We are approaching midterm season. That means more acts, starting with Electric Fields (Australia), Kaleen (Austria), Silia Kapsis (Cyprus), 5MIINUST x Puuluup (Estonia), Nutsa Buzaladze (Georgia), Dons (Latvia), TALI (Luxembourg), Joost Klein (Netherlands), Raiven (Slovenia), and Nemo (Switzerland).
Electric Fields – One Milkali (One Blood)
I can’t help but smile when listening to this song. It has a lot of catchy lines like “Escape with us to the planets / To the Fleetwood Macs and the Janets.” It’s the specificity of the details that make the song easy to latch onto. Also, it’s not Australia if there’s no didgeridoo. While this song is a lot of fun, it’s clear when you listen to the studio version that it’s meant to be performed live. The transitions between the sections feel abrupt and there are pauses in the song where it feels like we’re waiting for something. For instance, there’s the line “We kiss and matter dismantles.” In the music video, Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross kiss during the pause, but when you’re just listening to the song, it just feels empty. For that reason, I took points off.
Grade: C
Kaleen – We Will Rave
I was initially quite harsh on this song when I first heard it. To me it sounded dated, like something Madonna would have come out with in the 90s. After listening to it again, I found the sound to be more nostalgic than dated. This song is definitely for the ravers and the clubbers. I initially wasn’t sure about the introduction of the breakbeat in the dance break. I was worried about it feeling gimmicky. Nothing says “gimmick” like introducing a new element to the instrumental just for the sake of a dance break. However, at the very last minute, Kaleen reintroduces the breakbeat to close out her song, making it a little less gimmicky.
Grade: B
Silia Kapsis – Liar
This year, there is no shortage of female soloists who can dance. Silia Kapsis is another one of those contestants. The preview of the song intrigued me because it played the instrumental during the dance break. The chromatic descending electronic sounds paired with the chopped up sample of a crowd cheering sounded very exciting. Unfortunately, this is the only part of the song I like. The lyrics suffer from trying too hard to make the words rhyme. A lot of the lines in this song are worded very vaguely. Up until the dance break, there’s nothing particularly interesting about the music; it’s just your basic dance song. The problem is that by the time the dance break comes, I’ve already lost interest. I think this song could benefit from stronger lyrics or teasing some of the musical elements from the dance break throughout the rest of the instrumental.
Grade: D
5MIINUST x Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
I swear this song is laced with something because I get inexplicably hyped whenever I hear it. I can’t decide if it’s the stringed instruments, the individual timbres of each member, or the strong downbeat. You could argue that this is also a joke entry given the comedic undertone of the song and the fact that I keep laughing every time the “uuuuyeeee” part comes. However, I enjoy this song even with no context at all. If I could offer a tiny note for improvement, I would ask for them to crank the bass to get a fuller sound.
Grade: A
Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter
Taking all of the acts this year into consideration, Nutsa Buzaladze is a formidable performer, but I’m not sure if even that will be enough to qualify. I was ready to give this song a B for being good at what it presents, even if it doesn’t push any boundaries musically. But then the second half of the song kicks in, and I am floored by Nutsa Buzaladze’s vocals. Not only does she sound amazing, but the song becomes more explosive and matches her energy. It’s such a satisfying song to listen to. I could be snarky and say that you really shouldn’t be saving a relationship in what sounds like a highly deteriorated state, but I think that’s taking things too far.
Grade: A
Dons – Hollow
Dons’s entry certainly stands out from the rest. This might be a bit strange to say, but I thought this song was about refusing to join a cult. There’s something about “Try to make me just another believer / Everybody just pretending they’re preachers, preachers” that moves me. The chorus is the best part of this song. I normally would dismiss a song like this because it sounds like an adult contemporary song you would hear on the radio, not something that would win the Eurovision Song Contest. However, I get a very heavy feeling from this song that I can’t turn away from. My only criticism is that I wish the verses were more interesting lyrically.
Grade: B
TALI – Fighter
Leave it to Luxembourg to casually stroll in and slay the house down after being absent for 30 years. Yeah, they are definitely one of those students. I resonate a lot with the lyrics TALI is singing. It’s daunting to feel like you have to have your life put together after a certain age. TALI punctuates this message with her formidable vocals and clear diction. She has to in order to sing that post-chorus. Seriously, I can’t stop gushing how pretty her voice is. TALI could sing a shopping list and I would listen. Overall, a tasteful return to Eurovision. I wish Luxembourg and TALI all the best.
Grade: A
Joost Klein – Europapa
I just want to clarify that the outro to this song is not part of my evaluation. For me, the song ends after the last “EU-RO-PA!” For a song about Europe, what better genre to put it in other than eurodance? It’s only logical. Once again, I chuckled listening to the song, but I knew that I probably wouldn’t listen to this song outside of the contest. After Estonia’s entry, I think I like this joke entry the most. The one technical thing I had to take points off for is the ending. I found the pulsing bass noises a little too abrasive for my ears, but to each their own.
Grade: C
Raiven – Veronika
This song has a very slow trajectory. The drop in the chorus is very effective. Not only does this song build to a final climactic ending, but it also pulls back for maximum impact. “Veronika” was constructed very thoughtfully. Speaking of which, I’m glad I looked up the meaning of the song. Its title refers to a queen who was drowned after being accused of witchcraft. That explains the water samples found in the instrumental. As a side note, I notice that there is a lot more opera this year. I wonder why that is?
Grade: B
Nemo – The Code
Starting the song like an operatic aria, then switching to a drum and bass chorus, adding a rap verse, and ending with a symphonic arrangement? Talk about talent. I feel like this song has so much potential but it ultimately falls flat in places I can’t ignore. Firstly, the lyrics talk about how Nemo is going to tell us a story… but then they don’t. I wouldn’t count the chorus or the bridge as the story because they are more like statements rather than a story. Besides, you would think the story belongs in the verses. Second of all, I would have revised the rap verse. Adding more syncopations and wordplay would have elevated the song to new heights, especially if the song talks about breaking a code. At least for Nemo, the mountaintop is near. That’s not something I can say about every act this year.
Grade: C
Check out these acts and the rest of the competitors here.