Madonna returns to dance floor with ‘Confessions II’

International Desk, July 2 (EFE).- Twenty years after the release of “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” Madonna returns to her dance-pop roots with “Confessions II,” an album that has drawn enthusiastic early reviews and reunites the singer with longtime collaborator Stuart Price.

The singer’s 15th studio album will be released worldwide on Friday.

British music magazine NME called it Madonna’s “most vital album in over two decades,” adding that “this grande dame still knows how to make us move.”

The Guardian described it as “unequivocally Madonna’s best album since Confessions on a Dance Floor,” while The Telegraph said the Michigan-born singer has thrown “a sweaty dance party to reclaim her crown.»

The BBC praised the album’s opening stretch, describing its first 30 minutes as «flawless,» highlighting the hypnotic lead track, “I Feel So Free,” which evokes the disco sound of Donna Summer.

The broadcaster said the album loses some momentum in its middle section before regaining strength with autobiographical songs such as Danceteria.

The standard edition features 12 tracks, expanded to 16 on the deluxe version.

Among them are “Bring Your Love,” a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter that premiered during the Coachella festival, and “The Test,” featuring Madonna’s eldest daughter, Lourdes León, who performs under the name Lolahol.

The album also includes “Fragile,” dedicated to Madonna’s brother Christopher Ciccone, who died in 2024 after the siblings had experienced a long and often difficult relationship.

Another song, “Bizarre,” has been interpreted by several US media outlets as referring to Madonna’s first husband, actor “Sean Penn,” citing lyrics such as «movie star, deep blue eyes» and «In Hollywood we were the perfect match.»

Other tracks on the standard edition include “Good for the Soul,” “One Step Away,” “Read My Lips,” featuring Colombian artist Feid, “Everything,” “Love Without Words,” “School and My Sins Are My Savior.”

The deluxe edition adds four bonus tracks: “The Test,” “Love Sensation,” “Betrayal and L.E.S Girl,” and is available in several collector’s editions, including colored vinyl and cassette.

Ahead of the album’s release, Madonna previewed much of the new material through a series of high-profile appearances.

On April 17, she joined Sabrina Carpenter on stage at Coachella to perform “Bring Your Love.” On June 4, she gave a surprise concert in New York’s Times Square, mixing new songs with some of her biggest hits.

The following day, she premiered a 13-minute musical short film at the Tribeca Film Festival featuring six songs from the album and appearances by Carpenter, Feid, actor Benedict Cumberbatch, model Kate Moss and Venezuelan singer Arca.

Listening events have also been held in cities including London, Melbourne, Madrid and Toronto ahead of Friday’s release.

According to producer Stuart Price, “Confessions II” draws inspiration from the house music traditions of Detroit and Chicago.

The album marks Madonna’s first full studio release since she announced in October 2024 that she had reunited with Price, who produced “Confessions on a Dance Floor” and served as musical director for her 2023-24 Celebration Tour. EFE

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