Welcome back to this year’s previews! Time for the first batch of direct finalists. They finally seem to have caught on in the past few years, can they keep the trend up?
1. France – La Zarra – Évidemment
The Song: This was the only 2023 entry before starting this series of reviews that got included in my Release Radar on Spotify and I put it on my Temporary Obsession list right away. I love the overly dramatic and très French undertone that gets infused with a disco beat à la Dua Lipa & Ellie Goulding. No coincidence if you take a look at the producers of the song. The only thing I don’t like here is the bombastic intro that lasts too long, but otherwise: délicieux.
Standout line: “Toutes ces belles promesses que j’entends, ce n’est que du vent” I know I used ENG translations for other songs, but this line sounds SO GOOD and proves why the French language is just something else.
The Voice: Look her up on Youtube and let your worries go. The only thing she has to do is get the vibe right.
The Style: If that video is anything to go by we needn’t worry. La Zarra looks like a Diva, the good kind, and I fully expect sheer perfection with professionalism dripping from each aspect in this entry. Pas de pression, quoi.
In one line: Far from being La Primarque.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 
Why it will win: Because it’s evident, évidemment.
Why it won’t win: Loreen.
2. Germany – Lord Of The Lost – Blood & Glitter
The Song: Finally away with the mediocrity. That goes for both the recent German track record ànd this year’s field. We were in desperate need of a healthy dose of clever kitsch and you can count on a German metal band to provide exactly that. *Rammstein says hi from the corner of our eye* The song isn’t super exciting but it doesn’t need to be: it provides an instantly recognizable tune, freedom inspired lyrics that don’t drip with cliché and the cherry on top is the juxtaposition of the eerie sounding blood and the always fab glitter. Somewhere in a semi, a unicorn is crying.
Standout line: “We are free to break and change.” Say it louder for the people in the back.
The Voice: On. Point.
The Style: The visual aspect blends both aspects of the song title beautifully and I’m gonna create a couple of looks for my drag alter ego inspired on what these fine gentlemen present to us (or gentlepeople, I don’t want to assume any gender here). Gimme all the glitter you’ve got in Liverpool! Glitter galore!!
In one line: Glitterific.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will win: Rock is hot, even kitschy industrial.
Why it won’t win: Loreen.
3. Italy – Marco Mengoni – Due Vite
The Song: I don’t really have much to say here. It’s your quintessential Italian ballad. While watching San Remo I found it to be rather uneventful and didn’t quite get the hype. I still don’t. The three minute version is somewhat better, with a first minute that is way less sleep inducing. But it doesn’t excite me in the slightest, sorry about it. Just not my cup of espresso.
Standout line: “Coffee with lemon to fight a hangover” Coffee with lemon? Excuse me while I go and puke without having a hangover.
The Voice: Not the biggest fan of Mr. Mengoni’s quite nasal vocals but there’s no doubt he’s a class act.
The Style: Doing a complete 180 here and wondering if a sleeveless vest is really necessary in this setting. I mean, if it were for his arms alone I would totally say ‘DUH’ but it feels like this soft song requires a more subdued styling. I know, I know: how dare I give styling suggestions to an Italian, and suggest less nakedness? Soon I’ll have the gay mafia and the actual mob haunting me. Is there a red dot on my forehead yet?
In one line: I’d prefer nine lives, tbh.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will win: The arms & the smoulder.
Why it won’t win: Loreen.
CURRENT DIMIVISION STANDINGS
CZECHIA -FRANCE
SERBIA – SWEDEN – BELGIUM – SLOVENIA – AUSTRIA – AUSTRALIA – GERMANY
NORWAY – AZERBAIJAN – NETHERLANDS – FINLAND – DENMARK – LITHUANIA
MALTA – LATVIA – PORTUGAL – CROATIA – SWITZERLAND – ISRAEL – MOLDOVA – ARMENIA -ESTONIA – CYPRUS – ICELAND – GREECE – POLAND – GEORGIA – ITALY
IRELAND – ROMANIA – SAN MARINO – ALBANIA
Tomorrow: Spain, Ukraine & United Kingdom
Dimivision 