BBCcom_Content_Index_for_March_20_2022.txt
'Her vulnerability still resonates deeply' Why Madonna's Ray of Light is 2025's hottest album.txt
'Her vulnerability still resonates deeply': Why Madonna's Ray of Light is love in flames of war legendado2025's hottest albumSkip to contentBritish Broadcasting CorporationRegisterSign InHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewsletters'Her vulnerability still resonates deeply': Why Madonna's Ray of Light is 2025's hottest album31 July 2025ShareSaveNick LevineShareSaveGetty Images(Credit: Getty Images)From FKA Twigs to Addison Rae, many of today's hottest pop stars are taking inspiration from Madonna's swirling 1998 masterpiece. What is it that has made the album such a touchstone?Madonna's varied discography is a mother lode of musical inspiration. With her early albums such as 1984's Like a Virgin, 1986's True Blue and 1989's Like a Prayer, she helped to invent the concept of the instantly recognisable, clearly delineated pop "era". But, during the past year or so, a slightly more recent Madonna album has become a touchstone for a new generation of musicians – 1998's Ray of Light, a cutting-edge collection of swirling electronica, which she largely crafted with British producer William Orbit."It's the perfect blend of pop sensibility and electronic innovation: it manages to deliver both, which is rare," Welsh electronic musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens tells the BBC. Owens, who cites Ray of Light as a major influence on her 2024 album Dreamstate, believes Madonna's masterpiece feels like "something that was fated to be made" in that "it was created at exactly the right time and place and has now become timeless".Getty ImagesMadonna on set filming the video for Ray of Light, the title track of her multi-award-winning 1998 album (Credit: Getty Images)British singer-songwriter Mae Muller also drew from Ray of Light while working on her new EP My Island, which was released earlier this month. Muller says the album's euphoric title track helped to put her in "a magic place of nostalgic melancholy" that made her "want to dance", which is her "favourite place" musically.The album's spin on 90s electronica – beautifully fluid and flecked with techno and trip-hop – is disarmingly contemporary once moreThis year alone, music critics have detected Ray of Light's sonic legacy in acclaimed albums by British avant-pop alchemist FKA Twigs (Eusexua), Portuguese-born Danish R&B musician Erika de Casier (Lifetime) and US TikTok creator-turned-pop singer Addison Rae (Addison). The album's aqueous-sounding spin on 1990s electronica – beautifully fluid and flecked with techno and trip-hop – is disarmingly contemporary once more. In March, former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall (now known as JADE) released a suitably dramatic cover of Frozen, Ray of Light's chart-topping lead single. She said she was drawn to Madonna's haunting ballad because "it feels like a mix of genres" and "isn't your typical pop song". In a way, this cuts to the crux of Ray of Light's enduring appeal: because the album was such a cultural disruptor when it came out, it retains a rare cachet more than 27 years later.Getty ImagesAddison Rae is among the contemporary artists whose work displays influences of the 1998 Madonna album (Credit: Getty Images)Now, Madonna herself is revisiting the Ray of Light era with an accompanying (if somewhat belated) remix album called Veronica Electronica. Just released, it collects seven club-centric reworkings of songs from the original LP alongside one previously unreleased demo: the resilient break-up song Gone Gone Gone. When Madonna announced Veronica Electronica's release in June, a post on her website explained that it was "originally envisioned by Madonna as a remix album in 1998", but the project was "ultimately sidelined by the original album's runaway success and parade of hit singles that dominated the spotlight for more than a year".No self-respecting pop star undersells their achievements, but this isn't hyperbole. When Ray of Light was released in February 1998, it debuted at number one in 17 countries and at number two in the US. In the UK, it spawned no fewer than five top 10 singles: Frozen, the pulsating title track, the reflective ballad Drowned World/Substitute for Love, a touching double A-side of The Power of Good-Bye and Little Star, and the existential club anthem Nothing Really Matters. Ray of Light would go on to sell 16 million copies globally: an especially impressive total given that Madonna released the album when she was 39, a challenging age for female performers who refuse to narrow their ambitions.Getty ImagesRay of Light's influence can be heard on the album Eusexia by British artist FKA Twigs (Credit: Getty Images)By this point, she was no stranger to railing against a toxic blend of sexism and ageism. In a 1992 interview on the BBC chat show Jonathan Ross Presents, she lamented the fact that "once you reach a certain age, you’re not allowed to be adventurous" and called out critics who she claimed were already saying: "That's so pathetic, I hope she's not still doing that in 10 years." A year after its release, Ray of Light collected three Grammy awards, including one for best pop album. Perhaps surprisingly, Madonna's only previous Grammy win had been in the best music video, long form category back in 1992, for Blond Ambition World Tour Live. At the time, the overwhelmingly positive critical response to Ray of Light helped to dispel lingering suggestions that Madonna's career was a triumph of style over substance. Music critic Robert Christgau wryly alluded to this line of thinking in his review of the singer's 1990 compilation album The Immaculate Collection when he imagined naysayers complaining that she was "all image" and "couldn't have done it without MTV".Cutting-edge electronicaBut, perhaps most remarkably of all, Ray of Light helped to usher underground dance sounds into the musical mainstream. Mostly co-produced by Madonna and Orbit, with contributions from the singer's longtime collaborator Patrick Leonard and another forward-thinking British record producer, Marius de Vries, it minted a distinctive, sonically stunning mix of electronica, trip-hop, techno, ambient and new-age music. Writer and editor Alex Frank, who reviewed Ray of Light for online magazine Pitchfork in 2017, says this blend would have sounded especially fresh to US listeners who bought the album when it first came out.Ray of Light's primary components are all things that have been coming back into vogue – Shaad D'Souza"The cutting-edge electronica of the UK and Europe had trickled over to America in fits and starts in the 1990s, but at least chart-wise, it was nowhere near at the same level [as in Europe]," Frank tells the BBC. Crucially, this exhilarating new musical direction helped to differentiate Madonna from her contemporaries. Frank says the US mainstream at the time was dominated by "big ballads from Celine Dion and Mariah Carey, R&B and hip-hop songs, plus some pop-country from artists like Shania Twain".Though Ray of Light is more than 27 years old, writer Shaad D'Souza believes it's "probably the Madonna album that sounds the best in 2025". He concedes that the production does "sound a little bit dated" in places – an inevitability in the ever-changing world of pop music – but also notes that "its primary components are all things that have been coming back into vogue". The album’s sporadic Britpop-style guitar riffs feel sweetly nostalgic in the year that Oasis are mounting a massively anticipated reunion tour.More like this:? Intimate images of 'the real Hotel California'? Why Lady Gaga's comeback hits the spot? The album that sent shockwaves through the '00sD'Souza believes the Ray of Light renaissance has been several years in the making, spearheaded by some "slightly more underground albums" – among them, Australian trip-hop duo ASO's eponymous 2023 debut, and the same year's National Wonder Beauty Concept, a collaboration between Ecuadorian producer DJ Python and US experimental musician Ana Roxanne. But he tells the BBC that Ray of Light has become a red-hot reference point in 2025 because "we're at a fulcrum point where pop music is being taken seriously by everyone".Ricardo GomesMadonna, pictured here in 2025, went deep on Ray of Light with some of her most personal lyrics, including about the death of her mother (Credit: Ricardo Gomes)This presents ambitious artists with a potential dilemma – or at least a fresh challenge: "What differentiates the really serious and craft-driven stuff from the less important stuff?" Drawing from a period in Madonna's career when she was "trying to change the musical landscape for the better" by adopting an "auteur-like approach to pop music" is one way of showing you're serious about your craft.Revelatory songwritingStill, Ray of Light's intoxicating sonic cocktail wouldn't pack such a punch if the album didn't contain some of Madonna's most ruminative and revelatory songwriting. She celebrates the birth of her daughter Lourdes on the lovely Little Star, but also confronts the death of her mother on the astonishingly stark album closer Mer Girl. "And I smelled her burning flesh, her rotting bones, her decay," Madonna sings in hushed tones. "I ran and I ran, I'm still running away." Owens says the overall effect is "so emotionally raw and sonically intimate" that what Madonna is singing about, a devastating visit to her mother's grave, "feels almost tangible somehow".Its spiritual streak is another reason why it chimes with so many contemporary artistsElsewhere, Madonna explores the essential emptiness of fame on Drowned World/Substitute for Love, social unrest on Swim, and her yearning for human connection on standout album tracks Skin and Sky Fits Heaven. Frank believes Ray of Light's spiritual streak is another reason why it chimes with so many contemporary artists. "A sense of the spiritual and introspective is all over pop music now," he says. "When you listen to Charli XCX's [2024 album] Brat or Ariana Grande's most recent album [last year's Eternal Sunshine], they're soundtracking their journey of spirituality and self-care – their search for meaning – on top of a foundation of electronica."Ricardo GomesThe album Veronica Electronica is a collection of new remixes from the earlier LP (Credit: Ricardo Gomes)On one occasion, Madonna takes her quest for spiritual enlightenment a little too far. The album track Shanti/Ashtangi, which she sings in the ancient Indo-European language Sanskrit, sets lines from an Indian hymn, the Yoga Travali, to a rattling techno beat. It's doubtless well-intentioned, but also feels like crass cultural appropriation coming from a world-famous white woman. In a way, though, Ray of Light's occasional flaw only adds to its appeal. "The album feels 100% authentic to Madonna, which is what people have always wanted from music, but maybe even more so today," Muller says. Owens agrees, saying that while "the electronic landscape Orbit created is timeless", Madonna's "vulnerability still resonates deeply" too. For this reason, Ray of Light's influence seems unlikely to wane. It's an album that redefined, and continues to shape, the kind of music that pop stars can make and achieve success with.Veronica Electronica by Madonna is out now on Warner Records--If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week.For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.Musicmusic-historyFeaturesWatchInside the 1950s house that shaped a British rock legendSir Paul McCartney's childhood home in Liverpool offers a rare glimpse into the early life of a global icon.20 Aug 2025BBC SelectWhy Elton John burst into tears after recording a songThe musician explains a heavy moment thinking about the lyrics of a song from his forthcoming album.17 Mar 2025MusicHow a performance lab is putting musicians to the test BBC Click visits a simulator lab that allows musicians to practice performance in real-world conditions.17 Jan 2025InnovationListen to the 'earliest known country song' ever recorded A wax cylinder containing the oldest recorded country song was discovered in Pennsylvania. 18 Dec 2024MusicJennifer Lopez explains why she cancelled her tourJennifer Lopez explains why she cancelled her tour, and is surprised by a fan in the studio.23 Nov 2024MusicWhy Bruce Springsteen will never stop performing75-year-old Bruce Springsteen explains why he has no plans to stop touring.30 Oct 2024MusicWhat did we get wrong about Sinéad O'Connor?Sinéad O'Connor expert Allyson McCabe on singer's flawed legacy.10 Nov 2023MusicFrisson: Why music can give you chills or goosebumpsWhy certain music can trigger a surprisingly physiological reaction. 6 Feb 2023MusicHow can music help our memory?We discover the power of music on our memories by meeting a care home resident with dementia.1 Nov 2022MusicHow can music enhance our creativity?We explore where our musical creativity comes from, and what happens to our brains when we improvise.26 Oct 2022MusicHow music affects our mental healthAs we grow, how do we connect to music and can it help us to heal?14 Oct 2022MusicCan music shape us in the womb?Why do we move to a rhythm, are we actually born to be musical, and how does music really shape who we are?14 Oct 2022MusicAntytila: The rock band that swapped guitars for gunsAlmost six months ago, members of the rock band Antytila joined the Ukrainian army.5 Sep 2022MusicJoseph Boulogne: The musical genius you’ve never heard of17 Aug 2022MusicHow Fela Kuti and Tony Allen created a new genre of musicIn the 1960s, Fela Kuti and Tony Allen developed a whole new genre of music: Afrobeat.24 Feb 2022MusicThe team that helps a man losing his voice sing an operaFaced with motor neurone disease (MND), Paul Jameson is reclaiming his voice through opera.24 Feb 2022MusicThe drum born from a mystical forestDeep in Argentina's Santigueno forest, a legendary musical instrument is made.24 Feb 2022MusicDid David Bowie predict the rise of Kanye West?David Bowie was a visionary on so many counts, but did he really fortell the birth and rise of Kanye West?24 Feb 2022MusicThe mystical instrument that speaks with the spiritsSounding a bit like bagpipes, the qeej is used by Hmong people in Vietnam to connect with the spirit world.24 Feb 2022MusicThe musical mountaineers serenading the wildernessTwo mountaineering musicians are combining classical music with the stunning scenery of the Cascade Mountains. 24 Feb 2022MusicMore from the BBC21 hrs agoThe controversial sweet that fuels NorwegiansKnown as 'the trip chocolate', Kvikk Lunsj has fuelled outdoor adventures for generations. So, what makes this chocolate so controversial?21 hrs ago22 hrs agoHow women's pockets became so controversialWhy do men's clothes have so many pockets, and women's so few? For centuries, the humble pocket has been a flashpoint in the gender divide of fashion. Is that finally set to change?22 hrs ago23 hrs agoEarth has now passed peak farmland. What's next?The world's use of farmland has peaked, bringing the chance to turn over more space to nature. How far could the trend go?23 hrs ago2 days agoThe road trip that celebrates a musical legendMany towns and cities along the Blues Trail have planned festivals, exhibitions and live music to mark the 100th birthday of the homegrown musical legend.2 days ago2 days ago'He is an awful man': Why we are wrong about DarcyMostly miserable and even "unforgivably cruel", Jane Austen's famous romantic hero is not what he seems, writes the author Sebastian Faulks, in an exclusive extract.2 days agoBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherBBC ShopBritBoxBBC in other languagesFollow BBC on:Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyCookiesAccessibility HelpContact the BBCAdvertise with usDo not share or sell my infoBBC.com Help & FAQsContent IndexCopyright 2025 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
