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Madonna still sees late brother Chris and sings about pain of losing him on ace new album - first review

Madonna sings when I'm alone I see you standing there" about her late brother Chris in moving new song, Fragile and believes "energy never dies" - the first review of Confessions II

[Madonna]

Brother don't preach, Madonna and late brother Chris in happier times(Image: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Madonna opens up about the pain of losing her brother Christopher Ciccone on her new album and says she still sees him.

The siblings were estranged for a number of years partly due to Christopher's 2008 tell-all memoir, but reconciled shortly before his death from cancer in 2024 aged 63.

In a new ballad, Fragile from her Confessions II LP, Madonna reflects on Chris and sings of their special bond and how she still sees him because energy never dies.

The lyrics go: when I'm alone I see you standing there / and I feel whole.

You said don't forget about me, don't forget to be free."

[Madonna]

True Blue star turns true pink on Confessions II(Image: Rafael Pavarotti/PR HANDOUT)

She continues: I know youre fragile cos youve been hurt and let down, you couldnt be yourself now, you had a nervous breakdown / youve been hurt before."

At the start of the track Madonna says life is "just a portal we are going through" suggesting that she expects to see her brother again.

A synthesised vocoded voice part responds to Madonna towards the conclusion, which could be interpreted as somebody answering her.

Mourning her loss Madonna also sings: "we shared a name, a home, we shared a special bond, now you're gone.

[Madonna]

Madonna also sings with daughter Lourdes on new LP

"We laughed we cried we had each other's eyes and we belonged."

British producer Stuart Price who penned the song with Madonna said of the track: Madonnas gone on record to say she lost her brother during the making of the record.

"It was a process of grieving and the most powerful music is shared experience.

FIRST REVIEW

MADONNA / Confessions II ****

[Madonna]

Confessions II is Madonna's best LP in years(Image: Rafael Pavarotti/PR HANDOUT)

Her best album in years, the Queen of Pop barely comes up for air on this club friendly epic that is mixed as one continuous track.

Towards the end things get even more interesting as she dips into jazzy textures on Betrayl and even a Beatles-esque pop moment reflecting on her early career called LES .

Theres no Kylie Minogue collab as previously teased but her duet with daughter Lourdes on The Test is a beautiful apology for putting you on a pedestal and shows the musical family jewels are in good hands.

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