Madonna's Confessions II, released on Warner, is being hailed as her most vital album in two decades, a nostalgic dancefloor trip that sees the pop icon returning to her old-school dance music roots. The album, a sequel to 2005's Confessions on a Dance Floor, was inspired by her 2023 Celebration tour, which prompted reflection on her past.
A return to form
After years of experimenting with trap and Latin pop on albums like Rebel Heart and Madame X, Madonna settles comfortably into the house-influenced sound that defined her earlier success. The album features tracks that segue into each other like a DJ mix, with influences ranging from Chicago house to 90s trip-hop. Producer Stuart Price, who worked on the original Confessions, returns, lending a cohesive feel.
According to the review, Confessions II is rich with references to Madonna's career, including nods to Bedtime Stories, Ray of Light, and her 1982 debut single 'Everybody'. The duet with her daughter Lourdes, 'The Test', serves as a sequel to 'Little Star' from Ray of Light.
Lyrical vulnerability and nostalgia
Madonna's lyrics are notably reflective and vulnerable. Songs like 'Danceteria' paint vivid pictures of 80s New York, namechecking artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, while 'LES Girl' recalls a bohemian ex. The most affecting track is 'Fragile', a eulogy to her late brother Christopher, with lines like 'we shared a fragile bond … don't forget about me, don't forget to be happy'. 'The Test' is filled with maternal remorse: 'You didn't ask for all the flashing lights.'
The album also features a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter on 'Bring Your Love', which borrows from Inner City's 'Good Life'. An acid line erupts in 'Love Without Words', and 'One Step Away' recalls Mr Fingers' deep house with its understated piano.
Commercial context and fan reception
Confessions on a Dance Floor sold 10 million copies, while Madame X shifted only half a million. Confessions II is seen as an attempt to win back fans who drifted away, but the review argues it doesn't feel craven. The album eschews cutting-edge trends for tried-and-tested sounds, including UK garage rhythms in 'Fragile' and 'Good for the Soul', and Euro pop-dance in 'Read My Lips'.
While the album lacks an undeniable pop banger like 'Hung Up', 'Danceteria' comes close with its bright-hued disco house. The review notes that Confessions II is nearly 10 minutes longer than the original and could lose a couple of tracks, but concludes it's Madonna's best album since Confessions on a Dance Floor.
