"Madame X" marks Madonna's fourteenth studio album, released in June 2019 as her final record with Interscope Records. Inspired by her life in Lisbon, Portugal, where she relocated in 2017 for her son's education, the album showcases a departure from her previous work, blending Latin, trap, art pop, and world music influences.
As a concept album, "Madame X" delves into themes of political and social relevance, including sexism, gun control, freedom of speech, racism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Madonna collaborated with various musicians over 18 months to create the album, featuring guest appearances by artists such as Maluma, Quavo, Swae Lee, and Anitta.
Despite its experimental nature, "Madame X" received positive reviews from critics, who praised its progressive sound and deemed it Madonna's best effort since "Confessions on a Dance Floor" (2005). The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, marking Madonna's ninth chart-topping album in the United States. It also achieved success internationally, reaching high positions in multiple countries.
To promote the album, Madonna performed on various television shows and embarked on the Madame X Tour, an all-theatre tour across North America and Europe. The tour was documented in the film "Madame X" (2021). Overall, "Madame X" showcases Madonna's continued evolution as an artist and her willingness to explore new musical territories.
