Current Events > I review the entries of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ill review one entry a day and Ill go through the countries in alphabetical order.

Once Ive reviewed them all Ill rank them.

01: Albania - Anxhela Peristeri - Karma

https://youtu.be/Q4D_RfEFwd4

Albania usually send a dramatical Balkan ballad sung by a female solo artist and 2021 is no different. The song opens powerfully but doesnt really go anywhere after that. This type of song has been done so many times over the years and much better on several occasions. The golden age of Balkan ballads in Eurovision was in the 00s and this does not reach the highs of songs like Lane moje, Lejla and Molitva. Karma is too basic, but if you havent heard the genre before then it could be new and exciting. I could see it qualify for the Final but it will do poorly there.


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02: Australia - Montaigne - Technicolour

https://youtu.be/ghT5QderxCA

I really like the concept of this song on paper. A sorts of hybrid of Marina And The Diamonds and Charli XCX. The verses and pre-chorus are the best parts though. The chorus doesnt quite hit as hard as it should. The song feels a bit disjointed and demo-esque (not quite finished). Montaigne looks cool however and brings energy to it - this live performance is better than the studio version. The song stands out in the line-up which is usually a plus at Eurovision. This fact can bring it to the final if the stars align (I expect more jury points than televote points).

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03: Austria - Vincent Bueno - Amen

https://youtu.be/1sY76L68rfs

Linear and radio friendly ultrasoft pop-rock. Sounds like a random Robbie Williams song. Not bad but not exciting either. Vincent seems to have a good voice though. Forgettable but competent usually takes you nowhere in Eurovision so this feels like an NQ (non-qualifier for the Final).

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04: Azerbaijan - Efendi - Mata Hari

https://youtu.be/HSiZmR1c7Q4

Yet another Azeri entry written and produced by Northern/Western Europeans. This time a Dutch team instead of a Swedish one. RnB-pop infused with ethnic Azerbaijani elements. There are elements here which I really enjoy, like the hectic segments, but I find the whole a bit lacklustre. The song leaves me feeling kinda empty when a song like this should make me wanna dance. Efendis vocals sound really filtered - if she cannot sing live then this will sound terribly shrill and grating. Azerbaijan has struggled with poor live vocals in the past. I expect this to make the Final however - that should not be a problem for Efendi.

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05: Belarus

The Belarusian entry was disqualified and the country was given the option to send another entry. Its been over a week now and no news so I have no choice but to skip them.

06: Belgium - Hooverphonic - The Wrong Place

https://youtu.be/0EQyG1Yjlgw

Stylish 90s-sounding indie pop. A grower rather than a punch right in your face. I find myself forgetting the entry when its over and that is always bad in Eurovision. I can see the jurors give it some points since it is a competent entry clearly written by a guy who knows music. But who will pick up their phone to vote for this in 2021?

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07: Bulgaria - Victoria - Growing Up Is Getting Old

https://youtu.be/qMNxCzuEdVM

This warm and elegant adult lullaby is one of the pre-favourites. The strings. The ticking of the clock. The humming of the choir. The double meaning of the title. The tender climax. Victorias style of singing, somewhat inspired by Billie Eilish Id say, keeps the song modern. Sofia 2022? Not impossible.

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I dunno if CE is uninterested in this topic or if the ones who care havent seen it.

So Im tagging a bunch of users

@FF_Redux @Parappa09 @NeoBowser @Funkydog @scar_the_1 @Math_Murderer @KStateKing17 @King_Rial @cuh @SSJ2GrimReaper

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@CruelBuffalo @Choco @teep_ @Turtlebread @Raikuro @pinky0926 @SPE @The_Creep_2020 @_BlueMonk (I think you like pop music?)

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I dont wanna get too spoiled, but Ill read tour comments and see if Ill check some out.

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I thought Australia was just allowed a year of participation in honour of their love for it.
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Tag

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BalanceLost posted...

@CruelBuffalo @Choco @teep_ @Turtlebread @Raikuro @pinky0926 @SPE @The_Creep_2020 @_BlueMonk (I think you like pop music?)

thanks for the tag!

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New plan. Ill listen and comment too, Ill give each half a listen. In a mood.

Albania.
Love it, the violing breakdown was great.

Australia
Its allright, liked her look except the hair, made her look like a strange Sinead OConnor

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Tag for later

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Austria
Super boring

Azerbajdzjan
Loved it, a bit modern that captures that cheesy Eurovison soul.

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Thanks for the flag, Ill check these out!

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Tag.

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I hope you all enjoy this topic :D

08: Croatia - Albina - Tick Tock

https://youtu.be/IHS_2GpNwmA

One of several pop songs with a female solo artist in this years contest. I sometimes listen to it on Spotify so its a song I like but it could be better. The problem is that I hear about 3 different songs in there. The intro and first verse promise a different type of chorus, so I got a bit disappointed the first time I heard it. And the chorus is good but it belongs with other verses. This is an increasingly common problem in Eurovision. Instead of sticking to one idea and going all out you try to mix too many ingredients in order to widen the appeal, to get more votes, and the end result is a decent but not amazing product which gets a so-so result. The most successful entries are usually the ones with a clear concept. Very Final worthy song though.

DeadBankerDream posted...

I thought Australia was just allowed a year of participation in honour of their love for it.

It started out that way for the 60th edition of the show in 2015, yeah. Each host nation has the ability to invite them back though and that has so far happened every year.

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09: Cyprus - Elena Tsagrinou - El Diablo

https://youtu.be/mk4amZlPa4g

Time for one of the best AND one of the most problematic entries of Eurovision 2021! I looooooove powerful catchy dance pop like this which makes you wanna hit the clubs. The hard pulsating beat draws me in from the start and then BAM! that chorus smacks so fiercely.

The explicit Satanism is troublesome however. Especially the part where children chant I love el Diablo. It is not strange that Christians in Cyprus and Greece have started a petition to ban the song to be honest.

The entry is also one big copycat calvalcade. A plagiarism bonanza. The songwriters have shamelessly stolen from both Lady Gagas Bad Romance and from Rita Oras Anywhere while the music video is a ripoff of Zara Larssons video for Love Me Land. It is done so well though and I cannot stop enjoying this song immensely. Currently my silver medalist.

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Anyone remember the year that Stratovarius randomly showed up and sang Hunting High and Low?

Ivany2008 posted...

Anyone remember the year that Stratovarius randomly showed up and sang Hunting High and Low?

I dont have a clear memory of that but could it have been in 2007? Finland was the host then.

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10: Czech Republic - Benny Cristo - omaga

https://youtu.be/Kxa3ZtxIdxQ

Fun funky dance pop with a great vibe. There are many uptempo songs this year but few are sung by men so this stands out in the line up. The song feels very American and all the movie/series references in the music video add to that feeling which can put off some snarky Europeans but I personally hope this will do well in May. If Benny is able to bring the energy of the song to life on stage then it will probably get a fair amount of televote points.

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Tag

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11: Denmark - Fyr Og Flamme - ve Os P Hinanden

https://youtu.be/axzrdVUdQzQ

Last year I had Denmark in my personal Top 5. This year its sadly nul points. An old school dansbandsschlager which does absolutely nothing for me. I also fail to see how it will make the Final. No way that enough people and jurors vote for this blah hah.

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BalanceLost posted...

Czech Republic

bro just say czechia. we don't have to call it this weird thing anymore.

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Choco posted...

bro just say czechia. we don't have to call it this weird thing anymore.

They always seem to still be called Czech Republic in English ehue. It even says that in their official Eurovision Youtube video.

In Swedish the country has always been called Tjeckien though.

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BalanceLost posted...

They always seem to still be called Czech Republic in English ehue. It even says that in their official Eurovision Youtube video.

In Swedish the country has always been called Tjeckien though.

I read some years ago that they prefer to be called Czechia now, but I haven't really heard much of it since

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BalanceLost posted...

They always seem to still be called Czech Republic in English ehue. It even says that in their official Eurovision Youtube video.

"everyone does it" smh grow up >:(

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"Everyone" even includes their own government. The official English-language website mentions "Government of the Czech Republic": https://www.vlada.cz/en/

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real talk i didn't intend to derail this topic >_>

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No worries. It got more bumps outta it ;)

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12: Estonia - Uku Suviste - The Lucky One

https://youtu.be/QC06nyML2xg

Anonymous and radio friendly pop rock sung by a guy who looks like a generic contestant in Bachelor/Bachelorette. The song is of course about a destructive relationship but the entire thing is entirely without feeling. Songs like these are what I like to call music for no one. Thank you next, bitch.

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13: Finland - Blind Channel - Dark Side

https://youtu.be/cIvaeu6Oxzc

Angsty emo rock which teenage BL would have loved. It is a great song in its genre and it has a clear demographic and goes all out on consistency so I wouldnt rule it out in the televote - it can do quite well there. I can reveal that Italy is also sending rock and I personally prefer that entry to Finlands however.

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14: France - Barbara Pravi - Voil

https://youtu.be/-9t_SwPN31s

This chanson is so stereotypically French that I find it satirical. France has sent stuff like this so many times over the decades and it is a snoozefest for me. Many Eurovision fans are overhyping this song for some reason but count me out.

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Belarus has been officially disqualified from this years Contest.



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15: Georgia - Tornike Kipiani - You

https://youtu.be/w6jzan8nfxc

Calm and soothing guitar driven ballad. Feels suitable to sing around a campfire. Competent and I got nothing against it but its a bit boring. Not a song I stream on Spotify nor one I will vote for in May.

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Wait what did Belarus do?

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spikethedevil posted...

Wait what did Belarus do?

Their entry was regime propaganda handpicked by dictator president Lukasjenko or someone in his inner circle.

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Fair next then.

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spikethedevil posted...

Fair next then.

Yeah, entries are not allowed to be overly political. Singing about world peace and similar is a-okay of course but not pushing for nation state propaganda.

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BalanceLost posted...

I hope you all enjoy this topic :D

08: Croatia - Albina - Tick Tock

https://youtu.be/IHS_2GpNwmA

One of several pop songs with a female solo artist in this years contest. I sometimes listen to it on Spotify so its a song I like but it could be better. The problem is that I hear about 3 different songs in there. The intro and first verse promise a different type of chorus, so I got a bit disappointed the first time I heard it. And the chorus is good but it belongs with other verses. This is an increasingly common problem in Eurovision. Instead of sticking to one idea and going all out you try to mix too many ingredients in order to widen the appeal, to get more votes, and the end result is a decent but not amazing product which gets a so-so result. The most successful entries are usually the ones with a clear concept. Very Final worthy song though.

It started out that way for the 60th edition of the show in 2015, yeah. Each host nation has the ability to invite them back though and that has so far happened every year.

I have LITERALLY never heard of Albina in my life and I'm Croatian.

She's pretty good though, I think.

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Ilishe posted...

I have LITERALLY never heard of Albina in my life and I'm Croatian.

She's pretty good though, I think.

You had a national final with 12-14 entries (I dont quite remember) and she won. Perhaps she is some new talent?

And I agree that she is great! Good song too - I just wanted it to be a bit more cohesive.

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16: Germany - Jendrik - I Dont Feel Hate

https://youtu.be/ydgxZnHFLi4

Super upbeat and energetic ukulele pop with funky brass breaks. You rarely find concept songs like these outside the Eurovision sphere in todays music industry and that is one reason why I love the Contest so. The song and the music video makes me so happy. I hope the staging is good and if it is, then this could be a dark horse in the televote. People across Europe want joy and fun because of the pandemic and this provides that.

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Tag

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BalanceLost posted...

15: Georgia - Tornike Kipiani - You

https://youtu.be/w6jzan8nfxc

Calm and soothing guitar driven ballad. Feels suitable to sing around a campfire. Competent and I got nothing against it but its a bit boring. Not a song I stream on Spotify nor one I will vote for in May.

can't believe they let a US state compete in eurovision

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Choco posted...

can't believe they let a US state compete in eurovision

Im assuming youre joking but this is Gamefaqs so you never know lol.

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spikethedevil posted...

Im assuming youre joking but this is Gamefaqs so you never know lol.

yes i am lol

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Choco posted...

yes i am lol

Assumed you were but as I said Gamefaqs lol.

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Was Little Big the Russian group again this year? Their videos are usually wild.

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Sayoria posted...

Was Little Big the Russian group again this year? Their videos are usually wild.

They are indeed a great group but they will not represent Russia again (at least not this year).

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