This year seems to be so far dominated by more of a political drama surrounding host country Azerbaijan. But regardless, I am sure the show will go on! While you could go to the actual site or YT for the whole selection, I will just post ones with good videos, or that I like, or etc. For instance, I will not post full video of the UK entry by the ancient Engelbert Humperdinck - "Love Will Set You Free" - because he just stands there, and it's an ok but boring straight treacly platitudes type song. The same goes for Serbia, with "Nije Ljubav Stvar" - Željko Joksimović -which is only mildly noteworthy because it incorporates sign language (which is nice, but since I don't speak it, it doesn't help me). "Suus" - Rona Nishliu from Albania, is only interesting because she is a statue(?) and there are slightly creepy children.
Then there are ones like the very strange "Euro Neuro" - Rambo Amadeus. From Montenegro, which is just a really random rap/talk thing. You should probably watch it and be confused, as I was. But points for calling yourself Rambo Amadeus.
What *IS* more exciting? Italy. "L'Amore É Femmina (Out of Love)" - Nina Zilli. Super cheery and she has that smoky-jazz swingy quality (perhaps going for a poppy Amy Winehouse thing?). I like it. I especially love her herd of male dancers (also the staircase dancing is a nice touch). You go girl.
Cyprus - The song here is very standard pop. "La La Love" - Ivi Adamou. But I like this video, because she has a little bit of a Liv Tyler/Arwen look and the whole thing is trying very hard to be Gaga-fairytale. I appreciate that in a video - try to tell a little bit of story, even if it's just ripping off Snow White, that's OK. I wasn't bored, and I love the outfits/makeup and that it ends and they don't even look too happy. A little grim, let's be real. I may also be biased in favor of this video because the parts with the girl running through the forest remind me a little bit of the video to one of my all-time favorite jams (and very first post here!) - "Send Me an Angel". Anyways. I enjoyed this. And while I don't want you to steal the idea, since few people read this and I am a happy singleton, I feel it's safe to share that I would totally use the "awkward pose in a tree with paper lanterns" shot for an engagement portrait idea (2:28). SSHSHH.
Then there is Israel - "Time" - Izabo, which does its part as far as strange and crazy Eurovision antics are concerned with the oddly-popular Circus theme. I swear, every year someone has a circus themed video. Give it up, people, circuses are CREEPY, not cheerful or sexy.
And also there is the delightfully trashy entry from Romania (one of my personal favorite things to do in Eurovision season is try to picture the video that would come from blending that of the countries represented in my heritage - it would be a disgusting Englebert (UK for Scotland)-Israeli circus-and THIS, with some boring and bad-dancing from Sweden as well. MMMM. EPIC terrible mix). "Zaleila" - Mandinga starts with her singing her own name (WHICH I HATE in all songs) and is basically going for some kind of horrible horrible awful American hiphop Kardashian thing. But she earns mega points for working in both a cute piper with bagpipes AND accordion.
And if that wasn't quite ridiculous enough, just wait for it. The entry from Turkey - "Love Me Back" - Can Bonomo - they start off so well!! Slaves rowing a boat? Way to draw me in immediately! Then some kind of epic palace and traditional instruments and lots of possible dancers... we could be going places.... Aaaaaand then it starts - and it's some dopey kid and the song is dumb. Good music, love the instruments, the people sitting around in water and etc, love the use of umbrellas and nice shots. All around excellent settings and support. The song? The singer? Not so much. But hilariously so.
Lest we close on something less than stellar, thank God for Iceland - "Never Forget" - Gréta Salóme & Jónsi . They are at an advantage because they have secret weapon Jónsi (of the delightful Sigur Rós). Iceland is too cool (harharhar). While I don't think this song is great like SR stuff (for instance, if you don't feel anything in your heart when you listen to "Starálflur", you should check if you have a pulse. Or a soul. J/K. Partly.), I do think that the video is excellent. Bleak and empty, you can almost feel the frostbite creeping up your toes. Excellent use of strings and desolation. And it comes off feeling (to me) that there is a lot more to the story that you are not seeing/hearing. Maybe she's a thousand year old vampire or an ice goddess or lost/vengeful spirit or returning ghost of a murdered child or something. I like it. A lot.
Hit the comments with your thoughts, votes, and any entries you think I should have featured! Bets?
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