The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! No, not Christmas, but EUROVISION! As a resident Europhile and generally a fan of pop culture and current events-I’m stoked! Honestly, I didn’t become interested in the contest until about 2014 when Poland made it past the first round for the first time in forever. Was My Slowianie my favorite? It’s complicated (but generally, yes, I dig it for a variety of reasons) and we can explore Poland’s entries throughout the years at another time. For now, let’s focus on the matter at hand: our upcoming final this weekend! Here are some of my standouts:
UKRAINE:
Ukraine is overwhelmingly being projected as a favorite to win. This has garnered a mix of reactions. Many comments I’ve seen throughout social media are crying that the current political climate is giving the folk-rap band an unfair advantage and that the song competition shouldn’t be political, to which I call BS. Eurovision has always had both obvious and subtle hints of political intrigue, whether it was the UK getting last place the first year they competed after Brexit or Austria’s statement to have Conchita Wurst as their representative. It’s really one of the safest ways the European continent (and apparently Australia and Israel) can “duke it out” without getting arms involved. The artists have a platform for a cause that’s important to them and they’re using it to connect with the world. Also- isn’t that why music can be so powerful? It can evoke such strong emotions and having a song that stands for something is a heck of a lot more interesting than something that’s just catchy.
Kalush Orchestra’s “Stefania” has become a rallying cry to Ukranians throughout the world amidst the ongoing war that has ravaged the country since late February of this year. It’s a tribute to one of the band member’s mother, but with the war, the song has taken on a new meaning where Ukraine is the mother in the song.
I love this entry regardless. Kalush Orchestra reminds me of one of my favorite Polish folk rock bands, Enej. I’m a fan of any folk-infused Slavic music– I think it’s a wonderful marriage of heritage/tradition and popular culture and on a personal note, it makes me feel at home. I applaud them for keeping the song in their language as well, instead of trying to translate it ( cough *pander* cough) to the masses. Additionally, Ukraine’s been putting in some of the most interesting entries into the song contest in recent history, and not just Go_A’s SHUM (though that too, is a banger if I say so myself. The music video itself is everything that makes my Slavic heart happy with its ‘weirdness’).
ITALY:
There has to be some pressure to follow last year’s winners, Maneskin. Does this live up to “Zitti e Buoni?” Assolutamente, no, but at the same time it’s difficult to compare the two, as they live in two different worlds of music. I have mixed thoughts with “Brividi”. I admittedly am not too familiar with BLANCO, but I love Mahmood so much and I’m still salty that he didn’t win with “Soldi” back in 2019. It’s a beautiful duet with some emotional lyrics about how even the best intentions cannot save a relationship from any stumbles or mistakes. I love their voices together, the harmony of the chorus hits just right. That being said, I don’t think it’s winner material. I think they’ll definitely make Top 10, maybe Top 5, but I’d be surprised to see them as the winners of the overall competition.
LITHUANIA:
I’ve had a Monika LIU song grace one of my Discover Weekly playlists in 2021 and I’ve been a (albeit tangential) fan ever since. The songs I’m familiar with really give me a sense of nostalgia and I appreciate that it’s something different. She mentioned she’s here to make the Lithuanian language cool and I am here for her mission. Also she just oozes class.
POLAND:
Normally, I cringe at Poland’s entries, but Ochman was a surprise. As a fellow US-born Pole, straddling two cultures, I feel oddly proud that he’s representing Poland at this year’s competition. The lyrics themselves aren’t revolutionary and they’re a tad repetitive. It’s definitely a moody ballad, not unlike some of the ones below, but I think it’s Ochman’s voice paired with the awesome staging I’ve seen in the rehearsals that makes me think this will give Poland a chance to at least make Top 10. A girl can dream, no?
NETHERLANDS:
The fact that S10, real name Stien den Hollander, is only 21 years old makes me question what I’m doing with my life. “De Diepte,” which translates to ‘The Depth,’ is about depression and mental health after a tough break-up. I would learn Dutch just to sing along. I love the melody, her voice, the beat- all of it. It also happened to be on one of my Discover Weekly playlists a few months back and it’s been in my head ever since. I think she will easily make Top 10!
Here are my thoughts about the other entries from the brief clips of the Official Recap:
Albania- It’s giving me Game of Thrones/romance novel cover. I understand she was a bit of a fan favorite, so I’m surprised she didn’t make it to the finals.
Armenia– Reminds me of a female version of The Lumineers. I kind of dig it.
Australia– It’s giving me emotional breakup. If I had an ex that I disliked, this would probably be something I’d pretend I’m singing to them in a dramatic music video.
Austria– Good dance pop moment. Definitely adding to my “Rusz Dupe!” (Move your ass!) playlist for my workouts.
Azerbaijan– Meh. Nice voice and melody, but not really memorable.
Belgium– Awesome voice and again, it’s giving me break up but like more of an empowering sense, like a “ciao bambino, your loss” type of empowering.
Bulgaria– Ok, what were those drummer’s spiral cymbals? How? Otherwise a decent little rock song, but nothing to write home about.
Croatia– Alright Balkan Taylor Swift vibes.
Cyprus– Kind of forgettable. Sorry.
Czech Republic– I feel like I’ve heard this before and it’s definitely going to be one of my summer faves for 2022.
Denmark– I can appreciate a female rock group.
Estonia– I’m blasting this on the open road when I take a road trip out west.
Finland– Less intense version of Maneskin. I know the Scandinavian countries are more known for rock music entries to the contest, but I’m not as wowed as I was with Italy last year.
France– I feel like this is very SHUM-esque. I’m not mad at it. Honorable mention from me!
Georgia– The Muppets? A circus? What’s happening?
Germany– Meh…
Greece– I’ve definitely heard she’s a favorite for this edition. It’s definitely a typical Eurovision ballad, but I’m indifferent.
Iceland– A departure from Daði og Gagnamagnið. Icelandic HAIM?
Ireland– Fun poppy song. It’ll go in my Who Run The World playlist (it’s my female empowerment playlist).
Israel– I want a tunnel of lights like in this music video clip. I don’t know what I’d do with one but it looks awesome.
Latvia– INSTEAD OF MEAT, I EAT VEGGIES AND 🐱. This was definitely on my Tiktok many times and let’s be real, that first line feels like they included it just for the shock value.
Malta– Decent pop. Felt like the video was trying to be a United Colors of Benetton ad or an ode to Michael Jackson’s “Black and White,” though.
Moldova– Ok, after my declaration of love for anything folk-infused, you know I was going to vibe with the “Hej Ho! Let’s go, folklore and rock’n’roll.”
Montenegro– I liked the melody and the violins/stringed instruments backing her. She has a lovely voice too.
North Macedonia– I like her voice. I wish I had more to add because she looks cool.
Norway– I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE HYPE. Is this this generation’s “What Does the Fox Say?” Like, I get that it fits the “weird and quirky” vibes of the spirit of Eurovision but I just don’t how this song makes it to the finals and not Latvia.
Portugal– Definitely gets an honorable mention from me. Again, here for an all-female indie atmosphere and I can also appreciate the idea of “Saudade” which is a Portuguese phrase that directly translates “missing” in English, but really is best described as a “sort of longing wistful nostalgia for something or someone beloved” that is no longer there. I think it’s beautiful.
Romania– Did I miss why he’s singing in Spanish?
San Marino– It’s difficult for me not to try and compare him to Maneskin. I don’t think he pulls it off as well, though.
Serbia– It’s got a fun drop into the chorus. If I was a betting gal, which I’m not, while I can’t predict the winner, I can predict that the audience will inevitably screw up the rhythm as they try to clap along to any live performance of this.
Slovenia- Cute, nice little disco funk moment. I just wish the lead vocalist had more stage presence.
Spain– My friend Donny kept saying she’s trying too hard to be Shakira and I can’t unsee/unhear it. Definitely going on my summer playlist, though.
Sweden– Another good power ballad.
Switzerland– I appreciate the message and I think he’s got a nice voice, but I’m not wowed. I don’t get how he qualified into the semi’s.
UK– Ok, the singer looks like a fun time! I know the UK gets to the final anyway because of its Big Five status, right? Regardless, a decent song! I’ll probably add it to a playlist of mine at some point.
Ola Wysocki 