Almost The End

On the second Sunday of March, we're in the final Eurovision preselection stretch, with over two thirds of the competing countries having presented their entries.

From Denmark, Bryan Rice's “I Choose U” sounds like ten years ago, and so does its title. What doesn't remind people of Pokemon?

Israel had a final early in the week with three songs from Mei Finegold. There's a lot of talk about “Nisheret Iti” because its songwriters are threatening a lawsuit over the results, but the last place song “Be Proud” is also worth a listen. It has dramatic power-ballad versus and a joyous, triumphant Eurovision-y chorus. The mix works very well.

Norway had three semifinals in one weekend, from which nine songs advanced to next week's final and six songs missed out. My favorite of the six was Hilda & Thea Leora's "Best Friend's Boyfriend." Its the peppiest pop song of the six.

Portugal had a ten-song semifinal, from which half made it on to the final. "Emoção" by Ricardo Afonso has a neat 80s intro.

In Slovenia, Omar Naber's “I Won't Give Up” has that pop rock style that made him my first favorite Slovenian entrant back in 2005. Unlike 2005 it's much more positive and hopeful. Also guitar solos

This is the only video I could find.

Sweden had their Melodifestivalen final after five weeks of preliminary rounds.  Second place went to "Busy Doin' Nothin'" by Ace Wilder. Some slacker anthems are brilliant (Longview) and some are not (The Lazy Song). This is in the first camp and there isn't really one like this. Its part Ylvis, part Avicii, part Icona Pop/ting tings -  something that the world recognizes as "Scandinavian pop" of the current era, a little cool. The "don't wanna work work work" refrain with the fashion delivery is a brilliant contrast.

Of course I also had to mention Yohio's return entry, "To The End." this was disappointing as it wasn't as good as "Heartbreak Hotel." This sounds much closer to his other work, and for a song written entirely by Swedes its very Gackt-like. His vocal delivery is a lot closer to Gackt too (the warbling on long notes). It didn't seem like a winner on first or subsequent listening but its nice to hear more from him.

You would think next week's upcoming finals would be "everyone else" but some countries' entries are still TBA.