Back catalogue: Pop

Review: Madonna has got an endless catalogue of bangers from across the eras and many different styles. We certainly think 'Justify My Love's one of the ones best suited to a club rework and so it proves here with Afters doing just that on Icons. First is an extended remix with some driving drums and sweeping synths layered in next to splashy cymbals while the instrumental dial things back and radio edit gets everything packed into a shorter run time for most impact.

Review: Madonna's 'Vogue,' now reissued on 12", remains a landmark in music history. Originally recorded in 1989 as a last-minute track, 'Vogue' became an unexpected hit, blending underground house music with references to Old Hollywood icons. The song's success was propelled by its iconic black-and-white music video, directed by David Fincher, which paid homage to fashion photography and featured choreography by the House of Extravaganza. Beyond its chart-topping success, 'Vogue' brought the Harlem ball scene and voguing culture into the mainstream, highlighting the creativity of marginalized African American and Latinx communities. While some critique Madonna for cultural appropriation, her efforts also promoted AIDS awareness and provided visibility for queer culture. Decades later, 'Vogue' endures as an anthem of self-expression and escapism, reflecting both the progress and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community.

Review: This 12-inch picture disc version of Madonna's 'Erotica' single (taken from the concept album about sex and romance of the same name) is a thing to behold. It arrives, finally, courtesy of Warmer Music and is in honour of the tune's 30th anniversary. The picture on the vinyl is from Madge's Sex book but was withdrawn before it actually got released back in 1992. Three versions are presented here - the original album version, plus an instrumental and a radio edit.

Review: Madge may be well past her musical best these days - though her army of dedicated fans would naturally disagree - but it shouldn't be forgotten that she's produced some of the standout pop moments of the last three decades. This 11-disc retrospective revisits that long and fruitful career, charting her rise from rebellious New York club babe to elder stateswoman of pop via fashion icon, film star and gas-pumping sex pest. Each of her 11 albums between '83 and '08 is here in remastered form, alongside a smattering of bonus cuts, extended mixes and forgotten B-sides. Her 1983 debut, partly produced by Nile Rodgers, Bernie Edwards and Jellybean Benetiz, still sounds great

Review: Second time around for Madonna's Finally Enough Love box set, which celebrates the iconic artist's unique achievement of notching up no less than 50 number ones on the Billboard Dance chart - the first artist in history to do so. In effect, it's a celebration of her Madgesty's links with dance music culture, showcasing 40 years of popular reworks of her biggest hits, presented in a 'rainbow edition' box set where each of the six slabs of wax is pressed onto different coloured vinyl. So, alongside classic early hits and reworks from 1987 remix album You Can Dance, we get revisions by everyone from Junior Jasquez, Jellybean, Shep Pettinone and Pet Shop Boys, to William Orbit, Aviici, Felx De Housecat, Jacques Lu Cont and Tracey Young. Madonna-ologists assemble!

Review: Madonna's fourth studio album was, and remains her most explicit artistic statement. Though aiming for a "serious" sound, the album dazzled with a kaleidoscope of pop styles from the funk of 'Express Yourself' and 'Keep It Together' to the haunting 'Oh Father' and the alluring and still classic track. Praised for its songcraft as well as for pushing so many bundlers, Like a Prayer remains Madonna's most consistent album and though it was released 35 years ago, it still resonates. Over 15 million copies were sold in the years after release and the album produced six singles, spawned four top ten hits and now gets reissued as a special Silver Edition to celebrate 40 years of her groundbreaking career.

Review: There are a slew of live albums dropping in January whether by fluke or by design and one of the best ones is this. Madonna's Live In Dallas 1990 album comes on grey marbled vinyl and was originally recorded for a live radio broadcast. Her brilliant performance at Reunion Arena, on May 7th, takes in all of the very many Madge hits of the era, as you would expect. There is a particularly sensual version of 'Like A Virgin', an empathic version of 'Like A Prayer' and plenty of crowd-pleasing part starters such as 'Papa Don't Preach'.

Review: Live & Sexy: The Biggest Hits in Concert is a new collection of tunes from one of Thebes to ever do it. It comes on CD but why would you bother with that when you can also cop this gatefold pink vinyl version on 2 x 12"? It features nearly 80 minutes of live renditions of Madge's most iconic hits, all of which were in this form originally recorded for live radio broadcasts. Along the way, the record captures the essence of her career at key moments and so is a fine celebration of her enduring legacy in musical history.

Review: Madonna's undeniable classic Like A Prayer receives a stunning reissue on silver vinyl here as the album's impact continues to endure in the pop world. Originally released in 1989 it featured a bold fusion of pop, gospel, and funk that once again showed Madonna's innovation in the studio and love of provocative themes. Hits like 'Like A Prayer,' 'Express Yourself,' and 'Cherish' are presented with renewed clarity on this beautifully remastered version which means the powerful emotional range and social commentary sound better than ever, while also coming with a touch of visual elegance