My Thoughts on Eurovision Part I

Eurovision 2016 has already come and go. There were really exceptional acts, good acts, and worst ones. As there were 26 performers for the four hours final, it will take me a while to get through all the acts. So, if I can remind myself to do it, there will be a part two next week to cover the other performances.

 There were so many good acts this year. Albeit that most of the acts today sing in primary English. :( (It's not that I don't oppose singing in English but I rather enjoy each country's song in that country's primary language).

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The Great

Jamala - 1944

I linked the final performance of "1944" instead of the music video because it was incredible to watch.

 If you didn't read the backstory of the song on sites like Wikipedia or new sites, "1944" is a personal song about Jamala's great-grandmother and her family getting deported from their homeland of Crimea and sent to live in Central Asia when Stalin was leader of the Soviet Union.[1] Jamala beautifully displays the raw emotions of sadness, despair, hurt, the feeling of being lost, and the emotional pain of being separated from a homeland. You can feel all of these emotions that Jamala passionately displays at the 2:20 mark when she sings in the mugham vocal style. At that moment, I feel like I wanted to cry with Jamala as I can feel the pain and hurt she emits from her singing.

The inclusion of the gorgeous mugham vocal style, the duduk (especially in the beginning), and the chorus in the beautiful Crimean Tatar language makes this a song a treat to those who like ethnic music. However, it's still modern as it includes elements of house.

 Many, including Russians, have argued that song should've been banned from Eurovision as the lyrics are an attack on Russia’s recent annexation of Crimea and is politically themed, which a big no-no in this contest. However, I believe that this song is more than a political statement, it's a story. A story about a broken past of an ostracized ethnic group mixed in with hopes for "peace and love" in the future.[2]


The Good

Hovi Star - Made of Stars

Although Telegraph.co.uk has mentioned a verse from this song made their top 18 worsr and weirdest lyrics from this year's Eurovision,  I thought most of the lyrics were pretty decent. It might've sounded like a generic love song to some, it might've been about two friends who are looking for a better future to others. I think it's a mixture of both. What I like about "Made of Star"  is Hovi's impressive vocal range. There isn't a lot of instrumentation with this song as it just a piano, briefly a guitar, some strings, briefly drums, and maybe a bass to make it seem like a pure mid-tempo pop ballad. However, Hovi's vocals are warm, rock-oriented, not overbearing, and well-fitted for a song like this.

 I really like the simplicity of the song the best. Songs like these ones tell you just need a really good vocalist, like Hovi, and a few basic instruments to make a pop masterpiece.



Gabriela Gunčíková - I Stand

I will admit, I might of placed this song in the good pile because I have a bias for any Czech singers (Go Team Czech Republic, my mother's family is from there and her family takes lots of pride in their heritage). But, I mainly picked this song because of Gabriela's incredible vocals. I love how Gabriela creates a mystic yet beautiful reverence when she sings a vocal run in the beginning of the chorus with "I". Also, her vocals are well grounded with the song as they are rich, strong, and vibrant.
Like Hovi Star's "Made of Stars", "I Stand" uses a few instruments and a solid vocalist to create something beautiful.



Poli Genova - If Love Was A Crime

Instantly, the song starts on the right foot with the use of a high-pitched synthesized voice to produce those eerie vocal samples. Maybe I am just in love with them because American R&B and electronica trio King recently used them perfectly in my new favorite, "The Right One". Besides that, I really like the chorus as Poli is able to seamlessly blend Bulgarian and English together with the melody to create something extremely catchy.  I swear I am going to be singing the chorus randomly at work this week, even if I can't sing Bulgarian well.

 I have to say that Poli's costume is one of the best costumes from this year's Eurovision. It took me a while to figure out that she was wearing a skin colored dress and she wasn't just naked with some random leather and LED lights. The LED light pieces was a wonderful addition as it was cool to see Poli "light" up the stage like that.


The Ok

Dami Im - Sound Of Silence

This song isn't really bad. In fact, it's pretty decent as it showcases Dami's incredible vocal skills. However, haven't we heard something like this before from the likes of Taylor Swift, Adele, or Demi Lovato? I swear the melody could of been a part of a Taylor Swift or Adele song.

As for Dami's vocals, they sound like an alto version of Demi Lovato or some other female pop singer that I heard before but I can't put a finger on. Overall, it's a mediocre song. I give props to Dami's pipes. However, I am disappointing that it's not original enough.

The Bad

Jamie-Lee - Ghost

There were a lot going wrong with Germany's entry for Eurovision this year. The most blaring one was the costume. I understand that the decora kei style might be fashionable and cute to some, I just think it's a weird mishmash of things that don't relate to each other well, thus causing confusion. And, "confusion" is the word you would think of when you see Jamie-Lee's headdress. It's not cute nor goes well with the song! It's so bizarre and unflattering to watch her sing in that. If she wanted to pick an appropriate Japanese street fashion to go along with the song, how about picking something with lolita or a kimono-style fashion?


I also think that Jamie-Lee wasn't really ready for Eurovision. Sure, she is a talented singer however, she isn't quite there yet with her current skill level as she seemed to be still working on getting her style. Throughout the song, her vocals sounded a little bumpy and her tone wavered. It didn't make her sound totally off key but you could notice some tiny faltered notes here and there if you listen carefully. Also, at the 2:32 mark, she belts out in a way that seems to be lacking breathe support. I wonder if Jamie-Lee was nervous at all during these live performances?

 I think Jamie-Lee should've polished her skills and waited a couple more years until she was definitely ready for Eurovision.

  What did you think of this year's Eurovision? What was your favorite acts? What were least favorite?

Source

  [1]  "The Dark History Behind Eurovision's Ukraine Entry." Time. Time. Web. 15 May 2016. (http://time.com/4329061/eurovision-jamala-russian-ukraine-crimea/?xid=fbshare)

[2] Stephens, Heidi. "Eurovision 2016: Ukraine's Jamala Wins with Politically Charged 1944." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2016. Web. 15 May 2016. (http://www.citationmachine.net/bibliographies/101376594?new=true)