New album: Confessions on a Dance Floor Part 2

[Sokrates5]

3 minutes ago, bardo said:

well, things are arguably more chaotic today than they were 30 years ago and i don't necessarily see people gravitating toward more boring music now than they did back then. generally i think music was better back then but every generation believes that music during their own youth was better than today. 

It’s about her image, her looks, her messages, etc., at least as much as about her music. She’s completely inoffensive. I called it “boring”. 

[bard]

13 minutes ago, Sokrates5 said:

It’s about her image, her looks, her messages, etc., at least as much as about her music. She’s completely inoffensive. I called it “boring”. 

not really talking about taylor specifically, just responding to your suggestion that it has something to do with the chaos of the world today. people have always like boring/vanilla stuff. 

[dollhouse]

these days its more about community, influencers, singers like frieds experience and non-offensiveness than actual "music", the music is just a backdrop elevator muzak for tictoc and auto-playlisting for Spotify

Theres always been mariahs, didos, norahs, beyonces, adeles but I feel generalization has spread with social media and streaming

[dollhouse]

1 hour ago, bardo said:

yup.

Ok, I dont think its coinsidence

Spring is less competetive

[Kilt]

4 hours ago, AlvaroLiam said:

I've read that TS new album ships on October 13, so it will be out on or before that date. If Warner wants to try M chances at a #1, they better hurry.

i wonder if Warners is even a smidge forward-looking

[Sokrates5]

41 minutes ago, bardo said:

not really talking about taylor specifically, just responding to your suggestion that it has something to do with the chaos of the world today. people have always like boring/vanilla stuff. 

Understood. I still think it’s more prominent today. Let’s not forget that Taylor gained her current level of fame during the pandemic. This also plays into it. But anyway, let’s talk about Madonna again, who can actually call herself a show girl, unlike Ms Inoffensive. 

[peter]

11 minutes ago, Kilt said:

i wonder if Warners is even a smidge forward-looking

Isn’t that the date that VE CDs and clear vinyl become available?

It’s not like VE is in direct competition or anything, especially since they didn’t align all formats to be released simultaneously for VE. But it it isn’t likely to be the date M would release her next album then, either, if VE is being released that day.

[ThomasW]

6 minutes ago, Sokrates5 said:

Understood. I still think it’s more prominent today. Let’s not forget that Taylor gained her current level of fame during the pandemic. This also plays into it. But anyway, let’s talk about Madonna again, who can actually call herself a show girl, unlike Ms Inoffensive. 

I think Tay might have confused terms like, showgirl is one thing, and a girl who puts on a show is another 

anyway, I can't wait until M comes up with something amazing with her new music  (cross fingers!) 

[Kilt]

1 hour ago, peter said:

Isn’t that the date that VE CDs and clear vinyl become available?

It’s not like VE is in direct competition or anything, especially since they didn’t align all formats to be released simultaneously for VE. But it it isn’t likely to be the date M would release her next album then, either, if VE is being released that day.

i think the new album will be released either together with a bunch of released albums or before the rereleases

[dollhouse]

1 hour ago, peter said:

Isn’t that the date that VE CDs and clear vinyl become available?

It’s not like VE is in direct competition or anything, especially since they didn’t align all formats to be released simultaneously for VE. But it it isn’t likely to be the date M would release her next album then, either, if VE is being released that day.

they will probably think its Madonnas new album that will flop compared to Tay

[ashtangi74]

Stuart Price co-produced Levitating. Maybe then she re-connected with him.

[Confessit II]

7 hours ago, KalamazooJay said:

Is the world supposed to just stop for these two? 

4th quarter is big enough for them all so I just don't get this idea she should be 'worried' about them. She's been going up against new pop stars for over 40 years and has been just fine. 

In a word, yes it does.

Taylor Swifts last album totally dominated the entire summer, it was number 1 for 17 weeks in America and the streaming numbers alone didn’t start to drop off for months after release.

Madonna doesn’t only need to avoid the week she drops in, she needs to avoid the entire Q4 IF she wants a debut at number 1/give the album the very best shot at impacting as much as it can. Taylor will enjoy longevity, Madonna won’t she needs a strong opener hun.

You are totally right hun, Madonna has been going up against new pop stars for 40 years and been fine

It is now 2025, Madonna is almost 70, her last album was 6 years ago and got to number 1 based on physical sales when streaming wasn’t a major player, but streaming absolutely takes precedence now when impacting in popular music.

Madonnas fans don’t stream. Madonna is now releasing her new album and it will be a return to music for her after her longest break and there will be big anticipation, it will be followed by the press and commented on throughout social media.

I am absolutely convinced both Madonna & Warners do not want it to be swallowed up by Taylor’s record and relegated to the shadows. Which it will be.

NONE of that means Madonna wont produce a killer new album, but what we are saying is reality, we are simply reflecting on the facts and Taylor is coming out in Q4 this year.

We would rather Madonna release her new album (which is a fucking rare event these days) in a quarter it can have the very best chance of success.

I don’t think it’s controversial as fans, we want this album to have a platform in its own right and not going up against the biggest pop star on the planet means it does have the better chance babe…..

[Confessit II]

12 hours ago, Je5u5 said:

Chances of Madonna going to #1 in the USA are slim to none anyway. No point in pushing back the release date. 

Theres a world of territories outside of America the new album can be vastly more successful, the first Confessions showed us that!

Madonna has a very high possibility of getting the number 1 spot throughout Europe with this album.

But not if Taylor’s drops. Taylor will be number 1 for months pretty much everywhere.

So you say there’s no point in pushing back the release date. I respectfully disagree babe. 

[Steve]

9 hours ago, Je5u5 said:

If you expect Madonna to get #1 in streams you're setting yourself up for a king sized disappointment. 

It's been six years.

Back when Madame X came out streaming was not as big. She grabbed that number one with 95,000 album equivalent units (with 90% of those coming from physical sales).

To put things in perspective, last week Bieber had to settle for #2 with 163,000 album equivalent units. When Charli's Brat reissue came out at the peak of Bratmania it only managed to peak at #3 with 105,000 album equivalent units, having big streams and a plethora of physical formats to choose.

To anyone who has followed music M Bb it’s obvious. Diff date #1 sales and drops like a brick but interrupts their chart and/or headlines. She’s worked with both and can easily avoid direct comp day release.  
chart success would be ideal but I just want the album b4 another health scare incapacitation or death. She’s healthy now as far as we know but aging is still happening for everyone everyday. 

[robster]

Numbers lost their meaning AGES ago. The influence of streaming undermines everything, it can be manipulated, changed, it's hurting artists and musical diversity. Streaming is the worst thing that could have happened to the music industry and we need to collectively stop staring into the abyss of streaming numbers. It's useless and lacks meaning. This fixation on numbers is absurd and I'd much rather have her make an album that I will truly absolutely adore than have her cater an entire campaign in an attempt to chase charts and numbers. Stick to her guns, make MUSIC!!!

[Steve]

4 minutes ago, robster said:

Numbers lost their meaning AGES ago. The influence of streaming undermines everything, it can be manipulated, changed, it's hurting artists and musical diversity. Streaming is the worst thing that could have happened to the music industry and we need to collectively stop staring into the abyss of streaming numbers. It's useless and lacks meaning. This fixation on numbers is absurd and I'd much rather have her make an album that I will truly absolutely adore than have her cater an entire campaign in an attempt to chase charts and numbers. Stick to her guns, make MUSIC!!!

Yes but she comments and has always commented even posted about sales and charting..she celebrated BIM and even IDSIF “chart success”

 

[Confessit II]

1 hour ago, Steve said:

Yes but she comments and has always commented even posted about sales and charting..she celebrated BIM and even IDSIF “chart success”

 

The theory Madonna doesn’t care about the charts or where her new album will land is absolutely nonsense.

When did Madonna become an indie artist ?

She has always made music for the masses, even waaaay beyond she became a legacy artist in reality, she still didn’t want to accept that lying down.

She still wants to impact as much as she can.

Have we all forgotten she was at the centre of the pop music landscape for decades  and did absolutely everything in her power to stay there.

If Madonna doesn’t give a shit about where her album lands she will release the whole thing tomorrow with zero promotion.

Lets see if she does that 

[dollhouse]

8 hours ago, ashtangi74 said:

Stuart Price co-produced Levitating. Maybe then she re-connected with him.

oh wish he wouldve included the Lucky Star sample there

[dollhouse]

6 hours ago, Confessit said:

The theory Madonna doesn’t care about the charts or where her new album will land is absolutely nonsense.

When did Madonna become an indie artist ?

She has always made music for the masses, even waaaay beyond she became a legacy artist in reality, she still didn’t want to accept that lying down.

She still wants to impact as much as she can.

Have we all forgotten she was at the centre of the pop music landscape for decades  and did absolutely everything in her power to stay there.

If Madonna doesn’t give a shit about where her album lands she will release the whole thing tomorrow with zero promotion.

Lets see if she does that 

Madonna cut the cake when MDNA went to no.1 USA

[dollhouse]

6 hours ago, Confessit said:

In a word, yes it does.

Taylor Swifts last album totally dominated the entire summer, it was number 1 for 17 weeks in America and the streaming numbers alone didn’t start to drop off for months after release.

Madonna doesn’t only need to avoid the week she drops in, she needs to avoid the entire Q4 IF she wants a debut at number 1/give the album the very best shot at impacting as much as it can. Taylor will enjoy longevity, Madonna won’t she needs a strong opener hun.

You are totally right hun, Madonna has been going up against new pop stars for 40 years and been fine

It is now 2025, Madonna is almost 70, her last album was 6 years ago and got to number 1 based on physical sales when streaming wasn’t a major player, but streaming absolutely takes precedence now when impacting in popular music.

Madonnas fans don’t stream. Madonna is now releasing her new album and it will be a return to music for her after her longest break and there will be big anticipation, it will be followed by the press and commented on throughout social media.

I am absolutely convinced both Madonna & Warners do not want it to be swallowed up by Taylor’s record and relegated to the shadows. Which it will be.

NONE of that means Madonna wont produce a killer new album, but what we are saying is reality, we are simply reflecting on the facts and Taylor is coming out in Q4 this year.

We would rather Madonna release her new album (which is a fucking rare event these days) in a quarter it can have the very best chance of success.

I don’t think it’s controversial as fans, we want this album to have a platform in its own right and not going up against the biggest pop star on the planet means it does have the better chance babe…..

Sales with streaming were well below 90k for no.1 record last april-may in USA

Madonna can easily top that with pure sales alone

[peter]

8 minutes ago, dollhouse said:

oh wish he wouldve included the Lucky Star sample there

He didn’t produce the remix (which is where M became involved and her Lucky Star interpolation was recorded but not ultimately used by the Blessed Madonna, who remixed it). Stuart produced the original track on Future Nostalgia, if I understand correctly. The fact he had been involved with the original may have provided an opportunity for the two of them to be in touch with one another, though — you never know.

[Je5u5]

7 hours ago, Confessit said:

Theres a world of territories outside of America the new album can be vastly more successful, the first Confessions showed us that!

Madonna has a very high possibility of getting the number 1 spot throughout Europe with this album.

But not if Taylor’s drops. Taylor will be number 1 for months pretty much everywhere.

So you say there’s no point in pushing back the release date. I respectfully disagree babe. 

Yes of course, I was talking about the US.

 

[ashtangi74]

So if Beyonce releases her new album in march we will have to wait till june 26?

[DreamTheater]

It's all about the music of course, but I also want the new album to be successful. For this, the first week sales are not so important. The game has changed. To be successful the album needs a streaming hit, something that performs similar to Popular and will keep it going for a long period. They still call it the albums chart but in reality it's just a secondary singles chart.

[metalissimo]

I hope she will release the album in Jan-Feb 2026 and perform the new single at the Grammys. 

[Confessit II]

1 hour ago, DreamTheater said:

It's all about the music of course, but I also want the new album to be successful. For this, the first week sales are not so important. The game has changed. To be successful the album needs a streaming hit, something that performs similar to Popular and will keep it going for a long period. They still call it the albums chart but in reality it's just a secondary singles chart.

I hear you.

I mean I hate to bring her into the conversation but Kylies Tension got to number #21 on Billboard in America, and obviously was a number #1 here in the UK.

I am sure Madonna’s lead single, even without a major feature on it, can get more attention to it than PP did for Kylie. It appears Madonna is gearing up for some serious dance bops herself this time round, so the album should have a ton of kerb appeal.

So I do believe there is real hope here.

Of course this is going to be Madonna’s biggest up hill battle of her entire recording career because streaming is so paramount, but if Kylie can do it Madonna can.

3 hours ago, dollhouse said:

Sales with streaming were well below 90k for no.1 record last april-may in USA

Madonna can easily top that with pure sales alone

Yes absolutely.

We are all excited for an amazing Madonna comeback with a great album.

But if we want her to get to the top spot (and I’m sure M & Warners also want a debut at #1 in as many places as possible) she needs to release it without major competition.

[metalissimo]

1 minute ago, Confessit said:

I hear you.

I mean I hate to bring her into the conversation but Kylies Tension got to number #21 on Billboard in America, and obviously was a number #1 here in the UK.

I am sure Madonna’s lead single, even without a major feature on it, can get more attention to it than PP did for Kylie.

So I do believe there is real hope here.

Of course this is going to be Madonna’s biggest up hill battle of her entire recording career because streaming is so paramount, but if Kylie can do it Madonna can.

Yes absolutely.

We are all excited for an amazing Madonna comeback with a great album.

But if we want her to get to the top spot (and I’m sure M & Warners also want a debut at #1 in as many places as possible) she needs to release it without major competition.

If we want it debut at no 1 on Billboard 200 we, as Madonna fans, will have to stream it a lot. Most albums that debut at no 1 on Billboard 200 have huge streamings numbers 

[Confessit II]

18 minutes ago, metalissimo said:

If we want it debut at no 1 on Billboard 200 we, as Madonna fans, will have to stream it a lot. Most albums that debut at no 1 on Billboard 200 have huge streamings numbers 

Many Madonna fans flat out refuse to stream babe, so that’s a losing battle. It ain’t gonna happen.

The physical copies sold being strong on the right week of release should be enough to get a #1 debut in many places (shoot me dead but especially if she avoids releasing when the biggest streaming artist of all time drops shhhhh don’t tell anyone I said that ).

The best strategy for Madonna like many legacy artists is a long pre-order period to maximise a healthy opening week, which did throughout the Interscope years with her albums.

At this point I do think a number #1 album on BB is extremely slim (not impossible!) but everywhere else it is still very much a reality, depending on content, strategy & promotion.

It depends what Madonna wants, I was never all that impressed with the idea of a surprise release, but if she dropped the whole album and THEN started to do remixes, videos, performances and went out and worked the record, well that would give it longevity which could carry it a lot better than a quick fanfare and it dropping off the face of the Earth.

My only gripe with that is, Madonna hasn’t done a long album era for decades now, I doubt she will spend the entire 2026 promoting her album. 

We are in very uncharted territory so who knows? But I have a feeling her and Warners will be looking at a strategic approach to get that debut #1 I firmly believe being number 1 still matters to Madonna. Even now.

[robster]

If she comes out the gate with a strong first single then that is half the battle. Everyone counted her out after American Life and then there was Hung Up. Super strong infectious lead with an amazing video and loads of hype. Entirely different landscape of course but it's the music that has to pull people in first and foremost and with Stuart at the helm I have no doubt that it will be fresh and primarily VERY catchy, infectious and in the here and now!

[Confessit II]

11 minutes ago, robster said:

If she comes out the gate with a strong first single then that is half the battle. Everyone counted her out after American Life and then there was Hung Up. Super strong infectious lead with an amazing video and loads of hype. Entirely different landscape of course but it's the music that has to pull people in first and foremost and with Stuart at the helm I have no doubt that it will be fresh and primarily VERY catchy, infectious and in the here and now!

No more over dosing on vocoder and 12 minute songs.

I agree with you, with Stuart at the helm and the updates we have seen thus far, she is back to making music for the masses.

I mean COADF was designed to impact strongly and its lead single designed to tear the speakers in half.

One would have an educated guess for Confessions 2, she will have the same mindset….

I think she is also going for something infectious & catchy. My body is ready.

Im fatter and have crows feet compared to Confessions 1 in 2005…..but ill be out there on the dance floor to another killer lead single when it rolls in.