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[Liam.k.]

Today marks one year since the UK release of Madonna's 13th studio album Rebel Heart. We had been teased throughout 2014 of producers, lyrics and potential music genres, but anticipation for the new album really exploded in November when glorious dance demos of 'Wash All Over Me' and the title track leaked and were met with universal praise amongst fans. Following a turbulent journey of further, more substantial leaks and attempts of redeeming the situation (the early Christmas gift of 6 completed songs; the promise of leaked songs being re-worked; the lead single and album being pushed forward), Madonna unleashed the finished result in March, available in three editions - the latter housing a whopping 25 tracks!

Rebel Heart focuses on two sides to her personality: the romantic and the rebel. This wasn't the initial plan for the album, but it became apparent that two distinct themes were emerging during the recording sessions, leading Madonna to explore this idea and what it meant to her. She proposed that contemporary artists are not encouraged to be rebellious; to speak their minds; think outside the box; take risks; and that rebellion is a key component to successful art. However, she also acknowledged that it is important not to be a rebel for the sake of it - there has to be meaning behind it; a message grounded in love and humanity. This fusion of two seemingly conflicting personality traits proved to be a good chance to reflect on her career too and consider how they've shaped her as a person and an artist, which has in turn shaped the people around her and the people that her music resonates with, and this too became a key theme in Rebel Heart. Of course, Madonna has always written records that have been revealing something about herself, but not so much in regards to past endeavours or how factors of her career have affected her, nor in such literal and hurt-driven ways, opposed to being mysterious and merging reality with fiction.

Critics and fans alike agreed that there was no doubt Rebel Heart was Madonna's best piece of work since Confessions on a Dancefloor; much of the praise stemming from the return of classic Madonna ballads which had the right balance of what were so special about them back in the 80s/90s as well as something quite refreshing: 'Ghosttown', for instance, stepped away from the subtle piano-supported ballads of old and had a bit more 'oomph' with the added drum beat, organ and synths complementing Madonna's honest vocals. Furthermore, 'Living for Love' brought together classic traits of house and gospel choirs with the sounds of now with Diplo's EDM beats. Not only was Madonna lyrically reflecting on her career, she was doing it sonically too. Other genre sounds included the likes of folk, reggae and hip-hop.

Of course, no modern Madonna album comes without its down points, but there is something for everyone, with those somethings ranking among the greats of her discography. It's undeniably an album that keeps on giving, whether that be lyrics suddenly resonating with you in a whole new way, subtle aspects of the production shining through or new songs poking their way through to the top of your affections, so how have songs changed for you on the umpteenth listen? What does the album mean to you? Is this a step in the right direction to secure Madonna's position as pop's biggest icon?