As I mentioned in a previous post, we are back for another season of Eurovision. As countries begin to select their songs, Iโm going to do a brief recap of what I think about the โcurrentโ songs.
For this recap, Iโm going to chat about (in no particular order): Iceland, Moldova, Cyprus, Austria, Israel, and the UK.
Current ranking:
ICELAND ๐ฎ๐ธ: DILJร โ POWER
National Selection Performance: Songvakeppnin (***)
โPa-Pa-POOOWER over meโ I have to admit that I wasnโt expecting something like this from Iceland. I think that I prefer the chorus over the verses. Iโll say one thing: Dilja can really sing. Looking forward to seeing this on ESC2023โs stage.
MOLDOVA ๐ฒ๐ฉ: PASHA PARFENY โ SOARELE ศI LUNA
National Selection Performance: Etapa Nationala (***)
Ok, on to the song. While Iโm not enthusiastic about the song, I do like it; however, Iโm not really sure why. In his case, I feel like his backing vocalists do most of the heavy lifting in the song. Well . . . maybe thatโs the point.
CYPRUS ๐จ๐พ: ANDREW LAMBROU โ BREAK A BROKEN HEART
Internal Selection: Music Video (***)
Normally, I like these types of pop-R&B songs, but this one really doesnโt it for me. However, I cannot put my finger on why it doesnโt work for me. I donโt hate it, but I think that I will need some time for this one to grow on me. Andrew tried to compete for Australia in last yearโs contest but didnโt make it. So this year, he will represent his motherland of Cyprus. At least, we know if he makes it to the final that he will receive 12 points from Greece AND Australia. Smart move.
AUSTRIA ๐ฆ๐น: TEYA & SALENA โ WHO THE HELL IS EDGAR?
Internal Selection: Music Video (***)
Itโs a bop for me. However, I think itโs one of those songs that Iโll probably never listen to after Eurovision.
ISRAEL ๐ฎ๐ฑ: NOA KIREL โ UNICORN
Internal Selection โ Music Video (***)
I think Noa was one of the most anticipated artists from the very beginning of the ESC2023 season because 1) sheโs an established artist (kind of the likes of Rosalia) and 2) Israel was planning to put up $900K โ $1M for her package. While this is a typical pop-dance song, I can see the potential for the staging and performance. You just know that there is going to be a dance break in the performance. How do I know this? Because she says โDo you wanna see me danceโ 80 thousand times in the song. Actually, she says it only three times. My conversation with Noa:
Noa: Do you wanna see me dance?
Me: Eh.
Noa: Do you wanna see me dance?
Me: I guess
Noa: Do you wanna see me dance?
Me: Well hurry up and do that damn dance.
Noa: *Does the dance*
Me: Final-damn-ly.
THE UK ๐ฌ๐ง: MAE MULLER โ I WROTE A SONG
Internal Selection โ Music Video (***)
Hmmm, itโs giving me Dua Lipa vibes, which isnโt a bad thing. Itโs very earwormy for me because Iโll be singing โInstead I wrote a song da da da da dai-iiiโ probably for the remainder of the night. I really hope she has amazing staging, great dancing, and powerful vocals because I can see this one getting lost in the mix. Since the UK has not had a great history in this contest, I hope a lot is done to convince folks that Sam Ryderโs 2nd place finish was not a fluke . . . this advice also goes for Spain this year.
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