Eurovision 2021 Semi-Final 1: How They Stack Up

Let's take a look at ten of the first semi-finalists for the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest and some personal thoughts on what might and might not qualify for the Grand Final on May 22.

1. Lithuania: The Roop - Discoteque

Like many of the artists this year, The Roop return and this, their 2021 effort, was one of the early favourites but has recently faded in the face of more supposedly-popular entries.

The whole concept showcases the quirkiness that the modern day Contest demands: crazy choreography and staging, bright costumes and a song that worms its way into your head whether you want it to or not!

Consequently, I can see this qualifying for the final with ease. Once there, it's the type of presentation and song that is likely to stick in the memory of the casual viewer. It should do well and a Top 10 place is not out of the question.

2. Slovenia: Ana Soklič - Amen

Ana is back in the competition too and has, unfortunately, been hidden away in position two by the producers - the notoriously difficult Eurovision starting place. 

Ana is no slouch in the vocal department though and sings Amen - a big, ballsy ballad - with great aplomb. The backing track emits some distinct gospel vibes throughout and Ana takes us and the song to church! 

However, although she is probably the one of the most accomplished vocalists in the competition, she is going to need some divine intervention to help her through to the final. This semi-final looks tough and I feel Ana will be one of its casualties.

3. Russia: Manizha - Russian Woman

Manizha replaces Little Big as Russia's Eurovision representative with an empowering anthem aggrandizing the development of the Russian Woman.

Even after hearing the song several times, it's still not one which has climbed my personal ranking very far. At first, I didn't care for it at all but once it reaches its 'Fiddler on the Roof' style refrain, it becomes a little more tolerable. 

Whether Europe will tolerate it enough to push it through to the final is debatable. Personally, I wouldn't miss it at all but Russia is one of those countries which somehow gets through to the final come what may. A borderline finalist.

4. Sweden: Tusse - Voices

Another production line entry from Sweden as young Congolese/Swedish singer Tusse confidently brings Voices to the Eurovision stage.

He is a product of the Idol factory, winning the country's version back in 2019 and has since successfully woven his way through the Melodifestivalen minefield.

Now, there's a lot to be said for Sweden's Eurovision selection process as the country's recent successes can attest. However, now and again, the technique can throw up something so formulaic it could have been written by a robot. Voices has that quality about it.

No surprises here from Sweden (even the obligatory key change), but with their track record, I've no doubt it will qualify and feature in the overall Top 10.

5. Australia: Montaigne - Technicolour

See the main page review here.

6.  North Macedonia: Vasil - Here I Stand

Vasil is another survivor from the 2020 contest and this time around he is singing Here I Stand, a song which he has also written for the event.

Now, there's no denying that Vasil can sing. He is a classically trained baritone which is more than evident from this somewhat overblown ballad. To be honest, you would more likely hear this on a Disney movie soundtrack or as part of a West End musical rather than on the Eurovision stage.

There is nothing wrong with it, per say. It's just likely to be forgotten among more striking up-tempo entries in what has become a tough semi-final. A non qualifier, I feel.  

7. Ireland: Lesley Roy - Maps

Ireland offers up Maps this year as its entry and the returning Lesley Roy should be heading in the direction to the final if her live vocals hold up.

It's a perky bop of a song which should get you strutting your stuff around the kitchen, even if you don't know what the heck Lesley is going on about.

Her diction isn't so great - or it might just be my aging ears - so it's tough to make out where her maps are taking her.

A berth in the final should be her final destination, but this is one of those entries that could just as easily be left at the starting gate.

8. Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou - El diablo

Cyprus has decided to go with a bop-by-numbers composition called El diablo sung by Greek singer, Elena Tsagrinou - so expect 12 points from Greece!

The track ran into trouble early on when the Church of Cyprus and many members of the Cypriot public objected to the lyrics concerning love of "el diablo". Nothing came of it, but what's more surprising is that Lady Gaga hasn't had something to say about the song, as you would be forgiven for thinking that - in part - you're listening to Bad Romance.

Nevertheless, it's well executed and has become one of the favourites to raise the Eurovision trophy. A definite qualifier and a Top 5 pick.

9. Norway: TIX - Fallen Angel

TIX's win at this year's Melodi Grandi Prix upset all the KEiiNO fans but, hey, Fallen Angel (Ut av mørket) is the better song.

Written by the phenomenally successful TIX, the track is somewhat autobiographical, as it deals with his depression caused by childhood bullying over his affliction from Tourette Syndrome.

That said, the song is an impressive composition in its own right; a soaring ballad with a memorable chorus and impactful presentation. It's the sort of package that Eurovision is all about, helped by the relatable back story which is very much an in focus topic.

The staging is a little overblown for my liking but I hope this entry does very well. A qualifier that deserves a Top 10 ranking at the least. 

10. Croatia: Albina - Tick-Tock

Having won Dora 2021, the Croatian preselection process, Albina's Tick-Tock faces off against its "banger" competitors in this semi-final.

In that quest, it could do really well as Croatia is presenting one of its strongest entries in years, courtesy of the attractive Albina. This anthemic dance track contains a very catchy chorus and feels like a radio hit, which I mean as a compliment. 

Croatia has not done well for several years, but if Tick-Tock progresses to the final – undoubtedly! – it could be on track to its strongest placing in more than a decade. Yeah, qualifier.

Lack of time has prevented any further reviews this year, but currently the bookies favour two of the Big Five countries to raise the winner's trophy: Italy or France. Could it be either of them or will we be heading to Valetta in Malta for the 2022 contest. All will be revealed on May 22!

Eurovision 2018: Norway / Sweden / Russia / Georgia

No time for reviews for these four semi-finalists taking part in Semi-Final 2. Which, if any, is your favourite? Which do you think will qualify? 

Here's Norway, Sweden, Russia and Georgia:

Norway: Alexander Rybak - That's How You Write A Song

Sweden:  Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off

Russia: Julia Samoylova - I Won't Break

Georgia: Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao - For You

Eurovision 2016: Review: Norway: Agnete: Icebreaker

It was nothing less than a complete slam dunk when the results were announced at the Melodi Grand Prix in Norway; Agnete had won by a two to one margin over the runner-up with her electropop entry, Icebreaker.

The 21-year-old singer/songwriter is no stranger to the limelight though, having led the teen band The BlackSheeps: the group's CV including a Number 1 song in their homeland and a runners-up berth at the 2011 MGP.

Not long after this appearance the band split, leaving Agnete to dabble in a few reality TV shows before her selection as one of the ten acts at this year's MGP.

She joins Swede Gabriel Alares and Brit Ian Curnow as a co-composer of Icebreaker, both seasoned (and successful) writers in their own right. In fact, Curnow has written for and produced a long list of well-known names, including Boyzone, Take That and Roxette as well as performing with the band Talk Talk and a variety of Stock, Aitken and Waterman artists.

So, there is some pedigree behind Norway's entry which mixes tempo and rhythm in a very contemporary package. The fragmented nature of the song has not been to everyone's taste, though. Some feel that it's a confused mess - a mash-up of two songs, while others applaud the unconventional flow of the track.

Still, some of its influences are quite obvious. Listen to any of Sia's recent output for confirmation. Even the staging at the national final appeared to be an idea poached from a previous outing by the Australian.

For all its apparent connections, though - count previous Eurovision entries from Sweden, Germany and Norway among them - Icebreaker sounds like nothing else in this year's competition. Yes, it has a disjointed feel about it, but the chorus is instantly captivating and the pretty Agnete carries off the whole package with a strong vocal, particularly in her higher register.

She'll also be aiming to maintain Norway's recent sequence of Top 10 finishes. Having secured a plum second half draw in the second semi-final, she's well on her way to achieving this.

Icebreaker may be something of a Marmite entry for some, but it should appeal to enough people to see it 'break' into a prominent position on the left-hand side of the scoreboard.

What do you think?

Image by Ernst Vikne (Flickr) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

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Review: Norway: Eurovision 2015 | Mørland & Debrah Scarlett

Could it be a monster hit for Mørland and Debrah Scarlett in Vienna?
Image: Instagram

Norway's Eurovision national final this year was a slimmed-down version of its usual huge production, with the broadcast of just a single show featuring the eleven songs vying for a place in Vienna. By the time, the event reached its "Gold Final" of four songs, it was clear that the competition had become a two-horse race between Erlend Bratland's electropop offering, Thunderstruck, and A Monster Like Me, a sedate ballad by the eventual winners, Mørland and Debrah Scarlett.

Beginning the song in almost hushed tones, Mørland delivers the lyrics like a confessional "I’m telling the truth I did something terrible in my early youth..." Sounding similar to a Gothic horror/soap opera combo, the mood is sinister and dark, much as if the lyrics had been ripped from the pages of a nineteenth century mystery novel.

The confessional becomes a conversation as Debrah's rich vocals interrupt the revelations and the live orchestra builds the composition to a satisfying key change, allowing the whole concoction to arrive at a natural conclusion.

Once it has finished, the listener is left none the wiser about the nature of the "terrible thing", but that should not deter anyone from thinking seriously about giving this slow-burner a few votes. It's a serious contender for the most impressive duet in this year's Eurovision, so Norway should have no problem qualifying from their semi.

What are your thoughts?

Eurovision 2014: Norway: Silent Storm

Carl Espen

As expected, Silent Storm sung by Carl Espen will represent Norway at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

After three semi-finals, a final and super final, the heavily backed ex-carpenter easily won the public vote from across the country. His piano-driven torch song is a complete change from last year's Europop track from Margaret Berger and appears to be gaining support from various betting outlets.

Quite why this should be so still remains a mystery to me. It has no discernible hook, although it builds quite nicely to a dramatic final thirty seconds. It's the beginning that is the problem. I foresee many viewers taking the opportunity to put the kettle on or to take a short power nap.

According to Espen's website, Silent Storm is an "intense, fragile and powerful ballad". A couple of those adjectives may also describe the singer himself. His on stage presence is both intense and powerful; something to do with his background as both a soldier and bouncer in the nightclubs of Bergen, no doubt.

With all the support he is currently enjoying, I can't see that it will be much of a fight for him to progress to the Final on May 10th. He is, anyway, quite nicely placed in the first half of the second semi-final among some more uptempo songs, which will help him stand out from that particular crowd.

Not a winner, but a Top 5 placing isn't out of the question.

Eurovision 2013: Norway: I Feed You My Love

Margaret Berger: I Feed You My Love

Former Idol participant and music director Margaret Berger will sing the 2013 Eurovision entry for Norway: I Feed You My Love.

It's been only four years since Alexander Rybak hammered the competition and walked away with the Eurovision trophy. Aside from my own country's entry, this is the one that I would most like to see win. Why? Because it is the most relevant song in the Contest. It is the type of music that many kids are listening to and the kind that can be heard in clubs up and down the country.

Some might say that this is true of Germany's Cascada, and why on Earth would you bet against Denmark's entry? Germany will score well, but we all know it is almost a ripoff of last year's winner. Denmark is memorable, but it's not really a song of 2013.

I Feed You My Love refreshes the parts that neither of those can do. It is electro-pop at its best and Margaret Berger's vocals soar over the epic backing music. The whole feel of the song and lyrics are darker than best film noir and the singer's stunning looks and beauty queen figure would not look out of place in a Hollywood movie.

All in all, this track has everything going for it: powerful and atmospheric with great commercial appeal.

Norway perform in lucky thirteenth place in the second semi-final on May 16.

Is this song as good for you as it is for me?

Eurovision 2012: Hungary, Iceland, Norway Decide

Three nations decided upon their representative songs for Baku yesterday, with Hungary, Iceland and Norway each completing their National Finals.

1. Hungary has chosen the group Compact Disco, a name which sent up red flags to begin with, but having heard the song, it's not what one might think. The entry is Sound of Our Hearts and the recorded version sounds pretty good. However, the live vocals were a disappointment, so they're going to have to get those sorted out before their semi-final.

As for the song, think of sub par Gary Numan and Ultravox circa 1981 and you'll get an idea of the content. It's not bad, but it's not that great: 6/10.
(Listen here)

2. Iceland's winner is Gréta and Jónsi singing Mundu Eftir Mér, which Google Translate tells me means Remember Me. Iceland generally have no trouble in choosing a decent song for Europe and this year is no exception. This time the island nation serves up a male/female duo with fine voices. Backing singers enhance the feel of the song. In fact, the entry has a very dramatic atmosphere to it, with some Celtic sounding violins added for good measure. It wouldn't be out of place at the Irish National Final of, say, fifteen years ago. Hoping for an English version. Nevertheless, good song: 8/10.
(Listen here)

3. Norway has chosen the song Stay sung by Iranian-born, minor TV personality Tooji. If you remember Sweden's Eric Saade from last year, then you have got a pretty good idea what to expect here.

Tooji is almost a carbon copy lookalike to Saade, but while his song Popular had an almost instant hook, Stay does not have that appeal. Yes, it's an electronic-style dance tune with some Middle Eastern styling (no doubt included to appeal to the host country and its immediate neighbours), but I can't see it being as popular as...Popular: 7/10.
(Listen here)