MUMBAI: Madonna’s 11th studio album for Warner Bros. Records, Hard Candy, is scheduled to have a global release on 28 April and a US release on 29 April, it was confirmed by her label. Hard Candy is a follow-up to Madonna’s Confessions on the Dance Floor, which debuted at number one in 30 countries and sold over 8 million copies.

It Hard Candy has been described as a brilliant up-tempo collection of 12 songs in which Madonna remains ensconced in club mode but this time adds an urban hip hop beat in collaboration with musical partners Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and Nate ‘Danja’ Hills. The debut single, the pulsating 4 Minutes, will be released at the end of March.

"The title is a juxtaposition of tough and sweetness… kind of like I’m gonna kick your ass but it’s going to make you feel good. And of course, I love candy," laughed Madonna.