2019: Estonia | Victor Crone | Storm

Victor Crone brings a different Storm to Israel

Estonia is a nation which really seems to understand Eurovision. You don't always find them on the left hand side of the scoreboard but their appreciation and undeniable passion for the competition usually promises a slick production.

This year they have gone all Swedish as the charismatic Victor Crone will be flying the flag for the country with his rather captivating entry, Storm. It has absolutely nothing to do with the UK's 2018 entry, only that it is pure pop with a strong build and chorus.

This is one of a few outright pop tunes in the first semi-final, and Victor is a more than capable vocalist who possesses bucket loads of charm. His performance at Eesti Laul was thoroughly captivating and juries are inclined to appreciate this type of catchy, well performed entry. Not only juries, but the voting public, too.

Estonia may benefit from performing in the second half of their semi-final - people tend to remember the later performing entries. What may spoil their prospects are the songs from countries such as Australia, Iceland and Portugal - all possessing a quirkiness which may pull votes away from Victor. Faced with that, could it be the type of song that a great deal of viewers will appreciate, but only a handful will be especially motivated to vote for?

This feels a strong enough entry to qualify - particularly as it possesses a Swedish connection. A really impressive performance should garner it plenty of support, even if there is some stiff competition in its semi. My inkling is that a place in the Grand Final beckons.

Estonia

Artist: Victor Crone

Song: Storm

Semi-Final 1: Second Half

Storm / SuRie / United Kingdom | Review

Will SuRie kick up a Storm in Lisbon?

It's a little over ten days since the British public and a somewhat anonymous panel of  judges chose - from among six other hopefuls - its song for this years's Eurovision. The outcome: SuRie has unexpectedly earned the UK ticket to travel to Portugal with the exuberantly positive track, Storm.

The result was something of a surprise among those who had already heard the previously-released half dozen tracks. A clear favourite had emerged (Asanda's Legends) but studio-based and live performances can sometimes turn out to be streets apart. Unfortunately for Asanda she did not live up to all the pre-show buzz, ultimately running out of gas before the end of her song.

So, it was classically-trained SuRie (Susanna Cork) who stepped up to the plate and effortlessly stole the whole show, raising the roof at the Brighton Dome by engaging the entire audience with her assured performance of this dynamic mixture of ballad-cum-pop thumper.

Her decidedly rich vocals have been cultivated at local venues in Bishop's Stortford - albeit at the top of her register they sounded stretched towards the end of the song. Hopefully, this is just an isolated episode and her live vocal should not prove a concern in Lisbon. 

While her voice should hold up, what about the song? It's an entry far removed from Lucie Jones's 2017 plaintive effort. Storm is a highly listenable pop composition which seems perfect for Eurovision. It builds from a piano ballad beginning and develops into an example of a full-on toe-tapping, hand clapping party piece. Along with its uplifting lyrics, it has the potential to repeat the kind of atmosphere it created in Brighton when it hits the stage in May.  

Over the coming weeks though, the song will be the subject of a revamp, so any review is somewhat tempered until Storm's full impact is revealed.  

However, marrying the entry with the right visuals and production design, the UK may  surprise a few people this year. It may not win the Contest, but its memorable refrain gives it the potential to climb further up the scoreboard than the doubters would have you believe.

United Kingdom

Artist: SuRie

Song: Storm

Big 5 Finalist

Revamped version of Storm: