For Throwback Thursday every week we're going to shine our poplight on a stone cold classic.
So, this week is Eurovision week on 'Pop is Not the Enemy'! I'm jetting off to Vienna tomorrow to watch the final live for the first time ever - excited doesn't really cover it!
For this week's 'Throwback Thursday' we're featuring a massive moment for the UK in Eurovision history, come on I'm allowed to show a little bit of patriotic bias! I am of course talking about the last time the United Kingdom won the competition in 1997 with 'Love Shine a Light' by Katrina and The Waves!
Katrina and The Waves finally managed to break the Irish stronghold on Eurovision (they'd won 4 times in the past 5 years at that point) and brought the competition over the Irish sea to Birmingham in 1998.
The song was a marked departure from the Katrina and The Waves people knew, case in point being 'Walking on Sunshine', and it paid off big time! Anthemic is definitely the word, showcasing Katrina's towering vocal it was the epitome of 1990's Eurovision with the focus being on how love can unite everyone regardless of the borders and barriers that sometimes stand in our way (this concept felt much fresher in the heady days of 1997!).
"And we're all gonna shine a light together,
All shine a light to light the way.
Brothers and sisters in every little part,
Let our love shine a light in every corner of our hearts."
The staging was simple, what more do you need when you have the perfect combination of song and voice? So, take a step back in time for 'Throwback Thursday' and soak up the epicness of 'Love Shine a Light'!
We'll just have to wait and see if Electro Velvet are more of a Katrina than a Bonnie!
You know that thing when you hear a song and you can't believe it hasn't been a massive hit? Yeah, that...
So, this week is Eurovision week on 'Pop is Not the Enemy'! I'm jetting off to Vienna on Friday to watch the final live for the first time ever - excited doesn't really cover it!
For our (this should be more) POPular this week we're featuring a single from a former Eurovision winner, her winning entry was one of the most popular entries in recent memories chart-wise and was an absolute banger! I'm talking of Eurovision royalty Loreen and her fantastic single 'Paper Light (Higher)'!
Following on from her winning song 'Euphoria' Loreen released the album 'Heal' which blended the more chart-friendly dancepop of her Eurovision entry with more alternative,laid-back sounds both of which worked really well and showcased her unusual, captivating vocals. High points of the album included the follow-up single 'Crying Out Your Name' and a new remixed version of her other Melodifestivalen track 'My Heart is Refusing Me'.
With the release of 'Paper Light (Higher)' Loreen continues to push herself sonically and play with the accessibility of pop music. This is much less immediate than her previous singles and is lyrically and vocally much more challenging.
"Come under my skin,
Rush through my veins,
I need your light.
I've been chased,
To a stormy place,
Shooting up to the sky."
A stuttering piano riff coupled with Loreen's faultless vocal, those high notes in the chorus are insane, makes for a beautiful combination. Taking influences from 90's house 'Paper Light (Higher)' may not grab you by the throat the way the pop perfection of 'Euphoria' did but it reveals it's depths and touches over time, showing new layers and shades you may have previously missed. In short, it's a total tune.
What a stonker of a pop tune! Also, check out 'Paper Light (Revisited)', an alternate version that is darker and moodier than the single version, it has more in common with some of the album tracks from 'Heal' and makes us very excited for the new album!
So, this week is Eurovision week on 'Pop is Not the Enemy' and the contest is already under way! I'm jetting off to Vienna on Friday to watch the final live for the first time ever - excited doesn't really cover it!
For this week's featured mash up we're showcasing a pop marriage of an American/Slovenian EDM diva and an international female rapper who went pop big time on her second album. So, this week pin your lug-holes back for Nicki Minaj going Eurovision with some help from Hannah Mancini, the Slovene entrant in Eurovision 2013. Now there's a sentence I never thought I'd write!
Hannah, an American living in Slovenia, crashed the Eurovision party with 'Straight Into Love' and although it may not have been Slovenia's finest Eurovision moment in terms of points, it finished last in its semi final, I really like and still listen to it on a regular basis. 'Straight Into Love' arrives with a crash of dubstep wobbles and honks before settling into more sedate verses before dance beats and ear-splitting synths herald the arrival of the chorus with it's big notes.
'Starships' was released as the first single from Trinidadian/American rapper Nicki Minaj's second album 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' and went on to become a worldwide smash and sold 6 million copies in the States alone! For me this showcases Nicki's totally barmy lyrics at their best.
"Jump in my hoop-de-hoop-de-hoop,
I own that.
And I ain't paid my rent this month,
I owe that."
So...are you ready?
It really shouldn't work but it really does, the vocals and the instrumental track seem to match up perfectly giving both songs a totally different sound - I LOVE IT!
We are the world's people, different yet we're the same...
So, as you may, or may not, be aware the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 is just around the corner with the to semi finals taking place on May 19th and 21st and the final on Saturday the 23rd. Following Austria's victory last year, Conchita triumphed with the wonderful Bassey-esque 'Rise Like a Phoenix', the contest will be beaming it's way across the world from the beautiful city of Vienna - and I will be there!
We've had a look at the songs from both semi finals so now it's time to scope out how the automatic qualifiers are doing in 2015.
Austria - The Makemakes - I Am Yours
The defending champions have put their faith in the hands of the pop/rock band The Makemakes, and along with millions of other nations this year they've gone with a ballad. Starting with delicate piano they song has lovely touches of guitar work and lead singer Dodo has a great rock edge to his voice, particularly towards the end where we get to hear the grit as he really cuts loose. However, I do think this is a little safe and although it will get a great reception in the Wiener Stadthalle on Saturday I can't see it troubling the top of the scoreboard.
Australia - Guy Sebastian - Tonight Again
I've already made my feelings known on this song as it's our 'Track of the Week', it's cool, catchy and credible - love it!
France - Lisa Angell - N'oubliez pas
So Gallic it's almost racist, if a French Eurovision song was created by scientists in a lab this would be the result. Lisa has a lovely voice and the song has great chanson elements and the military drums add something a little different to a song that may have trouble standing out in a competition so heavy with ballads. The sentiment behind the song, a tribute to all those lost or affected by the atrocities of war, is admirable although I'm not sure how many people will pick up on this due to it being sung in French.
Germany - Ann Sophie - Black Smoke
This song arrives at Eurovision under a cloud of controversy following the German national final, it originally finished 2nd but the winner declined the offer to represent Germany in Vienna. Anyway, back to the song, I like it! It has elements of soul and jazz without sounding old-fashioned and although Ann Sophie has an unusual voice it really seems to suit the song (which was co-written by the UK's own Ella Eyre). I'm not convinced this will trouble the upper reaches of televotes or jury results but it deserves to do well.
Italy - Il Volo - Grande amore
This is another of the front runners, but I REALLY don't get it. This is no disrespect to the singers, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, their talent is beyond question, but I just find the whole thing very old-fashioned. Their voices blend really well and the harmonies are totally on point, there's also a real sense of drama about the whole thing...yet I still find it a bit dull. I think it will get a lot of votes but one of them will not be from me.
Spain - Edurne - Amanacer
Edurne certainly looks the part and is a great little performer, the song itself is a bit of a change of gear from her usual material. Sung in Spanish, meaning 'Dawn', it is one of the most dramatic entries this year, sweeping strings and tribal drums work really well with Edurne's powerful vocal. I like it but feel that the closing section could use something else to take it to the next level, maybe a tempo shift or a key change would have worked as it does seem to plateau slightly. I do like it though.
United Kingdom - Electro Velvet - Still in Love with You
Well, to say this has been divisive on home turf is putting it lightly. Alex and Bianca, known collectively as Electro Velvet, have had an uphill battle since they were unveiled as the UK entry in March. The song will certainly stand out against all the ballads this year and its 1920's influences (Caro Emerald may want to call her lawyer) are certainly something different for the competition. Bianca has a lovely voice but I just don't really buy their chemistry, or lack of, and this really throws off the performance. I really hope this does well and think that the position they get in the draw will really make or break where they ultimately end up on the scoreboard at the close of play on May 23rd. I will be there cheering them on I wish them both all the luck in the world!
So there you go that's all 40 song from this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which one is your favourite? Who will end up battling for first place on Saturday night? Tune in on Tuesday and Thursday night to find out! SEE YOU IN VIENNA, HOW EXCITING!
So, this week is Eurovision week on 'Pop is Not the Enemy' as the contest kicks off with the first semi final on Tuesday! I'm jetting off to Vienna on Friday to watch the final live for the first time ever - excited doesn't really cover it!
So, for this week's featured track we're shining the spotlight on one of this year's entries. This song is by a singer who has had massive success in his homeland with 6 platinum albums and 6 number 1 singles, he's was also the inaugural 'Idol' for his nation and was a judge on X Factor. I am, of course talking about Guy Sebastian who is the first ever Eurovision entrant for Australia!
The song in question is a pop belter by the name of 'Tonight Again' and was written specifically for the competition by Guy and his long-term collaborator David Ryan Harris. Obviously having come through a TV talent show we know that he has a great set of pipes on him and can handle performing in front of a live audience. From the soulful introduction it becomes blatantly obvious that all those involved are no mucking around, they're here to win it. Guy's smooth, rich tone is on display from the beginning and once the beat and brass kick in I think it has more than a little of 'Uptown Funk' about it. A catchy chorus follows and the deal is sealed with some earworm 'woahs' for the crowd to yell along to.
"Oh, some people might call you crazy,
They say we only live for fun.
Ooh they might be right but only maybe,
But I can guarantee what we got is what they want."
I don't want to bang on too much about Guy's voice but his range incredible and he sounds perfectly comfortable even when blasting out his falsetto, also the closing riff is pretty amazing. For me the really impressive thing about this whole production is that it manages to sound effortlessly current, never trying to hard and could stand on it's own in the charts around the world. It's fun, effervescent and brilliantly catchy.
I understand the inclusion of the Aussies this year has been a little contentious with some fans, but I'm open to the idea and feel we should open them with open arms - plus if they're bringing tunes like this we should just leave the door open for them!
Good luck to Guy and all of the other contestants for the semi finals on Tuesday and Thursday and the final on Saturday - I'll be there cheering you on!
This week's mash up is between a Gallic dance wizard and a US pop diva, it's Madeon vs Katy Perry, 'Wide Awake for the Finale'!
'Wide Awake' was the final single released from the 'Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection' in 2012 and was considerably darker in both tone and lyrical content that some of the poppier moments of the megahit album. It was a worldwide smash that lodged itself in the top 10 of many charts and was a huge radio hit.
'Finale', a single released by the French music producer also in 2012, is a tour de force of stomping beats and sweeping synths that epitomises the Madeon sound.
The reason these two work so well together is that it isn't dance overload, the production isn't too frenetic and keeps the slightly pensive nature of Perry's original song.
You know that thing when you hear a song and you can't believe it hasn't been a massive hit? Yeah, that...
This week we're featuring a corker of a track from a British artist who had a massive breakthrough in 2009 but the wheels kind of fell off the recent comeback. I feel this was unjust and think this track in particular should be more POPular! This week's featured track is 'Uptight Downtown' by La Roux.
This track was released as the lead single from the sublime sophomore album 'Trouble in Paradise' almost a year ago and it is a barnstormer of pop brilliance. 80's Duran Duran-style beats coupled with Chic-esque guitars up the pop ante giving a real retro feel without feeling outdated and it's really nice to see Elly fronting something with a little bit of funk about it. That familiar falsetto is in effect at the start of the chorus although it's much smoother than we saw in earlier work such as 'In For the Kill'. The filtered vocals in the instrumental section are gorgeous then the chorus crashes back in lodging itself in your head.
Written about the Brixton riots of 2011 Elly made a concerted effort to distance herself from the possible political connotations of using such an event as inspiration and concentrated on the emotional impact of mass protest.
We are the world's people, different yet we're the same...
So, as you may, or may not, be aware the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 is just around the corner with the to semi finals taking place on May 19th and 21st and the final on Saturday the 23rd. Following Austria's victory last year, Conchita triumphed with the wonderful Bassey-esque 'Rise Like a Phoenix', the contest will be beaming it's way across the world from the beautiful city of Vienna - and I will be there!
So, we've already taken a look at the good, the bad and the downright weird of semi final 1, but what does semi final 2 have in store for us? ONWARD!
Lithuania - Monika Linkyte & Vaidas Baumila - This Time
This is just so sweet, they're both got great voices, they're both easy on the eye and the song is as catchy as Chlamydia. Acoustic guitars offer a jaunty pop melody, their voices blend well and the chorus is simple but affective. We also get flourishes of Mumford-esque banjos in the second verse and the hand claps are ridiculously infectious. I REALLY hope this qualifies and does well for Lithaunia, plus it's nice to see a duet in Eurovision this year where the couple aren't either plotting each other's deaths or mourning for any number is reasons!
Ireland - Molly Sterling - Playing with Numbers
Oh for the days of Johnny Logan, Dana or even Dustin the Turkey (alright maybe not the last one, but you get the point)! At 17 Molly is a great little pianist (stop sniggering) with a maturity to her voice well beyond her years. The real problem is the song, it's a perfectly lovely little ballad but it screams 'album track' at me! It doesn't really go anywhere, it just lingers pleasantly for 3 minutes. Unfortunately for Molly I feel it may not end well for Ireland in Vienna next week.
San Marino - Michele Perniola & Anita Simoncini - Chain of Lights
Where to start with this? The stuttering beats of the intro are a massive red herring, anyone expecting a banger here will be disappointed. Again we come back to the lyrical idea of world peace yadda yadda, and that coupled with the tinny production make this sound like it's an entry from Eurovision 1995 not the present day. Both performers are young and have performed in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest so are used to performing on a big stage, but by the time Anita's spoken word breakdown kicks in it's just about enough to tip you over the edge. I think it's safe to say this won't qualify, bring back Valentina Monetta!
Montenegro - Knez - Adio
This song has the seal of approval from Eurovision royalty, Mr Zeljko Joksimovic, and sounds exactly like anything else he entered (see 2012's 'Nije ljubav stvar' and 2004's 'lane moje'). Balkan ethno-pop by numbers, it's okay and although it's nice to hear something in a native tongue I can't help but think that may count against it (it's one of only five songs to be delivered fully or partially in a language other than English). Plus the jacket he wears in the video makes him look like he's been upholstered...
Malta - Amber - Warrior
So this is the second song this year entitled 'Warrior' and, although I know from a fan perspective I'm in the minority, I prefer this one to Georgia's entry. Dramatic drums and cymbal clashes work really well with her delicate delivery of the verses, her vocal is good although it will be interesting to see how she gets on with those big notes in the chorus when she's performing live. It continues to build nicely over the three minutes towards an explosive climax, I really like it!
Norway - Morland & Debrah Scarlett - A Monster Like Me
This is some dark stuff, but in the best way possible. He has a lovely pop voice that makes the pitch black material seems much more palatable (what exactly did he do in his early youth?). Her voice has a really interesting quality to it, dark and rich and it works wonderfully with the simple yet doom-laden arrangement of piano and strings. This song really takes flight two thirds of the way through, their voices soar and dance around each other beautifully, and those harmonies - wow! This is one to watch.
Portugal - Lenore Andrade - Ha um mar que nos separa
Oh Portugal, will you ever win this competition?? Based on this 2015, unfortunately, will not be your year. It chugs along quite pleasantly but doesn't really go anyway, her range is quite limited and the key change really doesn't do her any favours (and I'm a BIG fan of a key change!). Not a vintage year for the Portuguese.
Czech Republic - Marta Jandova & Vaclav Noid Barta - Hope Never Dies
This is an odd one, like a song from an Andrew Lloyd Webber show, sung by rent-a-diva and a man who gargles with gravel. Unlike a couple of the other duets this year I'm not a fan of their voices together, and I feel it almost sounds like they recorded their parts separately and they were then spliced together in a studio. Drums kick in on the second chorus and herald the start of an incline of dramatics. I just don't really get it.
Israel - Nadav Guedj - Golden Boy
Well, this is an odd one. It's like 3 songs stapled together, completely disjointed madness. First off we get the beginning of a pensive ballad that then gives way to 'Señorita'-era Justin Timberlake which in turn then goes batshit bonkers by going all Holly Valance 'Kiss Kiss'! It really shouldn't work, let's be honest it should be a car crash, but somehow I still like it - god help me! In a sea of ballads this will definitely stand out but I'm not sure if that will be in a good way or a bad way.
Latvia - Aminata - Love Injected
This is something a little different for Eurovision, much more modern from a production standpoint and has a similar minimal feel to the Belgian entry. Sparse backing in the verses gives an eerie element to her girlish vocal, speaking of which she's going to have to tread carefully not to shout those big notes in the chorus. The crashes, piano and backing vocals all ramp up the impact of the chorus and some lovely doom-wobble dubstep touches add something different. I like this one, but again I have no idea how it will do!
Azerbaijan - Elnur Huseynov - Hour of the Wolf
So, now for something more akin to normal service, this is a big blousy ballad that has Eurovision running through it like a stick of rock. The shuffling military-style drums are a nice touch and his voice is really pleasant to listen. Initially the chorus is a bit of a non-event although that all changes with the epic key change that is signposted a mile off. The closing section of the song sees Elnur's vocal shine, his voice has an amazing range and will be really impressive if he can pull it off live. I can't see this winning but I'm pretty sure that Azerbaijan will keep up their 100% qualification record.
Iceland - Maria Olafs - Unbroken
Yet again we find ourselves in Ballads-ville. A slow build throughout the first verse with instrumentation building on the drum beats leads into a catchy little chorus. She has a pretty little voice, although I'm not sure about her delivery live. Is it just me that thinks this has a touch of the Frozen's about it? It's not exactly an earth shaker but there are worse ways to spend three minutes (Finland).
Sweden - Mans Zelmerlow - Heroes
So, ladies and gentlemen, here is the hot favourite to win the whole blooming thing next Saturday. Let's get this out of the way, yes it's a blatant rip of 'Lovers on the Sun' by David Guetta, but that doesn't detract from the fact that this is a total tune. Vocally he's a safe pair of hands and the staging is spectacular (although he was threatened with a copyright lawsuit by an artist so there will be changes for Vienna). Simply by virtue of the fact it's upbeat will count in it's favour, I just wish the piano riff section in the build up to the final choruses was used more throughout the song. Watch this one fly up the scoreboard next week.
Switzerland - Melanie Rene - My Time to Shine
Yet another ballad, although this one starts promisingly with stuttering beats and sinister synths. Melanie has a lovely soulful edge to her voice and this really drives the verses towards the chorus (I honestly thought she said 'No more f**king around' the first time I heard it). There are nice flourishes of flute over the chorus and it has dramatic cymbal crashes, but the guitar solo does age the production. Any other year I would say this wouldn't make it out of the semi final, but this year is so open I have no way of predicting where this one will end up!
Cyprus - John Karayiannis - One Thing I should Have Done
This is a perfectly nice acoustic ballad, but I'm sure you know by now I'm not a fan of 'nice'. He actually has a good voice and the simple acoustic backing to the start of the song is a pleasing change from the bombast of some of this year's other entries. Strings add emotion to the second verse but that's about it, it just doesn't really progress from there. Not a bad little song but not a knockout either.
Slovenia - Maraaya - Here For You
This is one of my favourites this year and could be something of a dark horse. Modern beats coupled with an unusual voice and light touches of drum & bass in the chorus really set this apart from the crowd this year. I feel that the use of violin and piano temper the more outlandish elements of the song just enough to make it attractive to both the voters and the national juries. Fingers crossed that this one does well next week, love it!
Poland - Monika Kuszynska - In the Name of Love
Well this is certainly a change of gear from the salacious milk maids of last year! It is ballad by numbers and nothing more, it has no real drive or progression. She has a pleasant voice but it really lacks range, although this may be down to the song rather than her. I may need a couple of matchsticks to stop me nodding off next Thursday evening, not exactly a show-stopping end to the show.
So, there is the full line up for the second semi final of Eurovision 2015, what do you think? That's 33 songs down and 7 to go, check back soon for my thoughts on the entries from France, Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, Australia and the host nation Austria.
For Throwback Thursday every week we're going to shine our poplight on a stone cold classic.
For Throwback Thursday this week we're featuring an absolute pop banger from a band Nashville natives that you may not have hear of, but really should. Ladies, gents and anyone else I'm talking about Venus Hum with 'Montana'!
The band consists of vocalist Annette Strean and multi-instrumentalists Kip Kubin and Tony Miracle. Interestingly Miracle is responsible for the band's name in quite an unusual way, he has a medical condition where he constantly hears his own heartbeat in his ears which is called 'venous hum' - TA DAH (do you see what they did there??)!
The band have an interesting genre-hopping sound from the Massive Attack/Zero 7 sounds of 'Save the World' to the more Bjork-ian rhythms featured in 'Soul Sloshing' and gorgeous folk-flecked acoustic moodiness of 'Turn Me Around'.
The song in question, 'Montana', is a single from their 2003 album 'Big Beautiful Sky' and is a gorgeous slice of accessible dance-pop that starts with wind chimes and then hits the ground running, the crisps beats and buzzy bassline perfectly complimented by Annette's dreamy vocal. Speaking of that lead vocal it mixes equal pinches of Bjork and Tori Amos to perfect effect - unique but accessible - not easy! A filtered breakdown offers a mere moment of clam before the song takes flight with Annette's vocals building the already palpable feeling of euphoria (in case you hadn't already guessed I'm quite a fan!).
Big beautiful sky indeed! Annette also features on a quite brilliant cover of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' by The Blue Man Group which is worth a listen.
We are the world's people, different yet we're the same...
So, as you may, or may not, be aware the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 is just around the corner with the to semi finals taking place on May 19th and 21st and the final on Saturday the 23rd. Following Austria's victory last year, Conchita triumphed with the wonderful Bassey-esque 'Rise Like a Phoenix', the contest will be beaming it's way across the world from the beautiful city of Vienna - and I will be there!
I know it's contentious with accusations of politics and block voting taking away from the actual songs themselves, some people would even question the quality of the songs involved, and that we in the UK may not be seen to take it as seriously as the rest of Europe and beyond (see Scooch), but I, for one, love it.
So, as we count down to the big night I'm going to give my views on all of the songs taking part in the ESC this year. I'll make it quite clear that these are just my opinions and as has become more obvious over the past few years, what I like very rarely wins (although last year was an exception to that rule)!
So, on with the show, and with just over a week to go til the madness kicks off , we'll start with Semi Final 1!
Moldova - Eduard Romanyuta - I Want Your Love
Sounds like a Justin Bieber song recorded before Justin Bieber was even born. If Justin was an artist in the late 90's/early 00's he would've probably recorded something like this. I'm not sure if this is trying to sound turn-of-the-century or if the production is just really outdated (although I do like the flourishes of traditional instruments in the background in the chorus), I think it sounds a bit like an old A1 song (whooooooooooooooooo???). A simple and slightly repetitive chorus and a limited vocal do nothing to save it, I don't rate his chances of qualifying for the final, and at the risk of sounding my mother, I do wish he'd cut his hair!
Armenia - Genealogy - Face the Shadow
A clever concept (members of Armenian descent from different continents and a member from Armenia) can't make up for a bit of a non-event of a song. The piano and acoustic guitars work better with some voices than others, and I think overall they blend pretty well together although I do find the operatics a bit distracting towards the end. Not a favourite of mine.
Belgium - Loic Nottet - Rhythm Inside
Well, someone's been listening to a lot of Lorde haven't they? It's great to see a fresh, young talent like 19 year old Loic bringing something a little different and more contemporary to the competition. Sparse production with a focus on clicks and claps in the verses really shows off the individuality of Loic's voice. Plus, he's already proved he can cope with large audiences and live TV as he finished 2nd on The Voice in Belgium. I really like it, but I have no idea what Europe will make of it.
Netherlands - Trijntje Oosterhuis - Walk Along
First of all think of her name on a triple word score in Scrabble - winner! Following their triumphant return to the finals last year with the sublime 'Calm After the Storm' by the Common Linnets (they nearly won the whole thing!) there's a lot of expectation around the Dutch entry this year. I must admit on first listen I was a little disappointed, but that all soon changed. Soulful vocal, gorgeous acoustic guitars with an air of 'Torn' by Natalie Imbruglia and a simple but deadly catchy chorus. Will the lack of immediacy hurt it's chances? I sincerely hope not.
Finland - Pertti Kurikan Nimipaivat - Aina mun pitaa
A punk band that was formed from a series of workshops for adults with developmental disabilities they have had success in their homeland and are now hoping to have a similar result in Eurovision. At 1 minute and 27 seconds it is the shortest song to ever enter the competition, what they do they seem to do well - I just don't like it, punk isn't really thing. Have a listen a see what you think.
Greece - Maria Elena Kyriakou - One Last Breath
Sound the big blousy ballad klaxon! The former winner of The Voice of Greece has an amazing set of pipes on her, what a voice! However, the song is a little bit old-fashioned. I hope they've put new batteries in the wind machine because it's going to get pounded over the 3 minutes Maria is on stage! When it actually gets out of first gear it's pretty good, and the end is full or dramatic clashes and over-the-top backing vocals, it really reminds me of 'The Voice Within' by Christina Aguilera and sounds like it's just stepped out of that era. Will it qualify? Not a bloody clue!
Estonia - Elina Borg & Stig Rasta - Goodbye to Yesterday
One of the early favourites for victory in Vienna, and it's a classy affair. Jaunty, retro-influenced acoustic guitars with stabs of Bond-style bass and brass give this a real 60's flavour. There is some nice interplay between the two of them and their voices work well together, although they don't sound like they're in a particularly good place as a couple...
Macedonia - Daniel Kajmakoski - Autumn Leaves
Macedonia may not be one of the strongets qualification records at Eurovision but they keep plugging away. This is a distinct change of gear from last year's dance-oriented entry. A traditional Balkan balled with nice flourishes of violins, but maybe a little too safe? I kept waiting for it to kick off and take flight, but it never happened. It's pleasant, but maybe not in a good way.
Serbia - Bojana Stamenov - Beauty Never Lies
Returning after a year's absence Serbia come back with a popular singer in their country (she came 3rd in Serbia's Got Talent). In my critique of the last song I said I was waiting for it all to kick off, there's no such problem with this one! At the start it's all very much etho-pop by numbers with lyrics from the 'Miss Congeniality Book of World Peace', then someone presses the poppers 'o clock button half way through and we get Serbia by way of Magaluf - it's as mental as it sounds. Camp as tits, overly dramatic and divisive, I happen to love it!
Hungary - Boggie - Wars for Nothing
Speaking of world peace-style lyrics, ladies and gentlemen we have a winner in that category! A call for a cease to world wars and the fact that everyone deserves a chance, blah, blah and thrice blah. I understand and appreciate the sentiment, but this is inoffensive to the point of being bland. It is 3 minutes of your life you will never get back. What's Hungarian for 'Kumbaya'?
Belarus - Uzari & Maimuna - Time
A male vocalist and female violinist duo...obviously! His voice is fairly pleasant and the violin does add something a little different to the poppy production, but, again, it never really takes off. I really like the violin breakdown mid-way through as it works really well with his vocals, but that isn't really enough to save it.
Russia - Polina Gagarina - A Million Voices
I feel I need to start this review with a note that my views on this song are not coloured at all by the political landscape in Russia nor are they an endorsement of the treatment of certain groups at the hands of the Putin regime. Well, now that's out of the way, on to the song. This is as cheesy as 70's fondue, very much in the world peace category, the production is slightly dated but is classy in the extreme and Polina's voice is bloody fantastic. Although I may not agree with the way the country is governed they can certainly churn out a wind machine fodder ballad of the highest order, this could do very well.
Denmark - Anti Social Media - The Way You Are
Denmark have a pretty good track record at Eurovision and have hit something of a purple patch over the last few years with the popular Bruno Mars rip off of last year (Basim's 'Cliche Love Song') and winning in 2013 with wood nymph Emelie de Forest's penny whistle anthem 'Only Teardrops'. So, we come to their 2015 entry, sunny guitars, cute backing vocals, catchy lyrics but there's just something missing and I can't put my finger on what it is. I like it, but that's it - it's nice, and I fear that may not be enough to make a splash.
Albania - Elhaida Dani - I'm Alive
Elhaida has won a TV talent show called Star Factory in her homeland and The Voice of Italy so she's got pedigree. She has an interesting tone to her voice and it all starts rather pleasantly with ad libs and acoustic guitars. Elhaida has a beautiful voice and the percussion continues to build towards a crashing finale. I really like this one, although Albania can be quite unpredictable in the contest so God knows what's going to happen to this one.
Romania - Voltaj - De la capat (All Over Again)
The words 'Romanian pop-rock' don't exactly fill me with joy, but this isn't as bad as I initially thought. Pleasant Radio 2-style backing track and serviceable vocals, but will it be enough to stand out in the huge sea of ballads this year? I'm not so sure. When the lyrics switch to Engish it loses something and just sounds a bit like any other slightly bland emo-pop from about 10 years ago.
Georgia - Nina Sublatti - Warrior
Something of a fan favourite this year Georgia are coming off the back of finishing last in their semi final last year and it would appear they've come out fighting. It's got lovely modern production and has a sheen to it that few songs this year can compete with. My major problem is that her diction is just appalling! I understand this is her second language, but I do struggle to pick many lyrics out. However, that said it is a strong entry with elements of drum & bass in the breakdown midway through. I think this stands a chance of not only qualifying but doing very well in Vienna.
So, there you have it, the songs that are competing in the first semi final of Eurovision in Vienna. Make sure to check back very soon for my thoughts on semi final 2 and the automatic qualifiers from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and new kids on the block Australia!
This week's 'Track of the Week' come from a singer who has been absent from the charts in his homeland, the UK, for a while but has had success around the world, has recently been seen as a judge on X Factor - Italy, and if there's any justice in the world he should get some mainstream recognition for this song. The singer is question is Mika with 'Last Party'.
Last seen in the UK charts 6 years ago with 'We Are Golden', Mika is back this summer with a new album, 'No Place in Heaven', and our 'Track of the Week' is the first release from it. Gone are the cartoonish images and glass-shattering falsetto's of former pop glories 'Grace Kelly' and 'Relax, Take it Easy', replaced with a much more plaintive and soul-searching sound. Simple piano backing works beautifully with Mika's more delicate delivery, a real sense of melancholy haunts this song:
"If you could look into the future, would ya?
If you could see it, would you even want to?
Got a feeling there's bad news coming,
But I don't want to find out."
Midway through some staccato violins join the party for added drama, but the star of the show is Mika's voice, showing light and shade we haven't heard before he shows he isn't just all about shiny pop hooks, he can break your heart too. In my opinion he hasn't sounded this good since, 'Happy Ending'.
'No Place in Heaven'is out in the UK on June 22nd with 'Last Party' as an instant grat track if you pre-order. Take a listen to our 'Track of the Week' Mika's 'Last Party'.
This week we bring together a squeaky-clean pop princess and the reigning king of commercial dance music, our musical mashup marriage this week is Carly Rae Jepsen and Calvin Harris.
Carly is (yet another) product of TV talent shows, in this instance 'Canadian Idol' and, unless you've been in a coma for the past few years you will know her from her earworm of a breakthrough single 'Call Me Maybe' which nearly blew up the planet itself it was that popular! Since that huge smash of a record her careers have weaved through genres in attempt to replicate the initial success, she's flirted with dancier material on 'Good Time' (a duet with Owl City) and 'Tonight I'm Getting Over You', and more MOR material, such as 'Curiosity', to varying degrees of success. However, she has recently made a return to the upper echelons of pop with the catchy, 80's-influenced 'I Really Like You' (I'm not sure I've ever hear so many uses of the word 'really' in one chorus before!).
Calvin Harris has come a long way since being born Adam Wiles in Dumfries, Scotland, he's been the world's highest paid DJ for the last two years, has released 4 massive hit albums and worked with some of pops biggest names. He holds the record for the most UK top 10 singles from one album, an incredible 9 from the album '18 Months' (including the epic 'Bounce' featuring Kelis and 'I Need Your Love' featuring Ellie Goulding) and has had 3 #1 dance hits in the USA.
The two tracks in our featured mashup this week are the aforementioned international smash 'I Really Like You' and Harris' 'Outside' (originally featuring Ellie Goulding again). The synths and flamenoc guitars of Calvin's production work really well with the sweetness of Carly's voice and as THAT chorus kicks in the dance quota starts to rise and the perfectly timed drop at the end of the chorus emphasises the burst of euphoric synths that gatecrash your ears a second later.
It, somehow, works REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY REALLY well!
