2019: Madonna Recap!

[MarXus 92]

Dear members!  2019 has drawn to a close.  Our Queen Madonna gave us another exciting new era of looks, music, videos, interviews and tour.  Whether you favored the era or not, let's keep this one positive by posting all your favorite moments from Madonna this past year.  In other words, let's create a thread of our favorite memories from this era.  Please include your favorite images, interviews, looks, remixes, videos, songs, etc.  Also include any experiences this year that made this era memorable whether that be the release of the songs, album, interviews or the tour.  And to gauge/grade how we all felt about the era, feel free to "react" to my post here by selecting a:  

• Heart = "ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE ERA"
• Thanks = "Thanks, but next era please!"
• Laughing Heart = "Madame X was fun, but not her best"
• Wow = "Best Madonna ERA Ever"
• Sad = "Disappointing era, but some enjoyable moments"

 

[dylanlioncourt 5,780]

I can't even rate it. The album, photo direction, the videos, the generous singles and promo singles really broke the pattern from the 3-4 singles she had been doing since Music. It was good seeing so much heart, creativity and work put into everything considering how expensive and far in advanced she had shots videos like God Control before they were planned on being released. We also got another documentary (a short one yes) that has behind the scenes of video shoots, the MX album shoot and other bits that were teased and finally explained.

I would say some of my favorite moments where when she changed her Instagram profile pic to the closeup of her mouth and riding crop that drove every fan crazy and the teasing that began. It took a fan on PopJustice deciphering the missing words with the manifesto that the album was indeed called Madame X, along with the MX videos and gifs, the Spotify playlist using her song titles to spell it out, the promo video set to "Extreme Occident/Killers" that finally got us perched for a new Madonna era.

So many wonderful moments! 
 

[MarXus 92]

10 minutes ago, thelioncourtheart_ said:

I can't even rate it. The album, photo direction, the videos, the generous singles and promo singles really broke the pattern from the 3-4 singles she had been doing since Music. It was good seeing so much heart, creativity and work put into everything considering how expensive and far in advanced she had shots videos like God Control before they were planned on being released. We also got another documentary (a short one yes) that has behind the scenes of video shoots, the MX album shoot and other bits that were teased and finally explained.

I would say some of my favorite moments where when she changed her Instagram profile pic to the closeup of her mouth and riding crop that drove every fan crazy and the teasing that began. It took a fan on PopJustice deciphering the missing words with the manifesto that the album was indeed called Madame X, along with the MX videos and gifs, the Spotify playlist using her song titles to spell it out, the promo video set to "Extreme Occident/Killers" that finally got us perched for a new Madonna era.

So many wonderful moments! 
 

Oh gosh, I almost forgot about that time where she just posted numerous images, making out the big X and then her slowly unveiling the manifesto. I remember how exciting that felt. 

Thank you for sharing some of your favorite moments!  Continue to do so, if you can think of anything else. 

[dylanlioncourt 5,780]

It's weird I can't decide what reaction. I loved the album and the videos. The styling, direction and thought behind it was spectacular even if we were expecting a visual video album. I do have minor gripes about the tour or things like Eurovision or the ticketing of the tour etc but I don't dislike it, hate it. It's one of her strongest eras with the concept album, visuals to support it, pushing something new and beyond her usual pattern. That deserves a worthy mention!

[dylanlioncourt 5,780]

Just now, MarXus said:

Oh gosh, I almost forgot about that time where she just posted numerous images, making out the big X and then her slowly unveiling the manifesto. I remember how exciting that felt. 

The fact everyone saved most of the MX promo videos, reported back with the image of Medellin Madonna slicing an apple and how the titles spelled Madame X - hilarious since she I think used EXpress Yourself to finish it.

I was impressed how that one fan did so much work finding out the font, size and spacing to somehow finish it before she posted the final thing. Can't find the image but the missing words were in red.

[MarXus 92]

1 minute ago, thelioncourtheart_ said:

It's weird I can't decide what reaction. I loved the album and the videos. The styling, direction and thought behind it was spectacular even if we were expecting a visual video album. I do have minor gripes about the tour or things like Eurovision or the ticketing of the tour etc but I don't dislike it, hate it. It's one of her strongest eras with the concept album, visuals to support it, pushing something new and beyond her usual pattern. That deserves a worthy mention!

Maybe the laughing heart....  "fun, but not her best"? 

[Voguerista 11,808]

Thanks so much for such a great topic!!  Let me see now....I think I will give this era a big HEART!!!  As all Madonna eras, I've loved it. It may not be my favorite era, but, there's a lot I have loved about it. First, I remember falling in love with the new title of the album straight up. "Madame X" just seemed so perfect for Madonna and there was such a mysteriousness to it all. Right with the first listen of the first single, Medellin, I was also in love. I was further sealed with the  Medellin video which remains to be my favorite from this era for it's dancing, cinematic producing, to the character of Madame X and I loved loved her dark hair style. I will admit, I wasn't too sold on the new album with the first listens. Though with every listen thus forward, I have fallen in love with it. I really wish I could have seen the tour. I know I would have not been disappointed. I just hope she's planning to film it so that the era is complete.

Here are some of my favorite instagrams, videos, remixes, performances, and visuals. Not all of these are official but from fans. I may need to add some in an edit since I can't get some of what I want loaded with the first publish:

 

 

 

 

[Guest Ashley]

I can't decide what reaction either. Madame X is a really interesting concept and album. I still think that M would have been better creating Madame X as a video album.

 

[Guest Ashley]

The only thing I don't like about the Madame X era is the God Control video.

There's something dark about that video and it's not due to its depiction of gun violence. It's like the video is cursed. 

[MarXus 92]

2 hours ago, Ashley said:

The only thing I don't like about the Madame X era is the God Control video.

There's something dark about that video and it's not due to its depiction of gun violence. It's like the video is cursed. 

Rather concentrate on what you dislike, maybe concentrate on all the things you enjoyed in this era. Maybe that will help you decide how to "react".  Remember, this is about celebrating era! 

[Guest Ashley]

3 minutes ago, MarXus said:

Rather concentrate on what you dislike, maybe concentrate on all the things you enjoyed in this era. Maybe that will help you decide how to "react".  Remember, this is about celebrating era! 

OK Honey! 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Ashley]

I do love the British Vogue photo shoot from the Madame X era. 

 

 

[MarXus 92]

One of the things that got me extremely excited was the early teaser she posted under the caption: "What song is Madame ❌ playing...............":

But what really had me on pins and needles is the next clip she posted which featured "Extreme Occident".  I remember thinking if this is the sound of the album, I am on board:

This was our introduction of Madame X.  And like most fans thought and hoped that there was going to be a visual type album.  Many of us hoped the different characters she was showing us, would be featured in the music videos, if not a visual documentary.  Well, it didn't go as far as that, but we got close to it with few of the videos and this documentary:   

All I can say she had me hooked!

[Guest Ashley]

I liked it when she licked Maluma down below. 

[PWCCA 2,498]

Sorry guys, but I would rate it as a level below the options given. For me, it was a very disappointing era, which is sad because with all the hype and instagram teases, I was expecting (and hoping) her to deliver something very interesting. Unfortunately, what she delivered was something rather... blah for her standards. The photoshoots and album art were rather 'samey' and uninspired, the album production was patchy and mismatched (and sounded unfinished in parts), terrible collaboration choices... and too many of them, the themes for the album and era were not consistent (she had a such a great concept with all those M-X personalities.... but it was an idea under-utilised), HORRIBLE fashion, the autotune effects on her voice made her sound like a cheap Madonna-bot, the promo was pretty weak, messy single releases, her attitude on promo and towards fans (mostly on tour) was terrible, performance promo was simply sad, and the tour.... well, what a mess! The album is pretty much an undercooked cake, made with the wrong ingredients. 

For me, this is the lowest point in what has been, for the most part, a pretty amazing career. The only positives I would say for the era are that she put more effort into the music videos. Dark Ballet, though not a good song, was a pretty impressive video. Heres hoping for a bit of back-catalogue reflection in 2020/2021 before she even considers working on album 15/16.

[PWCCA 2,498]

10 hours ago, Ashley said:

I liked it when she licked Maluma down below. 

He's not a great singer/artist, but boy did I envy her there haha

[MarXus 92]

3 hours ago, PWCCA said:

Sorry guys, but I would rate it as a level below the options given. For me, it was a very disappointing era, which is sad because with all the hype and instagram teases, I was expecting (and hoping) her to deliver something very interesting. Unfortunately, what she delivered was something rather... blah for her standards. The photoshoots and album art were rather 'samey' and uninspired, the album production was patchy and mismatched (and sounded unfinished in parts), terrible collaboration choices... and too many of them, the themes for the album and era were not consistent (she had a such a great concept with all those M-X personalities.... but it was an idea under-utilised), HORRIBLE fashion, the autotune effects on her voice made her sound like a cheap Madonna-bot, the promo was pretty weak, messy single releases, her attitude on promo and towards fans (mostly on tour) was terrible, performance promo was simply sad, and the tour.... well, what a mess! The album is pretty much an undercooked cake, made with the wrong ingredients. 

For me, this is the lowest point in what has been, for the most part, a pretty amazing career. The only positives I would say for the era are that she put more effort into the music videos. Dark Ballet, though not a good song, was a pretty impressive video. Heres hoping for a bit of back-catalogue reflection in 2020/2021 before she even considers working on album 15/16.

Well, I'm sorry you couldn't find anything enjoyable from this era. I really am!   Possibly, "Thanks, but next era, please!" would suit you.  Then again, from what I gathered from conversations with you, you haven't been happy with her for a few eras now. 

While I don't disagree with some of your dissappointments, and this was far from my favorite era, I still found it fun and quite interesting.  Maybe down the line, you'll come back and rediscover the music and videos and appreciate them more?  After all, I have a hard time believing any hardcore fan not finding something redeemable from this era?  Good luck with your Madonna journey!  I hope she'll spark your interest in the new year or in the near future. 

[IamZod 596]

Ended up becoming my second favourite Madonna album, which I really didn’t expect as I was not keen at all initially, but once I got it the whole era really grabbed me, much more so than any other release she had this last decade. 

[MarXus 92]

9 hours ago, IamZod said:

Ended up becoming my second favourite Madonna album, which I really didn’t expect as I was not keen at all initially, but once I got it the whole era really grabbed me, much more so than any other release she had this last decade. 

I think most fans needed a moment to adjust with this era.  I know I did.  It's not my favorite era, but I never felt Madonna was the type to just lie back on her classics and capitalize on it. Some can't understand that some artists are always youthful at heart. Madonna is.

[MarXus 92]

On 12/30/2019 at 9:02 PM, Ashley said:

I liked it when she licked Maluma down below. 

It's safe to assume you know she's sucking on his toe right? 

[Guest Ashley]

5 minutes ago, MarXus said:

It's safe to assume you know she's sucking on his toe right? 

Yes, I've seen the alleged leaks of Maluma and he hasn't got the length to go down that far. 

[dylanlioncourt 5,780]

Remember the excitement of the different characters in the manifesto and we'd somehow tried to guess which belonged to each song? For a second, I thought it would be an huge storyline with each single, song, video representing the story of Madame X -- how she lost her eye, certain issues around the world, the many disguises etc. I dubbed them nicknames before she revealed their inspirations and influences. The Carmen Sandiego spy, Les Miserables revolutionary, the standard image (The Frida/"Employee of the Month at Wendys" headshot") and I loved the one where she's dressed as a head of state with a table of microphones.

 

 

 

[MarXus 92]

46 minutes ago, Ashley said:

Yes, I've seen the alleged leaks of Maluma and he hasn't got the length to go down that far. 

"Alleged" is the key word here!  That said, it's not the size of the boat that so much matters, but how he captains it.

[dylanlioncourt 5,780]

14 minutes ago, MarXus said:

"Alleged" is the key word here!  That said, it's not the size of the boat that so much matters, but how he captains it.

True, I've had ex's with let's say "Ray of Light peaks" and "MDNA peaks" and I ended up like MDNA more. 

There was also this thread about an alleged porn video on ATRL where it was obviously not him but they sure did love to create fan fiction on there.

[Guest Ashley]

Tony Ward is a good fit IMO.