In the past, I used to organize my review blogs to include nations either in one geographic area or they would have something in common. The songs of the nations I will be reviewing today don’t really have a single thing in common between the five.
Without further ado, here is my look at the Eurovision entries of five European nations:
BELGIUM
Song: “Dancing On The Ice”
Performer: Essyla
RTBF is the network in charge of selecting the entry for Belgium this year. Despite calls from many to boycott, they decided to compete. Singer Essyla is to compete with the song “Dancing On The Ice.” Essyla, whose real name is Alica van Eesbeeck, first got notice in 2020 when she was a finalist in The Voice – Belgium. Her first and only album was released in 2023.
Her song “Dancing On The Ice,” which she co-wrote with two other writers, is about how life is always full of difficulties and she will still hold her head high even if life is tying her down. The song begins with a light but intense beat that gives you the sense the intensity will grow, and it does. The chorus slows down to get more dramatic, but the instrumental bridge is where the energy really comes out. The mix of dance elements and dramatic slow moments help this song stand out in the competition. I find it a song worth liking.
ESC Chances:
Belgium has had a string of bad luck in the last two Contests. They had two songs which many ranked in their Top 10 before the Contest but their chances soon declined and they ended up finishing out in the semifinals. This year’s entry is also catchy. I can see it doing well. Nevertheless as seen with their past two entries, and even telling from their last Top 10 finish back in 2023, the staging is make or break. It’s about the right choices. Hopefully we can see Belgium back in the Grand Final.
LUXEMBOURG
Song: “Mother Nature”
Performer: Eva Marija
For Luxembourg’s third straight participation, they held the Luxembourg Song Contest to decide their entry. There were many entries and a lengthy audition process. The final and the superfinal were held on the same day. Eight finalists were reduced to three superfinalists and the winner was Eva Marija with the song “Mother Nature.” 20-year old Eva Marija Kavas Puc is Luxembourgish born to Slovenian parents. She’s an accomplished singer and violinist and has studied at the Conservatoire de Luxembourg.
Her song “Mother Nature,” which she co-wrote with two other writers, is about how mother nature is like human nature. Just as nature heals itself over time, she is able to heal herself and get back in control. Right at the beginning, you can tell this is not your typical pop song. The song starts out softly and the intensity grows as it reaches the chorus. That’s the feel of the song, sedate verses and an intense chorus. The song reaches peak intensity when Eva plays violin during the bridge and the song then ends in quiet intensity. This is one of the more unique songs of the Contest. Not your typical pop song.
ESC Chances:
Now let’s get it clear about last year. A lot of people said last year’s entry hard Luxembourg’s lowest finish ever. That’s only a partial truth. Laura Thorn finished 22nd out of 37 while there have been three rimes in Eurovision’s early years Luxembourg finished dead last. One thing about songs that differ from the rest is that they have to stand out in a big way if they want to win the public. Eva Marija will have to be on and have the right staging to prevent herself from becoming Luxembourg’s first non-qualifier. I’d hate to see it but I feel chances are 50/40 right now.
MALTA
Song: “Bella”
Performer: Aidan
To select their entry for Eurovision, Malta held the Malta Eurovision Song Contest with eighteen contestants in the first semifinal. It took a final of twelve to decide the winner: Aidan with the song “Bella.” 26 year-old Aidan Cassar competed in the trials for Junior Eurovision in 2015 but lost to eventual Contest winner Destiny. He made his first attempt for Eurovision in 2018 and entered again in 2022 and 2023. In between all these entries and qualifying for the Contest, he’s had seven years of hit singles and two full length albums in Malta.
His song “Bella” is mostly in English but also includes Maltese and Italian lyrics. He co-wrote it with Joep van den Boom and 2024 entry Sarah Bonnici. The song is where he pleads to ex-girlfriend to give him another try. It’s hard to picture a male singer in pleather trying to sing like Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble but he does it. The song has that nice suave sound about it. His mix of English lyrics and Italian lyrics adds to the charm of the song. Even constant repetition of the lyric Bella comes across as charming rather than ridiculous. So far it looks to be this year’s unexpected charmer.
ESC Chances:
Malta has had a difficult 2020’s. They started the decade with a Top 10 finish and then went three straight years failing to qualify for the Grand Final. Last year, they sent a song that appeared to be stimulated by shock value with the chorus’ lyrics and title. It finished 17th overall. This song has a lot of appeal already and has high odds right now. It shows that Malta doesn’t need shock value to get themselves into the Grand Final. If Aidan is on in Austria, he can finish high.
SAN MARINO
Song: “Superstar”
Performer: Senhit
San Marino used the San Marino Song Contest to decide its entry for this year. Again, participants came from around the world and the winner was decided to be Italian-born Senhit Zadik. She will become only the second act from San Marino to compete in three or more Contests. Not counting the 2020 Contest she was entered but was cancelled, her first Contest was in 2011 with the song “Stand By” and returned in 2021 with “Adrenalina” with rapper Flo-Rida featured.
The song “Superstar,” which Senhit co-wrote with five other writers, is about telling a self-conscious person standing outside the dance floor they’re no misfit. That despite the ‘cool crowd,’ they have what it takes to shine in their own way. Now this song is very different from her song from 2021. While 2021 is more oriented to hip hop, this song sounds more oriented to dance music. I can sense similarities to a Rihanna song. The song is catchy in its verses and in the boldness of the chorus. The uncredited vocals from Boy George help make the bridge. The song is different from 2021 not just in genre but attitude as well. While 2021’s was more intense, this song sounds more celebratory. It’s very enjoyable.
ESC Chances:
San Marino does get a lot of hard luck but it also gets some success too. There have been four times this microstate has qualified for the Grand Final. Senhit herself did it back in 2021. Nevertheless Senhit did it with the help of Flo Rida. Having Boy George can add to the appeal but this is still a hard gamble for Senhit as some may try to compare this song to Adrenalina. It will all be decided in Vienna.
SWITZERLAND
Song: “Alice”
Performer: Veronica Fusaro
SRG-SSR network announced the artist representing Switzerland they internally selected this year. It’s pop-rock singer Veronica Fusaro and her song is “Alice.” She originally got her start in talent contests, but attention grew in 2017 when her demo tape was awarded Demo Of The Year by the Demotape Clinic. Her first album “All The Colors In The Sky” was released in 2023 and it peaked at #5 in Switzerland.
Her song is titled “Alice” and it’s a song she co-wrote with Charlie McClean. Her song is about someone she’s willing to love, but she’s too reluctant to give herself to her. Veronica pleads to her to love her. The song starts with a nice rockabilly feel but as the song progresses, you will notice it is not a simple nice song. The vocals become more intense and the rocking gets harder. Veronica just lets it all out in her vocals and her guitar playing. Definitely a song that delivers on the unexpected.
ESC Chances:
In the 2020’s, Switzerland has had it biggest Eurovision success since the 1980’s. Never missing a Grand Final, finishing in the Top 10 three times and winning two years ago. This song can do it again. This decade we have heard some Swiss entries we didn’t think would qualify but they did. Veronica will need the right staging to do it. It will be make or break to present this song from being their first non-qualifier of this decade. It all depends on the tastes of Eurovision voters to decide its fate.
And there you have it! That is my look at five songs competing in Eurovision this year. Hopefully after this, my blogs of reviews will become more organized with the nations all having at least one thing in common.
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