M is for magnificent

PEREZHILTON.COM

Madonna is definitely going in a different direction for her upcoming album.

Many are calling it a "hip hop" record, but we're pretty confident it will still have a pop/dance beat.

And, in the most exciting news we've heard all week, Justin Timbelake has revealed that he is working with her Madgesty on her new album!

Justin confirmed: "I have been working on some new music. But it's not for myself - I'm writing for other people. I'm working on some stuff for Madonna."

Timberlake headed into a West London studio on Tuesday with Madonna.

He is in the U.K. for a few weeks as he prepares to kick off the European leg of his current world tour.

Timberlake's frequent collaborator, Timbaland, has also been lined up to work with M on her new album.

Pharrell Williams has said that he's working on at least four tracks, and electro tunesmith Felix Da Housecat is also working on the record.

"The last album was a credible disco record and Madonna wants to give hip-hop the same treatment this time," says one insider. "It's not all hip-hop though, there are a lot of producers from a lot of genres in there. It could be her most ambitious project yet."

The new record is expected to be released by the end of this year.