To all the Madonna fans out there, I am sure that you are all scratching the wallpaper off your walls at this very moment, hoping for a huge hint or release date for Madonna's new album or lead single. After Billboard confirming the album will be in 2015, it came as quite a shock to me bearing in mind Madonna stated that she started the recording process around the time she won 3 awards at the Billboard Awards 2013. I'm sure 2013 was a difficult time particularly to finish up the live album and DVD of the MDNA Tour and the Secret Project Revolution as well as other charitable events. But what cannot be denied is that the artists that have worked with Madonna have stated they have written a tonne of songs. This puts me an uneasy mind frame because it could suggest most of the songs intended for this album might never see the light of day. After Billboard announcing that an artist will release a 'Beyonce' styled album all leads were on Adele or Madonna and we were on the edge of our seats. However, it was in fact U2 that opted to go for the surprise and negatively critiqued 'Free ICloud Download' album.
What direction could Madonna go into? She has practically covered most genres of music. Personally, I would love to see her go into dub step, rock or a hip/hop rap liberation. Rap is one of the most honest genres of music and what better way to chime the revolution of love than to experiment with a little bit of rap or spoken word. Her current style could suggest this due to the fact she likes to wear grills and uses slang like hashtags. Having said that, I do not think she should stay clear of her disco, electronic roots because that is what captured our attention to her in the first place.
Her latin and ballad experiments have benefited Madonna's catalogue and it would be nice to add a little more culture to her future album to support the idea of international love. Music had a recurring theme of Auto-tune, techno and electronica. Whilst songs like 'Don't Tell Me' and 'Nothing Fails' were good folk and country songs it would be interesting to see her come up with something fresh. Also, a reggae album wouldn't be too much to ask for would it? ;)
One thing I crave on a future shopping list would also be a Christmas album from Madonna. This will definitely a brilliant venture as it will give Madonna the opportunity to sell even more albums and produce honest music.
These are the list of people hinted to be on the Madonna album. It would be great to hear all of them make it on one track. Madonna, through her reinvention has a Twitter Page, Spotify, Facebook, Instagram page and she loves to update people on her travels, children, studio sessions, political views. Many of the pictures and captions suggest that she is cooking something fresh in the 'album oven'.
- Diplo - seen many times in her Instagram pictures having a good time with Madonna whilst she chugs down a bottle of Rose. We are sure that he will feature on the album. He has taken her to a rave VIP club in New York where they experimented on the decks with fellow DJ Skrillex. Diplo and Skrillex will be forming a duo soon, suggesting Madonna could have a new EDM song on the way. Diplo states he's written called 'Bitch I'm Madonna' '3 amazing smashes' and over 7 songs with the Queen of Pop.
- Miley Cyrus - From the MTV Unplugged performance to the Madonna inspired photoshoot, Miley has shown an inspiration to Madonna, particularly attempting to mirror her Erotica era, although failing to show the same artistic nature that Madonna has. They also have small to and throws on Instagram by tagging each other in photos, posting each other in photos and supporting each other's charitable events i.e. the homeless man stint. Madonna tagged her a while back on a lyric sheet which could suggest that a song has been manufactured.
- Natalia Kills- an unexpected collaboration bearing in mind Madonna likes to work with fresh and currently smashing the charts artists. Natalia Kills' album Perfectionist is a gem and I seriously recommend it. The album not commercially successful is very high quality. It has a very dark tone to it, gothic electra, if you will. It is very dance, synth and gritty. Natalia also has style and a very interesting visual image. This immediately suggests Madonna could do an album with dark electronic. Also, Kills has confirmed that she has written over 8 songs for her. She was also seen at Madonna's 56th birthday bash.
- Mozella - on Twitter has confirmed the first single off the album is finished and will be released soon. Fingers crossed there is no false hope. She has written Wrecking Ball for Miley Cyrus, reiterating the fact that a similar ballad or feature will be made for the album.
- Katy Perry - after doing the iconic V shoot and the fact that they are both one of the most powerful women in music history, it would be silly not to suggest that they are making sweet music. They have similar vocal abilities and Katy is one of the hottest and most popular artists right now. A collaboration with her will definetely get attention. Also, to add to the fire, rumours of Diplo and Katy dating could suggest that Madonna and Katy have close contact.
- Avicii- this is an absolute confirmation. Instagram is responsible for this. After remixing Girls Gone Wild, Madonna shown a keen interest in Avicii's country house wave of music. Like I said, a bit of folksy music could be on the way.
- Disclosure - although denying involvement on the project, 2015 is still a while away and Madonna has clearly shown an interest for this grungy house kind of music. A collaboration hopefully will be on the cards in the future. An extended remix perhaps, or a song to go on Discolsure's new album?
- Pharrell Williams - after being the UK's most downloaded artist with 3 singles - Get Lucky, Blurred Lines and Happy selling over one million downloads, it is reasonable for Madonna to want to work with him. He already helped her in the 11th studio album Hard Candy which features an R and B and Hip Hop/Funk influence. Apparently he lost his hat in the studio!
- Pussy Riot - after all the political mishap with this punk duo, it would be interesting to see if Madonna will do a song in order to promote the idea of equality. Their brand of punk music would be perfect for the current campaign Madonna is embarking on.
- Mariah Carey - after posting a pillow of E=MC2 people initially thought Mariah would have something to do with a secret project. However, this does seem unlikely because Mariah has never really shown an interest in Madonna's career. Shame, she could have learnt a thing or two about staying on top...
- Nicki Minaj - after collaborating on her MDNA album twice, Nicki Minaj could appear on the next feature. Although Madonna does not like to repeat herself, Nicki Minaj definitely is a controversial figure in today's society. She has been tagged several times by Madonna in photos and a photo of them together is present on both of their accounts.
- Skrillex - similar to Diplo, she has posted a picture of him at the rave she attended and the fact that dubstep was mildly experimented in Gang Bang off MDNA, whose to say it won't be used again?
- Chance the Rapper - after being tagged in several photos and meeting each other, it could suggest that Madonna is on the lookout for some pretty hardcore and opinionated rappers.
- Alicia Keys - Madonna quotes 'she is killing it on my record'. Alicia says she played a piano piece in Madonna's new track however, it would be a surprise to see a collaboration vocally due to their different ranges. Also, Alicia Keys is a passionate person and involves herself in events and making the world a better place.
- Daft Punk - unlikely, but due to her disco roots and the fact that she is 'waiting for them to call her back' suggests that a collaboration or a secret one could be in the midst.
- London Gospel Community Choir - A video and photo was posted of them in the studio singing backing vocals to a song reminiscent of Like a Prayer.
- U2 - after releasing a surprise album this year and posting a photo on Instagram it could suggest a rockier or edgier album could be in the way. Although unlikely, it is nice to assume these things...
- Michael Jackson - after posting several pictures of him and the fact that Sony are planning on releasing over 8 albums of unreleased Michael material, a possible Madonna remix wouldn't be a bad idea. The couple were friends the 1990s and were planning on doing a song on the album Dangerous. Also, the unity of Royals would be just a meteoric thing to talk about.
- Blood Diamonds - a record producer signed to Skrillex's label is also in the midst of producing tracks for Madonna. The EDM, Dubstep album idea is apparently coming to life.
What would I like for Madonna to do? - Like I said, I would like Madonna to release this album soon and to have the majority of these collaborations and at least 15 tracks of pure gold. I do not want this album to be too generic and for it to have a flair that MDNA and Hard Candy didn't really have. In addition to this, more music videos that again provide a visual art for the audiences and more singles in order to make more extended remixes with other artists that never made the cut, publicity. A tour should be announced and I would love a Christmas albums to hit shelves one day. Another way in which Madonna can remain on top and release more music is to do featured appearances e.g. on unreleased Diplo and Avicii songs that may not have made the final cut but could be on their new albums. This gives Madonna an extra edge, a good way to connect with younger audiences and to have chart success. She needs to do more promotion as well because, at the end of the day, publicity is everything! She will be in the X Factor finals which will be a great way to get back on the UK charts after the mediocre success of Girls Gone Wild and Give Me All Your Luvin.
