The Euro-Vine
Song #37- The Show- Reddi Review: “A bit workshoppy, but that’s part of the charm” This is a fun little retro number, but it feels like two different songs smushed together rather than one flowing piece, which is a turn off for me. Taking the two halves separately, there’s a lot of nice ideas here. […]
Song #38- Boys Do Cry- Marius Bear Review: “An important lesson- sometimes, less is more.” This song has a gorgeous, nostalgic instrumental but is unfortunately let down by the inaccessible lyrics and restrictive vocal line. The introduction is very smooth and dreamy, and then the vocal line is monosyllabic to contrast, but it doesn’t quite […]
Song # 39- I Am What I Am- Emma Muscat Review: “Grows Old Quickly” This is a sweet little number with some cute moments, but unfortunately it doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. There are two main problems- the song’s repetitiveness and predictability, and the emptiness of its message. The phrase ‘I Am What […]
Song #40- Intention- Intelligent Music Project Review: “Just too decent.” It might not be surprising that Intention is my last place this year given the almost universal indifference to it among fans. That said, it isn’t as terrible as one might expect, and actually has some nice moments in the verses. The fundamental problem is […]
Song #1, and the Vine’s winner of 2021- Italy- Zitti E Buoni WOW! Italy has gone with rock this year and given us all an absolute classic. This is easily one of the best rock songs ESC has ever seen, and possibly the first glam rock song to grace the stage. This song reminds me […]
Song #2- Bulgaria- Growing Up is Getting Old This touching little ballad is heartwarming, hopeful and haunting all at the same time: it’s an ode to younger times when the world was less complicated, when life was simpler for us all, and where we all felt safe. The underlying clock tick both signifies the inevitable […]
Song #3- Finland- Dark Side Finland has decided to go back to their success story and send us some good old rock, and I am not complaining one bit. This is a bit more futuristic and techno than classic rock, but I love the fusion of genres. I know that a lot of people aren’t […]
Song #4- Lithuania- Discoteque Bring on the best pop song of the year! Lithuania has given us an absolute treat with Discoteque, and again, I have a story about this song. The first time I heard it, I was on the train, and thought I was alone in the carriage. So I did not hide […]
Song #5- France- Voila France decided not to send a song this year. France have sent us pure art. This doesn’t feel like a song as much as it feels like poetry to music- something beautiful, timeless and theatrical. There’s a real sense of vulnerability to this, and it makes the song extremely powerful- there’s […]
Song #6- Russia- Russian Woman When I say this took my breath away the first time I heard the song, I am not lying. Manizha is incredibly talented, and the power this song has, it just knocks me away every time. I love the message of this song, but even before I read the English […]
The Euro-Vine