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EUROVISION 2023: NORWAY MELODI GRAND PRIX 2023 REVIEW


Norway has had its three semi-finals, created two streaming magnets, lost a couple of fan favorites (mainly for poor live performances despite auto tune allowed) and here we are with the nine finalists.In the final there will be 50/50 international jury/televote, while the semi-finalists were chosen by 100% televote in the semi-finals.

Jone - Ekko inni mig ***
The big local favorite apparently. On a positive side this is in Norwegian. I kinda like this but it's not a big favorite of mine I doubt this will end up on any of my playlists. Should this win.... Well, I have no idea how this would do in Liverpool. Lower parts of the grand final perhaps?
Eline Thorp - Not ment to be ***
I really like the first 45 second, and the past chorus but not such a fan of the chorus itself. She looks a bit suffering in this live performance which troubles me a bit. Not bad though. Maybe a bit forgettable right after the song's over. Could be a song that plays in the closing credits of a movie....
Skrellex - Love again ****
Ok, this incorporates all the stage cliches plus the 2'40 moment is iconic, as are those dancing boys shorts. We haven't had a drag queen at Euroviison for awhile and this brings us straight back to the 1990's. Even if I'm not a big fan of drags somehow this works and all comes together and is rather enjoyable, melodic three minutes. Hmmm... But it's not an Euroviison winner. no.
Ulrikke Brandstorp - Honestly ***
In 2020 I loved her Attention and tipped it as a possible Euroviison winner but this her comeback song isn't as good in my books. Sadly she doesn't sing it in Norwegian, Somehow this one doesn't really get going ever, and remains a musical show stopper that never became such a success the authors and producers thought.... 
Umami Tsunami - Geronimo **
Boyband performance by the books. Shouty and energetic but there's not much in the end. Would I listen to this if not Euroviison wannabe? No. I also doubt this would do wonders in Liverpool if chosen. Very long three minutes.
Atle Pettersen - Masterpiece *****
Oh wow, the first one that kept my attention from the start to finish. Good melody, nicely developing arrangement, simple but effective staging, vocally ok. A bit more emotion and perfection in vocals and this could go very far. One of the best national final song this season so far. I just had to listen the other video of this. Beautiful!
Swing'It - Prohibition **
Ok, it's the swinging twenties, is it? Fun addition to the line up but that's all. MOst everyone's swinging but the lead singer I'm afraid. Lose it up. 
Elsie Bay - Love you in a dream **
Another (last year's) fan favorite is back and delivers another dreamy slow drama song. In theory this should be just what I like but no, not even this one like the other one wasn't. And I don't quite know why not. Sorry. 
Alessandra Mele - Queen of kings **
The streaming magnet, apparently thanks to Miss Ukraine or something. Fan favorite apparently. But for me it doesn't even help she's Italian. I find her vocals pretty weak actually, the arrangement is annoying, the staging seen a zillion times and all this makes me wonder how come this is so popular? This is very amateurish and I doubt this would set the scoreboard on fire in Liverpool with this level of vocal performance and staging. Norway be smart, don't let the fanboys fool you.... This isn't it. 

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