Madonna makes history as the first female artist to earn No. 1 albums in the U.S. across five different decades.
Madonna has once again made music history with her latest chart-topping album, Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II.
Released on July 3, the pop icon’s 15th studio album—serving as the long-awaited sequel to her 2005 classic—debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The achievement marks Madonna’s 10th No. 1 album, tying the record held by The Beatles. At 67, she also becomes the first female artist to score a No. 1 album across five different decades, further cementing her status as one of music’s most enduring and influential legends.
Madonna outperformed many of today’s younger pop stars largely through the strength of physical album sales. During its debut week, Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II sold 114,000 physical copies, while streaming contributed an additional 19,000 album-equivalent units.
Despite the impressive performance, Madonna said she never expected the album to top the charts—just as she hadn’t anticipated the success of the original Confessions on a Dance Floor in 2005.
Speaking during a BBC special with Graham Norton in June, the pop icon shared that she approaches every release without expectations. “I hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” she said, adding that the success of the first Confessions came as a complete surprise. She also described the new album as a full musical journey, saying she was excited for listeners to experience it from beginning to end.
Beyond its strong commercial debut, Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II has also earned widespread praise from music critics. Review aggregator Metacritic already ranks it among the highest-rated pop albums released in 2026, further solidifying its critical and commercial success.
Confessions on a Dance Floor: Part II was primarily produced by Stuart Price, the acclaimed producer behind Madonna’s 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor and the global smash hit “Hung Up.”
The album also features contributions from an impressive lineup of collaborators, including Martin Garrix, Cirkut, Arca, and Tainy. One of its standout moments is a special guest appearance by Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes “Lola” Leon, who joins her on the heartfelt track The Test.
Madonna co-wrote and co-produced every song on the album, with critics praising Confessions II as one of the most intimate, honest, and deeply personal projects of her four-decade career.
