Belgium, Bulgaria and Norway

Belgium – Jérémie Makiese: Miss You

Although I love the way Jerémie screams “No”, the theme of the song reminds me of sad teenagers.  The melody is beautiful, and Jerémie can transition between high and low keys really well. The little heart icon on the costume is very precious, as I am one to appreciate people who dress in character. Overall, it is a performance that has a good energy, and It is easy to sing along, but I don’t see this as a winner. 

Review by Marilia Erickson

Bulgaria – Intelligent Music Project: Intention

This is an enjoyable performance, as I am biased towards rock. Unfortunately, enjoyable is all that was. Even though they sing about how they are “never in the safety zone” the performance seemed very safe to me and missing the raw emotion I would expect every time I was hoping for some higher notes. This could be on my Spotify playlist, but I don’t think it has what it takes to take the title.

Review by Marilia Erickson

Norway – Subwoolfer: Give That Wolf A Banana

At first, I did not know what I was looking at, but then I realized Subwoolfer was dressed in yellow because this is pure gold. The costumes are absolutely amazing; the music is absolutely amazing; the choreography is absolutely amazing; and the lyrics just make me want to sing “yum, yum, yum”. So, someone please get these wolves a trophy full of bananas. Even though it is doubtful that I will listen to this song again; I will certainly never forget it.  Grandma will be missed.

Review by Marilia Erickson

Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Czech Republic

Azerbaijan – Mata Hari by Efendi

Reminiscent of a dentist’s drill, Efendi’s Mata Hari is testing my patience and love for Eurovision. And when the singing finaly stops the heavy drums and wailing pipes start. Apparently, Efendi competed five times to represent Azerbaijan and missed out ….if only she’d made it a sixth time unsuccessfully.

Review by Mariella Herberstein



Bulgaria – Growing Up Is Getting Old by VICTORIA

Wait…. this is actually a sensitive, beautifully arranged and heartfelt song with lucid yet confronting lyrics. I love it a lot….not sure Eurovision is a safe place for Victoria.

Review by Mariella Herberstein



Czech Republic – omaga by Benny Cristo

I can’t quite put my finger on it…is it the autotuning, the lazy lyrics (‘oh my god’ is repeated 10 times) or the casual sexist disrespect? Probably all of the above – nil points from me .

Review by Mariella Herberstein

Bulgaria & Denmark

BulgariaEquinox: Bones

What is life? Equinox asks the important questions in this serious yet sensual song.

As a Eurovision rookie, I feel prematurely emotionally attached to this group, who will perform together for the first time during the semi-finals.

I hope they bring the rainbow prism machine on stage, because it adds a whole new mysterious dimension to the song; word on the street is Bulgaria have been a favourite before the group were even formed- doesn’t get much more mysterious than that!

My only concern for this group is that they follow each other, ‘deep into the unknown’ and forget to open their eyes and fall off the stage; regardless, I predict they’ll love beyond bones straight into the finals.

Review: Georgina Binns

 

DenmarkRasmussen: Higher Ground

I’m going to be honest, I wanted to review Rasmussen because of his beard.

Fortunately, his beard didn’t let me down. The choreography on the other hand, was a bit of a disappointment. Rasmussen is pretty decent at singing and stomping and looking like a Viking though, and thank goodness for the wind machine. I also really like how the back-up dancers don’t try and show him up.

Higher Ground is apparently based on a Viking who refused to fight. I’m confused as to how this Viking even got the job of leading a crew of warriors into battle when he was a lover, not a fighter?

There is a great pitch change towards to the end, which does kind of make you feel like loving instead of fighting.

And his beard really is great.

I give this act 3 beards out of 5 beards.

Review: Georgina Binns

Bulgaria

BulgariaBeautiful Mess by Kristian Kostov

Bulgarian man-child Kristian is the third teenager in this year’s line-up. Together with Brendan (Ireland) and Isaiah (Australia), we have the making of a boy band. Kristian would obviously be the edgy one without convincing eyebrows, who would eventually fall out with the others, develop a drug habit and see out his career playing Las Vegas. And the song? Forgettable!

Review by Mariella Herberstein

 

Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania

Ireland
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Sunlight by Nicky Byrne

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Former Westlifer Nicky Byrne – better known as Ireland’s second sexiest man 2014 – is carrying the hopes of the Republic this year with the pop-ballad ‘Sunshine’. It’s pretty standard fare, but there’s the hint of a foot-tapping groove, and I enjoy the irony of an Irishman singing about sunlight (note the lack of location-shots in the accompanying video). It’s an outside chance.

Review by Tom White

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Bulgaria
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If Love Were a Crime by Poli Genova

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If love were a crime, then Poli Genova would be in jail for beating that lyrical conceit to death. She’d be sharing a cell with her weird necktie thing, which is surely committing a fashion crime. Otherwise, this entry is totally forgettable generic Eurotrash; here’s hoping the song doesn’t make bail or the finals.

Review by Scott Fabricant

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Lithuania
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I’ve Been Waiting for This Night by Donny Montell

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I specifically want to review the music video version, because honestly that party looks pretty dope. As in, all the dope they probably lit up before filming. I think I just saw a girl blow a handful of popcorn at the camera while over in the corner people are stroking each other’s furry coats. Neither is a euphemism. Feelingly clearly overwhelmed by all the sensory stimuli in their current drug-addled state, the singer and his lyrically mandated date roam the streets, wave sparklers in each other’s faces, blow smoke in each other’s mouths, and eat kebabs as come-down munchies. So, another night in King’s Cross Lithuania I guess.

Oh you wanted me to review the song? It’s decent I guess. Typical bubblegum boy-pop. It’s pretty catchy, like crabs in a King’s Cross nightclub. He’ll do alright for himself, on the scoreboard and the afterparty.

Review by Scott Fabricant