BØRNS - Blue Madonna (Album Review + Ranking)

Børns is an American indie-pop artist best known for his retro-sounding "Electric Love", an astounding single worth all the praise it gets. He's been making music since 2010.

Blue Madonna is an album I come back to constantly; although it was released over half a year ago, back in January, I have definitely not got bored of it. The pull factors for me are far greater on this album than any other indie pop release this year.

From lead single "Faded Love" to the beautiful closer "Bye-bye Darling", this album is full of songs to both instantly gravitate towards and also to let simmer and burn into your mind. A perfect example would be the single "I Don't Want U Back", a song I quickly found to be thoroughly enjoyable but has only grown and grown to become an absolute favourite.

There are definitely a couple of songs that perhaps don't quite land where they should, for instance "Blue Madonna", the short title track that just lacks something for me. The production is as good as on any of the other songs but I find the melodies to lack the substance of something like the aforementioned "Faded Heart".

A song I feel I need to throw some light on is the minute-and-a-half long interlude "Tension". This has the most spectacular beat, it almost reminds me of a Phoenix song from their 4th album. I am among those who truly desire an entension of "Tension".

Overall this album is very impressive, it shows how much Børns has grown from his previous LP.
I find Blue Madonna to be an important example of conscious and innovative pop, mixing with alternative and indie features in the best way (or vice versa). I rate this a 9/10 and highly recommend it, especially to people new to indie music.

Best Songs:
I Don't Want U Back, Faded Heart, We Don't Care, Tension (Interlude), Man, Iceberg, God Save Our Young Blood

Worst Song:
Blue Madonna

Deep Cut Favourite:
Tension (Interlude)

Album Rated Worst To Best:
12. Blue Madonna
11. Supernatural
10. Second Night Of Summer
9. Sweet Dreams
8. God Save Our Young Blood
7. Bye-Bye Darling
6. Iceberg
5. Man
4. Faded Heart
3. We Don't Care
2. Tension (Interlude)
1. I Don't Want U Back