Junior Eurovision 2017 - My Top 16
We already know the host of the 2018 Junior Eurovision song contest and despite this, in my opinion, the fight for the title of Junior Eurovision 2017 winner is very much open. In 6 days we will know who gets to lift the trophy and in the meantime, I will tell you my top 16:
16) Armenia - Misha "Boomerang"
The lord loves a trier, and Misha really does do his best to bring up the quality of what is otherwise a bland ballad. Very disappointing coming from a country who has come second in the past two JESC editions. Something tells Armenia will not be in the running for a hattrick.
15) Italy - Maria Iside Fiore "Scelgo (My Choice)"
This song has no "wow" moments to show off you Maria's vocal abilities, with the music videos production making her look somewhat awkward with her movements and presentation. There is definitely a childish element to the song, which is important in a child's singing competition, but the song sounds cheap, as if were recorded on MIDI instruments.
14) Ireland - Muireann McDonnell "Súile Glasa"
Don't get me wrong, Muireann is a great performer and deserved to win the Irish national selection, but the song is just not for me. From a nation who have sent two phenomenal entries in the last years, "Súile Glasa", a song written by two adults, just seems like your typical 4 chord wonder, again with no stand out moments.
13) Poland - Alicja Rega "Mój Dom"
Again, no real problems with this song, it just fails to retain my attention, and I feel it is a little bit grown up for JESC and for a 14 year old. Despite this, with the new voting system I think this, along with Russia will do well with the barbaric new rule that countries may vote for themselves (why EBU, why!?)
12) The Netherlands - Fource "Love Me"
Boybands are cringy at the best of times, but Fource take this to a new level. Apart from the chorus, the song is actually not too bad, but the video, depicting 4 pre pubescent boys dressed like Justin Bieber dance awkwardly alongside some girls doesn't sell the song too good, as it seems to be reaching towards the older audience.
11) Portugal - Mariana Venâncio "Youtuber"
Another MIDI based song, although with a very Portuguese sound. I do think Portugal will struggle to stage a song about a young girls desire to be a youtuber, unless they just put William and Deban dancing behind her.
10) Cyprus - Nicole Nicolaou "I Wanna Be A Star"
Now we're getting to the good stuff. Cyprus is known for sending a couple of dance numbers (I'm looking at you Ivi Adamou and George Michaelides) and this does not disappoint. As was "Dancefloor" I do believe this song will be staging gold, and providing her live vocals are good, she could get Cyprus a very good result.
9) FYR Macedonia - Mina Blažev "Dancing Through Life"
This song is very current combining dubstep and ethnic instruments, a typical ploy for the Balkan countries. Jana could have swapped songs with Mina and qualified with "Dancing Through Life", with the high production value evident in the video and song.
8) Malta - Gianluca Cilia "Dawra Tond"
Definitely a guilty pleasure, with Gianluca styling out a suit very well. The song would be higher on my list if it didn't sound so similar to "People Of The Sun". if Gianluca enjoys himself on stage, I'm sure the audience will love his performance.
7) Georgia - Grigol Kipshidze "Voice Of The Heart"
Looks like Georgia is going with another "old fashioned" songs, a genre which seems to being coming back into fashion in recent Eurovision years. Whilst perhaps not a winner, a wise choice for hosts Georgia.
6) Albania - Ana Kodra "Don't Touch My Tree"
A very underrated song this year in my opinion. Whilst Ana maybe exaggerated the choruses a little in the national final, she's taken the feedback and toned it down in the revamp, creating a very magical and uplifting song, reminding me of "Gravity" by Zlata Ognevich.
5) Russia - Polina Bogusevich "Wings"
Another mature performer. "Wings" is a very Sia-esque song, with the video taking me back to 2014, when "Chandelier" was released. If the video is replicated on stage, this could be a potential dark horse for the win.
4) Belarus - Helena Meraai "I Am The One"
Helena is going to bring the edginess that junior Eurovision needs. Draped in jewellery, Helena began our junior Eurovision song collection with a bang, and has managed to retain a high spot in my ranking. Another dubstep inspired song that has high production value, Belarus is out for the win.
3) Ukraine - Anastasiya Baginska "Don't Stop"
Probably my favourite video of the year, Anastasiya is a natural performer, who will have everyone in the audience reaching into their pockets for a light to wave along to this emotional ballad. Ukraine has yet to send a song to Junior Eurovision that I dislike, and I think this could do very well.
2) Australia - Isabella Clarke "Speak Up"
It is a surprise to me that I actually like this song, as it is not too dissimilar to "My Girls" or "We are" but I find the chorus very catchy, and I think the choreography is perfect for this high energy number.
Don't get me wrong, Muireann is a great performer and deserved to win the Irish national selection, but the song is just not for me. From a nation who have sent two phenomenal entries in the last years, "Súile Glasa", a song written by two adults, just seems like your typical 4 chord wonder, again with no stand out moments.
13) Poland - Alicja Rega "Mój Dom"
Again, no real problems with this song, it just fails to retain my attention, and I feel it is a little bit grown up for JESC and for a 14 year old. Despite this, with the new voting system I think this, along with Russia will do well with the barbaric new rule that countries may vote for themselves (why EBU, why!?)
12) The Netherlands - Fource "Love Me"
Boybands are cringy at the best of times, but Fource take this to a new level. Apart from the chorus, the song is actually not too bad, but the video, depicting 4 pre pubescent boys dressed like Justin Bieber dance awkwardly alongside some girls doesn't sell the song too good, as it seems to be reaching towards the older audience.
11) Portugal - Mariana Venâncio "Youtuber"
Another MIDI based song, although with a very Portuguese sound. I do think Portugal will struggle to stage a song about a young girls desire to be a youtuber, unless they just put William and Deban dancing behind her.
10) Cyprus - Nicole Nicolaou "I Wanna Be A Star"
Now we're getting to the good stuff. Cyprus is known for sending a couple of dance numbers (I'm looking at you Ivi Adamou and George Michaelides) and this does not disappoint. As was "Dancefloor" I do believe this song will be staging gold, and providing her live vocals are good, she could get Cyprus a very good result.
9) FYR Macedonia - Mina Blažev "Dancing Through Life"
This song is very current combining dubstep and ethnic instruments, a typical ploy for the Balkan countries. Jana could have swapped songs with Mina and qualified with "Dancing Through Life", with the high production value evident in the video and song.
8) Malta - Gianluca Cilia "Dawra Tond"
Definitely a guilty pleasure, with Gianluca styling out a suit very well. The song would be higher on my list if it didn't sound so similar to "People Of The Sun". if Gianluca enjoys himself on stage, I'm sure the audience will love his performance.
7) Georgia - Grigol Kipshidze "Voice Of The Heart"
Looks like Georgia is going with another "old fashioned" songs, a genre which seems to being coming back into fashion in recent Eurovision years. Whilst perhaps not a winner, a wise choice for hosts Georgia.
6) Albania - Ana Kodra "Don't Touch My Tree"
A very underrated song this year in my opinion. Whilst Ana maybe exaggerated the choruses a little in the national final, she's taken the feedback and toned it down in the revamp, creating a very magical and uplifting song, reminding me of "Gravity" by Zlata Ognevich.
5) Russia - Polina Bogusevich "Wings"
Another mature performer. "Wings" is a very Sia-esque song, with the video taking me back to 2014, when "Chandelier" was released. If the video is replicated on stage, this could be a potential dark horse for the win.
4) Belarus - Helena Meraai "I Am The One"
Helena is going to bring the edginess that junior Eurovision needs. Draped in jewellery, Helena began our junior Eurovision song collection with a bang, and has managed to retain a high spot in my ranking. Another dubstep inspired song that has high production value, Belarus is out for the win.
3) Ukraine - Anastasiya Baginska "Don't Stop"
Probably my favourite video of the year, Anastasiya is a natural performer, who will have everyone in the audience reaching into their pockets for a light to wave along to this emotional ballad. Ukraine has yet to send a song to Junior Eurovision that I dislike, and I think this could do very well.
2) Australia - Isabella Clarke "Speak Up"
It is a surprise to me that I actually like this song, as it is not too dissimilar to "My Girls" or "We are" but I find the chorus very catchy, and I think the choreography is perfect for this high energy number.
1) Serbia - Irina Brodić & Jana Paunović "Ceo Svet Je Naš"
Surprised? At first I did find this song slightly annoying, but after a few listens, I find this song simply delightful, using a basic chord structure and making a very cute song about the duo's real life friendship. I think the staging in the Serbian National Final was genius, and should repeated on the Big stage. I do fear however that not everyone will enjoy the song, and the song will be underrated.
