Eurovision 2017: Review: Switzerland: Timebelle: Apollo

Switzerland: Timebelle: Apollo

Switzerland, once a powerhouse at the Eurovision Song Contest, has picked by public vote the Swiss-Romanian band Timebelle to represent them at this year's competition with their offering Apollo.

It has been nearly three decades since Switzerland has enjoyed that winning feeling at Eurovision and, in 2017, this lively pop band from the nation's capital is aiming to follow in the footsteps of (now) superstar Celine Dion's 1988 victory. But can they do it?

The Swiss public certainly think it's a possibility having given Timebelle nearly half of the votes, thereby blowing their competition out of the water. However, from what was seen of the presentation at the national final, it's going to take more than this package for a pan-European audience to pick up their phones en masse.

There's no denying that lead singer Miruna Mănescu is easy on the eye and that her voice is more than capable of hitting the high notes. The problem here, though, is the song. Unfortunately, Apollo is neither as heavenly as one might hope, nor likely to rocket up the left-hand side of the scoreboard.

This mid-tempo ballad is a fine example of what now appears to be a continuing problem for the Swiss: their songs aren't awful but, more often than not, they are forgettable. While the chorus here has something of a hook, it really is not memorable enough to maintain the listener's attention over three minutes. Somehow, it feels as if this entry is going to sink among what are likely to be bolder and edgier songs.

For that reason, Switzerland seem destined to miss qualification for a third year in a row.

What do you think?

6/10.