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. VictorC
    Apr 5, 2009
    8
    Madonna now adds a new type of sound to her array of styles. "Miles Away" really shines on this album.
  2. JensO
    Aug 1, 2009
    8
    She doesn't reinvent the wheel on this one, but the album contains some great tracks.
  3. RichH
    Nov 12, 2008
    8
    Its an album which takes time to be appreciated. I now love the album, it has some awesome tunes and some hot beats but it's not a Madonna album. Its not innovative enough, too main stream and too contrived to be a Madonna classic. Its hot, it's no confessions, but its hot. Could do with less JT, shoe doesnt need him.
  4. JerrodL.
    Apr 23, 2008
    8
    Okay, so it's not a Confessions, Ray of Light or even Music, but it's great. Madonna's going back to an American radio friendly sound, and she works it out. Usually opting for lesser known producers, Madonna's decision to work with Timbalake and Pharrell left me a little worried. Although their trademark sounds are all over this album, Madonna really makes it her gem, Okay, so it's not a Confessions, Ray of Light or even Music, but it's great. Madonna's going back to an American radio friendly sound, and she works it out. Usually opting for lesser known producers, Madonna's decision to work with Timbalake and Pharrell left me a little worried. Although their trademark sounds are all over this album, Madonna really makes it her gem, not theirs. Standout tracks for me include Candy Shop, Give It 2 Me, Dance 2night and the breakdown halfway through Incredible.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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!
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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...
  12. 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
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. RobertM.
    May 10, 2008
    7
    There is more single material rather than a great album full of strong songs Best Songs-4 Minutes,Give It To Me,Heartbeat,Beat Goes On
  16. SidS
    Apr 26, 2008
    7
    Good enough! A couple of tracks are excellent (Miles Away, Gi2M) but it doesn't come anywhere close to her last album's giddiness.
  17. DickyMix
    May 1, 2008
    7
    Let's face it, we've grown to expect more imaginative things from Madonna. But the bottom line is that it's quite a good pop record. Not earth-shattering or genre-bending. Just sugary pop fun. The title says it all.
  18. 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
  19. NunoM.
    May 8, 2008
    7
    It's an ok album with some great tracks, not a great album. Nice for the summer.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  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. 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
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. Mark
    May 1, 2008
    6
    It's fine, but I feel like I've heard it all before.
  30. AlexJ.
    May 3, 2008
    6
    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.
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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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