If you’re a member of a very vocal Madonna fan group on Facebook, like myself, then you know that right now the MLVC fandom is divided about what they want to hear from Madonna’s upcoming fourteenth studio album Madame X, set to arrive June 14th.
One side wants to hear Madge go back to the electronic and dance vibes of her past albums Music (2000) or Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). The other side, though, is ALL IN with the internationally-inspired and creatively-collaborative vibes coming from what Madame X producer Mirwais describes as her forthcoming “global futuristic album.”
With today’s release of the reggae-flavored “Future,” the fourth song revealed from the new album, and her second collaboration with Migos member Quavo, it’s clear from the song’s lyrics and its Jamaican vibe that Madonna is not looking back.
Over an electronic-tinged dancehall beat co-produced by Diplo (who starred in her super-fun Madame X Tour announcement video), Madonna surfs a summer vibe while asking us to move forward with her to a more “woke” way of life (and, possibly, the global feel of the new album?)
But, the Queen of Pop is aware that not everyone will want to join the journey (“Not everyone is coming to the future / Not everyone is learning from the past”), even though this is probably their only chance to align themselves a more creative, loving way of living (“Come give hope / Come give life / Only get one, so we gotta live it right.”)
“Welcome to the future, it’s a culture ride,” Quavo adds, along with an invitation to change what you don’t like about yourself: “Don't like the person in your past, so you let 'em die.”
Madonna and Quavo are set to perform “Future” live on Saturday during the Grand Finale of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Madonna will also perform “Like a Prayer,” accompanied by a 35-member choir, in celebration of the iconic song’s 30th anniversary.
UPDATE 5/19/19: Watch Madonna’s performance of “Like a Prayer” and “Future” during yesterday’s Eurovision Song Contest event below.
LISTEN: