I think it’s safe to say that I need to get a move on reviewing all of these entries. They are getting released faster than I can write about them! I realize that the Eurovision Song Contest being cancelled in 2020 provides me with a rare opportunity. This will (hopefully) be the only time I’m not tuning into the Eurovision Song Contest completely blind. I actually recognize some artists and know what they have to offer. That being said, this is the first time I’m pitting two returning contestants against each other: Lesley Roy of Ireland and Ana Soklič of Slovenia. Let’s see what these two ladies are competing with.
Lesley Roy must be tired from all of that running.
The melodies in this song are so beautiful. They really accentuate Lesley Roy’s unique timbre. The melodic shape seems to rise up towards the chorus. Once we reach it, it feels like a final destination, a “home” where we can be comfortable. The powerful drums, the arpeggiating synth, and the lively strings heighten the energy of this uplifting song.
Considering how much I enjoyed this song, I was curious as to why I couldn’t remember what Lesley Roy submitted last year. Actually, I think “Story Of My Life” had a similar problem to this entry. It generally tends to stay at one energy level the entire song: MAXIMUM. The one thing I would improve about “Maps” is that it needs more breathing room. It kind of hits you with all of this energy and leaves you as winded as she probably was after running so much.
Ana Soklič purifies the competition with her voice.
I hear that Vincent Bueno of Austria will be singing a song of the same name this year. I wonder if this is the first time that’s happened in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest. When Ana Soklič first sang “Hey child,” did it remind anyone else of “Proud” by Tamara Todevska? In fact, most of the song’s lyrical content was similar. I don’t mean in a plagiarism kind of way. I just mean that they’re both songs about talking up the downtrodden. Unfortunately, ballads have been done in the Eurovision Song Contest many times, and I don’t think Slovenia is doing anything new that grabs my attention.
I don’t mean any offense to Ana Soklič. She certainly has pipes. I can’t imagine any other song suiting her more than a power ballad. Having said that, I think I prefer last year’s entry, “Voda,” over this one. The instrumentation for that song was more interesting. The only part of the song that stands out to me is her impressive vocals.
Who has my vote (for now)?
Don’t get me wrong, I like a good power ballad once in a while, but I have a weakness for really uplifting songs. “Maps” is quite different from Lesley Roy’s entry from last year. The messages of both songs connect to each other and to the artist. I wish both artists the best of luck!