And finally, other foursome in my Top-10
I feel the sun upon my skin
And I am someone, I am someone
I got interested in Kobi Marimi (27) right away with his first audition in Hakokhav Haba, the lenghty Israeli selection show. He looked a bit lost and goofy, but his voice was rather unique and during the long weeks he delivered interesting yet recognisable cover versions so when he won I was very, very pleased. When I heard his entry I was touched. And so pleased they didn't go for something more obvious and secure. Lately the host nation has often landed in the bottom of the scoreboard and judging fandom this could end up the same way. I think this could do very well instead. I love the initial lament that has become sort of trademark sound for him. Everything around me stops when I listen to this. The choir gives me shivers. He certainly is someone and this is my #2.
I could be the sun that lights your dark
Is it too late for love
John Lundvik (36), an ex-athlete adopted to Sweden from UK when he was only one week old, was my favorite in Melodifestivalen last year, and this year, too. He's been writing song to other artists already almost a decade and only now takes the spotlight himself and it's about the time, too! Great voice, great performer that oozes charisma besides writing good songs. I just love the gospel vibe of the song and The Mamas supporting him, and those saying Sweden sends every year the same song really should check their ears! They have sent a string of male artists, true, but each have had a different style of a song and this one's my favorite by far since forever. I am known to be a bit anti-Sweden in general, or rather anti-Melodifestivalen really, but Sweden deserves a top-3 this year for than ever in the 2010's. Oh, he has also co-written the UK entry... and did the right thing to drop that song and opt for this one!
Vedno se ne vidi zvezd sam ostani sebi zvest
Ne govori mi oprosti
You can't always see the stars
just stay true to who you are stop apologising to me
Slovenian twosome met via Instagram 2017 and soon started writing music together and soon scored their first hit. And that's about all we know. Apparently they walk out of interviews if you start asking if they are couple and care next to nothing about Eurovision and all the holabaloo around it, and rather just rehearse in their garden. Somehow all that imaginery fits nicely with their hypnotic song and electronic sound mixed with half spoken or almost whispered monotonous singing. Their minimal stage performance is the icing on the cake. I'm into their world, but this could turn out to be too much for the televoters. Or then a huge success. Hard to tell. But I enter into their world for three minutes with pleasure and feel serene and good....
S az én fiamnak büszkeséggel mondhatom
Ő az én apám és itt az én otthonom
I will tell my boy with my head held high
This is my father. And here’s the home of mine
Joci Pápai (37) already had success in Eurovision 2017 and I loved his song then, and I do now. This one dedicated to his father isn't maybe as catchy and instant than Origo back then, but all the same elements are there and he's got stage charisma. He doesn't fish out for too easy pop nor lame English but it's all authentic and real sung with real passion and feeling. Whistling is the catchy hook and that's enough. What's there not to love? He ended up in top-8 last time, I hope for a similar result this time as he and this song deserve better than some unoriginal calculated nonsense.
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