Eurovision 2023 Previews Part 8: Iceland, Greece & Poland

Welcome back to this year’s previews! Let’s continue with the next batch of three from semi 2!

7. Iceland – Diljá – Power

The Song: Oh, is drum ’n base pop having a resurgence already? Not complaining, don’t get me wrong, just mildly surprised. The structure of the song is textbook and overall unsurprising though, but the lyrics and the production do lift it to another level. Too bad they get overpowered by another element…

Standout line: “You hold no power over me” You go, girl.

The Voice: The thing with power is that it can get wither away quite quickly, as we are all witnessing here. Is it a lack of technique or an abundance of nerves and/or enthusiasm? Either way: yikes.

The Style: Not the point of worry. I might not be the biggest fan of the 90’s suits that are ruling the world right now, but it suits her so whatever. Other fish to fry, me thinks.

In one line: Cue ironic song title.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: People can get over those vocals.
Why it won’t qualify: People can’t.
Qualifier? NO

8. Greece – Victor Vernicos – What They Say

The Song: Victor’s bio states that he’s a fan of Ed Sheeran and you could have fooled me! This is quite inspired by the ginger bard, musically at least, and it’s up to your personal taste whether that’s a good thing or not. It’s sadly the latter for me and it doesn’t get better with those pessimistic lyrics. Those are structured in a weird way too, with lines getting broken up and thus creating unnecessary confusion. The pessimism isn’t necessarily a breaking point, but it would be nice to have a less fatalistic undertone to the whole thing. But that might just be my own existential crisis talking.

Standout line: “Quicksand of life, we don’t live to die” Erm, who’s gonna tell him?

The Voice: There are some odd switches in vocal tone which suddenly change the mood and pacing and it throws me off each time. It feels like this entry is trying to surprise us one too many times in the span of a mere three minutes.

The Style: The video is quite angsty and dramatic so I’m fully expecting something similar in Liverpool. The shorts and boots is a combo that I wouldn’t mind seeing again, so yay I guess.

In one line: Pucker up, buttercup.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: It’s Greece.
Why it won’t qualify: It’s too gloomy, especially for Greece.
Qualifier? I guess so, but that’s just the logical brain talking.

9. Poland – Blanka – Solo

The Song: Years of Zumba have conditioned my brain into liking this kind of lightweight summery tune and lightweight this is. But in this semi and especially after the Greek doom & gloom this is very much welcome.

Standout line: “I never let me down didi down down down” Just because my godchildren call me Didi.

The Voice: There’s a reason why I picked the NF link instead of the video on the official site’s semi 2 page. Click it. I dare you. I said that the Romanian candidate this year was vying for the worst vocals of all time at ESC. Little did I expect him to get this stiff of a competition. How did she even qualify for that NF? Let alone win the whole damn thing? Should have given this song to Margaret.

The Style: I like the tropical vibe in the NF performance and it sure creates a nifty diversion. I don’t mind Blanka’s wannabe Ariana Grande style choices, but why would you want to deliberately entice the audience into that kind of comparison when you don’t have the goods to back it up?

In one line: Ariana Pequeña.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: Sponsors.
Why it won’t qualify: I repeat: click that video. I dare you.
Qualifier? If all is right with the world: no. But the world isn’t alright, is it?

CURRENT DIMIVISION STANDINGS

CZECHIA

  SERBIA – SWEDEN – BELGIUM

  NORWAY – AZERBAIJAN – NETHERLANDS – FINLAND – DENMARK

  MALTA – LATVIA – PORTUGAL – CROATIA – SWITZERLAND – ISRAEL – MOLDOVA – ARMENIA -ESTONIA – CYPRUS – ICELAND – GREECE – POLAND

IRELAND – ROMANIA

Tomorrow: Slovenia, Georgia & San Marino