Madonna's new album 'Hard Candy' is scheduled to be released around the world on 28 April 2008.

The follow-up to "Confessions On A Dancefloor', which debuted at No. 1 in 30 countries and sold over eight million copies, has been described as an 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, '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," said Madonna.

The multi-Grammy-Award-winning singer, songwriter, children's book author, and now documentary film maker, has sold 200 million albums in the course of her two- decade-plus career and is slated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 10 March.