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. BitBurn
    Apr 29, 2008
    5
    Madonna & hip-hop was never a very successful marriage. And, stubborn as she is, she had to go back again on that road that leads nowhere. When will she ever learn that her niche is, and always was, dance music? And that is why this album compared to her previous masterpiece "Confessions On A Dance Floor", is quite forgettable and bleak.
  2. MaryannW.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    love it!
  3. JosephM.
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    Fantastic album. She sounds absolutely rejuvenated. It's refreshing to hear THIS Madonna again after all these years.
  4. MarkW.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    this album is off the hook! it's madonna being just down right fun again! i love it!
  5. CraigSa.
    Apr 30, 2008
    3
    Such an ordinary album. She uses the same lame gimmicks such as Timberland as a producer, that everyone uses. If those gimmicks had any real talent we might get a good album, instead we get the same mediocre music that floods our bland airwaves and dance floors the last couple years.
  6. CarlosA.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    It's a very cool just dance and enjoy album, no pretentious kaballah stuff, etc.
  7. JamesM.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Hard Candy is an awesome, eclectic edition of R and B pop fusion. Several of the tracks are irresistible and make you want to dance. Give it To Me alone is worth the album purchase. For Madonna fans everywhere and for those who loved Confessions on a Dance Floor.
  8. MiloszP.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Brilliant!
  9. LeonardH.
    May 11, 2008
    9
    A great companion to CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR! Don't believe the urban slant--this is just great, classic Madonna wrapped in heavier, modern beats. Almost each track is single worthy on this pop album; Madonna should be very proud to have delivered one of her best albums 25 years into her career!
  10. BrandonS.
    May 1, 2008
    4
    Madonna's worst. Nowhere near as good as Confessions. Whereas Erotica was a brilliant critique/response to modern repressive sexuality, this cd is the singer as a horny old lady, with Justin Timberlake as her studly poolboy. To be blunt, like the pictures in the liner notes, it's kind of gross. Some of the songs are pretty good, rhythmic and funky - but the overall disgusting Madonna's worst. Nowhere near as good as Confessions. Whereas Erotica was a brilliant critique/response to modern repressive sexuality, this cd is the singer as a horny old lady, with Justin Timberlake as her studly poolboy. To be blunt, like the pictures in the liner notes, it's kind of gross. Some of the songs are pretty good, rhythmic and funky - but the overall disgusting tone drags the good stuff down.… Expand
  11. DomoR.
    May 1, 2008
    2
    Production values are superb but the music itself is oddly soulless and vapid. Madonna at 50 is sounding like a 14 year old squeeze box boy toy wannabe, with her nasally register spewing really bad lyrics full of adolescent motivation. Hey, Madonna, grow up already. Cut a record with your brother in law Joe Henry and cut back on all the attempts to be trendy. This album is already 18 Production values are superb but the music itself is oddly soulless and vapid. Madonna at 50 is sounding like a 14 year old squeeze box boy toy wannabe, with her nasally register spewing really bad lyrics full of adolescent motivation. Hey, Madonna, grow up already. Cut a record with your brother in law Joe Henry and cut back on all the attempts to be trendy. This album is already 18 years old, sounding ever so much like a downgrade of Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation. Sure, some of it is danceable but once the music ends, and believe it's ended on this disc, there's nothing but the sound of a vacuous cash register.… Expand
  12. DanTheMan
    May 1, 2008
    4
    Huge disappointment after the highly enjoyable Confessions.... Madonna is capable of far better than this unoriginal and repetitive drek.
  13. LukeR.
    May 19, 2008
    1
    Not impressed- she can do much better than that.
  14. LouisP.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    An amazing album with only a few flaws. Spanish Lesson is trite and Candy Shop should have been MIA because it doesn't it isn't as fresh as the rest of the album; some of us have had the track since last summer. LOVE Give It 2 Me and Dance 2night.
  15. AngeloB.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    I love it.
  16. ZaneS.
    May 3, 2008
    5
    What happened Madonna? How could you write songs like "Candy Shop," "Incredible" and "Spanish Lesson"? How can you stump to the Justin-clone "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You"? All this sounds so dated and it's all been done in 2006. You're no longer the leader of the pack.
  17. B
    May 3, 2008
    3
    One word - ew.
  18. GinaB.
    May 3, 2008
    1
    I'm a big Madonna fan, but this cd is truly disappointing. Somehow I feel like this cd should have been called, "How Madonna Lost Her Groove". Her voice was emotionless throughout, and appeared drowned by the overproduced tracks. I'm hoping that with her next cd, Madonna will do Madonna.
  19. GiuGiuFrickey
    May 4, 2008
    9
    It's quite good actually. It can't be compare with the other albums but sounds very commercial. The lyrics can be very childish ->see "Spanish lesson" but there are also some good tracks. A 9 for this album, I think it worths a 9.
  20. LuisG.
    May 4, 2008
    7
    how much more life is there for timbaland beats when will singers start using actual instruments in thier songs ? ... HARD CANDY is no different than Nelly Furtados " Loose" Justins " Future Sex Love Sounds" and Britneys " Blackout" which is no benefit to MADONNA " ConFessions..." was a masterpiece and HARD CANDY is just an atempt to capitalize on the whole urban sound on radio.. ist no how much more life is there for timbaland beats when will singers start using actual instruments in thier songs ? ... HARD CANDY is no different than Nelly Furtados " Loose" Justins " Future Sex Love Sounds" and Britneys " Blackout" which is no benefit to MADONNA " ConFessions..." was a masterpiece and HARD CANDY is just an atempt to capitalize on the whole urban sound on radio.. ist no disaster just not very original.... UK diva Kylie Minogue " X" had more funk and flare check that out...… Expand
  21. T.
    May 4, 2008
    10
    Very smart album, lot of hits, US-oriented, hope it will work there.
  22. robertb.
    May 4, 2008
    10
    I'm a fan, but i tend to be critic of Madonna. In this album she manages to balance it all, catching up with today's music, being more mainstreem, and still be herself and delivering to her hardcore fans. The greatest thing is she's having fun and being the feisty Madonna we lost track of for many years!
  23. djv
    May 4, 2008
    9
    It's very catchy, vocally she hasn't sounded this good since Ray of Light. It's not anything new, but it's certainly isn't bad.
  24. PetrS.
    May 5, 2008
    10
    absolutely amazing album. It's better than Confessions, American Life, Music!
  25. Craig
    May 5, 2008
    9
    solid, fun summer album. get off your lazy and cynical arses and enjoy it. probably the most straight-up fun album she's put out since Like A Virgin.
  26. OwenM
    May 6, 2008
    6
    Not bad, the last one was better.
  27. NunoM.
    May 8, 2008
    7
    It's an ok album with some great tracks, not a great album. Nice for the summer.
  28. mr
    May 9, 2008
    9
    As one who ignored the panning of American Life (which was so incredibly underrated) and appreciates the chances Madonna takes (much of Erotica is also incredibly underrated), I approached this album with enthusiasm and trepidation. First two listens, I wasn't quite sure. After that, total bliss. Are you freakin' kidding me? This is the sweetest album we've had on constant As one who ignored the panning of American Life (which was so incredibly underrated) and appreciates the chances Madonna takes (much of Erotica is also incredibly underrated), I approached this album with enthusiasm and trepidation. First two listens, I wasn't quite sure. After that, total bliss. Are you freakin' kidding me? This is the sweetest album we've had on constant play in our cars. So many albums are reconsidered in hindsight, and I'm sure this will be one that ends up on future critics' lists as a great fusion of the sounds, musicians and producers of a certain time period mixed with an artistic icon who actually is a major part of the creative process. And those same critics will claim that they loved it at the time. Kudos to everyone involved.… Expand
  29. AnthonyF.
    Jun 17, 2008
    10
    I have been a fan of Madonna for her entire career. As a teen in the 80s she was the soundtrack to my life. I think this album is great with one exception. Spanish Lesson. If it is a lesson shouldn't you be telling me the actual meanings of the words instead of kinda what you think they mean.
  30. J
    Jul 14, 2008
    9
    There are some jams on this album.
  31. RonaldF.
    Jul 2, 2008
    10
    Madonna doesn't disappoint she still has the touch despite 25 years in the industry.
  32. RobertW
    Jul 20, 2008
    9
    It's a grower.
  33. RuanH
    Aug 21, 2008
    7
    More highlights than dissapointments, and an overall very good pop album. However by the standards Madonna had set with her 2005 'Confessions' album... Hard Candy fails in nearly every creative aspect. Most credit here is due to producer Timbaland.. who keeps forking out hits wherever he sets foot.
  34. ThomasW
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    Wrost album of the year. Bye bye Madonna...
  35. K.B
    Sep 28, 2008
    7
    I have no doubt that 'Hard Candy' is a good album... Some of the songs are impossible to dislike, but other ones are impossibles to hear... It's too warm... And what I think about it?? I think that Madonna can do somethings REALLY better.
  36. FionaM.
    Apr 5, 2009
    6
    It has some really good songs and some really bad ones. It's a lot more uneven than her other records. Also thematically and lyrically it's not unified like her other records. Also I don't think R&B and hip are her style. She sounds much better and at home doing dance or pop/rock. Also, I really miss her ballads.
  37. Steven
    Apr 23, 2008
    3
    Blech! I cannot stand Madonna fighting for attention against Pharrell's production. I enjoy both of them, but definitely not together. Hard Candy, in my opinion, is Madonna's single-largest misstep.
  38. SergioG.
    Apr 24, 2008
    9
    At least an album with a thought behind the musical and vocal research. Madonna hasn't been singing in so many different styles for a while...Finally, her extension has become more flexible too. All in all, a very sweet candy! P.S. props to Pharrell!!!!
  39. DamahS.
    Apr 24, 2008
    10
    Madonna is finally back to form, no spirituality or political nonsense. It's been awhile since I heard an album with hardly any fillers and filled with highly produced and well written music that flows very well together, starting off sexy and flamboyant and then ending on a much darker and intellectual note - something very few artists are capable of pulling off. A very enjoyable Madonna is finally back to form, no spirituality or political nonsense. It's been awhile since I heard an album with hardly any fillers and filled with highly produced and well written music that flows very well together, starting off sexy and flamboyant and then ending on a much darker and intellectual note - something very few artists are capable of pulling off. A very enjoyable listen and certainly won't leave my play list for at least a couple of months.… Expand
  40. AbelardoJ.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Amazing. Full of funky beats and melodic rythms. Miles awa being the best.
  41. AndyM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    This is a solid album and defintely one of Madonna's better ones. Songs like Give It To Me, Dance 2Nite, and Voices are probably some of Madonna's best songs since the Music album. I noticed that a lot of the critical reaction is mainly against her current choice of mainstream collaborators (Timbaland, P. Wlliams, Timberlake) which is rather unfair, if this was produced by an This is a solid album and defintely one of Madonna's better ones. Songs like Give It To Me, Dance 2Nite, and Voices are probably some of Madonna's best songs since the Music album. I noticed that a lot of the critical reaction is mainly against her current choice of mainstream collaborators (Timbaland, P. Wlliams, Timberlake) which is rather unfair, if this was produced by an unheard producer it would be considered nothing short of genius.… Expand
  42. EricZ
    Apr 29, 2008
    7
    Sounds like Britney Spears, any pop star could have made it. I agree, the production has overtaken her own persona. But it's not her worst, American Life will take that prize.
  43. johnk.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Yes. Metacritic isn't being fair. This site has ignored almost all of Hard Candy's good reviews!
  44. JoseB.
    May 23, 2008
    10
    METACRITIC your not including best reviews like the New your times or Los Angeles times there are also good reviews on People and US magazine it will improve the average of the album, you are only adding the bad reviews, don´t know why.
  45. JoeyB
    May 25, 2008
    6
    I don't know why she gave up on the techno style of the last two albums. This album seems forced and her voice sounds terible. I am all for change if it is for the better. This is not!
  46. James
    May 26, 2008
    9
    A very solid Madonna album, featuring some of her best songs in recent history including GIVE IT 2 ME, HEARTBEAT, MILES AWAY, INCREDIBLE and DEVIL WON'T RECOGNIZE YOU. Excellent vocal performance as well. Go Madonna!
  47. RonB.
    Jun 18, 2008
    8
    When compared to Confessions, I can't give it more than an 8/10. I don't understand the negative reviews, because it's really not that bad. There are some classic tracks on here such as Devil, Give It To Me and Miles Away. She was only putting out an album that would attract an American audience that failed to see the wonder of her last, and greatest album.
  48. Parkus
    Jun 24, 2008
    0
    Awful. Vile artwork. Simple melodies and dire lyrics.
  49. ChrisS.
    Jul 31, 2008
    2
    I really tried hard to like this album, but failed. The songs are just so simple, and forgettable. What in God's name does the whole "boxer" costume have to do wtih "Hard Candy"? However, I have to praise Madonna a little bit, because not many of her fellow senior citizens have the energy to do what she does.
  50. Nickkk
    May 5, 2012
    8
    There's rhythm, theres plenty of room for dancing. The only reason why I'm not giving it a 10 is because after a while listening to this album you may get depressed - some happy song would have been just fine.
  51. 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
  52. itz_giological
    Jun 2, 2011
    8
    Hard Candy is probably Madonna's first weightless album that embraces fully the influences of urban genres R&B and hip-hop. If sometimes uneven, the dance floor scorchers come non-stop. Lacks in depth but very very fun.
  53. Juanki
    Aug 23, 2011
    8
    Hard Candy is pleasing to hear, clearly aimed at a younger audience yet using sexual innuendos as a way of attracting her older fans. One of Madonnas traits!
  54. Seasz
    Apr 14, 2012
    3
    I'm a huge Madonna fan and i loved Confessions, but I'm really dissapointing with this album, the lyrics are generally stupids and She sounds tired, hopefully her next album will be much better.
  55. aditmi
    Mar 24, 2012
    5
    Nothing special, it just felt like "another Madonna's album". Her hip-hop collaborators clearly can't make that "thing" happen. Tracks like "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" or "Miles Away" are exceptionals.
  56. CBRN10
    Mar 25, 2012
    7
    this album found madonna in the commercial spotlight, which made her sound boring and re done. While this era gave us give it 2 me and heartbeat as well as devil wouldn;t recognize you, it left some fans yearning for M to drop the "at the moment producers" for the underground ones that had previously made her successful.
  57. TommyA
    Mar 26, 2012
    5
    Hard Candy is by far the worst Madonna album to date. After Confessions, this is incredibly disappointing. It is a good album, but not a good Madonna album - I expected much more. Nevertheless, it does have it's moments and, if you forget it's Madonna, it's actually a decent album (but I can't help but compare it to her other albums which are much better). If I was to listen to Hard Candy,Hard Candy is by far the worst Madonna album to date. After Confessions, this is incredibly disappointing. It is a good album, but not a good Madonna album - I expected much more. Nevertheless, it does have it's moments and, if you forget it's Madonna, it's actually a decent album (but I can't help but compare it to her other albums which are much better). If I was to listen to Hard Candy, I'd skip exactly half the album (which is not good at all). The tracks you should listen to are the first three, Beat Goes On, Devil Wouldn't Recognize You and Voices. Don't even bother with the others. If this was an EP with the aforementioned 6 tracks, it would get a perfect rating, but the other 6 songs are horrid in my opinion… Expand
  58. michaelmadonna
    Aug 8, 2013
    8
    Another triumph for Madonna!
    Hard Candy see's Madonna use r&b which she dabbled with on Bedtime stories only its the 21 Century R&B

    album highlights include:
    - 4 minutes
    - give it 2 me
    - shes not me
    - Devil wouldnt recognise you
    - Candy shop

    its a great album with great success!
    just another one for Madonna to add to the collection
  59. DarkBates
    Nov 6, 2013
    9
    I love this album. Her voice is sounding amazing! Timbaland and Justin weren't her bests collaborations, but they did a good job with her. "Miles Away" and "Beat Goes On" are the best. And Give It 2 Me is a great song to hear and dance when you're happy!
  60. Visser
    Nov 11, 2013
    10
    I just love this album. I know that lot of Madonna fans hate it, and I don't know why. It's really good, especially songs that Madonna wrote with Pharrell (Heartbeat, SNM, Incredible).
    I can listen to this all the time.
  61. 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.
  62. 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.
  63. 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
  64. 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...
  65. 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!
  66. 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
  67. 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
  68. 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
  69. 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
  70. ManuelContreras
    Apr 7, 2018
    5
    muchos dirian que es su peor trabajo, es algo malo pero no tanto, el album tiene lo suyo
  71. FabPop
    Mar 27, 2020
    5
    So catchy at the beggining but so dissapointing by the end.

    Is a good attempt but not enough...
  72. 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.
  73. 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.
  74. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    Hard Candy is a serviceable . The album is irritating.Atrocious for an artist of her calibre. So dissapointing
  75. 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.
  76. 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
  77. 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
  78. 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.
  79. 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.
  80. 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.
  81. 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
  82. 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.
  83. Rodsmerchan
    Sep 15, 2020
    10
    It’s the most underrated albums of Madonna’s Career. A piece of art that shines 12 years later
  84. 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
  85. 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
  86. 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
  87. 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.
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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]
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  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.
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  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.
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