrell porém sem perder a essência de Madonna. Um álbum onde ela ainda conseguia alinhar a criação de hits com qualidade musical.

    Candy Shop: 7
    4 Minutes: 6
    Give It 2 Me: 5
    Heartbeat: 7
    Miles Away: 9
    She's Not Me: 8
    Incredible: 8
    Beat Goes On: 9
    Dance2Night: 6
    Spanish Lessons: 6
    Devil Wouldn't Recognize You: 8
    Voices: 7
    Ring My Bell: 7

    Total: 7,1    … Expand
  22. owenrw89
    Dec 10, 2016
    2
    Terrible album. Not just in terms of her own catalogue, but by other artist's catalogues too. This was the first time Madonna was following the trend, instead of setting it. Timbaland's production was fated to date, and it did (within about 6 months). Most of the tracks contain little melody or dance-ability. It somehow sounds very expensive yet cheap and nasty at the same time. The onlyTerrible album. Not just in terms of her own catalogue, but by other artist's catalogues too. This was the first time Madonna was following the trend, instead of setting it. Timbaland's production was fated to date, and it did (within about 6 months). Most of the tracks contain little melody or dance-ability. It somehow sounds very expensive yet cheap and nasty at the same time. The only thing that saves this album from being a total dud, are a few select tracks that have Madonna's true sound/feeling - "Miles Away" & "Give It To Me".… Expand
  23. victorcarter
    Nov 21, 2016
    5
    Its good, for both fans and typical listeners. Many funky and catchy beats, but its not great and nowhere near as good as some of madonna's other albums
  24. SumitSumbria
    May 15, 2016
    7
    A very good album but not a Madonna standard album. The dance beats and the Justin Timberlake flavoured production sounds stunning at times but fails to justify Madonna. Madonna delivers a very powerful message on the song "Beat Goes On". She sings.....
    "Say what you like
    Do what you feel You know exactly who you are The time is right now You've got to decide Stand in the back or be    A very good album but not a Madonna standard album. The dance beats and the Justin Timberlake flavoured production sounds stunning at times but fails to justify Madonna. Madonna delivers a very powerful message on the song "Beat Goes On". She sings.....
    "Say what you like
    Do what you feel
    You know exactly who you are
    The time is right now
    You've got to decide
    Stand in the back or be the star".
    The album contains some very precious gems - "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" and "Voices".    … Expand
  25. iksisijs
    Nov 17, 2015
    8
    Šis albums iznāca R&B ēras norieta laikā 2008. gadā, kas, iespējams, varētu būt par iemeslu albuma zemajiem komerciālajiem panākumiem. Saturiski tas sastāv no diva veida dziesmām – pusi producējis Timbaland, tostarp lielāko albuma hitu 4 minutes, duetu ar Džastinu Timberleiku; otru pusi – Farels Viljams. Tieši šis mūziķis/ producents savos 40 gados pagājušo gad piedzīvoja karjerasŠis albums iznāca R&B ēras norieta laikā 2008. gadā, kas, iespējams, varētu būt par iemeslu albuma zemajiem komerciālajiem panākumiem. Saturiski tas sastāv no diva veida dziesmām – pusi producējis Timbaland, tostarp lielāko albuma hitu 4 minutes, duetu ar Džastinu Timberleiku; otru pusi – Farels Viljams. Tieši šis mūziķis/ producents savos 40 gados pagājušo gad piedzīvoja karjeras mezmarizēšanos ar hitiem Get Lucky un Blurred Lines, kura iedīglis, manuprāt, sastopams šajā albumā, t.i., dziesma Give it 2 me, kurā Madonna lustīgā R&B un deju mūzikas savijuma pavadījumā dzied par to, kā visa pasaule ir bezbailīga mūziķa priekšā. Pieņemu, ka šobrīd, laikā, kad arī Timbalands un Džastins Timberleiks, kā arī vieglāka R&B mūzika sāk atgriezties radiostacijās, Hard Candy būtu tieši laikā, jo tajā samijās iepriekšminētais žanrs ar Madonnai raksturīgajām melodiskajām dziesmām un liriku ziņā neatkarīgo skatījumu uz pasauli. Noklausoties visu albumu jāsecina, lai gan 4 minutes bija komerciāli veiksmīgs singls, kurš ticis pārdots 6 miljonos eksemplāru ASV, tajā ir ļoti maz pienesuma no Medžas un tas ‘aprija’ pārējo albumu, kurš ir pilns ar no šī brīža skatu punkta inovatīvām dziesmām. Veiksmīgākās no tām iepriekšminētā Give it 2 me; Spanish Lesson, She’s not me, Devil Would not Recognize You.… Expand
  26. longjetty7
    Apr 1, 2015
    8
    This is probably in my top 5 Madonna albums, so it really confuses me why people don't like it. It's upbeat and fun, start to finish, and there are a lot of great hooks and choruses here that make it very enjoyable. The style is also a nice change of pace from her other stuff, this being a bit more percussion heavy. My personal favorites are 4 Minutes, Incredible, Dance 2Nite, and DevilThis is probably in my top 5 Madonna albums, so it really confuses me why people don't like it. It's upbeat and fun, start to finish, and there are a lot of great hooks and choruses here that make it very enjoyable. The style is also a nice change of pace from her other stuff, this being a bit more percussion heavy. My personal favorites are 4 Minutes, Incredible, Dance 2Nite, and Devil Wouldn't Recognize You. Even the oft reviled Spanish Lesson is fun, mostly because it's so quirky and bizarre. Overall, I highly recommend this album. It gets lots of plays from me.… Expand
  27. DevilPray
    Feb 26, 2015
    8
    I was 14 when i first heard this album. From then i became obsessed with Madonna. I love everything in this album. One of the best albums from 2008...
  28. Muddsjr
    Jun 29, 2014
    2
    People seem to have forgotten that this is the maker of Like A Prayer, Ray of Light, Music...
    I appreciate Madonna likes to change styles with each album she does.. but I simply cannot see anything as stunning and emotionally charged as the mentioned work she has previously done in this album...
  29. AppleYoung
    Dec 14, 2013
    4
    Eu odeio esse álbum, uma sonoridade chata, letras vergonhosas, eu não sei como Madonna teve coragem de gravar essa porcaria. WTF is Incredible? Desperdício de tempo e dinheiro com esse álbum lixoso.
  30. marcmyworks
    Dec 4, 2013
    5
    Probably one of the weakest albums in Madonna's repertoire. The two best tracks being the first two singles but overall the effort falls short. I hate when bad albums happen to great artists.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2008
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Blender
    80
    It's fun to hear here negotiate the contours of Top 40 pop for the first time since "Like A Prayer," without any European house music hose-head gumming up the pleasure and catharsis with mediative schmaltz. [May 2008, p.73]
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Candy finds her dropping her Kabbalah string on the dance floor and readopting an American accent to offer up an unpretentious, nonstop dance party.
    Read full review
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Whenever Hard Candy threatens to get boring, something always happens to recapture your interest, but the three songs in which Madonna actually seems to forge a genuine connection with her musical helpmeet leave the rest of the album in the shade.
    Read full review
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