Also in this week’s newsletter, Melodifestivalen continues with a surprising week in Sweden and Russia break the suspense with an announcement from their artist for 2019. 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
‘2000 And Whatever‘, by Electric Fields (Australia)
Kate Miller-Heideke may have been a well-deserved winner in Australia this weekend, but she was given some serious competition by this charismatic electronic duo. The performance captured the irrepressible energy and seriously impressive vocals that have helped them to become one of the country’s must-see live acts. This would have been a great addition to the lineup in Tel Aviv, and we certainly hope we haven’t seen the last of them in this context…
‘Release Me‘, by Darude (Finland)
Finnish DJ Darude presented the first of his three potential Eurovision entries this week, as the build-up to his appearance at UMK 2019 intensified. With vocals by frequent collaborator Sebastian Rejman, ‘Release Me’ is a slick and contemporary mid-tempo dance track. Hopefully there’s slightly more distinctive fare to follow, but this is a promising teaser to whet our appetites for now.
‘Eitt andartak‘ by Hera Björk (Iceland)
Iceland held the first semi final of Söngvakeppnin 2019 last night, with hot favourites Hatari – who we featured in last week’s national selection playlist – deservedly sailing to the Grand Final. The second qualifier was Hera Björk, returning as a competitor for the first time since her victory in 2010 with the beloved fan favourite ‘Je ne sais quoi‘. This somewhat stagey ballad doesn’t quite scale those heights, but the performance showcases what a truly excellent vocalist she is. If Iceland decide not to go all in on screamcore electro-punk this year, they always have a safe pair of hands in Hera…
‘Light On‘, by Monika Marija (Lithuania)
With Lithuania’s lengthy national selection approaching its endgame, all eyes are on frontrunner Monika Marija, who scored the highest televote of the season so far in last week’s semi final. A thoroughly modern midtempo ballad with a rousing chorus, ‘Light On’ could well give the Baltic nation one of their best ever results if selected…
‘Siren Song‘, by MARUV (Ukraine)
Victory in Saturday night’s first semi final of Vidbir 2019 has placed MARUV in the current pole position to represent Ukraine in Tel Aviv in May. If selected, this stylish and infectious number seems certain to make a big impression with viewers all across the Continent. Don’t rule out another trip to Kyiv in the near future…
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The selection playlist is really helpful to catch up on what is coming out of National Finals that I haven’t been following. This is the first time I’ve seen Siren Song. If nothing else it will certainly grab viewer’s attention.
I did follow the Australian National Final and what a strong field it was. 2000 and Whatever is the best track I have heard so far this year of any Eurovision contender – in its audio form. The national final didn’t quite live up to that – they performed it too much like a live gig. There also seemed to be vocal effects on the playback tape that might have not been allowed in Tel Aviv. That said I’m disappointed it wont be at ESC in May.