Madonna album: critics react with positive reviews

Madonna's album received a resounding thumbs up from British critics

Critics have reacted positively to Madonna's new album, saying she is "still pushing the envelope".

Reviews for MDNA, which has 12 tracks, largely agreed with theMirror's Dean Piper, that the record was showing younger stars she is still a "force to be reckoned with".

Music critics and bloggers were invited to London's Abbey Road studios to hear the first complete playback of her 12th studio album.

The album is released on 26 March.

MDNA sees the 53-year-old singer working, once again, with British producer William Orbit, who is credited with re-igniting her career during their collaboration on her 1998 album Ray of Light.

The Telegraph's Neil McCormickpraised Madonna for "balancing the twin requirements of radio-friendly hooks and dance floor drive".

But he noted that, while that some of the songs marked a return to high points in her career, her lyrics often "appear to have been added as an afterthought".

The Guardian's Music Bloggave a track-by-track review describing it as "an album that's been trailed by weak singles, but contains brilliantly bonkers moments".

Madonna performed her single Give Me All Your Luvin' at the 2012 Super Bowl's half-time show

It also highlighted that fans should "get ready for terrible French accents, amazing pop raves and heartfelt ballads" and branded her track, Some Girls, as the "weakest moment" in the album.

Mirror critic Piper described the record as better than her previous albums, American Life and Music: "Madonna's still pushing the envelope of her superstardom and MDNA is in no way a let-down".

Attitude's Matthew Toddawarded the "dark" album four stars, adding that Madonna is "out to recapture who she is... she has demons to slay".

Madonna performed her new single Give Me All Your Luvin' at the Super Bowl half-time show last month, but her return to the stage was marred by an "inappropriate" gesture from rapper MIA, who joined her on stage.