Something New..

Something new..

Just a quick post to let everyone know about my new project: ESCtalk!

What is ESCtalk? Well, it will be a fortnightly show discussing a new Eurovision related topic each week. It will also feature interviews and music to help with that PED.

The first show is already live on the brand new ESCtalk YouTube, so don't forget to subscribe, as well as follow the ESCtalk twitter!

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Eurovision 2018 - My Top 43

Eurovision 2018 - My Top 43

Now that we have our 43 competing songs for this year, It's time for me to share with the world my top 43 songs (which i'm sure everyone was anxiously awaitng) these are just my opinions on the songs and performances, and are not intended to insult or demean the singer personally. Now let's get into it:

1) France - Madame Monsieur - Mercy 10/10

I absolutely adore everything about this song. The melody is strong, with a catchy chorus including the interchangeable name "Mercy" and french word for thank you "Merci". Live, the pair really encapsulate the emotion and power of the song, even getting the audience involved by encouraging a simple dance move of opening and closing your hand above your head throughout the refrain. Would it be a deserved winner? Yes, in my opinion, 70% of the songs in "Destination Eurovision" were deserved winners, and I am very happy that France chose to take a different approach to their selection this year.

2) Czech Republic - Mikolas Josef - Lie To Me 10/10

As good of a live performer Mikolas is, I think it is the simplicity of this song that really elevates it to where it is on my list. Despite it's similarities to Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty To Me" I think the geek chic styling really adds a flare of originality, and let's not forget to mention the elephant, or should I say the camel in the room!

3) Hungary - AWS - Viszlát Nyár 10/10

Three words: Sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. This is the kind of music that has been absent ever since Max Jason Vai graced the stage, and we all know how that ended. We've seen AWS live, and we know lead singer Örs really knows how to perform a song with such passion and emotion. You're hearing it here first kids, but I think Hungary are a dark horse to win this year.

4) United Kingdom - SuRie - Storm 9.5/10

After 2 years of disappointment in the national final, I do think that the UK has finally made one good decision by sending SuRie to Lisbon in may. She knows this game, as she's done it twice before, coming fourth each time, so maybe she can do a hattrick? Either way, the song really comes to life live, and the lyrics are my favourite of the year.

5) Italy - Ermal Meta and Fabrizio Moro - Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente 9.5/10

The vocals from both singers for me scream raw emotion and passion, and I think this has great staging potential. I imagine something like Romania 2015, with pictures of all of the disasters and attacks projected in the background, to reinforce the message of the song to non Italian speakers. As well as this, I do like the folk-country instrumental of the song.

6) Denmark - Rasmussen - Higher Ground 9.5/10

Finally Denmark have sent a good song with good staging! The whole Viking gimmick is bound to get the votes from those who watch Eurovision just to mock, whilst also getting votes from hardcore fans for the quality of the song and staging. It is definitely a slow burner at the start, which then leads to a striking and memorable chorus, littered with a few cheeky key changes.

7) Norway - Alexander Rybak - That's How You Write A Song 9/10

The king of eurovision has returned in a bid to snatch his crown back for a second time, and if he is successful, he will be only the second person to do that. Whilst the song isn't the best lyrically and content wise, it's Rybak's quirky performance that will ensure him a place in the final, and a place in many eurofans hearts.

8) Belarus - Alekseev - Forever 9/10

I'm not sure what people were seeing when Alekseev performed this in the NF, but i think each and every time the higher notes are nailed, and the lyrics actually paint a story in my head. If they can replicaqte the imagery I see when i hear this song, I feel that Belarus may have a chance at qualification, however post "revamp", i feel like the song has lost some of its appeal.

9) Latvia - Laura Rizzotto - Funny Girl 8.5/10

I'm looking at her, and a see a bond girl looking for revenge. This red colour palette is so tasteful with the ambient lighting, and the song's simplicity helps it to stand out amongst the dramatic ballads and commercial pop. As well as this, Laura's voice suits the song perfectly and she performs the song well. (Is it now standard to have at least one Laura performing each year?)

10) Slovenia - Lea Sirk - Hvala Ne! 8.5/10

After two years of non qualification, Slovenia have come back fighting with a song about woman power, a very prominent message in the year of the women. The live performance of this is stunning, and the song it'self builds and builds until it reaches the chorus of simply "Thanks, but no thanks". Despite I fear that Slovenia will get lost in the semis, and will once again fail to qualify.

11) Germany - Michael Schulte - You Let Me Walk Alone 8/10

Despite being a crossover between Ed Sheeran's "Lego House" and Adele's "Somebody Like You", the song is raw with emotion. Had this been in a stronger selection, such as Eesti Laul or Melodifestivalen, it would have been eaten alive, but after years of disappointment, I think Germany's coming back to the left hand side of the scoreboard.

12) Switzerland - Zibbz - Stones 7.5/10

I loved the staging and presentation of the song at the national final, and I think it will work well in a year that will rely heavily on stage performance and props. Overall the band's image is very unique, and the song is very indie-rock inspired. Vocally Corinne slays throughout, and Stefan keeps the energy levels rising with some overly enthusiastic drumming.

13) Croatia - Franka Batelić - Crazy 7.5/10

I am crazy for the instrumental, verses and chorus of this song, the only thing (and it's a big thing) letting this song down is the very small "rap" bit which says something about Bonnie and Clyde, which is very original - not. It completly breaks the smooth flow of the song, and makes it sound somewhat cheap, instead of sophisticated and classy.

14) Belgium - Sennek - A Matter Of Time 7.5/10

Each year we have the "James Bond" song (Keep The Faith, Fairytale), in which there is always a timeless quality to it, and this year is no exception. The music video is very creative, and stands out to me for some reason i just can't pinpoint, like Claudia Faniello's did last year. Even without SuRie, Belgium can easily get a top 10 finish with this.

15) Moldova - DoReDos - My Lucky Day 7.5/10

After a landslide victory (;))at the Moldovian NF, "My Lucky Day" became my guilty pleasure. No, it's not the best song lyrically or musically, but DoReDos really enjoy performing, and they're good dancers too. This probably won't qualify,but the rythmn of this song drives me wild, and structure wise, the song builds and builds up until the last second.

16) Israel - Netta Barazili - Toy 7.5/10

This has definitely got the Israeli spice to it. Netta's style is unmistakably original, although she is definitely bending the rules with the use of a vocal looper. If she can recreate the amazing sounds that she makes in the studio version (and brings a chicken with her) she could be another dark horse for the win.

17) Spain - Alfred and Amaia - Tu Canción 7.5/10

Maybe I have a soft side for Spanish entries, but I just believe that Spanish works so well as a language to sing in, much like french. The song itself doesn't contain too many "wow" moments but the background of their relationship, which is a point I'm sure many of the commentators will make, Is very humbling and adds a new meaning to the song.

18) Malta - Christabelle - Taboo  7/10

Up until the NF i didn't care much for this song, however for her performance alone I knew it was the winner. Had Brooke not wrecked her stage performance I do think she would have won, and would have been a better pick for Eurovision. The chorus Lyrically is rather generic, and there is nothing unique about this entry.

19) Serbia - Sanja Ilić & Balkanika - Нова деца (New Kids) 7/10

The chorus on this song is just so catchy, and I'm loving the ethno-dance crossover. The verses are not so catchy, and the whole takes a minute or so to actually get going, which could cause problems with non eurofans who may switch off at what seems to be a balkan ballad. I think it also has alomst a timeless feel to it, and is very memorable.

20) Austria - Cesár Sampson - Nobody but you 7/10

Cesár really is a great singer, and his voice fits the song so well. This is prime jury meat, however I fear that the televoters won't respond to it, due to it being in the gospel genre, and being stuck in the 1st semi final won't help either. With the eception of 2015, since Conchita's victory Austria's fortune in the contest has improved, so they could be lucky.

21) Ireland - Ryan O'Shaughnessy - Together 6.5/10

Other then the chorus, this song doesn't really have a lot going for it, other then the social message, if they choose to translate this to the big stage. Ireland's chances of qualification don't seem to be very high, despite many years of promising to change. Live, Ryan vocals are excellent, but if Ireland want to keep up, they're going to have to start sending more modern, unique songs.

22) Iceland - Ari Òlafsson - Our Choice 6.5/10

Despite having a lot of haters, "Our choice" had the best live performance of Songvakeppnin, however it will face the same problem as Ireland in the way that it is too old fashioned. Being placed between Azerbaijan and Albania may help as these songs are highly unlikely to qualify however I fear that it is already a lost cause.

23) Finland -Saara Aalto - Monsters 6/10

From an artist that has demonstrated to be as versatile as Saara, it is very disappointing to see her finally representing her country with a disposable pop song, when in the past we have had bangers such as "No fear". I'm sure if a country such as FYR Macedonia or Slovenia had sent this, it would not be as popular.

24) Romania - The Humans - Goodbye 6/10

I think this song unique to this year, but it's kind of just there, it doesn't really stand out or interest me up until the chorus. The song is well performed live, and the vocals are brilliant, and i think good staging, which Romania are well known for may be able to save this and continue Romania's 100% qualification record.

25) Bulgaria - Equinox - Bones 6/10 

At first I didn't understand why Equinox were so high in the odds and why there was so much hype over this entry, but then I heard them live at the London Eurovision party, and they rocketed from around 40th place to 25th. Their harmonies are incredible to see live, but the song itself is not very interesting or different.

26) Greece - Yianna Terzi - Όνειρό μου (My Dream) 5.5/10

Another slow burner, which I don't think televoters will respond. This may be a bit of a difficult song to stage, but I see it working in an Amanecer way, with very theatrical staging. Also, whether its just the studio mix or my headphones, but in the chorus, she seems to be heavily assisted by the backing vocals, which like Demi last year, could be an indication of a struggle in the chorus.

27) Albania - Eugent Bushpeppa - Mall 5/10

Albania has taken different appraoch this year with a rock ballad, despite their last attempt at that (2013) resulting in non qualification. Festival Ï Kenges is traditionally the first NF of the season, meaning that the winning song is often forgotten by mid February when the other NFs kick in, and I don't think this song after the revamp has any memorable characteristics.

28) Ukraine - Melovin - Under The Ladder 5/10

Excellent staging in the NF, but the song is just not good, and neither is Melovin's annunciation of English. In some songs, such as "My Lucky Day" the accent actually adds character to the song, but when it gets to the point of the words becoming slurred and incomprehensible it begins to affect the quality of the song.

29) Sweden - Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off 5/10

As Far as typical Scandipop, you can't go wrong with this, but I do wish that one day Sweden will once again send something a bit risky, like Anna Bergandahl or Sanna Nielson. The continuous falsetto throughout the chorus grates on me after a while, and the lyrics are just cheesy and recyclable, typical "fast food music".

30) Russia - Yulia Samoylova - I Won't Break 5/10

After disappointment last year, Yulia has been given a well deserved second chance at representing her country. It's very interesting that Russia both years have chosen to send...weaker songs then they have with high Eurovision placers like Sergey and Polina. I think This has a decent chance of qualifying, provided that the vocals are improved before Lisbon.

31) Netherlands - Waylon - Outlaw In 'Em 4.5/10

Anyone who knows me will know that I do love a bit of country, but "Outlaw In 'Em" is just a disappointing entry. Whilst on paper it is a pretty bog standard Country song, it has absolutely no mainstream appeal, and it kind of feels like Waylon is just going through a big boots stage. From someone who was part of "Calm After The Storm", this is just bad

32) Cyprus - Eleni Foureira - Fuego 4/10

Looks as if Cyprus has gone back to sending La La Love songs, despite getting decent placings with Minus One and Hovig in previous years. This song is just trying too hard to fit it with what's mainstream and in at the moment, and it has no original elements. Even the music video looks like it could have been done by Dua Lipa, and is covered in sponsorship. 

33) Poland - Gromee ft. Lukas Meijer - Light Me Up 4/10

Both of the guys seem nice and charismatic on stage, and they both sell what they have to work with well enough. At the end of the day, this is just another typical EDM song with a repetitive and somewhat cringey chorus, however I'm sure like Greece 2014, they will get the party started and enjoy their time on the stage.

34) Australia - Jessica Mauboy - #We Got Love 4/10

The live performance bumped this song up from third last to 34th in my rankings, just because she appears to have a lot of fun performing. The lyrics aren't too bad for Eurovision standards, I just think that the instrumental is lazy, and could of done with a revamp, like "Taboo" got. Regaurdless, Australia will most likely qualify and end up in the top 10.

35) Estonia - Elina Nechayeva - La Forza 3.5/10

Come on Estonia, you had so many great songs in your NF and you choose "La Forza"? perhaps I'm missing something, but I just don't get why everyone is going crazy about things that have been done before. Aliona Moon had the projection dress, and Cezar and Il Volo have done the opera thing too. Don't get me wrong, her voice is great, but the song for me is just boring.

36) Montenegro - Vanja Radovanović - Inje 3.5/10

Overall this song isn't too bad, it just seems to go on for a bit too long, despite it being under 3 minutes. In recent years, balkan ballads have tended to do well, but I think the staging will have to be something spectacular (similar to Knez if at all possible) to save Montenegro from it's 3rd straight non qualification.

37) Georgia - Iriao - შენი გულისთვის (For You) 3.5/10

I do enjoy listening to this entry, but I prefer songs that have a strong structure, which this doesn't. This will go either 3 ways - They will completly flop live, like The Shin And Mariko, they will be great live, but fail to qualify as they're too abstract, like Croatia 2013, or they will be great and be a shock qualify, like Nika Kocharov the Young Georgian Lolitaz.

38) Lithuania - Ieva ZasimausKaité - When We're Old 3/10

Ieva has a very interesting voice, but her song is just too slow. The message of the song comes across well and she's nice, but people will use this song as a toilet break after a minute or so, as it doesn't build up to anything or go anywhere after the first chorus. Even the juries may turn their noses up at it, and Lithuania will again fail to qualify.

39) Portugal - Cláudia Pascoal & Isaura - O Jardim 2.5/10

After their first ever win with a slow, heartfelt ballad, Portugal choose to send...exactly the same thing again. The difference being that when Salvador did it, his orchestral instrumentation made him stand out from the modern synthesizers and electric drums of today. This is a more modern ballad, which just doesn't interest me at all, despite the message.

40) Azerbaijan - Aisel - X My Heart 2/10

It truely baffles me how Azerbaijan manage to qualify every year with terrible pop, and this year is no exception. The song is just dull, and the nonsensical lyrics they spew out each year pretty much mock countries like Albania and Ireland who try their best with a decent song and get nowhere. Azerbaijan, please take a risk and step away from the cheesy pop next year.

41) San Marino - Jessika ft. Jenifer Brening - Who We Are 1.5/10

It all looked promising when San Marino proposed "1in360" as their selection process, managing to land Zoë as a juror, but then the show crumbled and fell to pieces, with financial complications, and unfair advantages for those performing one of Zoë's songs. All of this resulted in "Who We Are", which would probably be better suited as a JESC song of 2008.

42) Armenia - Sevak Khanagyan - Քամի (Wind) 1/10

I've got to admit, I'm Still pretty sour about Tamar not even making the final, but despite that, Qami is just not good enough for a country that has given us "Lovewave" and "Fly With Me" and I do think that Armenia may face hostility from hardcore eurovision fans due to the authenticity and transparency of its selection process.

43) FYR Macedonia - Eye Cue - Lost And Found 0.5/10

I'm actually quite upset to have to put Eye Cue as my last place this year as I have a special place in my heart for them since they won the very first "NF" (Yes I know they didn't use Skopje Fest to select their entry in 2016) I ever saw, but when I listened to their song for the first time, I thought it was a joke, as i remember their Skopje Fest Song to actually be very good. This song is an utter mess with no clear structure that jumps between genres faster then a frog.

Well that's it, my top 43! Obviously again these are my opinions, and feel free to let me know your opinions, or generally roast me based on my musical taste.

All photo Credit goes to the respective owners.

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SuRie wins Eurovision YOU Decide

SuRie wins Eurovision YOU Decide

Yes, I resisted any kind of pun surrounding the UK brewing a storm at Eurovision, SuRie storming the charts, or any other weather related gags, because I think I'm better then that. But probably not...

Yes, last night Essex girl SuRie, real name Susanna Cork became the shock winner of You Decide, the national final held by the UK since 2016, and therefore won the right to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, which is to be held in Lisbon after the victory of Salvador Sobral.

Overall, I believe that the British public have made a very good decision with sending SuRie over favourites such as Asanda, who I believe had the best raw song prior to the competition, but was slightly let down by live vocals and staging, and Goldstone, who's Little Mix-esque pop number just didn't translate well on stage. 

Donnie girl RAYA was the first to perform on the night, singing high energy dance number "Crazy". In my opinion, she did very well with what she had, which was essentially a recyclable pop bop, which in turn was fresh and current, and would have potential to chart. Overall, a good balance of dance and vocal, and a great start to the show

Next up was Liam Tamne, hoping to launch his career ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) with the slow building ballad "Astronaut". Tamne said in interviews that the song is about the support and help that he gave his husband after his father sadly died, which can really be heard in his voice, however the whole performance for me and the falsetto especially seemed a bit strained and overly dramatic, which isn't a first for the UK.

It was then the turn of hot favourite Asanda singing "Legends" to perform. In my opinion, the staging really let a brilliant song down, as I expected for a song with a didgeridoo like instrument playing a main melody, Asanda would be wearing some tribal paint, a bandana and some fur whilst drums are being beaten in the background, but the staging was almost "popified" with the red tracksuits and street dance moves, which really compromised her vocals, most likely loosing her points from the international juries.

In a contrast to the previous songs, "You" by south Londoner Jaz Elington, really changed the atmosphere from a high energy pop, to tasteful, slow Jazz. Maybe a bit too slow though? I did find my mind wondering from the fascinating smoke LED background and once again recyclable lyrics. Despite this, his vocals were flawless, and added a bit of flavour and texture to the number.

Eventual winner SuRie then took to the stage with "Storm", which was my second favourite studio cut behind "Legends" prior to the show. I think what added to this song was the crowd, who seemed to be behind her from the very start, nearly bringing the roof down with applause once the song had ended. To add to that, she looked amazing in a turquoise jumpsuit with a bum cape, who could ask for more?

I felt sorry for Goldstone with "I Feel The Love" who despite being in one of the best spots in the running order, had to follow such an amazing performance. Can't really complain about anything here, but on the hand there's not much to praise other then the harmonies, leaving the group's Bang Bang rip-off somewhat forgotten at the end.

Overall, SuRie can only improve on what is an already brilliant song and performance in my eyes, and with her previous Eurovision experience in 2015 and 2017, I believe she will bring the UK back to the left hand side of the scoreboard.