Eurovision 2024 Previews Part 12: Spain, Sweden & United Kingdom

It’s the end of the road, y’all. WE MADE IT! Look at us, brave survivors of the 2024 edition. Will we be rewarded with three finalists that put a delicious cherry on a not so very delicious cake? Get out your (pitch)fork for one last time!

4. Spain – Nebulossa – Zorra

The Song: As a child of the ‘80s I am contractually obliged to love this and I genuinely do. This just hits me right in the nostalgia, even though the production is way more current than it leads on to be. It’s clever in its build-up, including the space it leaves for some audience participation. And speaking of genius: those lyrics are deliciously delightful in all their self-awareness and empowerment. This is a very nifty total package indeed. What’s Spanish for ‘clever girl’?

Standout line: “Cambiar por ti me da pereza / Can’t be bothered to change for you” I believe this deserves a fierce finger snap and an ‘amen’.

The Voice: The Achilles heel of this entry. Clever and empowering though the lyrics may be, it’s a bit of an empty shell when they’re hardly audible in a majority of the live performance. The almost soft spoken word approach (as if it were a choice, lol) does have its charm in an Amanda Lear kinda way. But it could just as easily end up being off-putting. And then we didn’t even get to the parts where some actual singing is required. But possible perception aside, the ever-so-slightly-off-key-out-of-breath factor makes it all the more adorable for me. Wait, what did I just say?

The Style: The NF performance is deliciously camp with a side of diva so of course I loved it. I would like to order a double serving for Malmö, muchas gracias. Turn up the volume ever so slightly to really get the Zorra-ness across. More attitude, cheeky glances to the camera,… And speaking of cheeky: a more well-timed and cleverly highlighted reveal for the dancers should work wonders. Other than that: olé.

In one line: Fabulossa.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will make top 10: It’s got charm to boot.
Why it won’t make top 10: The vocals take away the charm.
Top 10? Corazon says si, cabeza says no.

5. Sweden – Markus & Martinus – Unforgettable

The Song: With a title like that you’re just asking for trouble, aren’t you? Especially if the main riff in your entry sounds super familiar. It could easily be something Swedish House Mafia released half a decade ago. But the most obvious reference is Faithless’ Salva Mea – judge for yourself here. It’s used very differently, but it’s undeniably eerily similar. Other than that, this entry is super slick. Loving the industrial beat in some parts of the song. Not sure about the rather abrupt ending on the other hand. It’s all in all very well produced, if not quite cold and calculated.

Standout line: “I don’t care” Me neither.

The Voice: Super slick as well, to the point where you’re wondering what is sung live and what isn’t. Hm, this feel like a déjà-vu when it comes to the Swedish entry. (No, not you, Loreen.) The verses sound really good anyway, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. But it’s all so clinical, I’d almost request a ‘prove you’re not a robot’ test.

The Style: Again, slicker than slick. That NF performance was on frikking point. Benjamin Ingrosso meets Michael Jackson. Too much honor, you say? You did see me mention Benjamin Ingrosso, right? All kidding aside, these kids will probably blow away the more neutral viewers. But, three for three, I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like if it were just a pinch less sterile.

In one line: What we really want to know is which one is Markus and which one’s Martinus, I feel I still haven’t fully figured it out.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will make top 10: It’s Sweden.
Why it won’t make top 10: It’s up first in the final, so there’s that. Plus there might be the matter of Swedish overdose, for lack of a better word.
Top 10? Here’s some Madame Mafalda madness for ya: Sweden wins again, and then next year the twins are back for Norway only to win again and thus setting an unprecedented example on multiple levels. (disclaimer: no wishful thinking was involved in the making of this fortune telling.)

6. United Kingdom – Olly Alexander – Dizzy

The Song: First things first – the opening bars of the chorus remind me of the opening bars of the chorus of a song in Melodifestivalen 2005 called Du Och Jag Mot Världen. My brain just automatically jumps to that song and it happens every single motherplucking time I listen to Dizzy. Hjälp. It’s only for those few bars though, so I guess it’s just my peculiar brain rather than actual inspiration/plagijat like another entry in this preview. Now that I got that off my chest, I can safely say that this song fits the expectations we collectively had when Olly was announced as the UK’s candidate. It’s perfectly pleasant pop, with a whiff of Pet Shop Boys to it. And in my book that is not the shabbiest of references by any means, they still release awesome stuff. Could it have been a bit more risky/out of the box? Sure. But looking at where the UK is coming from, this is another leap in the right direction.

Standout line: “Won’t you make me dizzy from your kisses” because it’s followed by “I en annorlunda vals, med din arm omkring min hals”, right?

The Voice: It’s honestly slightly baffling how many doubts there are around Olly’s vocal capabilities. Surely he has proved over the years (and years) that he’s quite capable? I’ve witnessed it first hand during a set at Rock Werchter here in Belgium. I was very enamored with Olly’s performance then and I see no reason to think the vocals will be the make-or-break now.

The Style: As far as the video goes it’s all quite alright, but generally I’m not really feeling Olly’s style choices that much. It’s presumably a question of generational differences, or simply a matter of (lack of) taste. But, again, Olly’s a real pro so whatever he chooses to go for I’m sure it’ll be well thought out.

In one line: Love is just like a merry-go-round.
PERSONAL TOTAL:
Why it will make top 10: It’s a big(gish) name who’s true to their sound.
Why it won’t make top 10: The UK is actually cursed.
Top 10? It could make it, but everything would have to align. I know that’s super vague but cut me some slack after 37 entries, mkay?

Sooooo, who will win? Switzerland. Can’t see anyone else taking it at the moment. France will win the jury vote, Netherlands the televote and La Suisse will happily end up in the top 3 for both votings and thus clinch the trophy. I have spoken. What do you think?

FINAL DIMIVISION STANDINGS

LITHUANIA – AUSTRALIA – NORWAY

AZERBAIJAN – LUXEMBOURG – SWITZERLAND – NETHERLANDS – SPAIN – UNITED KINGDOM

  POLAND – MOLDOVA – GREECE – BELGIUM – ESTONIA – FRANCE – ITALY – SWEDEN

  CYPRUS – SERBIA – CROATIA – SLOVENIA – FINLAND – PORTUGAL – ALBANIA – CZECHIA – AUSTRIA – DENMARK – LATVIA – SAN MARINO – GEORGIA – GERMANY

IRELAND – UKRAINE – ICELAND – MALTA – ARMENIA – ISRAEL