Tix is our man in the European Melody Grand Prix madness. I bet headbands and bucket hat that he goes on to the final. There are 16 dolphin finalists, and ten of them go on. Getting a score that places him in the top ten should be an opportunity.
Andreas Haukeland was never my favorite, but he became the hero of the people and sent to Rotterdam. Now he has sharpened his skills: singing in English, making his demons uglier and his stage performance sharper. The black devils on stage can save him. The air will go out of the MGP balloon here at home if he breaks out tonight.
«Fallen Angel», as the song is now called, is in my ears far from so small with English lyrics. In pop language, there is a filter between, and a distance to, the content. It got dice rolled by one of me four months ago. Today, seen and heard together with the other contributions, the grade would be somewhat higher – but said is said, eaten is eaten.
European of the year MGP finals maintain a varied and relatively good standard. Many are far better off than Tix on the odds. Tonight’s last artist, Destiny from Malta is one of those who is predicted an MGP victory. We also meet Sweden, which also this year delivers a piece of pop design that will reap points.
1: Litauen. The Roop – «Discoteque»
THE ROOP: Watch out for this synth trio playing with the 80’s. Photo: Esc
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A cheeky and seductive little case with ancestry dating back to the synth-sinful 80s. Here I hear Simple Minds and Depeche Mode. A decadent synthetic disco, suitably alienated and cool, with a tractor bass and distant vocals. Delicious.
2: Slovenia. Ana Soklič – “Amen”
ANA SOKLIČ: Revival preacher who needs help from our Lord. Photo: Esc
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A soul ballad with a large choir – and good vocals by Ana Soklič. “Amen” offers nice variety and dynamism. But this sacred gospel contribution will hardly convert doubters to either god, allah or sms voices. The revival meeting with a large choir may give Slovenia a final place.
3: Russland. Manizha – «Russian Woman»
MANIZJA DALEROVNA SANGIN: Gruson gauling can give points. Photo: Esc
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Woman with scarf gauler all too damn to folk rhythms. The contribution was investigated for misogyny in the home country, a kind of “hetoo” accusation from Russian patriarchs. Manizha was allowed to travel, in doubt. Just pour a vodka and shake off the hassle.
4: Sweden. Tusse – «Voices»
TOUSIN “TUSSE” CHIZA: We applaud you and Sweden. Photo: Esc
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Quality pop from our neighbors, who have cracked the code and schematically relate to a recipe that works time and time again. Magnificent and captivating with a solid singing performance. One of the best MGP contributions of the year. Tusse has already faced racism for its skin color and origin. Hope it does not ruin for him. We are all Swedes, we are all black.
5: Australia. Montaigne -«Technicolour»
MONTAIGNE: Jessica Alyssa Cerro makes Australia a part of Europe. Photo: Esc
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A young artist who is obviously inspired by Sinéad O’Connor, but without the Irish artist’s accuracy and range. “Technicolour” goes its own way, just like a defiant teenager. It is somewhat irritating, but can not be released – and it ends up being a little annoyingly annoying.
6: Nord-Makedonia. Vasil – «Here I Stand»
VASIL GARVANLIEV: Always fun with theatrical pathos in MGP. Photo: Esc
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Here we get Northern Macedonia’s answer to Didrik Solli-Tangen, a singer with indisputably voluminous and precise voice. In other words: a typical MGP ballad with emotions and pathos in another potency. It may seem relentless, but Vasil and all his being are just parodic and theatrical.
7: Irland. Lesley Roy – «Maps»
LESLEY ROY: Ireland has the most MGP victories, but that will not happen this year. Photo: Esc
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Big wholesalers in MGP victories, Ireland, stick sticks in their own wheels – if the goal is to win. “Maps” are directionless, like a hiker without a compass. It is magnificently untouched and free of variety. Like trying to fish with a hook without a barb. You do not get sucked, nor on me.
8: Cyprus. Elena Tsagrinou – “El Diablo”
ELENA TSAGRINOU: Devilish and good. Can she scare Tix’s demons? Photo: Esc
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Cyprus gives us the devil served on a platter of blasphemy, at least that’s what Elena has been accused of. Heavy disco rhythms for Lady Gaga aesthetics that work on their own terms. It has been claimed that the devil has the best songs, and this is far from true here: The devil’s refreshing party soda.
9: Norway. Tix – “Fallen Angel”
ANDREAS HAUKELAND: Is it the stage aesthetics that give Tix a final place? Photo: Esc
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The man who makes “Staysman” appear as a sober stylist is trying to grow up. The Russian artist has washed his mouth and falls into hiding with a winged ballad, which many Norwegians love. I was not among them, but hope Tix gets to the final and gives us currency all the way.
10: Kroatia. Albina – «Tick-Tock»
ALBINA GRČIĆ: Croatia proposes to the Tik Tok generation – in vain. Photo: Esc
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This is not an app, but a pulsating soul pop song that invites to dance. I can wiggle and crouch on the dance floor here, but it’s the song that does not make me completely take off, hedge towards masculine men and decadent ladies. A little too predictable, this. More for the eyes than the ears.
11: Belgia. Hooverphonic – «The Wrong Place»
HOOVERPHONIC: Of course we remember this 80’s band. Nice rehearsal. Photo: ESC
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The 90’s band Hooverphonic has crawled out of the compost heap, shaken off rotten leaves and mold. This is a road movie of a song, elongated and deliciously cool to musical images from the 80s / 90s. With more variety, “The Wrong Place” would be far better.
12: Israel. Eden Alene – «Set Me Free»
EDEN ALENE: The Israeli artist gives us the highest tone of the MGP. Photo: ESC
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A fluttering and delicious disco song in 2021. “Set Me Free” is soft and soulful, varied and captivating. This is a song that will also show Eden Alone vocal splendor: a loud, bright whistling tone so high frequency that hardly anyone over 50 has a chance to hear – a hype for the artist.
13: Romania. Roxen – «Amnesia»
LARISA ROXANA GIURGIU: A good, but somewhat flat attempt from Romania. Photo: Esc
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Seductive and calm, this – like being scratched on the back by a woman’s hand without nails – it does not scratch, does not hurt. But it’s never wrong to get caresses, so I accept. An attempt to do what Sweden almost always achieves: to create MGP magic. Nice vocals, but too little commitment.
14: Aserbajdsjan. Efendi – «Mata Hari»
SAMIRA EFENDIJEVA: Captivating, flirtatious and seductive from Efendi. Photo: Esc
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A very typical MGP contribution from the Balkans – who knows how to press the right buttons. Here is Eastern mystery, like being thrown into a lukewarm seductive maelstrom. Rhythms and shouts on “Ma-ma-ma-ma-Mata Hari” are consistent, to a snake tamer flute.
15: Ukraina. Go-A – «Shum»
GO-A: A Ukrainian folk-electronics band from hell. Free us from evil. Photo: Esc
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Lord Jemini, Our Father, God, Allah – and the Humanitarian League: Free us from this. What wrong has Europe and I done that deserve this torment. A punishment for being an MGP enthusiast? Balkan folklore, viper vocals and electronics. If hell exists, this one goes on forever repeat there.
16: Malta. Destiny – “I’m Breaking”
DESTINY CHUKUNYERE: Watch out, tonight’s best song comes from Malta. Photo: Esc
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Here we have a winning candidate. Destiny is Malta’s answer to Adelé, with a powerful vocal. A cheeky rhythm and bass-driven song that is topped with the 18-year-old’s vocal splendor as icing. Here are fountain-splashing saxophones and musical fist blows – explosive like illegal fireworks.
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