Under the Ladder / Mélovin / Ukraine | Review

Will it be lucky Under the Ladder for Mélovin?

Having failed in his attempt to represent his country in 2017, former X-Factor Ukraine winner Mélovin returned to the fray in February and won the opportunity to travel to Portugal with the entry Under the Ladder.

As a former Soviet republic, Ukraine enthusiastically cut the shackles and have since unleashed  Eurovision entries which have offered an eclectic mix of the near-sublime and the cringingly ridiculous. This combination hasn’t harmed the nation's results too much, having qualified for the final in every year it has participated - winning the whole shebang on two occasions (2004 and 2016).

Under the Ladder is hardly sublime but neither is it totally off the wall. It begins with scant musical backing to Mélovin's vocal before exploding into a pop entry that seems custom-made for the Contest - but just not 2018 necessarily.

Mélovin's singing style throughout can be a little hard to take - particularly the battle with his English diction and his pitch. He could be singing about anything and, even having read the lyrics, I'm none the wiser. However, he effectively carries the initially fluctuating tempo of the song, selling both the vibrancy and the passion of the track.

These type of pop confections can be tough to win over audiences at Eurovision, though. While they’re satisfying to watch on video and we can all speculate whether they'll be hits after the contest, on the night it’s all too clear that many of them fail to provide that essential component that motivates people to vote. Many a favourite has fallen by the wayside because of this. Ultimately, Mélovin is relying on a dodgy eye and a fire under his elevated piano as encouragement.

Nevertheless, Ukraine is a country that can probably depend on its neighbours, so I expect them to continue their run of qualifications to the Grand Final. How Mélovin fares there is really contingent upon the quality of the songs around him. The fear for Ukraine this year is that, while some may remember the eye and the flames, many are likely to forget what is an average, if fairly catchy, pop song.

UKRAINE 

Artist: Mélovin

Song: Under the Ladder 

Semi-Final 2 | Second Half

Eurovision 2016: Review: Ukraine: Jamala: 1944

Jamala sings 1944

The Ukraine return to the Eurovision stage, following an understandable absence in 2015, with the slightly controversial offering from Jamala called 1944.

Written by the singer, the song concerns the expulsion of Crimean Tartars by Joseph Stalin during the latter stages of the Second World War. This caused loud rumblings from officials in Russia - as well as several politicians in Crimea - stating the lyrics were too politicised and a veiled effort to attack Russia for its decision to annex the Ukrainian peninsula.

Happily for Jamala, the EBU has recently quashed any complaints, instead deciding that the title and lyrics of 1944 do not breach any rules concerning political speech. This means we'll be able to hear the song in Stockholm, the events a personal inspiration for Jamala: her great-grandmother and her children were among the thousands deported from the Black Sea area into forced exile.

It's unlikely that the same fate will befall the naggingly pronounced rhythm of 1944. Performing in the second half of the second semi-final, the song has already picked up a lot of support - mainly from those sympathetic to the plight of Crimea, rather than for the quality of the song. As the staging of the Contest approaches, the story of 1944 will no doubt garner yet more media interest leading to further support from a wider public.

But is the song worthy of all this attention? Somewhat. 1944 benefits from not only a mesmerising arrangement but also a mesmerising interpretation from Jamala. Although a relatively static rendition, her arm movements -  as well as an intense vocal performance - cleverly draw the listener into the whole package, much as a snake charmer would hypnotise his serpent.

Nice Middle Eastern flavours then, as well as a chorus sung in Crimean Tartar, which will no doubt better impact voters located in Ukraine's immediate vicinity. Sadly, these traits are likely to be its downfall in a pan-European and commercial sense: the message seems unclear and the entire presentation lacks an obvious hook.

Consequently, Jamala is very unlikely to deliver Ukraine its second victory this year. The song is just not strong enough. It's sure to attract some much-needed sympathy votes, helping push it through its semi-final, but a spot on the left-hand side of the scoreboard seems remote.

What do you think?

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A Review: Ukraine: Anna Trincher: Pochny z sebe

JESC Ukraine: Anna Trincher / Анна Трінчер

Anna Trincher Wins JESC Ukrainian Final

Despite Ukraine's decision to withdraw from Eurovision's main event in May, the country's ongoing troubles have not deterred their broadcaster from participating in the 2015 Junior version. In fact, this will be the tenth consecutive year that Ukraine has sent a representative: this time around it will be Anna Trincher singing Pochny z sebe (Start With Yourself).

Like Ukraine, Anna is no stranger to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest having tried her luck at the 2014 national final with Nebo znaye (Heaven Knows). Defeated there, she was then involved with The Voice Kids and the Junior New Wave Contest - both of which were great experience, though not delivering the desired victory. However, her fortunes have since improved with this win in Kiev and her forthcoming trip to the JESC finals in Bulgaria

She takes Pochny z sebe with her: a brooding mid-tempo rock ballad which has a powerful sense of urgency about it. That in itself gives the entry a much more grown-up feeling than Anna's fourteen years would suggest. As does her voice. The vocals are confident - the top of her range is tested often and she passes that examination with relative ease. It's neither shrill nor unpleasant.

What is not so easy is the ability for the listener to make an emotional connection with the song. Delivered by someone so young, that is no doubt expected. There's the language barrier too, of course. But even when Anna suddenly breaks into English, any psychological link has already been lost. As is often the case, we are left reliant on the melody to make the ultimate judgement.

The first two minutes motor along nicely in third gear, delivering a naggingly familiar refrain, until Anna decides to open up the throttle with the suggestion of a key change. She then powers her way to an invigorating, yet somewhat sudden and disappointing, conclusion - the song feeling as if it had more to give.

Nevertheless it's a strong entry, ably presented by a pretty teenager, so could (and should) score very well.

But the entire package feels as if it will need some improvement before the Final in Sofia. A kid engulfed in what appears to be long lengths of discarded toilet paper is not a good look, even if it is 'de rigueur' in the quirky world of Eurovision.

What are your thoughts?

Image: YouTube

Eurovision 2014: Ukraine: Tick-Tock

Mariya Yaremchuk

The Ukraine was one of the first nations to choose its 2014 song for Eurovision and after a national final where 20 participants presented their entries, Mariya Yaremchuk was announced the winner - amidst some controversy. The official result put her song Tick-Tock at the top of both the jury and the viewer vote. However, some of the other contestants have complained that phone lines were blocked for their songs while Ms. Yaremchuk's remained open.

 

As one has come to expect, it's not unusual to witness some controversy with the selection of a few of the former Eastern bloc entries, but it seems that Eurovision is currently stuck with Tick-Tock.

Mariya Yaremchuk is easy on the eye in a Rihanna kind of way, but unfortunately, not as easy on the ear. Sung in English, Tick-Tock comes with a heavy Russian accent and some out of tune caterwauling that could liven up your local feline population.

Cats aside, the song is very much a carbon cut-out of the Eurovision-style of dance Europop: An easily remembered title that is repeated frequently over a drumbeat backing. Even the presentation, with three muscle-bound male dancers, seems to have been pulled from the Eurovision 101 handbook for beginners.

It's a shame, really. I anticipated so much better from the Ukraine, based upon past performances. Just last year, Zlata Ognevich's far superior Gravity placed third, but I don't see this one doing nearly as well. It will, no doubt, qualify from the semis - with some help from its neighbours and a possible sympathy vote - but a Top 10 placing seems highly unlikely. Of course, this is all dependent on the quality of the rest of the contenders.

What do you think?

Eurovision 2013: Ukraine: Gravity

Zlata Ognevich

One of the earliest Eurovision songs to be chosen for the 2013 Contest was the entry from the Ukraine: Gravity sung by Zlata Ognevich.

Zlata was the overwhelming victor at her national final held in December, with both the public and the jurors giving her top marks. It seems the bookies agree, as Gravity is currently the second favourite to win the whole shebang (behind Denmark).

I'm not altogether convinced that the odds makers have got this one right. While the Ukraine have always done well, qualifying from the semis on every occasion, my belief is that Gravity is likely to fall to Earth with a crash. Yes, it will slide into the Final with ease, and no doubt pick up some neighbourly points once there, but this is not the 2013 winner. A Top 12 placing is guaranteed, I'm sure.

It has to be said, however, that Zlata is stunning, assuring votes from some quarters.

As for the song, my thoughts are that for the most part the content is just too Disney-esque. Not to my liking, but it's making waves elsewhere.

How about you?