Eurovision 2014: Russia: Shine

Russia: The Tolmachevy Sisters

For one reason or another, Russia has managed to reach the Grand Final of The Eurovision Song Contest since 2000, but with all of its current political decisions uppermost in people's minds, will it manage to repeat the feat in 2014? If The Tolmachevy Sisters have any influence over the result, then it's quite possible it will.

The two girls are once again involved with the Contest following their Junior win in 2006 and an appearance in one of the semis in 2009. This time the pair are singing Shine, a multi-national composition that will make its appearance midway through Semi-Final 1.

It's a mid-tempo tune, which I must admit I have totally ignored since it was first unleashed on the world. I've now heard it several times and it has become something of an earworm. If it is having that effect on me, I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this.

However, it's presentation (in the video, at least) is very Disney-esque, seemingly allowing Russia to put on a front for the rest of the world which, in the current climate, is altogether less than honest. The song's lyrics (Sending out a message out above, Telling all the world to show some love) enhance this uneasiness and moves the composition into a dangerously ironic place.

Politics aside, Shine does drive along nicely and the twin's voices give the song some extra power. I've heard it said that it's overly bland and safe, but Russia may have struck common ground for many viewers. Pretty young female singers who sing well often do well in the competition. Will this be enough, though?

More than any other year, a different kind of political voting may decide the fate of The Tolmachevy Sisters. While I'd like to think they are dependent on the quality of the song, Russia's Grand Final ambitions will likely rest with the response of voters to the country's political stance.