Eurovision 2024 Previews Part 1: Cyprus, Serbia & Lithuania

 

Tick tock, can you hear me go tick tock? What’s that, only one month to go until the festivities in Malmö kick off with semi 1 of our beloved Contest? Better get these previews going then!  As per usual, we’ll be tackling them in groups of three (or four, depending on the composition of the semis). We’ll work our way through them in starting order (not performance, important for the semis), keeping our direct finalists for the end. This means we’re set for the next 12 days, leading us right up to the start of rehearsals. Exciting! Let the previews of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024…begin!

1. Cyprus – Silia Kapsis – Liar

The Song: Each year we see a couple of entries that are clearly inspired by one of the previous year’s top three. And from all the sassy bops in 2024 channeling last year’s bronze medal Unicorn, this one feels like the most copy-paste attempt. (Yes, there’s more where this came from, be warned.) Though they did try to Fuego it up a bit. It’s fine as far as the chorus goes, but it feels as disjointed as Unicorn did in its overall structure, starting and stopping one too many time. I saw that as Unicorn’s downfall, which it wasn’t. So I guess that means that this is gonna do well? Or will it just come across as the wannabe that it is? Also: the lyrics are quite confusing. Is she angry? Is she at peace? Does he hold her back or give her wings?  Do I care enough to find out? 

Standout line:  “Because of you I’ll make it through” That’s one way of fishing for televotes. 

The Voice: Is she a liar when it comes to being a singer? Some leaked fan videos sure seem to suggest so. And even though the setting was far from ideal, it does beg for some question marks when it comes to this particular part of the sum. Some hesitation feels warranted for now.

The Style: They’re clearly pulling the Fierce with a capital F card, so I’m expecting something mind-blowing à la Fuego. Because really, what else is this entry for?

In one line: Pants on fire.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: It ticks a lot of boxes.
Why it won’t qualify: She wouldn’t even pass a lie detector test.
Qualifier? She’s lucky she’s opening the semi, because now at least she’s in with a chance. However tiny it may be.
Winner? Lol.

2. Serbia – Teya Dora – Ramonda

The Song: One of the few actual ballads this year and somehow this feels VERY Serbian. Not just because it’s sung in Serbian, no. It’s the silent drama that grows louder towards the end, the strange combo of fatalism and resilience and of course the clever production. It takes a while to really get going but somehow it inevitably puts its claws in, never to let go. I like how it totally misleads our Western ears by making us think this is about a child named Ramonda, while it’s actually about a purple flower that manages to grow in the harshest of conditions.

Standout line: “Teško onom ko je sam / Doomed is the one who is alone” I’ve been single for quite a while now, thanks for the words of encouragement.

The Voice: Perfectly captures the Serbian desperation and drama we’ve come to expect for a song like this, no notes. No, really! Ok fine: it’s all a bit unexciting, isn’t it?

The Style: Where Loreen only hinted at Madonna’s video for Frozen, this one’s going full out. All Teya needs is more wind and more wig and we’re there walking along the shoreline with La Ciccone herself. (That’s La Ciccone and not La Silicone, you barbarian.)

In one line: Who the hell is Ramonda?
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: It ticks a lot of ballad boxes.
Why it won’t qualify: Why ssssso sssssserious?
Qualifier? It’s hard to imagine this not making it through, but that starting position is making it very difficult not to put money on this staying in the semi.
Winner? They’d be lucky to even trouble the left hand side of the scoreboard in the final.

3. Lithuania – Silvester Belt – Luktelk

The Song: Well, isn’t this a nice surprise! Such a contemporary track from the Baltic state! The house vibe totally gets me going and every time the beat kicks in I feel like getting my joints in motion (cracking sounds included for free). The moody verses promise more than the slightly demure chorus delivers, but I guess we needed something lighter to compensate. Love that they went for Lithuanian, love even more how the title somewhat resembles English but means something completely different than the ‘look tell’ many may hear. Probably one of my favorite Lithuanian entries in the 30 years they’ve been participating. Hashtag nevertoolate.

Standout line: ““Ar aš vis dar gyvas? / Am I still alive?” Or are we indeed in The Matrix?

The Voice: Probably the working point for the coming weeks. Just a bit more focus and power, please. Especially in the last 30 seconds, because something needs to make up for the fact that there’s no key change. Which I love, btw.

The Style: I’m kinda digging the minimalistic approach from the NF, with just a couple of basic colors and some understated choreography. Bonus points for the silver band aid on the nose. Sometimes you just need one quirky thing to lift a performance. Something other performers this year might want to pick up on.

In one line: The sun will come out, tomorrow.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will qualify: Too cool for skool.
Why it won’t qualify: It’s too understated.
Qualifier? What’s Lithuanian for definitely?
Winner? I could see this sneaking up on everyone, and tbh after 30 years of participating it would be a nice touch. But a lower top 10 feels like a safer bet for now.

CURRENT DIMIVISION STANDINGS

LITHUANIA

  CYPRUS – SERBIA

Tomorrow: Ireland, Ukraine & Poland