Eurovision 2024 -1st Batch 🇫🇷🇦🇱🇨🇿🇸🇮🇮🇪🇱🇺

We are back for another season of Eurovision, and this year we are heading to Malmö, Sweden 🇸🇪. As countries begin to select their songs, I'm going to do a brief recap of what I think of the 'current' songs.

For this recap, I'm going to chat about (in no particular order): France 🇫🇷, Czechia 🇨🇿, Albania 🇦🇱, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Ireland 🇮🇪, and Luxembourg 🇱🇺 (where have they been?)

Like last year, I'm gonna do follow this mode of attack:

  1. Review songs in batches of 5 or 6 rather than doing a country-by-country recap.

  2. Watch the national selection final (or internal selection) once or twice.

  3. Not constantly listen to the songs until we get into semifinal week.

Reasons 1-2: For this edition, I don't have time to write 35+ posts (one per country) before getting into the actual contest. Also, what's the point of doing an in-depth or half-assed review (depending on how much free time I have) before the delegations either revamp the song and/or the performance? Reason 3: I don't want to get tired of the songs before the contest. A couple of Eurovisions ago, I noticed that I was pretty much over the songs that were released early in the national final (January/February) season by April.

Kwame's Current Rankings:

Like always, I'll use my cheezy Eurovision meter to rate the songs.

 

Alright let's get started:

France 🇫🇷: Slimane — Mon Amour (My Love)

Internal Selection – Performance (link: ***)

 
 

Ok, so this is not a live performance of the song (in the technical sense), but word on the street says the video is a live version of song. I know that we are only six songs into the season, but I have a feeling this one is going to stay in my top 10 (maybe even in my top 5 or 3). There is no question that Slimane has an AMAZING voice. But for me, it’s the rawness of his voice that pulls me into the song/performance. This definitely is song that you feel rather than listen to… or at least it is for me. I think the rawness in and power of his voice really drives the emotions of the song home. In fact, I have to listen to this 2-3 times in a row before moving to the next one. Actually, I kind of wish that France released the song later in the season, so it would have a greater impact. That said, France definitely set a high bar with the first song of the ESC2024 season. Actually, since Slimane is a popular artist in France, lemme check out some of his other music.

Ok on to the next.

Albania 🇦🇱: Besa — Zemrën N’dorë (Heart in Hand)

National Selection Performance – Festivali i Këngës (link: ***)

 
 

A few seconds into the performance, she seemed really nervous, which affected her vocal. Ok, we have a little bit of a rap/spoken word bridge with an uptempo beat. I dunno. During my first listen, this “rap” seemed a bit out of place, but I think it can work here. Also, it kind of elevates the typical ballad by adding a something somewhat unique. She might have to consider another outfit because she almost tripped on her dress, BUT she recovered very well. I wonder if she is going to have more folks on the stage for the actual Eurovision performance. Overall, great job from one of my favorite counties in the contest. I guess it’s one of my favorite countries, because they always send someone (male or female) who screams . . . and I do love a controlled (or even an uncontrolled) scream. 😉 In fact someone made a Youtube video about, you guessed it, Albania Screaming for 4 Minutes in Eurovision.

 

Czechia 🇨🇿: AIKO — Pedestal

National Selection Performance – Selectiva Nationala (link: ***)

 
 

I think the sound quality of venue where the national selection was held is a bit raggedy AF. Unfortunately, this snafu does not really highlight AIKO vocals. Ok, girlfriend needs to work on her breath control or stop jumping around so much. Wait, is she saying “f*ck myself on a pedestal”? I might have to look up these lyrics. Oh, nevermind, she said I need to learn to put myself on a pedestal. Hey, and she’s right. We all need to put ourselves on pedestals. ;) In the performance, she is doing too d*mn much for no d*mn reason. Also, why does the song ends so abruptly? It looks like the performance is about 2:30, so she has 30 seconds to add some things . . . or take some things out like that random off-key scream. In its current state, the song is a bit of an erratic mess, which necessarily is not a bad thing. BUT they have some time to work out the rough edges and elevate the staging a bit. Actually, since it gives garage rock band (IMO), perhaps, they don’t need to elevate the staging that much. The sound reminds of my Jack and coke / CBGB’s NYC days. Perhaps, I should have had a PBR or a Miller High Life while watching the video to enjoy the song more.

Slovenia 🇸🇮: Raiven — Veronika

Internal Selection Music Video - (link ***)

 
 

Awww shucks. We don’t have a live vocal for this one, so my 3 hearts probably would have been 4 hearts. I’m kind of speechless . . . in a good way. Why? I don’t know exactly what to think about this one, but I definitely can work with it. While the song isn’t mind blowing (IMO), I was captivated by the visual of the video so much that I wasn’t paying attention to the song that much. I think this will be a case where the staging will have to carry the song through the semi finals.

Ireland 🇮🇪: Bambie Thug — Doomsday Blue

National Selection Performance — Eurosong 2024 (link: ***)

 
 

What in Elvira Mistress of Darkness hell is this? I’m sorry, but this really isn’t my cup of tea. I just . . . don’t . . . get . . . it. Is she gonna sing at some point, or are we doing spoken word for three minutes? Then again, I guess one really doesn’t really have time to sing when you are going for something a bit counterculture . . . I think. While the song clearly is not for me, I will give Bambie Thug an A+ for the creativity and uniqueness in this video. Then again, clearly I’m missing something because most folks in the fandom really likes this song and performance. I will give Ireland props for thinking outside of the box for this one. Since they have not qualified for the final since Eurovision 2018, maybe Bambie Thug and her alternative performance will get Ireland to the final.

Luxembourg 🇱🇺: Tali — Fighter

National Selection Performance – Luxembourg Song Contest (link: ***)

First, welcome back to the contest, Luxembourg. Luxembourg last time in the contest was during Eurovision 1994. Overall, I think Fighter is a mid-level song because of the decent vocals, staging, and dancing. While it’s nothing that we haven’t seen in the contest, I think it’s moderate enough to qualify (coupled with Luxembourg returning to the contest…well, maybe). Also, Tali has plenty of time to clean up the vocals and some of the choreography. I noticed that she had some breath control issues with the singing and dancing especially with the uptempo french, french, french, french part. Ok, I looked the lyrics for the really fast part: J’avoue, j’avoue je sais pas. J’veux tout et rien à la fois. J’finirai complètement folle. Et voilà (I admit, I admit that I don’t know. I want everything and nothing at the same time. I’ll end up completely crazy. And that’s it). HA! That sounds like me when I visit the the kitchen for late-night snacking.

Up Next:

That’s it for now, let’s see what the next batch of songs will bring. Looking at the national selection final calendar, it looks like the next batch will include: Ukraine 🇺🇦, Norway 🇳🇴, Malta 🇲🇹, Spain 🇪🇸, Israel 🇮🇱.

 

Eurovision 2024 playlist:

Social Media Plug:

 

kosjrphd (deactivated until Easter)

 
 
 

Eurovision 2023 - 1st Batch of Songs (🇳🇴, 🇧🇪, 🇪🇸, 🇺🇦, 🇸🇮, 🇨🇿, 🇦🇱, 🇮🇪)

As I mentioned in a previous post, we are back for another season of Eurovision. As countries begin to select their songs, I’m going to do a brief recap of what I think of the ‘current’ songs. Actually, I’m a bit late with my first batch because this past weekend had another ‘super selection’ where we now have 7 new songs (in addition to the eight) in our roster.

For this recap, I’m going to chat about (in no particular order): Norway, Belgium, Spain, Ukraine, Slovenia, Czech Republic/Czechia, Albania, and Ireland.

This year, I’m going to do things a bit differently as we move through the national selection season:

  1. Review songs in batches of 7 or 8 rather than doing a country-by-country recap.

  2. These reviews primarily are going to be about the song rather than the complete package.

  3. I’m only going to watch the national selection final (or internal selection) once or twice.

  4. I’m not going to constantly listen to the songs until we get into semifinal week.

Reasons 1-2: For this edition, I don’t have time to write 35+ posts (one per country) before getting into the actual contest. Also, what’s the point of doing an in-depth or half-assed review (depending on how much free time I have and my mood) before the delegations either revamp the song and/or the performance (I guess this would fall into the Reason 3 category)? Reason 4: I don’t want to get tired of the songs before the contest. Last year, I noticed that I was pretty much over the songs that were released early in the national final (January/February) season by April.

Like always, I’ll use my cheezy Eurovision meter to describe the songs.

In last week’s post, I did mention my rankings with the ‘current’ songs.

 

NORWAY🇳🇴: ALESSANDRA — QUEEN OF KINGS

National Selection Performance – Melodi Grad Prix (***)

 
 

It’s no secret that I love a song with a nice buildup that leads to a climate. Of this first bunch, I’m gonna say that Alessandra’s song is my favorite. Right now, I think it’s the complete package – vocals, composition, lyrics, etc.

BELGIUM 🇧🇪: GUSTAPH — BECAUSE OF YOU

National Selection Performance – Eurosong (***)

 
 

I think that I’m probably one of the few folks from the fandom that likes this song. Perhaps, it’s a generational thing because this song takes me back to my days (or rather nights . . . or rather early mornings) of going to gay lounges when I first moved to NYC back in 2002. Yes, the song is pretty generic and safe, but I think Gusatph can sell it. Hopefully, the staging will become stronger by the time May rolls around.

SPAIN 🇪🇸: BLANCA PALOMA — EAEA (PRONOUNCED LONG A AH LONG A AH)

National Selection Performance – Benidorm Fest (***)

 
 

So I cheated a bit for this one because I actually watched Spain’s national final (Benidorm Fest). Thus, my opinion is a little conflicted – the song itself gets 3 hearts, but the performance would bring it to four hearts. First, Blanca Paloma is an AMAZING singer – she has it all vocal strength, a unique voice, and a great stage presence. My only problem with the song, it’s one that I cannot (or rather do not want to) listen to multiple times in a row. Actually, I take that back because I can listen to the last 10 seconds of the song multiple times in a row.

UKRAINE 🇺🇦: TVORCHI — HEART OF STEEL

National Selection Performance – Vidbir (***)

 
 

Ok, I’m going to be completely honest and say that I was shocked (in a good way) that this song won. Since Ukraine is having issues with Russia, I would have assumed that Ukraine was going to send the most “Ukrainian/Eastern European” song possible. Also, I was surprised in a good way that they selected a duo where the lead singer is Afro-Ukranian. In the more recent years of the contest, Ukraine typically sends a song in Ukrainian (or mostly in Ukrainian) with ethno-rhythms, so Heart of Steal deviates from that standard formula. Hey, Ukraine has had great success with its ethnic-rhythmic songs, so it is kind of interesting the country went in a different direction. For instance, Gaitana (Ukraine’s representative from 2012) mentioned that she received messages implying that she “didn’t represent Ukrainian soul” (Link ***). Overall, I like this song because this falls into my general R&B genre. Although I listen to many genres of music (as one can assume by me following the contest), I always default to R&B probably because I grew up on it (along with Hip Hop, Rap, and Soul).

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮: JOKER OUT — CARPE DIEM

Music video (***)

 
 

As of right, I think this song will have to grow on me. Generally speaking, I do like the overall vibe of the song, and I think the lead singer does just enough vocally. While it has only two hearts right now, I think it will move up in my Eurovision meter.

CZECH REPUBLIC/CZECHIA 🇨🇿: VESNA — MY SISTER’S CROWN

National Selection Performance – ESCZ (***)

 
 

I will say that I like the live version of this song more than the studio version, which is a good thing for the contest. In the studio version, I think the backing instrumental/music kind of drowns out the lead singer. While I have no idea what she is singing, I enjoyed the rapper break. I think it drives the point of the song home and compliments the rest of the group’s vocals.

ALBANIA 🇦🇱: ALBINA DHE FAMILJA KELMENDI – DUJE

National Final Performance – Festivali i Këngës (***)

 
 

If memory serves me correctly, I think FIK had two winners – one of the national final and one who would go to Eurovision. I guess I should not use the presence of an orchestra in my brief assessment because Eurovision no longer uses a live orchestra, but the orchestra is one of the reasons why I like songs from FIK. Although I don’t understand what they are saying, there is something that I really enjoy listening to traditional folk music from Albania. For me, in most cases (and those cases are limited), one can feel the emotion of the song without understanding the language. Ok, enough of my randomness. I think Albina has a compelling voice and is very emotive in how she sings the song. Or as some in the fandom will say: the screaming lady from Albania effect. Lol, someone actually made a Youtube video ‘Albania screaming for 4 minutes in Eurovision’. (Youtube Link: ***). Now, the backing vocalists (i.e. her family) could use a little work; however, I think they will tighten things up over the next couple of months. From the live performance, you can get a sense that a couple of her family members are not as well-seasoned with performing live as Albina.

IRELAND 🇮🇪: WILD YOUTH — WE ARE ONE

National Final Performance – The Late Show (***)

 
 

Another mildly unpopular opinion from me: Unlike most in the fandom, I kind of like the song. Is it safe? Yes; Is it generic? Yes; Does it sound like something you would hear in a shopping mall, grocery store, and/or Starbucks? Hell yes. I don’t know why, but I like the vibe, general theme, and composition of the song. I guess that I’m showing my age by liking this song. While the lyrics aren’t super complex, it has a great general message, and the song ties into the slogan of this year’s contest – United by Music.

My ‘conspiracy theory’: I think Ireland gets a bit of a bad rap for their selections because as of now the country holds the most Eurovision wins (seven and three of those were in consecutive years). Many probably will not start liking Ireland’s ESC submissions until another country (more than likely Sweden) takes ‘the country with the most wins’ title. Because of their history in the contest, I feel like certain countries (e.g. Ireland, the UK, Germany, Slovenia, Georgia, etc) have to do way more than other countries to get the same recognition. I’ve joked and said that Sweden and Italy could send someone farting into a microphone for three minutes, and they probably would make the top ten in the contest. Something that I call the U2/Bono effect. Note I did not coin this term, but I forgot where I heard it. Don’t get me wrong, Sweden and Italy typically earn their spot in the top 10. However, I think if Italy had sent We Are One, some would call it a musical masterpiece.

Here’s the Spotify playlist of the current group of songs

Social Media Plug:

 
 
 
 

Eurovision (ESC) Thursday - ESC22 Then & Now - Part 1

I figured that I would do a comparison of what I thought about the songs when they were first released and what I think about the songs now since we are about 1.5 weeks away from the big day. Keep in mind for my “now”, I’m factoring in several things – preparty performances, general personality, and of course the song.

Since there are 40 countries competing in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, I’m breaking this topic down into two parts. Here’s the first half of the list in alphabetical order by country.

ALBANIA – RONELA – “SEKRET”

 
 

OMG, she pretty much embodies everything that makes Eurovision great. I would even say that is the most well-rounded artist in the contest. If there was some sort of Miss Congeniality award for Eurovision, she would be my top choice.

ARMENIA – ROSA LINN – “SNAP”

 
 

AUSTRALIA – SHELDON RILEY – “NOT THE SAME”

 
 

I’m not really sure why, but Sheldon lost power with me over the past couple of months.

AUSTRIA – LUM!X & PIA MARIA – “HALO”

 
 

Kind of like the song, but I was kind of surprised that Pia Maria’s live vocals were not as strong as they were on the studio version (I guess this happens frequently). My three stars are pretty much based on the song along because it’s one of those songs that will get you dancing or bopping your head at least.

AZERBAIJAN – NADIR RUSTAMLI – “FADE TO BLACK”

 
 

I will admit that I originally thought this song was a snoozefest. Like I said earlier, I think I was all Eurovisioned out by the time Azerbaijan released this song. That said, the song has grown on me and Nadir seems like a fun individual to hang with. In some ways, he reminds me a little bit of someone I used to date . . . even down to his “gingerness”

BELGIUM – JÉRÉMIE MAKIESE – “MISS YOU”

 
 

I think he is one of the strongest male vocalists in the contest, and I am a fan of the strong R&B vibe of the song. That said, I do not know much about him. He hasn’t been as active as other performers so it’s tough to get a sense of who he is. I wonder if it’s an English language thing for him. For instance, I’m not sure if he feels comfortable enough with the English language to put himself out there in these ESC streets. I fear that this might hurt him in the contest. But then again, most ESC viewers do not really pay attention to the contest until semi and final week.

BULGARIA – INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECT

 
 

I have to admit, I think that I let the public opinion influence my original thoughts about the song. While the song is a bit dated, I do not think it’s THAT bad of a song. Actually, the song has made it onto a couple of my running playlists.

CROATIA – MIA DIMŠIĆ – “GUILTY PLEASURE”

 
 

Eh, my opinion has not really changed too much.

CYPRUS – ANDROMACHE – “ELA”

 
 

Another case of loving the song but not knowing much about the artist. It seems like she is not too invested in ESC2022, which is fine. I assume that some artists would rather focus on themselves, their songs, their staging, etc during the weeks leading to Eurovision. She had a couple of interviews that gave me a bit of an “oh that’s weird” vibe. In an interview, she was asked about Greece’s ESC2022 song, and she said that she hadn’t heard it. As most know, Greece and Cyprus are pretty much cousins in this contest because they tend to give each other high points. Also, she (like most folks from Cyprus) is Greek. I dunno, but it seems strange that she (at this point) has not heard the Greek song. In another interview, she was asked if she’d be willing to do a collaboration with Chanel (Spain). This question was asked because a lot of folks from Spain like her song. And she responded that she did not know who Chanel is. I’m not mad that she does not know Chanel. BUT, for ESC2022, if you were to ask someone to name five artists from this batch, most folks would say (in no particular order) – Chanel (Spain), Ronela (Albania), Mahmmod & BLANCO (Italy), Ochman (Poland), and Sam Ryder (the UK). So it’s kind of strange that she responded in that manner. Then again, maybe she meant more of an I do not know her personally as opposed to not knowing who she is.

CZECH REPUBLIC – WE ARE DOMI – “LIGHTS OFF”

 
 

Going into the season this was one of my top songs. After seeing the group’s performances in the preparties, I was surprised by the weak vocals compared to the studio version and the Czech Republic’s national selection. Ok, the five preparties’ venues had a lot of issues with sound and technical difficulties. That said, other performers did fine with the same difficulties.

DENMARK – REDDI – “THE SHOW”

 
 

ESTONIA – STEFAN – “HOPE”

 
 

I still really like the song and the performer. While this song was released early in the national selection season, it pretty much has stayed in my top ten since it was released.

FINLAND – THE RASMUS – “JEZEBEL”

 
 

Right now, the song just really does not do much for me, but maybe that will change once I see the band on stage. I will say that out of all of the national finals, this band had the best LED staging.

FRANCE – ALVAN & AHEZ – “FULENN”

 
 

After viewing France’s national selection, this group was one of my tops. However, the group’s performances during the preparties leading up to ESC2022 week have been less than stellar. In my opinion, Alvan (one artist) and Ahez (a female trio) have not been really cohesive in some of their live performances. For instance, it sounds like they are singing two to three different songs even though they are now one group. While I like the song, I feel that the women in Ahez do not have a commanding stage presence, which is a huge contrast while looking at Alvan jumping all around the stage.

GERMANY – MALIK HARRIS – “ROCKSTARS”

 
 

This one has lost a bit of power for me. The other day, I was thinking about the songs from the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) and completely forgot about Germany’s entry. Like, I actually had to think very hard to remember the song and the artist. While the other members of the Big 5 put up strong entries this year, I think Germany is the weakest of the group. Since Germany is part of the Big 5, Malik will automatically qualify for the final; however, I do not see a strong finish for him. At the end of the day, I’m not sure that Rockstars is a good song for Eurovision, but I have a feeling that it will make it into some of my chillin’ at home playlists.

GREECE – AMANDA TENFJORD – “DIE TOGETHER”

 
 

I have no words that reflect how much I enjoy listening to this song.

ICELAND – SYSTUR – “MEÐ HÆKKANDI SÓL”

 
 

This trio definitely has grown one me over the past couple of months. While it might be a long shot, I really hope that they will qualify for the final. I wonder if they plan to include some English in this song as a way to connect to a larger audience.

IRELAND – BROOKE SCULLION – “THAT’S RICH”

 
 

Originally, this song was not my cup of tea (actually, it’s still not my cup of tea). However, I am quite impressed that Brooke’s vocals (and performances) have drastically improved over the past couple of months. Depending on her staging, I think the song might have a shot at qualifying. LOL moment for Brooke (maybe now it’s an LOL moment). When traveling from Ireland to Spain for one of the preparties, she lost her passport and had trouble entering the country. There’s video of officials in Spain’s border control office viewing her videos as a form of identifying her.

ISRAEL – MICHAEL BEN DAVID – “I.M”

 
 

Actually, I think my rating now would be a 2.5, but I guess that I gotta round up. The song just does not work for me as much as it did when was first released. However, word on the ESC streets has been saying that his rehearsal staging is really good and elevates his song and performance.

My Complete Rankings