More than a few times since 2008 - when the semi final formula changed and the pre-qualified finalists consisted solely of the host nation and the Big Four/Five - writing the last part of your Eurovision reviews was a bit painful.
For many years, most of the Bigs made absolutely zero effort and would come up with entries destined to crash and burn and the very bottom of the result. Almost all interesting songs would appear in the semi finals and leave the chapter on the finalists dull and dry.
Luckily, in later years things have improved. Last year, Italy was the host country while the UK and Spain both ended up in the top three. France was a bit of a surprise flop and only Germany was a truly predictable failure.
So - how do the six pre-qualified songs measure up this year? Well... like this.
FRANCE La Zarra / Évidemment
For the second time in only six years, France scrapped its national final format in favour of an internal selection and gave the ticket directly to La Zarra. She cooked up a number that starts out like a dramatic chanson before developing a beat, turning into more of a pop entry with some very French touches to it. Sounds fresh but also works better on repeat listenings, which could be a bit of a problem in a televote. Possibly a jury darling and if so, a top five finish could be within reach.
Grade: 4/5
GERMANY Lord of the Lost / Blood & Glitter
Finally Germany has left the dull concept of streamlined, inoffensive "radio friendly" songs that nobody votes for behind in favour of some good old metal. Rock often hits home pretty well with ESC audiences and while this doesn't really bring anything new or innovate to the table, there is personality, temper and a hooky chorus on offer.
Grade: 3/5
ITALY Marco Mengoni / Due vite
Every year there is at least one song that should count as a big favourite but that somehow seems to fly under everybody's radar. This year, that song is obviously Italy's massive pop ballad, masterfully performed by the remarkable stage presence of Marco Mengoni. This absolutely should and must score well but has seemingly no buzz in the predictions. Maybe people have an appetite for something other than Italian craft this time around.
Grade: 5/5
SPAIN Blanca Paloma / Eaea
This is obviously the part where my comments section could explode but I have to be honest and honestly this entry is not my cup of tea at all. Blanca Paloma is an excellent singer and I have found her live executions interesting to watch, but when the single starts to play in my headphones I find it exhausting to listen to. Songs can do well at the ESC even when I don't fancy them - it happens regularly - but while I expect a fair share of jury points as a reward for good vocals, I doubt this entry will exercise any major mass appeal on your average viewer. If this places better than 10th or so, it will come as a real surprise to me.
Grade: 2/5
19. UKRAINE Tvorchi / Heart of Steel
Last year's winner enters something musically totally different and - as always - served up in a slick and professional fashion. A less obvious points magnet this time around but still very likely to do really well, not least because people will look out for Ukraine and pay attention to whatever they have on offer.
Grade: 3/5
26. UNITED KINGDOM Mae Muller / I Wrote A Song
Last year's second place clearly gave the UK a large chunk of their old confidence back and it is not unlikely that the audience reaction to Mae Muller will blow the roof off the arena in Liverpool. That could definitely be an advantage - remember Denmark 2001 - not least since various reports from various fan events suggest that the UK entrant hasn't hit all her notes brilliantly so far. That is a problem for later - as a single, I find this captivating, contemporary, fun and catchy.
Grade: 4/5
There is nothing to predict here as all of these songs are already in the final, but if I ranked them in my personal order of preference in their current pre-live show versions it would be: Italy, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ukraine and Spain.
No comments:
Post a Comment