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We’re getting our first look at the staging for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, but before we dive into that in the podcasts, we have one final Juke Box Jury song review podcast to go.
Eurovision Insight Podcast: Juke Box Jury #7
with Ross Middleton (Pif Paf Blog) and Matthew Ker (Magiker).Germany: Blood and Glitter, by Lord of the Lost.
Azerbaijan: Tell Me More, by TuralTuranX.
San Marino: Like An Animal, by Piqued Jacks.
Austria: Who The Hell Is Edgar, by Taya and Salena.
Portugal: Ai coração, by Mimicat.
Stay up to date with all the discussions, news, and reviews from Liverpool and the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with ESC Insight has nearly arrived. You’ll find the show in iTunes, Google Podcasts, and Spotify. A direct RSS feed is available. We have a regular email newsletter which you can sign up to here., and you can support us on Patreon here.
Germany
This is supposed to be a glam rock song but in all fairness this a schlager song disguise as a glam rock song. The last time this rock/schlager happened, Finland won. Not the least because all rock fans made an effort to vote for it. I am not really into rock or glam rock so for me this is a MISS (but I can see this doing well in some parts of Europe , helping Germany escape their regular last place in the final)
Azerbaijan
Surprisingly enough Azerbaijan ditched the usual Swedish team they were relying on and went for something more local. There is a retro feel to the whole thing and the song is part of that retro feel. It is a very mellow song and even when it becomes a bit rockier, it stays on the mellow side of rock. I find this quite endearing and I kind of like it. The problem with the song is that it doesn’t grab you and there is nothing special, which will make the televoters pick up the phone and vote from them. Te 1st semi is full with televoters magnet and they might just sneak in(and hopefully without their broadcaster playing dirty)- (the higher end of) MAYBE
San Marino
I am not a rock fun but even I can detect that this is just a bad rock song. Or at least a bad song pretending to be a rock song. The text is bunch of clichés and the music is uninspiring – MISS
Austria
I would have loved to be a fly on the wall in ORF’s office when they decided to chose this song. Because boy, they just went beyond expectation and have sent a song which you have not really expected them to send. Musically it’s just genius. That line “oh mio pedro, there is a ghost in body” sound different every time they sing it. This is quirky without being a joke entry. It has a pointed message delivered by a song which has catchy melody and simply put a smile on my face. It’s a great fun to watch. A point of concern is how they translate the atmosphere in the video to a live rendition? If they manage to do this, they should finish high. It’s another favourite of mine and I wouldn’t mind if this take the crown. -HIT (P.s. Can we have an extended remix version for this?)
Portugal
On first listen , I thought Portugal sent something which is more Spanish than Spain itself. But this is very Portugees and quite different than what they have sent before. It’s a bit playful and cabaret like music which in itself , not bad. Unfortunately, while it is bouncy and playful, I am not sure it is
that accessible for the wide public. I heard the song 3 times in a row, and I am still unable to remember how this goes on- MAYBE
P.s.
This the last JBJ for the season and while I understand the reasons behind the decision to broadcast this after rehearsals have started and I do get that the EBU blackout on rehearsals has caused some gap in your content, I would still prefer that JBJ will always finish before rehearsals start.
Have a great Eurovision week.
Germany: MAYBE. A better choice for Germany than previous years. The opening and the look of the band forces you to pay attention and it’s the type of entry that elicits a stronger reaction. It was probably the best choice from the German NF, with this winning the televote comfortably over blander material. I hope this gets Germany right off the bottom of the scoreboard but the juries are unlikely to love it.
Azerbaijan: MISS. Finally they’ve gone for an act that has co-written their own song without influence from outside Azerbaijan. This is a sweet and somewhat charming song. I’m not sure about the opening spoken word part as I don’t think it gels with the rest of the retro sound of the song. The best part of the song comes when they both sing together and TuralTuranX seem very happy with their performances and that comes across. However, especially being in SF1, I wish Azerbaijan had chosen something more competitive. A good start to hopefully a new era for the country and if they don’t qualify I hope they stay the course.
San Marino: MISS. To me this sounds quite 90s and I enjoy that aspect of it and the lead singers vocal and delivery. Aside from that, the sleazy lyrics are off-putting. There’s not really much to this song and even in SF2 it would struggle to do well. I didn’t watch UVPSM, but I don’t understand how you can have such a mammoth NF and not end up with something a bit better.
Austria: HIT. I loved this from the first time I heard it. It always brings a smile to my face when I hear it and makes me want to sing along. This is such a creative way to tackle the issue of female songwriters being ignored and all lyricists, composers and artists not being paid enough when people consume their art through streaming. It’s my second favourite song this year and I would be quite happy if it won.
Portugal: MAYBE. Another good and distinctive choice from Portugal. Mimicat really sells the song and has great stage presence. I wonder how the translation from the more intimate FDC stage to the ESC arena will go. Last year the staging was great and lost nothing. I fear this is another song that would have benefitted from being in SF2 but is only on the bubble in SF1. However, I thought that about Portugal last year and they came sixth in the televote in their semi.
Germany: very camp Glam Rock. Not my cuppa. Preferred Will Church in the NF but this can finish mid division and end sequence of drab results. Maybe.
Azerbaijan: charming retro feel but really spoiled by unnecessary rap section. No chance from SF1 but I still like it when I hear it. Miss .
San Marino. MISS . Unspeakably awful .
Austria: Ross took words from my mouth: this is subversion Serbia 2022 style. Early staging images promising. Vocals very secure. Expect fifth. Like Serbia!!
Portugal: missed a trick by ditching sofa from NF. Gave staging a focal point and gathered Mimicat’s mates around her . Love the energy and her M. Monroe, Yugoslavia 1990 looks! HIT.