Hummer: Madonna's Celebration Does Not Disappoint

The full original mix of the new Madonna single, "Celebration," from her upcoming greatest hits of the same name finally leaked via Perez Hilton and it does not disappoint. The song, available for purchase from iTunes on August 4, is a full-on dance floor scorcher that sounds like a cross between a Confessions On A Dance Floor outtake and a track off one of her earliest albums, which is pleasant surprise after the hip slop disaster that was 2008's Hard Candy. Bouncing along flinging come ons over a instantly hooky club foundation, "Celebration" is the perfect first single for an album looking back at the career of a woman known for offering up irresistible dance tracks. There's even a spoken breakdown that has a breathy Mo wondering "Haven't I seen you somewhere before? You look familiar...You want to dance? I guess I just don't recognize you with your clothes on" followed by her trademark throaty laugh and the challenge "What are you waiting for?"

I usually hate talking/laughing in songs (it feels so forced -- I would rather pour three tablespoons of battery acid in each of my ears than have to hear Janet Jackson giggle her way through another song or demand an "Edit!" ever again) but it works here: it's a nostalgic harkening back to the Madonna of yore -- like "Rescue Me" meets the intro to the ten-minute "Open Your Heart" remix and it's adorable. The song feels carefree, not overwrought or too cerebral, and dare I say it -- the woman sounds like she's actually having a good time. Welcome back, Madonna. We've missed you.

-- NOAH MICHELSON

Previously > A Celebration of Madonna