FEATURE: Following a Rebel Heart… Madonna: Where Next for the Iconic Reinventor?

FEATURE:

 

 

Following a Rebel Heart…

rr.jpg

IN THIS IMAGE: The cover for Madonna’s 2015 album, Rebel Heart/ALL ALBUM COVERS: Getty Images 

Madonna: Where Next for the Iconic Reinventor?

__________

I was going to write a piece about plastic waste…

and how music can play a role (concerning reducing the cost) but I will have a more ‘serious’ day of writing tomorrow and bring that together with a few other pieces. Before looking ahead and seeing where Madonna might head next; I want to look back and talk about why I am returning to her feet. I do not need much of an excuse to talk about icons of music and explore them from different angles but this year has been a special one for Madonna. Back on 16th August, we all came together to celebrate her sixtieth birthday and look back at her incredible back catalogue. Madonna herself got into the spirit – so many artists why shy away from marking their sixtieth and feel reserved – and she posted images of herself on Twitter/Instagram embracing the passing of another year of life; being revered by fans and embracing her status as the Queen of Pop. You might think continuing that appreciation and fascination seems a bit pointless – will her next record match the heights of her best work and do we even know when it is coming out?! One of the reasons I put out a few Madonna-related articles around her birthday was because of her multiple sides; the fashion icon status and the evolutions; the varied albums and how she spoke (and continues to do) out against sexism and homophobia.

DqZWx2fWwAAfa3J.jpg

There was something bittersweet regarding a retrospective. On the one hand, we can marvel at her legacy and how she has changed music but one wonders whether we will ever see her like again – I do not think that is even possible. The sense of drama, theatre and the spectacular one gets with Madonna keeps her in the mind and will always tug at the heart. It was great to rank her albums and songs and chart her fashion changes and career shifts. Each album is worth marking when it has an anniversary and, just under two weeks ago, the twenty-fourth anniversary of Bedtime Stories. Look at the albums around that release. Erotica was released in 1992 and it was an album that garnered a lot of attention and controversy. Madonna’s Sex book was released around the time and the Pop queen was determined to push boundaries and express herself. Since Like a Prayer (1989); there was always suggestion she would evolve sexually and bring that into her work more. Erotica used an alter ego, Mistress Dita, and songs talked about sex, romance and something more intimate. An artist who was once being led by the record label and recording songs in a very commercial and safe way was striking out on her own and not answering to anyone. The result of that was a lot of press talk and many turned their noses up at the provocative and challenging album. If you listen closely then it is not all about sex: there is a range of emotions and stories playing out but there is that definite edge.

Bedtime Stories arrived in 1994 and, in one of music’s greatest years, stood out. It was a more refined, mature and emotional album that, in a way, was a sort-of-apology from Madonna. A tighter and much shorter album that Erotica; Bedtime Stories was a move to come away from the edges more and into the core of the mainstream. Without compromising and producing something formulaic; Madonna worked with the likes of Babyface and Dallas Austin to, again, produce another shift. It is remarkable to think Bedtime Stories is twenty-four as I remember it clearly and it is one of the first of hers that stuck in the mind. Ever since her eponymous debut; Madonna was eager to change and grow between albums and not repeat herself. Singles such as Secret and Take a Bow showed a more graceful, settled and less provocative Madonna who was able to talk about the complexities of relations and lust without being explicit. Following some backlash from Erotica; the saucy Mistress Dita was replaced with a more natural Madonna. Look at the costumes for videos like Take a Bow and Secret and there is a more classical, elegant and classy Madonna. Human Nature documented the reaction to Erotica – cheekily asking whether she can talk about sex and the fact it is natural – but the new producers/writers incorporated more R&B influences and, with it, a new Madonna. It would be another four years before Madonna produced another studio album and, on Ray of Light, another incredible transformation.

Consider the six years between Erotica and Ray of Light and what Madonna did. She started with this sexually-charged and controlling persona and then channelled into this more mature and less controversial artists in 1994 – although her grasp of the sexual and challenging never went away. By 1996; she starred in Evita and, again, a new side of her was brought through. You can see some of the influences from Bedtime Stories in terms of fashion and look but, two years after Evita, nobody expected Ray of Light. An album that brings in Electronic and Dance and, for the first time, brilliantly united Dance and Pop and puts it into the mainstream. It would have been easy to stall and settle after Ray of Light but, being Madonna, she was moving and thinking about a new look. Music (2000) kept the harder sound and electronics but swapped some of the more orchestral sways for something edgier. In fact, Music is a varied album that keeps the party girl of Ray of Light and brings in something maternal – Madonna had just had a baby and was in a very spiritual frame. There is Future-Folk and Dance that comes together in another triumphant album – Madonna co-wrote all of the ten tracks and critics were keen to lend their praise!

One can argue that, although there was reinvention and change by 2003’s American Life; the critics were not as hot and, maybe, the material not as sharp. Madonna has moved from a cowgirl to a more rebellious and politically-minded figure. Reviews at the time were mixed – some found the record confusing – but they have been kinder and fairer down the line; many noting the consistency of the material and the risks being taken. Songs like Hollywood and Love Profusion are among the best of her more-recent work and the tour that accompanied American Life upped the game, budget and set; amazing critics and thrilling fans. There was this big transformation that continued into Confessions on a Dance Floor. Again, after only a short period; 2005-Madonna had ditched the beret and mood of American Life and was embracing the disco and something a bit more specific. Maybe a New York club or 1970s Disco; it was a mix of Club music from the 1970s, 1980s and modern-day scene. The songs were structured like a D.J.’s set and blended so that they play continuously without any gaps. Samples and references to ABBA, Donna Summer and Bee Gees meant there was a distinct mood and flavour. The forty-seven-year-old was not beholden to what artists of her ‘age’ should be doing and what was seen as ‘appropriate’. Confessions on a Dance Floor turns thirteen on Friday and it is another chance to celebrate an album of Madonna’s – strange to think of the vast differences between Bedtime Stories and Confessions on a Dance Floor (in many ways, one would think Confessions on a Dance Floor’s tones and energies would come before Bedtime Stories’ more grown-up and sensual mood).

uy.jpg

Whereas Confessions on a Dance Floor was another bold move and reinvention; it was a return to the critical good books and, in fact, gained the sort of acclaim Music did in 2000 – maybe even more praise and good reviews. One could argue the reinventions since 2005 have been bold and drastic but the quality has been a little lower than one would expect. Hard Candy, in a way, seemed to update the look and provocative edge of Erotica and Like a Prayer; albeit a more modern version. Madonna stated the songs on the album were autobiographical, in an unconscious way, and she was not in any mood to calm down and project a more wrapped up and safe artist. Age has never been an issue with Madonna and she writes and performs as she feels fit; she is not answering to anyone or doing what her peers do. 2012’s MDNA was a relatively smooth and productive recording that saw subjects live separation, revenge and heartbreak coming into the music. This album was the first she released under a three-year deal with Interscope (in 2012) and there was a new phase in her career. Again, the image and look changed and musical subjects changed. Some saw the music as a little regressive and unmemorable but, regardless of critical impression, it showed Madonna was always looking out for new inspiration and look. 2015’s Rebel Heart is the last album from her and one that, as you’d expect, adopts its own skin and landscape.

There was a sense, with Rebel Heart, Madonna was progressing and new genres like House, Trap and Reggae were making their way in. Many icons would struggle to succeed after so much time and be able to inhibit new genres naturally. Rather than try n updated Pop version of Madonna or Like a Virgin; Madonna was changing with the times and keen to work with the best upcoming and established talent. After working with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake on Hard Candy; she featured guests such as Nicki Minaj and Nas on Rebel Heart and worked with Kanye West. Critics felt Rebel Heart was one of her best effort in a decade and, unlike some of her fairly recent albums, there were a lot more writers and producers in the mix – far less singular and streamlined than we would have seen on albums like Ray of Light and Bedtime Stories. In any case; the 2015 release marked another step and evolution from the always-changing Madonna. The Queen of Pop was not going to surrender her crown to anyone and, even though Nicki Minaj featured on Rebel Heart; she is decades away from reaching the summit of Madonna’s powers. The last few years have seen her embrace her sixtieth birthday and moving away from London. I think she is based in Portugal now and seems to be happy in Lisbon.

I am not sure whether she will move back to New York or London in years to come but, as a single woman whose children are quite grown up; there are not the ties and need to be in a big and music-orientated city. I figure there is new material coming quite soon and you will know when it comes. Madonna is not someone who will drop an album without warning and it will be released into the world like an unshackled beast. There are teams of people planning every move and, before the first single comes, we will have teasers, videos and cryptic posts that get the appetite whetted. Madonna is on Twitter most days posting images and videos from home. She is proud to look back on her older albums but does not want to repeat them and bathe everyone in nostalgia! Rather than repeat herself and try and capture bygone standards; she is looking ahead and finding new ground to conquer. That is the mark of a truly brave, established and innovative artist! Sketches and suggestions have been made regarding Madonna’s new album and what it could be about. This article suggests there could be a move towards Rap:

“Perhaps the Queen of Pop has her sights set on another genre.

Madonna is currently hard at work on a new studio album. A previous report claimed she plans on combining Portuguese and African rhythms with pop, however if we take a look at Madonna’s comment replying to a fan on Instagram at face value, maybe she’s changed her mind and wants to drop a rap record instead. Kinda here for it.

“I want Madonna to release a full on rap album called Grillz and the lead single to be called Derma Roller featuring Quavo, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B just to annoy the demanding fans!!!!,” a fan wrote”.

You never know what you will get from Madonna but I would expect some sounds of Africa – where she has spent time recently and always had a connection to – and tones coming out of Portugal. She will not go fully into World music territory and abandon Pop but look at the sort of look/fashion she posts on her latest Twitter pieces and that could give you an indication into the album cover’s vibe and what she will explore. There was rumour the album would be released this year but it seems, as this article explores, we will need to wait until 2019:

“It was initially believed that the Queen of Pop would be unveiling her fourteenth studio album in 2018, but she’s now confirmed it will hit shelves at some stage in 2019.

The 60-year-old told WWD: “I’m finishing my record, which I’m going to release next year.

“Yep, in between rose mist spray and serums, I’m actually making music. Can’t quit my day job.”

She is also believed to be plotting a tour to accompany the record”.

Will, as this article from July suggested, there be more Fado and Portuguese influences on her fourteenth studio album?

“Portuguese music will be a huge source of inspiration for Madonna's new album, it has been revealed.

The legendary popstar is the cover star of Vogue Italia's August edition to celebrate her 60th birthday on August 16. Pictured in Lisbon, Portugal where Madonna is currently based, the icon of music and fashion is seen striking a pose (pun intended) across two collectable covers in all-black Saint Laurent.

Vogue Italia's creative director Giovanni Bianco - who is also a close friend of Madonna's - discussed the shoot for trade journal Women's Wear Daily, explaining the influences Madonna is soaking up during her tenure in Portugal…

“She is an incredibly hard worker, I have learned so much from her intensity and dedication,” said Giovanni, before the interview explains that Madonna often visits her favourite bar in the Tejo region "where she regularly goes to listen to Portuguese and African music."

Giovanni elaborates: "She knows the musicians there, it’s like a laboratory, there’s music from Cabo Verde and she loves fado [a Lisbon-based music genre],” a style that "will infuse her work".

Beautiful Game is expected to be the lead single from Madonna's upcoming fourteenth studio album. She performed the song at the 2018 Met Gala in new York, and then teased the song as "coming soon" on social media.

Madonna worked with the French producer Mirwais on the song, whom she previously worked with on her Music and American Life albums”.

In terms of sound and genres, we will have to wait to see if any absolute truths emerge. It is a shame we have to wait until 2019 but I feel the new record will arrive early in the year. I can sense something in shaping up and Madonna will be keen to make some sort of statement before this year is through. I think, sound-wise, it will be a combination of Hip-Hop and Fado. There might be some African inspirations and I feel it will break away from the Electronic and Dance sounds she owned and explored between 1998 and 2005.

I think many are pining for a new Madonna album as it has been a few years and a lot has happened since then. Rebel Heart saw a return of sorts of more critical praise than previous records; a fresh perspective and a persona/look/sound that seemed to be a very natural fit. I think, with Trump and his workings; the sexism and scandal we have seen and how American culture has changed, that is going to come into her mind but so too will her settling in Portugal and a new form of spirituality. Madonna has always been in-tune with religious and different cultures but I think she will l embrace this on her new album as she did through Ray of Light (Shanti/Ashtangi showcase this direction). There has to be some of the spit and observations we saw on American Life and earlier albums and it would be good to see a sort of return to Confessions on a Dance Floor – inject something vibrant and danceable; maybe a more African version of that?! I think there have been some good albums since 2015 and Pop has some artists who could turn into something special in time but nothing like Madonna. Even at sixty; she is reluctant to calm things and return and her voice is as important as they come. Maybe there will not be the same revelations and media-courting releases as Erotica but she has not lost the ability to shock and lead. There is a great opportunity to document the changes in the world and all the crap flying around but do so in her own way – whether there is anger and accusation or a more peace-and-love approach, I am not sure. It is exciting to see what she can come up with and what the next incarnation will be. Maybe we have to wait a bit longer to see what Madonna comes up with but you can bet your bottom dollar her next album will be…

mmdsa.png

 IN THIS IMAGE: The promotional image for the film, Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour

SOMETHING fresh and sensational.

Sam Liddicott