Madonna Album Rumors: No To RedOne, Yes To Diagram Of The Heart

Becky Bain | July 6, 2011 11:25 am

Now that Madonna has officially started working on her first album in three years, it’s time to revive our favorite soap opera, Madonna Album Rumors! In today’s saucy tale of intrigue, the Material Girl allegedly disses a hot producer, looks outside of the mainstream for her musical inspirations, and finds her “Way Back Home”. Indulge in some rumor-mongering below!

Reports Digital Spy (via Madonna fan site Queen Madonna), Madonna has turned down the opportunity to work with heavily sought-after producer RedOne (who produced Lady Gaga’s Born This Way as well as more songs than we have room to mention) in favor of collaborating with up-and-coming talent.

“She’s the writer of almost all of the new lyrics,” a source claims. “Producer Joe Henry is involved in two songs so far. Most of the other producers are not so famous. Her record company wanted her to work with renowned producers such as RedOne, which she refused to do.”

Joe Henry, by the by, is Madonna’s brother-in-law, and is usually associated with bluesy rock (Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello) than pop. MTV also reports that French electro producer Martin Solveig (Dragonette) has been working with Madge on her new album.

Her musical inspirations this time around are reportedly Jessica 6, Beth Ditto and The Sound Of Arrows. Diagram Of The Heart have also sent in a demo that Madonna has already recorded (reportedly titled “Way Back Home”) that “starts off with some piano and violins then [turns] into a dance track.”

So, if these rumors are to be believed, we’re in for some 70s-sounding electro rock and Euro-pop? Not exactly breaking boundaries there, but we always give Madonna the benefit of the doubt that she’ll put her own spin on things. Beth Ditto is also an interesting name to throw in there, since the Gossip singer was influenced by Madge’s “Justify My Love” for her recent video for “I Wrote The Book”:

What would you like to hear on Madonna’s new album? How about a new Lady Gaga collaboration to make up for the disappointing last one?