By now, you already know they’re back, after finishing 8th for Switzerland in 2005. This time Vanilla Ninja are flying the flag for their home country. Anybody expecting them to repeat their previous success is going to be disappointed, because I don’t see this getting out of the semi. Despite that, I like it immensely. My one complaint is that they’ve torn out the plummy British voiceover bit and replaced it with a hand clappy, guitar chugging breakdown for a revamped version with a more stadium-rock sound. The song still sounds like it passed its sell-by date some time ago. This isn’t fooling anybody.
Verdict 6/10 - I really like it, but you probably won’t, and neither will the juries nor televoters.
This may not be the greatest ballad you’ve ever heard, but it is a beautiful ballad nonetheless. One of a handful of songs this year which really go back to basics: a stunning voice, a simple performance, and a song laden with emotion which crosses the language barrier.
Verdict 6/10 - Stands a chance of making it through a tough semi-final, but it won’t be easy.
This has grown on me effortlessly while I wasn’t noticing. The pulsating bassline paired with the urgent strings, and Lion projecting his desire for more. By the time we hit the second verse in Spanish, you’re trapped. It’s dramatic, melancholic and captivating, powered with a dark energy. Besides all this, his stage performance has the potential to be very striking, if the Lithuanian national final is anything to go by. Looking like Skeletor picked a fight with the glitter aisle at Hobbycraft, Lion slips effortlessly into dancing the robot before climaxing in a golden shower of tickertape. This alone was made for Eurovision.
Verdict 7/10 - If this doesn’t get to the final, I’ll eat my Liverpool 2023 tote bag.
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