Taboo / Christabelle / Malta | Review

Christabelle wins the Maltese ticket to Lisbon

Malta failed to make the cut last year with Claudia Faniello's romantic offering Breathlessly, so this year the island is trying to up its game with a Clubland-lite banger courtesy of Christabelle Borg.

Unanimously voted through by both a jury of music professionals and the public, Taboo seems as if it is straining to be epic, but suggests that it borrows heavily from the likes of Ariana Grande's and Adele's back catalogue.

The track starts at a fairly pedestrian pace and slowly builds before exploding into a generic dance/pop tune that you might hear at a club on Ibiza.

In its favour is that it comes across as a tune you might expect to hear at Eurovision: uptempo, memorable chorus and, with the some tweaking to the staging, a more than competent presentation.

There’s a problem with entries like this, though: it’s especially tough to make an emotional engagement with them. Your average dance tune tends to be lyrically vacuous, depending on their beat and instrumentation to really draw the audience in. For me, Taboo never quite does that. It’s catchy, sassy and tries to make all the right moves, but something about it is just not right. Maybe it's Christabelle's less-than-convincing vocals or her forced "paint-by-numbers" movement.

Nevertheless, there’s a good package here. We’ve already seen that the song can be well represented on a bigger stage, and Malta usually know how to generate a robust but uncomplicated production.

Can they qualify, though? Taboo may find it difficult in what could turn out to be a highly competitive Semi-Final 2.

Should they push through though, I can't foresee too much from them in the Final – despite their best attempt (with the help of serial Eurovision composer Thomas G:son) to create a moment. This is an entry that could very easily get lost in the melee.

MALTA 

Artist: Christabelle

Song: Taboo 

Semi-Final 2 | Second Half

Eurovision 2016: Review: Malta: Ira Losco: Chameleon

Ira Losco to sing for Malta

It seemed something of a foregone conclusion that Ira Losco should win the Maltese selection for Eurovision. With her contest background and two songs in the selection process, it didn't surprise many when Chameleon  was chosen to go to Stockholm - although her alternate (That's Why I Love You) seemed to have the bigger support from Eurovision fans.

That said, this particular review may just be a total waste of time because there are murmurings that Malta may decide to ditch Chameleon altogether and go with another song. Watch this space.

In the meantime, we are left with this cleverly disguised mash-up of Loreen's Euphoria and Cascada's Glorious. Unfortunately, it does not have the impact of either song, instead meandering between club anthem and heartfelt ballad - and not really hitting the bullseye on either score.

That's not to say that Ira doesn't sell the song for all it's worth. As usual her vocals are great - even if they sounded a little strained at the national final - and she easily connects with the sincerity and the sentiment of the lyrical content. And, of course, she always looks stunning - a plus when you're trying to win over a sceptical audience.

It's a well documented fact that she did just that back at Eurovision 2002 when she secured a close runners-up position behind Latvia with the song 7th Wonder. But can she do it again? In its present format, it's unlikely. However, if the Maltese broadcaster decides to tweak it sufficiently to make it more memorable, it could score very well - particularly in the semi-final stages.

Of course, we could be listening to a completely different song within the next few weeks. Is that entirely fair? Particularly to all those among the Maltese public who voted for Chameleon  (a better title would be Invincible,  incidentally).

What do you think?

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Eurovision 2015: Malta: Dominic: Once in a While

Dominic Cini Minik - Source: Facebook

Dominic has been trying his luck in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest for the past few years. Even though he has never quite made it to the semi-finals he has, however, taken part as a backing vocalist on a number of occasions.

Aside from his attempts at Eurovision, Dominic's day job is in a recording studio on Malta, where he produces and records local talent. He can also be seen on stage, regularly performing in musicals and pantomimes

This year, however, he has been picked as one of the Eurovision semi-finalists with the song Once in a While, composed by Elton Zarb and penned by Rita Pace. The styling of his song is Pop/Rock and is quite different to what he his used to singing. However, Dominic believes that this approach enhances his vocal skills for the better.

With its rock backing sounding like a watered-down Queen track from the 1980s, Once in a While is really like no other song in this year's Maltese semi-final. That's not a put-down because it's cool to see a band on stage playing their own instruments, rather than the singer accompanied by an obligatory playback. It's just that it feels as if I have heard the song somewhere before.

That aside, Dominic's somewhat edgy vocals push the song further into the soft rock genre, while his backing group help to power this effort towards a memorable chorus.

Thankfully, they all give a polished performance but, in view of the nature of the track and the prospect of a larger stage in Vienna, it could be bolder and more animated.

Nevertheless, this one has become one of my favourites for the 2015 ticket. Soft rock is something of a different sound for Eurovision which, given half a chance, could do well for the island. Its penultimate position in the 20-strong semi-final should help its prospects too.

There's a message in the song as well: No-one should give up on their dreams. I don't think Dominic should in this case, but what odds do you give him at representing Malta in Austria?




+ Read more reviews here of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Eurovision 2015: Malta: Domenique: Take Me As I Am

Domenique : Source MP3

Domenique Azzopardi is no stranger to participating in the national semi-finals of Eurovision Malta.

As far back as 2004, she took part in the preliminary round for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and finished in seventh place with the song Talk to Me. She has since appeared several times in the junior event, but progressed to the official semi-final in 2011 singing a composition by Eurovision stalwart Ralph Siegel called I'll Follow the Sunshine.

She returned in 2013 with Too Little Too Late, qualified for the final, but ultimately found herself at the bottom of the scoreboard.

Now she's back, hoping to erase the disappointment of that result with the song Take Me As I Am. Written by Sara Biglert, Christian Schneider, Madeleine Jangklev and Aidan O’Connor, it's a mid-paced ballad which builds into a memorable rock-inspired dance chorus.

As with all of the semi-finalists, it's difficult to judge how Domenique's vocal skills and performance will sound and look live on the night. If her voice is as impressive and impassioned as it sounds in the video (below), she should have no problem cruising through to the final.

She appears to be a natural performer and a pretty girl is always a positive benefit for the composers when taking on the opinions of both the judges and the public alike.

Not Malta's song choice for next year, in my opinion, but what do you think of Take Me As I Am?

Domenique performs in 11th position out of 20 competitors in the semi-final on 21 November.

+ Read more reviews here of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Eurovision 2015: Malta: Iona Dalli: Could Have Been Me

Iona Dalli : Source TVM

Iona Dalli has been singing locally on Malta for a number of years now, deciding to participate in local competitions as well as performing internationally as a soloist and as a member of a choir. At 20-years-old, she now enters the race to represent Malta at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

Could Have Been Me is written and composed by Philip Vella, the man behind the Ekklesia Sisters' Love and Let Go and one of the most prolifically successful composers on Malta. This is a very different composition to the one performed by the singing nuns, however.

Here, we have a high energy, guitar-driven pop/rock song delivered very proficiently by Iona. Her voice is appealing and confident, possessing enough power to carry the track. This assessment is based upon the playback in the video below. How she will cope with a live performance remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the instrumentation is rhythmically engaging and allows for a driving melody.

On the other hand, the lyrics are a little predictable and unwieldy. I'm sure the verses scan just fine but, to me, they sound a little awkward. Nowadays, it's not that often that you hear the word "smooch" repeated so much on a track.

It's a confident performance though, but I must admit that I'm not overly impressed with the song.

What do you think?

Iona performs in 2nd position out of 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews here of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Eurovision 2015: Malta: Corazón Mizzi: Secretly

Corazón Mizzi

Image: TVM

Corazón Mizzi has become a very recognisable face as a TV host in her native Malta and is now no stranger to Eurovision fans. In fact, this will be her fourth consecutive participation in the Maltese national final and her first with a composition of her own.

In the previous contest, she missed out on the final with the song Ten. This time around she will perform Secretly, a rockier sounding ballad with lyrics which are a confession of love, as yet not reciprocated by the object of her desire.

Nothing really new there, but Ms. Mizzi gives a confident and expressive vocal to a melody that soon gets into your head after a couple of listens. This is something that competing in the Eurovision Song Contest dictates, as does the repetitive nature of these lyrics.

As the composer of both the lyrics and music, Corazón Mizzi obviously has belief in her song and this comes through in her performance. This should see her through to the final, but my feeling is that there are stronger songs, so she is unlikely to become Malta's representative in 2015.

What do you think?

Corazón performs in 15th position out of 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews here of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Review: Eurovision 2015: Malta: Danica Muscat: Close Your Eyes

Danica Muscat

Image: Facebook

For the third time, Danica Muscat is participating in the national Eurovision semi-final for Malta, although it wasn't initially her intention to do so. It is the song Close Your Eyes, written by Elton Zarb and Emil Calleja Bayliss which has persuaded her to return.

If you have heard Danica before, then you know that she has a strong voice. This emotional ballad is therefore a perfect fit. 

It tells of the joys of motherhood and the role of a mother in her child's life. It's full of wonderful sentiments, but whether the laid-back melody will click with the jury and voters remains to be seen.

It's one of those songs that will depend heavily on the staging, as well as the performance on the night. My personal feeling is that it could easily become lost and forgotten among so many candidates and is therefore unlikely to figure in the national final on November 22.

What do you think?

Danica Muscat performs in 14th position out of the 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews here of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Review: Eurovision 2015: Malta: Raquel: Stop Haunting Me

Raquel Galdes

Image via Facebook

Raquel Galdes was involved in the semi-final stage of the Maltese Eurovision national final earlier this year, but failed to progress with the song, Invisible. Nine months later, she returns to the spotlight in Malta, hoping again to represent the island nation in 2015 with the Elton Zarb/Muxu composition, Stop Haunting Me. 

The song is one of four submissions by this songwriting duo in this year's semi-final, but probably not one of their best. 

I've listened to it three or four times now and while this mid-tempo ballad has a strong ethereal quality about it, Stop Haunting Me never really feels like it goes anywhere. 

There's nothing wrong with 18-year-old Raquel's voice even if, at times, it sounds as if she has studied at the Lena school of vocals. She carries the song well but, for me, the melody and pace are just too sleepy. 

As a result, it loses any immediate impact, in my opinion, and could easily be one of the six casualties of the semi-final to be held on November 21. 

What do you think?

Raquel performs in 10th position out of the 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.

Review: Eurovision 2015: Malta: L-Aħwa: Beautiful to Me

Gianluca Bezzina of family group L-Aħwa

Image by Albin Olsson (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The singing doctor, Gianluca Bezzina, returns to Malta's Eurovision stage after a one year break, joining his siblings in the family group L-Aħwa.

As you might remember, Gianluca was Malta's representative in Sweden in 2013, where he finished in a very respectable eighth place with the song Tomorrow. This time, he takes on the lead vocals on a not too dissimilar composition called Beautiful to Me.  

Possessing a jaunty melody, Gianluca's distinctive vocals and with his brother and sisters backing him up, you could be forgiven for thinking that it's The Partridge Family meets The New Seekers. 

While there is strong evidence that the whole concept embraces the "cute factor", it never crosses the line to become twee and sickly.

In fact, Gianluca's infectious smile and immense likability and popularity should easily carry this catchy number through to the Maltese final on November 22, where it has a very strong chance of becoming the island's representative in Vienna.

What do you think?

 

L-Aħwa perform in 16th position out of 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final. 

Eurovision 2014: Malta: Coming Home

Firelight

Last night, Malta was the latest nation to decide upon its 2014 Eurovision entry and, after what seemed like the Maltese version of the main event, the band Firelight with the song Coming Home was announced as the winner.

While I enjoy watching the various national finals of The Eurovision Song Contest, even the most diehard fans would have trouble maintaining consciousness during PBS's Maltese presentation.

The small island nation was offered a choice of fourteen songs amid an array of performers from past and present Eurovisions, who seemed to be there just to confuse and distract. Add to that five judges whose opinions were out of alignment with the general public and you have some very disgruntled tele-voters.

The group Firelight was the eventual winner, but their folk/rock Coming Home did not resonate with the majority of viewers. In fact, the song came fourth in the tele-vote. The winner there was the familiar-sounding Hypnotica (think Euphoria, minus the staging), sung by the red-headed Jessika. However, the weighting of the vote was such that the jury members' decisions made the tele-vote irrelevant. Coming Home received top marks from four of five of those members and thus Malta follows Switzerland down the folk route for this year's competition.

Unlike Switzerland, there doesn't appear to be any discernible hook, although Gary Barlow may be a little miffed with its similarity to his Let Me Go. But like Switzerland, it's refreshing to hear live instruments instead of a backing track. However, even that fact is not going to make it stand out from the crowd, I feel.

This will be emphasised because of Malta's draw in the first half of the second semi-final, opposite SEBAlter in the second half.

What are your thoughts?

Eurovision 2013: Malta: Tomorrow

Gianluca: Tomorrow

Doctor Gianluca Bezzina won the Maltese national final back in early February and will sing the island's Eurovision entry: Tomorrow.

Gianluca follows a part time singing career, having had some success on Malta as part of the group Funk Initiative. No funk involved in this song, however. Tomorrow, much like Hungary's entry Kedvesem, is a very simple tune. In fact, it would not go amiss on a Jason Mraz album. Think ukulele and staccato vocals.

Gianluca sings it well, even if he does have to put up with some silly lyrics at the beginning. It's light, cheery, hummable and strangely catchy. The more I hear it, the more I like it. But that may be its problem: is it memorable enough first time around to qualify?

There is nothing like it in its semi-final, which in my opinion is the weaker of the two. That should help it, as will its singalong refrain, which hopefully the crowd will join along with. Hopefully, we'll hear this one again in the Final.

Malta will perform in sixth place in the second semi-final on May 16.

What do you feel about Tomorrow?