Madonna announced in Rolling Stone last week that she will release a new album in 2026: a sequel to Confessions on a Dance Floor. The decision carries weight not only because of the music itself but also because she is returning to Warner Records, the label that launched her career in the 1980s. In her own words: “Almost two decades later, and it feels like home with Warner Records! Back to music, back to the dance floor, back to where it all began! COADF-P.2 2026.”

When Confessions came out in 2005, it was a turning point: a continuous, club-oriented record that connected disco and electronic traditions to mainstream pop. Calling this new project COADF-P.2 suggests that Madonna sees a similar need today. Reports indicate that Stuart Price, her collaborator on the first Confessions, is involved again, which hints at continuity but also raises questions about how they will adapt the sound for 2026. Madonna recently featured images of her and Stuart Price in London.

As always, Madonna emphasises that her work is not just about music but about dialogue. “Making music, doing the unexpected while perhaps provoking a few needed conversations,” she explained.

This will be her first new studio album since Madame X in 2019. While she has revisited her back catalogue in recent years, the announcement signals a fresh chapter. Yet Madonna has rarely repeated herself directly, often using familiar frameworks as a way to shift direction. This time, she’s looking to her last very successful album.

By re-engaging with Warner and revisiting one of her most influential records, Madonna is reconnecting with her foundations while signalling that she still wants to shape what comes next.