Madonna and Stuart Price Reunite: What to Expect from Her New Album
Why Madonna’s next album might be her most important since Confessions — and how Stuart Price is helping her rewrite pop’s present.
Billy Riegelmann - Lifelong Madonna historian. Seen her live over 100 times. Still counting.
It’s been five long years since Madonna last released an album. In that time, the pop landscape has shifted dramatically—TikTok became a hitmaker, disco came back in vogue, and a wave of younger artists claimed their own thrones. But now, the Queen of Pop is preparing to return—and she’s bringing a secret weapon with her: Stuart Price.
For fans like me who’ve followed her entire career with an archivist’s eye and a superfan’s heart, this isn’t just exciting—it’s monumental. Madonna and Price haven’t made a full album together since 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor, a record many of us consider her last true masterpiece. That era wasn’t just a career high point; it was a cultural reset. And now, nearly 20 years later, the pair are back together following Price’s recent role as musical director on the Celebration Tour—a move that has fans expecting something big.
Stuart Price: The Architect of Her Greatest Late-Era Reinvention
To understand why this reunion matters, you have to look back to the mid-2000s. Stuart Price—then her musical director—joined Madonna on the Re-Invention Tour in 2004. While on the road, the two began sketching out what would become Confessions on a Dance Floor, a seamless journey through disco, electro, and catharsis. When it dropped in 2005, it was clear: lightning had struck.
They continued their magic with the Confessions Tour (2006), which featured a glitter-drenched, dance-forward setlist that redefined what a pop concert could be. After that, Madonna moved into new sonic territory with different collaborators, and Kevin Antunes took over as musical director for several tours.
But in 2023, for the Celebration Tour, Stuart returned—and his influence was undeniable. It wasn’t just a retrospective; it was a clinic in how to modernize and elevate legacy material. From reimagined setlists to bold production design, the show was a masterclass in balancing nostalgia with reinvention. It confirmed what fans already knew: Price understands Madonna’s musical DNA better than almost anyone. The genre-blending transitions and futuristic soundscapes weren’t just tour highlights—they offered a clear glimpse at what’s next: an evolved album grounded in the music that made her a legend.
Listen: Stuart Price’s opening set from the Celebration Tour — the perfect primer for what’s coming next.
A New Album, After the Longest Gap in Her Career
Let’s talk timing. Madame X, her last studio album, was released in June 2019. That’s six years ago—the longest gap between studio albums in Madonna’s career.
Historically, she’s been quick to reinvent:
Ray of Light (1998) → Music (2000): 2 years
Confessions (2005) → Hard Candy (2008): 3 years
Rebel Heart (2015) → Madame X (2019): 4 years
This six-year stretch? Unprecedented. But not unproductive. She released Finally Enough Love, staged the intimate Madame X Tour, began (and paused) work on her biopic, and overcame a serious health scare. Most recently, she delivered the global Celebration Tour, proving once again she can dominate a stage like no one else.
So when Madonna teased new music with Price in late 2024—via a behind-the-scenes Instagram reel—the reaction was immediate.
“Working on new music with Stuart Price these past few months has been medicine for my SOUL… Who wants to hear new music in 2025?”
We do. All of us.
Is Pop Music Ready for Madonna’s Next Move?
Pop is in a nostalgic phase. Disco, house, and electroclash are back in style. Artists like Dua Lipa, Jessie Ware, Beyoncé, and Kylie Minogue are reviving the very sounds Madonna pioneered.
In 2021, she dropped a remix of “Hung Up” with Tokischa to tap into the TikTok generation. It created buzz but divided longtime fans. The same could be said of her features with Dua Lipa (“Levitating”), The Weeknd (“Popular”), and Sam Smith (“Vulgar”). While they kept her in the cultural conversation, they often felt like branding plays rather than creative milestones.
This time feels different. There’s no sign (yet) of trendy features or overt streaming bait. And fans who felt sidelined during Madame X are hoping for something more authentic. Because Madonna doesn’t need to chase trends—she sets them.
A Message to Madonna: Don’t Forget Your Day-Ones
If there’s one thing longtime fans are hoping for, it’s this:
Don’t forget the people who’ve been dancing with you since the beginning.
In recent years, Madonna’s promotional rollouts have prioritized viral moments over fan connection. But she’s always branded herself as one of the people—a star who’s not afraid to meet her fans where they are.
For this era, we want:
A real promo tour
Pop-up appearances
Club visits (Madonna on the dance floor, not just the feed)
Even casual signing events or fan meetups
Small-scale moments like these create lifelong loyalty. And right now, more than a campaign, we want connection. Madonna’s legacy is built on pushing boundaries—but it’s also built on making us feel like we were part of the journey. This is a perfect chance to do that again.
The Dancefloor Is Ready—And So Are We
From my perspective as a lifelong Madonna superfan, this moment feels special. It’s a convergence of past brilliance and future potential. We’re on the cusp of what fans cheekily call the “M15 era,” and everything points toward a standout chapter.
Yes, there are questions: Can she capture the magic of Confessions? Will new tracks chart? But Madonna’s at her best when she’s personally invested—and it’s clear she is. From the studio dance clips to the throwback outfits, she seems energized and focused. That blend of reflection and innovation? That’s when Madonna makes her boldest moves.
This isn’t just fan hype—it’s a moment of legacy coming full circle. Stuart Price isn’t just familiar with her catalog—he’s a connoisseur of it. On the Celebration Tour, he reimagined tracks like “Like a Prayer” and “Into the Groove” with reverence and edge. His production doesn’t dilute Madonna—it distills her essence.
And now, we’re on the verge of hearing what that essence sounds like in 2025.
So when Madonna asks: “Who wants to hear new music?”
We answer: We do. 💃 Loudly. With glitter. And maybe a lace glove.
Let’s dance.