Iceland's traditional Söngvakeppnin, the national selection for Euroviison song contest 2023 will be done the usual way: Ten songs all performed in Icelandic in two semi-finals where from two songs will be voted by the public alone to the grand final.An additional wildcard may be added by the organizers to the final line up.
In the final the songs can be performed also in English if they so wish and intend to do so if they win and there will be two rounds: first one with 50/50 televote/international jury. The top-2 will go to a super final with 100% televote.
As there are only ten songs I will just review them all together - and usually get it all wrong in Iceland but never mind!
Semi-final One
Bragi - Stundum snýst heimurinn gegn þér *****
Sometimes a song hits you hard when you hear it for the first time. Sometimes the said song really isn't nothing extraordinary or special but still, without any particular reason. This is one of them. I just loved this from the first hearing. in Icelandic mind you, not so keen on the English version. I don't know why but I do. Maybe that late night moment, my mood, whatever... My favorite song of the national final season so far. So nice to hear a song without gimmicks, just a good melody, no fuss arrangement, good vocals. And sadly I think this will have no chance whatsoever but I don't mind. I can keep this to myself.
Móa - Glötuð ást ***
Some how very Icelandic, old school. Interesting theatrical voice. Sadly I suppose this has no chance whatsoever either.
Benedikt - Þora **
A bit anonymous in every sense. Nothing to say really. I don't see this qualifying either.
Celebs - Dómsdags dans **
I have said all previous that they may have no chances to qualify, it's because of this nonsense. Knowing how Icelandic voted for example last year this should be a sure qualifier. I find this rather uninspired and annoying really.
Diljá - Lifandi inni í mér ***
Apparently the fan favorite and the other quite sure finalist. I'm not a big fan but I get the appeal. A bit all over the place and noisy.
Semi-final two
Kristin Sesselja - Óbyggðir *
This isn't goina nywhere but some higher notes. My attention was soon lost.
Langi Seli og Skuggarnir - OK *
Ok.... Nostalgy. I'm just not old enough to feel that, nor young enough to find this new and exciting. Probably this sail to the final..... Sigh.
Silja Rós & Kjalar - Ég styð þína braut ***
There's something nice about this, will work fine or burn live on stage I guess.
Úlfar - Betri maður ***
If the first semi feels very clear who qualifies this second one is much more open, I think. Having no idea how popular or known the artists are it's a wild guess who's going to qualify. This one's another pleasant song that goes nowhere in Liverpool if chosen.
Sigga Ózk - Gleyma þér og dansa **
Sounds like this could've been the Icelandic entry circa 1994. Again another quite pleasant song that has no chance in Liverpool. But what do I know?
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