Song #7- Ukraine- Shum
Can we all give Ukraine a round of applause for always being authentic and daring in Eurovision? This entry is incredible, and I’m playing it on repeat. I love that GoA are bringing folktronica to Eurovision, and refusing to follow any generic formula or do what’s trendy. They’re doing what they want, and I have to give them credit for taking such a big risk. The vocal introduction is hauntingly captivating, the flute giving this a traditional touch, that fantastic bass line, Kateryna’s unique yet stunning vocals- we’re only on the first verse and I’m in love. I love the harmonies in this, the use of the whistle in the instrumental, the way the song speeds up before fully dropping into a rave banger, and what a drop it is! This is such an unpredictable, unapologetically different entry, and I love it. Everything is seamless and powerful, and that moment of silence before the second instrumental is very effective- as the instrumental gets louder and faster, goosebumps all over. Then there’s that energetic, futuristic last verse and chorus (I can’t quite work out the song’s structure, but that’s a good thing) that just ramps up the energy another notch, and it’s almost hypnotic. This song conveys a type of ritualistic chaos, and I can’t quite explain it, but it just works. I love the fusion, I love the instrumental, I love the vocals, I love everything about this.
Prediction: This deserves to qualify. I really want to see this in the final, but I just worry that juries will sink this as it is so out there and different. Then again, it being rather niche means that its fans will rally behind it like Hatari’s fans did in 2019. Televoters will love this, if the staging is strong and doesn’t detract from the song but compliments it. Still, I think this will edge through, and come 8-14 in the final.
Photo credit: Wiwibloggs
8. Malta- Je Me Casse
9. San Marino- Adrenalina
10. North Macedonia- Here I Stand
11. Cyprus- El Diablo
12. Azerbaijan- Mata Hari
13. Netherlands- Birth of a New Age
14. Switzerland- Tout L’univers
15. Moldova- Sugar
16. Iceland- 10 Years
17. Spain- Voy a Quedarme
18. Israel- Set Me Free
19. Czech Republic- Omaga
20. Belgium- The Wrong Place
21. Croatia- Tick-Tock
22. Norway- Fallen Angel
23. Denmark- Øve Os På Hinanden
24. Latvia- The Moon is Rising
25. Sweden- Voices
26. United Kingdom- Embers
27. Romania- Amnesia
28. Ireland- Maps
29. Serbia- Loco Loco
30. Poland- The Ride
31. Greece- Last Dance
32. Australia- Technicolour
33. Germany- I Don’t Feel Hate
34. Albania- Karma
35. Austria- Amen
36. Slovenia- Amen
37. Georgia- You
38. Estonia- The Lucky One
39. Portugal- Love is on my Side
The Euro-Vine 