Madonna Just Pulled A Beyonce With Her New Album, 'Rebel Heart'
Early Saturday morning, the Material Girl gave fans a holiday surprise of epic proportions: An album announcement and six new songs to download instantly. It's official, guys: Madge's 13th studio album is called Rebel Heart and you can pre-order it right now. Once you do, you'll unlock six tracks from the LP: "Living For Love," "Devil Pray," "Ghosttown," "Unapologetic Bitch," "Illuminati" and "Bitch I'm Madonna (feat. Nicki Minaj)."
The release comes days after 13 rough demos of Madonna's new record hit the Internet, which Madge called "artistic rape" in an Instagram post that was later deleted. The pop queen was also the victim of hackers around Thanksgiving when early cuts of her tracks "Rebel Heart" and "Wash All Over Me" hit the Web.
— Madonna (@Madonna) December 20, 2014
"I was hoping to release my new single 'Living for Love' on Valentine's Day with the rest of the album coming in the spring," Madonna said in a statement. "I would prefer my fans to hear completed versions of some of the songs instead of the incomplete tracks that are circulating. Please consider these six songs as an early Christmas gift." According to a press release sent by Madonna's team, producers on Rebel Heart include Diplo —a frequent face on Madge's Instagram — Kanye West and Billboard.
And it looks like she's reinvented herself again. The six new tracks on Rebel Heart sound fresh while still remaining true to Madonna's dancehall roots. "Living For Love" recalls the '90s nightclub euphoria of Erotica with a new dubstep flavor. "Devil Pray" harkens back to her American Life aesthetic, blending pounding electro beats with handclaps and guitar riffs.
"Ghosttown," the only ballad, features tight production and an ear-crashing chorus that is pure pop bliss. "Unapologetic Bitch"— one of M's favorite Instagram hashtags and what many thought would be the album's title — is a reggae/techno hybrid that has our girl calling out a former flame for his "selfish bullshit."
"Illuminati" is sure to have everyone talking. In this slow-burning track that sounds like an updated "Love Lockdown," Madonna pokes fun at the so-called "secret society" of celebrities and politicians who control world events. "The all-seeing eye is watching tonight, nothing to hide —secrets inside," Madonna sings over a bubbly bridge.
"Bitch I'm Madonna" might be the most Madonna song ever recorded. The "Turn Down for What"- esque party jam has M screaming, "we go hard or we go home" and features her third collaboration with Minaj (the first two were 2012's "Give Me All Your Luvin" and "I Don't Give A"). This may just be the "It's Britney, bitch" of 2015.
While more tracks will come out February 9, the full Rebel Heart album is slated for an early March release. It will include 19 songs.
Are you ready for new Madonna music? Let us know what you think of the released tracks in the comments below. And also catch up on the latest episode of the hilarious parody, 'Madonna Dearest.'
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[Photo: Getty Images]