Feature …
ADONNA AT
Does Madonna risk indignity by flaunting her sexuality and trying to defy age by releasing a new album at 60? Maybe – but maybe it’s important to risk it.
I
n June this year, Madonna
But the inevitable question is:
interested in dominating the field?
released a new album.
why, then, does she feel the need
And of course, the big difference
The 60-year-old pop icon
to carry on? What could another
is that Madonna is a woman, and
managed something quite
album possibly add to her already
the world is notoriously sexist in its
spectacular – it went to number
legendary status? People have asked
harsher judgments of aging woman
one on the Billboard Charts.
the same of the likes of the Rolling
than men.
The only woman who has more
Stones and Bob Dylan. Even Paul
chart-topping albums is Barbara
McCartney raised some eyebrows
new albums and continuing to
Streisand, but overall Madonna
with his collaboration with Kanye
perform – the album coincides
remains the “highest-charting
West and Rihanna some years back.
with a tour – a brave, feminist
female musician in history as well
But ageing rock musicians are
statement? Is it a radical way
as the world's highest-grossing
starting to seem like the norm. A bit
of breaking down pop music’s
female touring musician. Madonna
like country and blues musicians,
barriers – something Madonna
is a phenomenon – so much more
old rockers are no longer unusual
has always done? Or is it just a by-
than a pop star. She’s a cultural
or remarkable. Pop, however, seems
product of relentless egotism and
force: she has moulded pop culture
to insist on youthfulness. Is pop
an undignified and childish need
in her own image for four decades.
music not synonymous with youth
to be at the centre of attention… an
Her new album, Madam X, is her
culture? And, why would a grown-
addiction to the fame machine?
14th studio album.
up – indeed, a 60-year-old – be
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SILVER DIGEST // WINTER 2019
Is her insistence on releasing
Continued …
