Rolling Stone has provided a glimpse into the future with an exclusive preview of Madonna’s new album. No, not sample tracks. Just a write-up of the track-by-track experience. Click here to see it in full. It’s worrisome on several counts. First of all, it must be noted that the reviewer is Rolling Stone after all, which famously romps in overindulgent praise of musical icons such as Madonna. They’re also fairly uninformed in matters of the dance floor (connoisseurs of Pop they are not.) Basically, this should be taken with a big ol’ serving o’ salt.

That being said, the review gets troublesome as soon as it launches into the song descriptions. Timbaland, mentioned at least five to six times in this short album sampler, seems to be in solid control of the album, as feared by most. The article mentions the usage of his signature beats within many of the tracks. Note: These signature beats being riffs “borrowed” from Indian tracks released in the mid-90′s. You don’t believe me? Oh, don’t tempt me with a good time, because I’ll be forced to post the countless YouTube videos with titles such as “TIMBALAND STEALZ TRAX AGAIN1!!” And yes, they’re all accurate.

Timbaland’s direct influence aside, each track is at least once associated with a recording already made. “Candy Shop” is Pharell‘s lone exception, though the song has already leaked. It contains some shards of glittery brilliance betwixt the verses, but remains understated and underwhelming as a packaged production.

So what can we gather from the new tracks? “Miles Away” sounds like Justin‘s FutureSex/LoveSounds, “Heartbeat” recalls Nelly Furtado‘s “Promiscuous,” and “Give It To Me,” sounds like a track borrowed from Britney‘s Blackout recording sessions. Put it all together and the result is not a Madonna album by my understanding, but rather a greatest hits of sorts for an overly visible producer, guised beneath an artist who should and can be setting the standards for pop music into the new century. She’s already proven she’s still “got it” only three years ago. Confessions on a Dancefloor utilized Stuart Price, a dance aficionado and DJ supreme whose talents were never fully tapped until Madonna’s 2005 album. It was one of Madonna’s most marketable, fulfilling releases yet.

Am I reading too much into a 500 word write-up of a 15 minute listening session? Oh, yes. Am I jumping the gun in assuming the worst? Probably. However, if “Candy Shop” and “4 Minutes To Save The World” are anything to represent the album, then I remain utterly unimpressed.

Alas, the foaming at the mouth commences. A very small, very short leak of “4 Minutes To Save The World” has arrived. Continuing with her obsession with keeping time (which, according to reports, goes so slowly), the song even incorporates some “tick-tock” business. It certainly sounds different than the live version. Much more relaxed…some Christina Aguilera horns and a Nelly Furtado beat. Certainly nothing new is being brought to the table. I don’t know…sounds more like a warm-up track than an in-your-face comeback attack. Not that she needs it.

DL: Madonna – 4 Minutes To Save The World (10 Sec Clip)

Credit: BMK Forums

According to Daily Mirror newspaper, Madonna’s new video will feature the Queen of Pop whipping her men into shape once again. Timba and Timber, according to the news byte, will be the shuddering slaves of dominating Pimp M as she attempts to save the world within the video. After all, the song’s title is “4 Minutes To Save The World.” What lies ahead? Probably some S&M ball and chains, killer high heels, and more Madonnaesque stretching and vogueing.

According to the Madonna Fanzine forums, the shooting for the new single “4 Minutes to Save the World” will be done by Jonas Akerlund in London at the end of the month, featuring collaborators Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. Akerland has previously shot videos for “American Life,” “Jump,” and her latest Confessions Tour.

Source: JJ@BadMediaKarma
And you, what do you think?

By the way, here’s the still-fuzzy, hard to distinguish rip of Timbaland’s live premiere of “4 Minutes To Save The World,” minus the audience. Now if only they could remove Timbalame’s presence on the track…

DL: Madonna – 4 Minutes To Save The World [Live LQ Rip]

And you, what do you think?

According to contributors on the Madonna Fanzine forum, the new Madonna single “4 Minutes To Save The World” may be hitting the streets sooner than you’d think. Rumor has it that the single is currently being shopped across the radio stations nationwide, and will be spun for the first time any day now. This ain’t no Hung Up…but at least the anticipation is beginning to build.

And you, what do you think?

Timbaland, almighty producer of all music created from 2005 to 2007, has teamed up with the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, for her next studio album due out in the first quarter of 2008.
During his performance at the Jingle Ball concert in Philadelphia last week, Timbaland premiered what many people believe to be Madonna’s first single from the album, called “Four Minutes To Save The World.” Shockingly, the song made way onto the Internet immediately after being played. Everyone downloaded the video, Perez posted it, and then Madonna ripped him a new one. Well, through her publicists anyway.

Let’s get one thing straight off the bat: The title is amazing. Kudos to Madonna, or whoever decided the lyrics for this one. Love it. Anywho, the track is low quality and barely audible over his obnoxious rapping. From what I could hear, it’s very Timba-heavy. Even at the best moments (the chorus bits), the song is nothing I haven’t heard already. Don’t get me wrong, it seems like a fine track, but Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, or any of the other singers that have taken a ride on the Timbawave could have pulled this one of out their asses.

Anywho, here’s some video with the song:

Verdict: Timbalame so far.