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Madonna Announces 'Bedtime Stories – The Untold Chapter' EP with Early Demos and Never-Before-Seen Images
READ TIME: 4 MIN.
Madonna has unveiled plans to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her critically acclaimed 1994 album Bedtime Stories with a special EP release that offers fans a rare glimpse into the creative process behind one of her most sonically adventurous works. The announcement, made on October 9, 2025, introduces 'Bedtime Stories – The Untold Chapter,' an eight-track collection of early demos, alternate versions, and rarities that traces the evolution of the album's signature R&B-influenced sound .
The companion EP is scheduled for release on November 28, 2025, arriving three decades after the original album transformed Madonna's artistic direction and solidified her reputation as a musical innovator willing to take bold creative risks .
For this anniversary release, Madonna reunited with Stuart Price, the acclaimed producer who collaborated with her on the 2005 album Confessions on a Dance Floor. Price played a crucial role in shaping the EP, editing and mixing previously unreleased versions into a cohesive new chapter that honors the spirit of the original album while offering fresh perspectives on its material .
The decision to work with Price on this project demonstrates Madonna's commitment to presenting archival material with the same level of production quality that defined her original work. His involvement ensures that these demos and alternate versions maintain sonic clarity while preserving their historical significance as artifacts of the creative process.
The eight-track EP features a carefully curated selection of material from the Bedtime Stories recording sessions. The collection includes a Quiet Storm Demo Remix of "Survival," an Allstar New Single Mix of "Secret" that was originally released on the UK 2CD edition of the Bedtime Story single, and Original Demo Edits of "Right On Time," "Don't Stop," and "Love Won't Wait" .
Additional tracks include a Short Mix of "Freedom," a Howie Tee New Clean Edit of "Human Nature" taken from the original promo maxi single, and a Rough Single Mix of "Let Down Your Guard." Many of these versions have never been released to the public, making this EP an essential addition for Madonna collectors and music historians interested in the artistic development of one of her most influential albums .
The visual component of 'The Untold Chapter' holds equal significance to its musical content. The EP's artwork features previously unseen images from a 1994 photography session with renowned Italian photographer Paolo Roversi, whose work was originally used for the Bedtime Story single .
Roversi's ethereal, dreamlike photographic style perfectly captured the introspective and sensual atmosphere that defined the Bedtime Stories era. The newly revealed images offer fans a deeper look at the visual aesthetic Madonna was exploring during this transformative period in her career. These photographs will be featured not only on the EP's cover but also on a set of three exclusive postcards included with vinyl and deluxe edition purchases .
'Bedtime Stories – The Untold Chapter' will be available in several formats designed to appeal to both casual listeners and dedicated collectors. The EP will be pressed on 180-gram black vinyl with a soft-touch picture sleeve, available for $29.98 USD .
Orders placed through Madonna.com and Rhino.com will include the exclusive set of three postcards featuring the never-before-seen Paolo Roversi photographs. The EP will also be available digitally for streaming and download .
For completists, a deluxe 2CD edition will be released, featuring the original Bedtime Stories album on the first disc and 'The Untold Chapter' EP on the second disc. This version comes in a multi-panel digipack with a 20-page booklet containing lyrics and illustrations, along with the exclusive postcard set .
Additionally, the original Bedtime Stories album will be reissued on silver vinyl on November 28, available at select retailers. Orders from Madonna.com and Rhino.com will include an exclusive poster .
Released in 1994, Bedtime Stories marked a significant departure from Madonna's previous work, showcasing a more introspective and R&B-influenced sound that contrasted sharply with the provocative imagery of her Erotica era. The album represented a creative rebirth for the artist, demonstrating her ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical landscapes while maintaining her artistic integrity .
The album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. It spawned several hit singles including "Take a Bow," which became one of Madonna's longest-running number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as "Secret" and "Human Nature," both of which became staples of her live performances .
Bedtime Stories is now widely regarded as one of Madonna's most sonically adventurous and commercially successful albums, representing a pivotal moment in her career when she successfully navigated the transition from the controversies of the early 1990s to a more mature artistic phase .
Throughout her four-decade career, Madonna has been a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a cultural icon within the community. Her willingness to challenge social norms, embrace diverse identities, and create music that speaks to themes of liberation, self-expression, and acceptance has made her an enduring figure in LGBTQ+ culture.
The Bedtime Stories era, while more subdued than some of her other periods, continued this tradition of boundary-pushing artistry. The album's themes of vulnerability, emotional honesty, and personal transformation resonated with audiences across all communities, including LGBTQ+ listeners who have long found solace and inspiration in Madonna's willingness to reveal her authentic self.
As Madonna continues to celebrate her extensive catalog through anniversary releases and archival projects, she reinforces her commitment to preserving and sharing her artistic legacy with both longtime fans and new generations of listeners. The release of 'The Untold Chapter' demonstrates that even three decades later, the creative process behind Bedtime Stories remains relevant and worthy of examination.
All formats of 'Bedtime Stories – The Untold Chapter' are currently available for pre-order through Madonna.com, Rhino.com, and select music retailers. Items are expected to ship during the week of November 28, 2025 .
The release of this anniversary collection offers fans a unique opportunity to revisit one of Madonna's most critically acclaimed albums while discovering previously unheard material that provides insight into her creative process during one of the most fascinating periods of her career.