Fast forward to a world pandemic last year… To encourage creativity & lift spirits, Italians Do It Better President, Megan Louise asked every artist “ If you could cover your favorite Madonna song…What would it be?”

Madonna’s last decade, which goes from MDNA (2012) to today, through the albums Rebel Heart (2015) and Madame X (2019), has left jewels, rarities and discoveries, but hardly any hits. How will she include this last decade in her career retrospective, if at all? If we go by the numbers, Madonna should sing “ Gimme All Your Luvin’” (her last single to reach the top 10 on the US Billboard chart), “ Bitch I’m Madonna” (the only resemblance to a hit from Rebel Heart, thanks in part to its star-studded video clip) and “Faz Gostoso,” which became a hit on Spotify thanks to Anitta’s presence. But if anything is memorable about this last decade, it is that Madonna becomes human, fragile and afraid of failure, as shown in “ Love Spent,” “ Joan of Arc” or “ Wash All Over Me,” true hidden gems of this era.You co-hosted and displayed your MC-ing skills during the Eurovision Song Contest this year. Which country won and who placed last at the grand final? The project was sparked during the pandemic, when Desire singer Megan Louise sent out a message to all the artists asking simply, “If you could cover your favorite Madonna song…What would it be?” – and the results are quite a delight. Italians Do It Better is an independent record label based in Portland and West Hollywood. It was started by Johnny Jewel and Mike Simonetti on July 20, 2006, to focus on Jewel's projects Glass Candy and Chromatics and later Desire, Symmetry and Mirage, in addition to other artists from prior releases. Genres from the label have been described as contributing to the synth-pop, post-punk, and Italo-disco revivals. They have released three label compilations, 'After Dark' (2007), ' After Dark 2' (2013), 'After Dark 3' (2020), and 'After Dark 4' (2022), all of which feature music from their roster. You might ask yourself if you need a collection of Madonna covers, and really, it's more for the Italians Do It Better stans than the Madonna diehards. The label has created such a distinct sound world that it's a pleasure to hear it applied somewhere else, even for 20 covers in a row. It might be best summed up by the version of "La Isla Bonita." If the original sounds like something that could score a Sandals commercial, Double Mixte's cover is the work of the has-been lounge singer who's worked at the resort for decades, singing the song night after night. The melody becomes a tad mournful, the Italo disco arpeggios and industrial drums lending it a sad pallor. It's both completely ridiculous and totally convincing, like so much of Madonna's best work. That Italians Do It Better could channel this paradox so well, and even make it their own, speak volumes about the label's vision, talented roster and the enduring genius of Madonna, which is more than the lion's share of tribute albums can claim.

The subtractive production approach works much better: Sally Shapiro’s angelic “Holiday” retains the original’s synth bass and cowbell, but long instrumental passages and lighter vocals open space for fluting synths and a disco pulse. The most reverent performances become a way to hear old songs for the first time again, and to rediscover a sense of daring that recedes with decades’ worth of familiarity. The percussive finger snaps and JOON’s ASMR-like whisper on “Papa Don’t Preach” evoke its story of teen pregnancy with fresh vulnerability; the only act to receive two slots, Brooklyn-based ex-Latter Day Saints sister duo MOTHERMARY, offer synthy choral takes on “Like a Virgin” and “Like a Prayer,” choices that feel spiritually attuned to Madonna’s own history of religious provocation. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.There are so many small, neat moments like that on Italians Do It Better—like how MOTHERMARY's version of "Like A Virgin" switches to a staggered, wobbly waltz for its verses, or how Jorja Chalmers' adds a cloud of perfumed smoke (and saxophone) to "Justify My Love," making it sound like some long-lost downtempo remix from the '90s. Even at their most faithful, these covers can tease unexpected nuance from the songs. Above all, they lay bare the melodic genius of the originals. It's like hearing them through new ears. Executive produced by Johnny Jewel featuring 19 artists incl. Desire, Glüme, Jorja Chalmers, Sally Shapiro, JOON & more Italians Do It Better is owned by Johnny Jewel, who produces, writes, and contributes to all the acts on the label. Executive produced by Johnny Jewel, the compilation is a passport to 20 covers from the bedrooms of 19 artists across 10 different countries. All shirts are sent standard Royal Mail 2nd class (in the UK) and standard Airmail for everywhere else. Spain, Italy, Russia, Far East and South America are all sent recorded delivery.

This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. Label President Megan Louise asked every artist: "If you could cover your favorite Madonna song...What would it be?" One of the reasons why I started Italians Do It Better is because I didn't want someone telling me when a record was due, or when something needed to be written or recorded. Or when I needed to go on tour. I believe in doing things when it's ready. It’s a dangerous game because the world is moving so fast. But ultimately the only reason we're having this conversation is because I love music. And that's the path that it's led me on in my life. I never set out to be a successful musician, but musical decisions have always guided my life. For that reason, I will stay true to what I really feel… 2007-present [ edit ] On our initial listen, the standouts have been Sally Shapiro’s “Holiday”, Jorja Chalmers’“Justify My Love” and Pink Gloves’“What It Feel Like For A Girl” – but every song is an unimpeachable banger. Given the IDIB sparkle and swagger only makes them moreso.A cookie set by YouTube to measure bandwidth that determines whether the user gets the new or old player interface.