Also in this week’s newsletter, Melodifestivalen kicks off in Sweden, Finland select a trance icon for Tel Aviv and The Netherlands announce a change of tactics. You can read the newsletter in full here, or subscribe for a regular dose of Eurovision insight and analysis delivered direct to your email inbox.
ESC Insight National Selection Playlist
Hatari – Hatrið mun sigra (Iceland)
Poor old Iceland have had a rough run at Eurovision in recent years, with four consecutive non-qualifiers since 2015. This striking electro-punk number probably wouldn’t break their duck, but it’d arguably be the Nordic nation’s most daring, forward-thinking entry since the glory days of Paul Oscar…
Carousel – That Night (Latvia)
A sweet slice of country-soul that could’ve been lifted straight from a Norah Jones album, the winsome That Night was the dark-horse victor of Latvia’s second Supernova semi final on Saturday night. Entries this low-key can easily slip under the radar, but if it strikes a Common Linnets style chord, it could give Latvia a strong showing in Tel Aviv.
KEiiNO – Spirit In The Sky (Norway)
At the other end of the subtlety spectrum, Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix has thrown up an instant fan favourite with this gloriously cheesy combination of Nordic joiking and classic Scandi-pop melody. Imagine John Henrik Fjällgren teaming up with Koit Toome and Laura for an even battier sequel to Verona, with a touch of Rednex continental hit Spirit of the Hawk thrown into the mix, and you should have an idea what to expect from this. Total marmite in other words, but potentially very dangerous if selected.
Andrea Demirović – Ja sam ti san (Montenegro)
Andrea Demirović last represented Montenegro back in 2009 with the fluffy Ralph Siegel-penned Just Get Out Of My Life. Ten years on, she’s presenting something with a fair bit more edge. Ja sam ti san is a hard-hitting electro rock number that could give Montenegro their most competitive entry in a while if selected…
Conan Osíris – Telemóveis (Portugal)
Having waited over 50 years for their first Eurovision victory, Portugal probably aren’t banking on a second anytime soon. Yet they might be in for a surprise this May if the increasing buzz around this track bears out. A spellbinding combination of Iberian folk and modern electronic production, Telemóveis has already clocked up over a million YouTube streams before the first semi final of Festival da Canção 2019 has even aired. Could it be next year in Porto? Stranger things have happened…
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Great comments and suggestions. Just from this lists I found two songs before they have officially been selected.
Latvia’s Carousel is possibly a repetitive song from the first glance, but the melody follows you afterwards. Very impressed. Similarly (or very differently) Icelandic entry surprises you to a level that you kind of don’t like it. Until 5 minutes later you realise you like it. A lot.
Strange days ahead of us.