The Raido Free Järbo Expert's Guide to Eurovision 2024
 |
| "My career is over. Radio Free Järbo just endorsed me for Eurovision!" |
So, here it is. The annual Radio Free Järbo Eurovision run down. This is the time of year when the Eurovision participants check our blog to make sure we haven't put them at the top of our list, because, a vote from us is apparently the kiss of death. In all of the years we've been doing this, we seem to be way out of touch with the rest of Eurovision fandom, and never pick the winner. So be it; we still think we're right.
Although there is nothing really new in this song, there is something very catchy about it, which, when it picks up is very danceable. However, we miss the Balkan influence that Albania typically has in its entries, and which is refreshing.
Armenia
Ladaniva. “Jacko”
The song itself has pleasing middle eastern tones in it, but it is the video that makes it. We are afraid the energy, color, and meaning of the video will be hard to pull off on the grand stage. And the subtitles, explaining the true meaning of the song, certainly help and might be needed.
*Australia
Electric Fields. “One Mikali”
Drunk at last call in a dance club, I certainly would dance to it. Otherwise, I could frankly live without it. Gunnar disagrees, “It might be one of the better ones!” (Although I suspect that comment is born of cynicism about this year’s field.). At least the lyrics are important in today’s world.
Austria
Kaleen. “We Will Rave”
Not in the least original or listenable, no one is our house is raving about this unoriginal bore. “Even the cute boys in the video couldn’t save it,” says Gunnar. Indeed. The Bruce Webber inspired video doubles as soft core porn.
Azerbaijan
Fahree featuring Ilkin Dovlatov. “Özünlə Apar”
What a beautiful voice he has which is perfect for this interesting blend of pop and middle eastern music. The beat keeps it moving but the singing keeps you engaged. Love the way the strings are used. The only criticism is that the music at times drowns out the singing, but that may be a stylistic thing.
Belgium
Mustii. “Before the Party’s Over”
It’s funny, I want to like the song but just can’t. It’s one of those songs that has really nice moments where you think a good song is going to break through, but it never quite does so. If he is as scantily clad at Eurovision as he is in the video, he might get the “cute boy” vote. Tied with Austria for the video closest to soft core porn.
Croatia
Baby Lasagna. “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”
There is nothing wrong with a song that relies heavily on the energy. At least the lyrics tell a nice story. My issue with it is that it is someone yelling over loud rock music, even if good rock music, rather than singing to it. It’s just not a style I like; I know others do.
Cyprus
Silia Apsis. “Liar”
Nothing new, unique, or terribly interesting in this song. It could have been an entry from any country from the past 10 years or so. If this were a dance contest, she’d be up there.
Czechia
Aiko. “Pedestal”
While I like the idea conveyed by the lyrics (such as they are), I don’t like the music or her voice, even though it should carry over the large stage.
Denmark
Saba. “Sand”
Well, this could have been pretty much any Scandinavian entry from the past 10 years. Too bad, because her voice deserves a better song to sing.
Estonia
5MIINUST x Puuluup. “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi”
Normally Estonia sends beautifully songs by very good singers to Eurovision, but this year they are taking a page out of Finland’s book and sending something very unique. We know they are having a lot of fun in the video; doing what, we are not quite sure It is a fun song to listen to nonetheless.
*Finland
Windows95man. “No Rules!”
What was I just saying about Finland? “No Rules” seems to describe the country’s approach to their Eurovision entires. That said, this is a fun song and the video of them performing it on stage is a joy to watch. It will bring the house down in Malmo for sure. And I pity whoever goes after them.
*France
Slimane. “Mon Amour”
What a gorgeous song and what a gorgeous voice of which Slimane is in full control. OK, the song is VERY French sounding, but in the best way. It feels like Silmane is channeling all of the great French singers before him and belting out a tribute to them, as well as everyone who’s had their heart broken. The juries should like it; Europe will hate it. (Hey, Slimane. Marco Mengoni wants the vest you wore in the video when you’re done with it.)
Georgia
Nuts Buzaladze. “Firefighter”
Copy what I said about Cyprus above and paste it here.
*Germany
Isaak. “Always on the Run”
While there is a typical Eurovision-y sound to it, his voice carries the song off very nicely. We like it.
Greece
Marina Satti. “Zari”
All I’m going to say is “There’s not enough ouzo in the world…”
Iceland
Hera Bjork. “Scared of Heights”
Maybe not the best song in the bunch, and no where near as good as her hit “Je ne sais quoi.” It is nice that the lyrics actually make sense (i.e. it’s not “Abba English”). Her voice is right for it, but, at least in the video, she seems to have stage fright. She’ll need to sell it and sell it big to make it work in a large venue and across the television lines.
Ireland
Bambie Thug. “Doomsday Blue”
Tired of sending good songs that Europe ignores, Ireland is extracting its revenge on Europe with this entry. There’s a good song in there somewhere that has been overwhelmed with the generational angst that probably doesn’t speak to my generation. Hopefully it speaks to others. It’s original, even if a cautionary tale for me in wanting something original. The video looks like Tim Burton did it while on a very bad trip from psychedelic mushrooms.
Israel
Eden Golan. “Hurricane”
I’m not sure the mandated change of lyrics hide what this song is really about. It is unclear as I write this that Eden will go or should go to Sweden. It’s too bad the politics of the situation will be at play here. She’s got one of the nicest voices in the group this year, even if she’s been given only an OK song, and not a great one.
Italy
Angelina Mango. “La Noia”
We kind of like her voice and a there’s not doubt that she’s a very good entertainer. For all its energy, the song doesn’t quite work for us.
Latvia
Dons. “Hollow”
I’m not sure I like it, but I’m sure I don’t hate it. I do like his voice. Gunnar says it is one of the better ones, but with a tone of voice that indicates the bar is low this year.
Lithuania
Silvester Belt. “Luktelk”
Not fans of this one. His voice just isn’t good enough or strong enough to compete with the the percussion and electronic elements, on which the song is also too dependent.
Luxembourg
Tali. “Fighter”
Welcome back, Luxembourg! After more than 30 years it would be nice to see Luxembourg make it through to the finals. This song is an interesting mixture of a traditional French ballad with a little Latin beat for good measure. I’m not sure it fully gels, though. I do like her voice and wish she had better material with which to show it off.
Malta
Sarah Bonnici. “Loop”
If the competition was about having the most costume changes in a three minute video, she’d win. But this is supposedly a song contest, and she’s competing with a song that is a waste of a good three minutes.
Moldova
Natalia Barbu. “In the Middle”
I’m sure this song is meaningful at home in Moldova, but we don’t think it will say much outside of it.
Netherlands
Joost Klein. “Europapa”
We’re not quite certain what this song is really about, even after reading the lyrics in English. We will say that it takes courage to get up literally in front of Europe and make fun of it.
Norway
Gåte. “Ulveham”
These are clearly talented rockers and the song here isn’t bad either. But it relies a little too much on her screaming and not so much singing the lyrics. Europe will lap it up.
Poland
Luna. “The Tower”
I’m sorry, folks. There are so many bad songs this year, I’m running out of derogatory things to say. Mess of a song, pretty much sums it up.
*Portugal
Iolanda. “Grito”
I think that her voice is beautiful and the song itself is captivating. We hope they can work on the balance between her voice and the accompanying music so the quality of her singing can really come through.
San Marino
Megara. “11:11”
An only mildly entertaining hot mess.
Serbia
Teya Dora. “Ramona”
She’s got a lovely voice which fits the style of music. I like the plaintive tones in it, and in places the music is lovely. But in the end, the whole is less than the sum of its parts.
Slovenia
Raiven. “Veronika”
“Veronika” means sees the truth. So here’s the truth we see in this song: it’s crap.
Spain
Nebulossa. “Zorra”
Well, it was Spain’s entry, so it could have been worse. Nice message and catchy beat but not a show stopper.
Sweden
Marcus and Martinus. “Unforgettable”
“She” might be unforgettable, but this song isn’t. I think they rely too much on the backing music so that you don’t hear them singing that much. (“That’s a good thing,” Gunnar says.) Clearly coming from the factory in Södertälje, Sweden that churns out pop songs faster than Nusnäs churn out Dalahästar, this otherwise formulaic—albeit danceable—song stands out only because it is competing in weak field.
Switzerland
Nemo. “The Code”
Not really sure what the song is about, even after reading though the lyrics. I do kind of like it nonetheless. It will be interesting to see what it looks like on the stage, given the interesting video.
Ukraine
Alyona Altona and Jerry Heil. “Teresa & Maria”
There are some pretty moments in the music of this number, but it seems to be disjointed. And rap doesn’t work unless you know the language, even if we were impressed with how rapidly she said what she said.
*United Kingdom
Olly Alexander. “Dizzy”
Olly brings a very catchy tune with hints of Erasure that makes you want to get up and dance to it. He sings it well, and it’s a real of ear worm (don't listen to it before bed or you'll dream of it). Too bad that it is very rare for the UK to get noticed at Eurovision, he’ll at least get some points though, we predict.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar