Oh, what times we are living! Finland's UMK2022 is praised in unison by the fandom and Portugal's Festival da Canção has slowly become one of the most exciting national finals around and 2022 is no exception. Both RTP and YLE have also topped themselves what comes to their national final's visual image; UMK with its videos and FdC with the amazing look, the posters for the artists and beautiful lyrics videos. The old time Eurovision underdogs are really showing to other broadcasters how to do it with style!
This said, on to the songs. FdC used to very, very old fashioned just a few years ago culminating with Salvador Sobral's win, could you be any more old fashioned than Amar pelos dois? Since then it has become also a wild playground for anything weird and exciting yet not forgetting the old fashioned. RTP's method of inviting composers and giving them free hands is working marvelously and 2022 edition is again a mix of most everything, yet mostly very Portuguese and in Portuguese which in my books is always a big plus.
I have listened the songs a couple of times (Here for the videos) and grouped them in fives, not necessarily in order except maybe the Top-5. Here goes:
SYRO - Ainda nos temos *****
If I can't have Diogo Piçarra SYRO will do. I still remember fondly Canção do Fim from 2018 but not very happily it's faith. This one is a perfect substitute and equally wonderful. Love the arrangement and the atmosphere, intimate and grand at the same time. I hope he manages to create some magic on stage and deliver. Instant favorite and a new Portuguese artist to check out and follow in the future. Hopefully also we can label as Eurovision veteran after May!
MARO - saudade, saudade ****
Saudade, that word alone makes me miss Lisbon and Portugal and everything I have experienced there over the years. One of the most meaningful words in the world in any language and just love the sound of it alone. This song captures its essence very nicely indeed and it doesn't even bother me most of the song is in English.... Why this makes me think of Madonna's latest with its Portuguese/Capoverdian/etc influences? Would be a solid good entry for Portugal in Turin.
Blacci - Mar no fim ****
Brazilian, is she? Sounds like the Portuguese I once knew when I still spoke it a bit. Divine sadness in this song, smooth and calming with lovely violins. Could be from some dramatic romantic movie; imagine palm trees, full moon in the sea..... she walking there alone..... Maybe not for Eurovision but lovely tune.
FF - Como é bom esperar alguém ****
Old fashioned and so Portuguese, dreamy melody and elegant arrangement. Like Amor pelos dois could be from any decade from the last century.
Os Quatro e Meia - Amanhã ****
Nothing special but pleasant, ageless pop tune that sung in Portuguese makes it worth listening.
Aurea - Why? **
This may be way too high on this ranking as each listen makes me like it a bit less. There's something but it's not quite there after all. The last minute of howling whyyyyyy whyyyy whyyyy is quite irritating. Yes, this should be lower. Hopefully they don't choose her just because they think a wailing woman in English would work wonders at Eurovision. They don't. Unless you are Rona Nishliu that is.
Cubita - Uma mensagem tua ***
I like Cubita's voice, the song is rather pleasing and develops nicely, the little it develops. Reminds me of some 1990's entries from other countries, but tuned down.
Jonas - Pontas soltas ***
Melodic and again somehow very Portuguese, with a hint of some Italian artists I like(d) in the late 80's/90's. Pleasant to listen to but for Eurovision 2022 maybe not strongest option.
Milhanas - Corpo de mulher ***
"Wise men say...." Oh not, it's not that one despite the intro. As a sucker for piano led things I like the ever playing piano in the background and the fact this is also very, very Portuguese and her voice is nice. This said very old fashioned but still having some freshness to it, a bit like Voilà last year did aka heard a million times before but still works.
The MisterDriver - Calisun ***
The long intro makes me think of Imagination or something like that from the 80's. Not such a fan of this simile rapping in English but when the chorus hits I'm sold. I may like this more than I want to. A guilty pleasure rather than the one for Turin 2022 I hope.
Inés Homem de Melo - Fome de viagem ***
Straight outta some Sound of music like musical, or old school nonsense Eurovision with many languages thrown in to attract attention from various countries. Highly entertaining for a listen or two, but unlikely to attract televoters I suppose.
Fado Bicha - Povo pequenino ***
Why this makes me think of Conan Osiris even if it's nothing alike? It's more Lucia Moniz if we look for that. And probably more staging than song in the end?
Norton - Hope **
This is like any random song from any Baltic national semi-finals. Nice and groovy when it plays and perfect background music for a cocktail bar but that's all.
Os Azeitonas - Solta a voz e canta **
Ok, we had musicals, Baltics and now we have Portugal 1970's/80's national finals. If I didn't knew better and someone said this was the Portuguese entry circa 1980 I wouldn't doubt one second.
Valas & os Astronautas - Odisseia **
Breakdance effects from 80's again with the scratching but that's all I suppose?
Diana Castro - Ginger ale *
Another song from the FdC 1980 circa. And it didn't win even then.....
Kumpania Algazarra - Minha praia *
Alcohol is free Portuguese style with a lot of less energy.
Pepperoni Passion - Códico 30 *
Shortest song which is positive.
O Vampiro Submarino - Ao lado de mim *
Ok, now we are heading to the 50's.I hope he doesn't sport Elvis hairdo and style....
Pongo e Tristany - DÉGRA.DÉ
First 40 second are kinda interesting then the shouty lady enters and even the backing track breaks. Screamy noise and nothing else. Not worth even one star.
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