Is Madame X a good place to start with Madonna?

Yes, Madame X is recommended as a starting point for new Madonna listeners. A vibrant blend of global influences, intimate storytelling, and provocative themes wrapped in dance-pop and electronic soundscapes. Released on June 14, 2019, 'Madame X' is Madonna's fourteenth studio album, following the commercial underperformance of 'Rebel Heart' (2015). At this stage in her career, Madonna embraced a more experimental approach, collaborating with a diverse array of global artists and experimenting with different musical styles, reflecting her evolution as an artist.

Madame X works well if you're into steady mid-tempo dance grooves, vibrant global sound exploration and personal narratives with energy.

How many songs are on Madame X?

Madame X has 13 tracks, running approximately 56 minutes.

Madame X

Madonna · 2019

56 min · 13 tracks · contemporary R&B

A vibrant blend of global influences, intimate storytelling, and provocative themes wrapped in dance-pop and electronic soundscapes.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Medellín Start here — This opening track features a collaboration with Maluma, merging Latin rhythms with pop sensibilities while exploring themes of romance and escapism.
→
God Control — A politically charged anthem that tackles gun violence and social issues through its upbeat tempo, blending dance music with urgent messaging.
→
I Rise — Closing the album on a note of resilience and empowerment, this track melds personal reflection with a broader call for social justice.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Madonna's 'Madame X' showcases eclectic sounds and strong production but has uneven cohesion across its tracks.

What we noticed

Several songs utilize spoken word sections interspersed with sung verses, creating a dynamic vocal delivery.
The production includes layered instrumentation that shifts between rhythmic dance beats and more subdued, atmospheric moments.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo dance grooves
vibrant global sound exploration
personal narratives with energy
late-night dance party vibes

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced instant gratification
seek traditional song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Explores new musical territories with global influences, differing from previous works.
Themes: global citizenship· Medellín romance· gun violence activism
Career context: Released on June 14, 2019, 'Madame X' is Madonna's fourteenth studio album, following the commercial underperformance of 'Rebel Heart' (2015). At this stage in her career, Madonna embraced a more experimental approach, collaborating with a diverse array of global artists and experimenting with different musical styles, reflecting her evolution as an artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Janet Jackson· Kylie Minogue· Lady Gaga

New to Madonna? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

God Control

The song shifts from an energetic dance beat to a stark spoken interlude addressing gun violence directly.

This transition disrupts the celebratory atmosphere, forcing listeners to confront uncomfortable realities amidst the infectious rhythm.