Malta returns to national multi artist selection after experimenting with X Factor and internally chosen songs for a couple of years. And it is like time stood still: mainly same names and same songwriters and same sounds return. Only that Maltese language is heard in more than one song this year, and Malta's biggest star abroad at the moment, or at least in Italy, Emma Muscat is taking part. Add Euroviison veterans Richard Edwards and Jessica Muscat, Nicole Azzopardi sung at Junior Eurovision 2010 and Francesca Sciberras the year before. Philip Vella & Gerard James Borg, ever present have saved their songs all these years and are back as are Swedish peter Boström and Greek Dimitri Stassos and Nektarios Tyrakis and most of the other names are also Malta Eurovision regulars, both writers and artists. As I said, time has stood still.
A total of 22 songs were in the semi-final and 16 make the final cut. When writing this we still have all 22 in the running so I will update that part later.
Aidan - Ritmu ****
I liked this the moment I heard it and love the fact it's in Maltese, something I hoped from Malta since I discovered The Travellers years ago. The staging, or at least the camera work needs still a lot of work but I'd be very, very happy if this went to Turin.
Janice Mangion - Army *
Jane almost brought Maltese back to Eurovision in 2017 with Kewkba which I loved. This year's effort is rather standard, bland and a little bit annoying. Shame.
Nicole Hammett - A lover's heart *
Ok, this has a bit of Maltese, too, but it won't save this "let's use every Eurovision trick on stage" performance and a song that is a mess in every way. Also made of bits and parts of most everything. Chaotic. And almost painful to watch and hear. No, just no.
Sarah Bonnici - Heaven *
By now it's evident the lighting manager isn't up to his task this year. Again way too dark! This said the song's is.... Well, I don't know. Nothing relaly? Not a big fan of her way of singing either. Even if she's giving it all, especially at 2 mins 30 secs.
Marc Antony Bartolo - Serenity ***
In the preview videos he was like a rabbit in the lights, and live on stage he is enjoying himself more, if only he could forget for a moment to concentrate on following the camera cues. This said I kinda like this song. This could be good.
Denise - Boy ***
If Marc was lost on stage Denise is not (but the lightning is still off. And the director/choreographer really loves the side silhouette here!) This promises so much more than it delivers in the end. Towards the end gets a bit too repetitive and at least I start already thinking what's for dinner after this....
Richard Edwards - Hey little ***
Richard is also one who tends to look like a rabbit in lights but he's in his element tonight giving the most to this song that isn't his best but.... He might do better than I expected really.
Francesca Sciberras - Rise *** OUT
She really got my attention at first but then this develops into standard anthem ballad. Again promising more than delivering in the end. Shame.
Miriana Conte - Look what you've done now *
I'm so tired of these "fierce" ladies with attitude. And annoying refrains that are only noise in my ears. No, just no. This is one of Cyprian Cassar's five songs.
Giada - Revelácion ***
This is already fourth Aidan Cassar's song and one more to come. And another fierce lady but this time with a bit of humour in her eyes and reggaeton/Cubaton beats. This was quite interesting in studio version but live, not so much. Long three minutes.
Baklava feat. Nicole - Eletric indigo **
Youngsters don't know/remember Vella-Borg-Baklava has traced Malta Eurovision stage I don't remember how many times. Always with the same violin and insane lyrics. I kinda liked this back in the day, now not so much.
Derrick Schembri - II **** OUT
Another song in Maltese that I really like in studio version. The live wasn't that good, the dancers probably (hopefully) have a story to tell based on lyrics that I don't know. Now they were just a bit distracting. Derrick seemed a bit like the odd one in that threesome. It all comes across very amateurish sadly. Points go to the studio version.
Norbert - How special you are ***
He believes in what he sings and sings well with emotion. Whoever he sings to can be proud. Not sure if this connect with wider audience in the end. It's sweet and cheesy but somehow ... I like this a bit. One of the best performances.
Raquel - Over you **
Have I mentioned yet the stage is way too dark, have I? This is a bit Adele light, the first part. Then she stands up and it all goes phony. I don't believe one word she sings unlike Norbert before.
Jessica Grech - Aphrodisiac * OUT
Typical Vella-Borg: Take some word everyone knows, repeat it over and over again with nonsense lyrics over a beat, add some ethnic sounds here and there. Add uninspired choreography. And in this case also a tuneless singer. No, just no.
Matt Blxck - Come around ****
I must admit I liked this the first time I heard this. I'm a bit shocked how well he performs this live as I didn't quite expect it. This is a bit insane but in a good way. If Aiden doesn't win I am happy with this. At least Malta would stand out, it's a risk but a risk worth taking. Blandness goes nowhere but semi-finals 11th place.
Rachel Lowell - White doves *** OUT
Classic Eurovision. At least she seems to enjoy performing this a lot. I must give credit she made this work a lot better than I expected. This could be into something if..... Hmmm.... Oh, Ylva & Linda. Ok, that explains a lot!
Nicole Azzobardi - Into the fire ***
Also this is classic Euroviison, the other kind. Mello reject say 2008? Sadly she's not Eleni or some other foxy lady who could give this some flames. She doesn't seem to connect with this, just sings it. Should this win they have a lot of work to be done.
Emma Muscat - Out of sight ***
The fact she's used to perform and be on big stages compared to the others is very evident. Yet, I think this song has too many words or why is she out of breath most of the time? And no, you can't have that gimmick girl with you on stage at Eurovision should you get that far. This leaves me a bit disappointed. Actually I don't remember anything about the song afterwards. But her sparkly catsuit and the girl.
Malcom Pisani - We came for love * OUT
I think he was here years ago with a song I actually liked, was he? Or maybe he had a song liked? This one I don't. He sings well but the song is pretty annoying I'm afraid.
Enya Magri - Shame **
Another rather fake fiercre boss lady. A bit more credible I must say, I kinda like the chorus actually. But that's about it. Is she BESS's sister btw?
Jessika - Kaleidoscope* OUT - but apparently she got a wildcard?! Why?
No. Just no. Read above Aphrodisiac, just more words and less ethnic details.
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