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Madame X (album)

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Madame X
Cover for most physical and digital formats
Studio album by
Madonna
ReleasedJune 14, 2019 (2019-06-14)
Recorded2018–2019[1]
Studio
  • Lisbon
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • New York[2]
Length56:01
Language
  • English
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish[2]
LabelInterscope
Producer
Madonna chronology
Rebel Heart Tour
(2017) 		Madame X
(2019)
Singles from Madame X
  1. "Medellín"
    Released: April 17, 2019
  2. "Crave"
    Released: May 10, 2019
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian[3]
NME[4]
The Telegraph[5]
The Times[6]
Q Magazine[7]
Daily Mirror[8]

Madame X is the upcoming fourteenth studio album by American singer and songwriter Madonna. It is scheduled to be released on June 14, 2019, on Interscope Records.[9][10] The album follows Rebel Heart (2015) and its first single "Medellín" was released on April 17, 2019.

Background and development

In January 2018, Madonna announced on Instagram that she had begun working on her fourteenth studio album.[11] Four months later, in May 2018, she performed at the Met Gala in New York. As part of her performance of her hit single "Like a Prayer", Madonna sang a short segment from a brand new song known as "Dark Ballet" (previously known as "Beautiful Game"). [12] In July 2018, Madonna contributed a spoken part in the music video for "God Is a Woman" performed by Ariana Grande.[13] In October 2018, she was featured on the song "Champagne Rosé", from Quavo's debut solo album, Quavo Huncho.

I started getting invited to people’s homes and they have things called living room sessions. So everyone would congregate. People would bring wine, they would bring food, sit around the table. And then suddenly musicians would get up and start playing instruments and singing fado music and morna music and samba music. I was like, ‘Wait. What’s going on here?['] Like artists just get up and perform and you don’t get paid and they're just doing it for fun and love and passion?[14]

Madonna relocated to Lisbon, Portugal in 2017, seeking a top football academy for boys for her son David, who wanted to become a professional soccer player.[14] However, she later found her life becoming relatively dull, so she decided to meet artists, painters, and musicians.[14] Believing "music is the soul of the universe", she felt connected to her new influences, so she then decided to record an album based on her musical experience in the Portuguese city, which she referred to be "a melting pot of culture musically, from Angola to Guinea-Bissau to Spain to Brazil to France to Cape Verde".[14]

Throughout her sojourn in Portugal, Madonna posted short video clips and images chronicling her work on the album. French producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï, who has previously co-produced three of Madonna's albums, Music (2000), American Life (2003) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005), was confirmed to be one of the key producers for Madame X. Mike Dean, who co-produced Rebel Heart (2015), was also enlisted in the album's production.[15][1] In February 2019, Maluma uploaded a picture on his Instagram account with Madonna in a studio.[16] In her interview with Vogue Italia, Madonna divulged that her album was due for release in 2019.[17] On April 14, 2019, she posted a series of teaser clips on her Instagram account, revealing Madame X as the album title.[18]

Title, artwork, and themes

In a one-minute teaser uploaded to Madonna's official Instagram and YouTube accounts, Madonna declares herself as "Madame X", an alter-ego her album is named after. The video opens with Madonna singing, "The thing that hurt the most was that I wasn't lost...I wasn't lost..."

She then elaborates that Madame X features different personas and characters:

Madame X is a secret agent. Traveling around the world. Changing identities. Fighting for freedom. Bringing light to dark places. She is a dancer. A professor. A head of state. A housekeeper. An equestrian. A prisoner. A student. A mother. A child. A teacher. A nun. A singer. A saint. A whore. A spy in the house of love. I am Madame X.[18]

Madonna was given the name of the album at the age of 19 by her then dance teacher Martha Graham. Graham rebranded her saying “I’m going to give you a new name: Madame X. Every day, you come to school and I don’t recognize you. Every day, you change your identity. You’re a mystery to me.”[19]

The album artwork features a close-up of the Madame X persona, with the title etched across her ruby red lips to give the illusion of her mouth being sewn shut.[1] Mike Wass from Idolator called it an "already-iconic artwork" and compared the imagery to that of Frida Kahlo. It is used in most of digital and physical formats of the album, except the digital deluxe and box set, both of which feature another photograph of blonde Madonna.[20]

Promotion

See also: Madame X Tour

Singles

Madonna during the premiere of the music video for "Medellín" on MTV.

The album's lead single, "Medellín", was released on April 17, 2019, coinciding with the album becoming available to pre-order. The track is a duet with Colombian reggaeton singer and songwriter Maluma.[21] The music video for "Medellín" premiered on April 24, during a live MTV UK and MTV special. It aired across numerous MTV networks and digital channels.[22] Spanish director Diana Kunst and multi-disciplinary artist Mau Morgó, directed the video.[23]

"Crave", featuring American singer and rapper Swae Lee, was released as the second single on May 10.[24] It officially impacted Hot/Modern/AC radio in the United States on May 20.[25] The music video, directed by Nuno Xico, was released two days later.[26]

Promotional singles

In the lead up to the full release of the album, Madonna released several promotional singles on digital and streaming services to accompany the album cycle.[27]

"I Rise", the first promotional single, described as a "powerful and uplifting anthem,"[28] dissects surviving and rising up from the adversities from social, modern world, as a "way of giving voice to all marginalized people who feel they don't have the opportunity to speak their mind," in words of Madonna herself.[27] It contains a spoken intro taken from the speech of social activist, advocate for gun control Emma González, survivor from the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and co-founder of committee Never Again MSD,[28] during an interview in February 2018.[29]

"Future", a Reggae Pop track featuring American rapper Quavo, was released as the second promotional single on May 17, 2019.[30]

"Dark Ballet", was released as the final promotional single to the album cycle. The music video accompanied it on June 7 2019. The track features heavy use of Daft-Punk like auto-tune and orchestral music, structured similarly to that of Bohemian Rhapsody. The music video stars a Joan of Arc inspired story-line featuring Mykki Blanco where several heads of the church arrest and execute him. Within the video, Blanco is shown to be interpretative dancing in the iconic conical bra.

Live performances

Madonna and Maluma performed "Medellín" together at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019.[31]

Madonna performed two songs in Tel Aviv, Israel, during the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 on May 18, 2019. She performed her 1989 hit "Like a Prayer", followed by "Future", accompanied by Quavo as a guest performer.[32] The appearance reportedly cost the European Broadcasting Union US$1 million, paid for by Israeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams.[33]

On May 6, 2019, the Madame X Tour was officially announced, with concerts in theatres starting in September 2019.[34]

Track listing

Madame X – Standard edition[35]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Medellín" (with Maluma)
  • Madonna
  • Mirwais
4:58
2."Dark Ballet"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
  • Madonna
  • Mirwais
4:14
3."God Control"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
 6:19
4."Future" (with Quavo)
3:53
5."Batuka"
  • Ciccone
  • Banda
  • Ahmadzaï
 4:57
6."Killers Who Are Partying"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
 5:28
7."Crave" (with Swae Lee)
3:21
8."Crazy"
  • Evigan
  • Dean
4:02
9."Come Alive"
 4:02
10."Faz Gostoso" (featuring Anitta)
  • Rodrigo Carmo
  • Nuno
  • Emanuel Oliveira
  • Mateus Seabra
  • Luíz Vieira
  • Karla Rodrigues
  • Ciccone
 4:05
11."Bitch I'm Loca" (featuring Maluma)
  • Ciccone
  • Lauren D'Elia
  • Londoño
  • Barrera
  • JAMES
  • Rodriguez
  • Stiven Rojas
 2:50
12."I Don't Search I Find"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
 4:08
13."I Rise"
  • Evigan
  • Ciccone
  • Hazzard
  • Madonna
  • Evigan
3:44
Total length:56:01
Madame X – Deluxe digital edition[36] / Vinyl edition[37] / Target deluxe edition[38] / Deluxe physical edition[39]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
10."Extreme Occident"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
 3:41
11."Faz Gostoso" (featuring Anitta)
  • Rodrigo Carmo
  • Nuno
  • Emanuel Oliveira
  • Mateus Seabra
  • Luíz Vieira
  • Karla Rodrigues
  • Ciccone
 4:05
12."Bitch I'm Loca" (featuring Maluma)
  • Ciccone
  • Lauren D'Elia
  • Londoño
  • Barrera
  • JAMES
  • Rodriguez
  • Stiven Rojas
 2:50
13."I Don't Search I Find"
  • Ciccone
  • Ahmadzaï
 4:08
14."Looking for Mercy"
  • Ciccone
  • Hazzard
 4:50
15."I Rise"
  • Evigan
  • Ciccone
  • Hazzard
  • Madonna
  • Evigan
3:44
Total length:64:32
Madame X – Japanese edition[40]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Medellín" (Offer Nissim Madame X in the Sphinx)
  • Madonna
  • Mirwais
5:30
Total length:70:02
Madame X – Deluxe physical edition (Disc 2)[41] / Deluxe box set edition (bonus disc)[42]
No.TitleLength
1."Funana" 
2."Back That Up to the Beat" 
3."Ciao Bella" 
Madame X – Deluxe box set edition (bonus 7" picture disc)[42]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Rise"
  • Evigan
  • Ciccone
  • Hazzard
  • Madonna
  • Evigan
3:44
Total length:3:44

References

  1. ^ a b c "Everything We Know About Madonna's New Album 'Madame X'". Billboard. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Madonna To Release New Album 'Madame X' On June 14th". Madonna.com. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  3. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (June 4, 2019). "Madonna: Madame X review – her most bizarre album ever". The Guardian. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  4. ^ Hunt, El (June 5, 2019). "Madonna – 'Madame X' review". NME. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  5. ^ McCormick, Neil (June 4, 2019). "Madonna, Madame X review: a mad mishmash of an album". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  6. ^ Hodgkinson, Will (June 4, 2019). "Madame X review — probably her boldest album yet". The Times. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  7. ^ Segal, Victoria (June 4, 2019). "This is Madonna on top of the world, looking down on creation, God complex at cruising altitude". Q Magazine. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  8. ^ Rainbird, Ashleigh (June 3, 2019). "Madonna sings about feeling lonely and lost on her bleak new album Madame X". Daily Mirror. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  9. ^ "Madame X marks the spot for Madonna's Portuguese album". The Press. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  10. ^ "Madonna on Instagram: 'Madame ❌ June 14, 2019 ❌ listen to #Medellin ft. @maluma now ❌'". Instagram. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  11. ^ Copsey, Rob (January 17, 2018). "Madonna Confirms She Is Working On New Music". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  12. ^ Madonna (August 16, 2018). "Madonna - MET Gala 2018". Retrieved April 14, 2019 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Mahdawi, Arwa (July 13, 2018). "God is a Woman: Ariana Grande taps into a long herstory of a female lord". The Guardian. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c d "Madonna Talks Giving 'Zero You-Know-Whats' on New 'Madame X' Album at London 'Medellin' Video Premiere". Billboard. April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  15. ^ Wass, Mike (February 24, 2019). "A 'Magic' Collaboration? Madonna Hits The Studio With Maluma". Idolator. Retrieved June 6, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Cervantes, Jessie (April 1, 2019). "Maluma habla de su nueva gira y sobre Madonna" [Maluma talks about his new tour and about Madonna] (in Spanish). Exa FM. Retrieved April 14, 2019 – via YouTube. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "Exclusive Interview with Madonna". Vogue. August 1, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (April 14, 2019). "Madonna Teases New Album 'Madame X'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  19. ^ Polk, Milan (April 22, 2019). "Everything We Know About Madonna's New Album Madame X". Vulture. Retrieved April 26, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ Wass, Mike (April 17, 2019). "Madonna Reveals The Cover & Tracklist Of 'Madame X'". Idolator. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Fernandez, Suzette (April 15, 2019). "Madonna and Maluma Unveil Single Art Cover For Upcoming Collab 'Medellin'". Billboard. United States. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Miller, Jordan (April 24, 2019). "Madonna and Maluma Engage in a Lustful Liaison in the "Medellín" Video: Watch". BreatheHeavy.com. Retrieved June 6, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ López, Juanra (April 23, 2019). "De Madonna a Rosalía: Diana Kunst, la madrileña con la que todas quieren rodar" [From Madonna to Rosalía: Diana Kunst, the woman from Madrid with whom everyone wants to be directed by] (in Spanish). El Confidencial. Retrieved June 6, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  24. ^ Lipshitz, Jason (May 3, 2019). "Inside Madonna's ambitious album campaign for 'Madame X': augmented reality, multiple tracks, tour prep and TikTok". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on May 15, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  26. ^ Camp, Alexa (May 22, 2019). "Madonna and Swae Lee's "Crave" Music Video Delivers a Message – Watch". Slant Magazine. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  27. ^ a b "Madonna releases empowering ballad 'I Rise'". Madonna.com. May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ a b Alston, Trey (May 3, 2019). "Madonna brings soft power to resilience on striking 'I Rise'". MTV. Retrieved May 3, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "Florida student Emma González to lawmakers and gun advocates: 'We Call BS'". CNN. February 17, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Legaspi, Althea (May 18, 2019). "Madonna and Quavo Welcome the 'Future' in New Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  31. ^ "Madonna and Maluma to Perform 'Medellin' at 2019 Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
  32. ^ Kaplan, Ilana (May 19, 2019). "Watch Madonna and Quavo perform 'Future' in controversial Eurovision set". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 21, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  33. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (April 8, 2019). "Madonna confirmed to play at this year's Eurovision Song Contest". NME. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  34. ^ "Madonna Reveals Madame X Tour Dates". Variety. United States: Penske Media Corporation. May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Madame X Standard CD". Madonna. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  36. ^ "Madonna - Madame X Deluxe Digital Album". Madonna.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  37. ^ "Madonna - Madame X Black Vinyl (2 LP)". Madonna.com. Retrieved April 17, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  38. ^ "Madonna - Madame X (Deluxe) (Target Exclusive)". Target.com. Retrieved April 25, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  39. ^ "Madonna - Madame X Deluxe 2CD". shopuk.madonna.com. Retrieved May 28, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
  40. ^ "Madame X [Regular Edition] [Japan Bonus Track]". CDJapan. Retrieved May 12, 2019.
  41. ^ "Madame X Deluxe 2CD". Madonna. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  42. ^ a b "Madame X - Deluxe Box Set (2CD + 7" Picture Disc Vinyl + Music Cassette) (CD)". cdon.se. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
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