Single review: Madonna & Justin Timberlake - 4 minutes

Madonna is back when a brand new single, which pretty much sounds like Flo'rida's "Elevator" with extra cowbells and more brass. The song will undoubtedly make a huge impact because of Madonna embracing a wholly urban sound - something she hasn't done since Erotica and Bedtime stories. Plus the song is so loud and in your face that you can't help but take notice. But the song is just okay and nothing special. The whole time you're listening to the song you're hoping that Madonna, Timbaland or Danja will pull something out of the bag, but instead the song just flat lines for four minutes.

"4 minutes" is just a boring song. It's nothing substantial and isn't as catchy or as instantly likeable as "Hung up". Madonna has definitely dropped better lead singles than this and the likes of Nelly Furtado or Gwen Stefani would've killed this track with their swagger, something that robot Madonna doesn't have any more. As for Justin Timberlake, I can't stand the dude and thought the song would sound better without him. But the fact of the matter is that the song would probably be worse without him. He helps bring up the energy from Madonna's lifeless delivery. I don't know why this bitch bothers if she isn't going to put some effort or energy into her singing. Between Justin out singing her and the beat drowning out Madonna's vocals, I wonder why she even bothered to do this song because she's lost on it. "4 minutes" sounds like Timbaland featuring Justin & Madonna, and it should have been put on Timbaland presents shock value. It would've blended nicely with the rest of the mediocrity that whole album was smothered in. The production on the song also feels lacking as the song never feels like it takes off of the ground. "4 minutes" definitely should have had a beat switch or a middle 8 to help lift it off the ground.

I'm still eager to hear Madonna's forthcoming album, but "4 minutes" isn't doing much for me right now. The beat is hot and it bangs nicely in the clubs, but the song as a whole feels incredibly lacking and more than a tad desperate to appeal to the urban sector.

RATING: 4 / 10