Printable version of thread

Posted by: C.W 7th March 2012, 01:32 PM

Country: Terra Avium
Capital City: Charee Wizzulf
Other Cities: Eagleé, Pheasantina, Toucanopolis, Owlomia, Macareia, Pigeono, Pinguliss
Language: Tweetinese
Population: Estimated at 20 million

BJSC History:

2012

BJSC XLII / Kaskade feat. Skylar Grey / Room For Happiness / 28th/29
BJSC XLIII / Bastille / Overjoyed / 29th/29
BJSC XLIV / Parachute Youth / Can't Get Better Than This / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)
BJSC XLV / I Am A Camera / Factory Boys / DNQ (17th in Semi Final)
BJSC XLVI / Forss / In Paradisum / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)
BJSC XLVII / The Bullitts / World Inside Your Rainbow / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)
BJSC XLVIII / Starsmith / Zeros / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)
BJSC XLVIV / WALK THE MOON / Anna Sun / DNQ (16th in Semi Final)
BJSC L / Shields / Mezzanine / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)


2013

BJSC LI / Woman E / You Stole That Summer (Bright Light Bright Light Remix) / 31st/31
BJSC LII / Feathers / Land of the Innocent / 30th/30
BJSC LIII / Haiku Salut / Glockelbar / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
BJSC LIV / Kissy Sell Out feat. Saint Saviour / Gimme Sin / 21st/32
BJSC LV / BURNS / Limitless / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)
BJSC LVI / NO CEREMONY /// / Feelsolow / 9th/31
BJSC LVII / Youngblood Hawke / We Come Running / 17th/31
BJSC LVIII / Keep Shelly In Athens / Flyway / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
BJSC LIX / Dreamtrak / Odyssey Part 2 (A.G Cook Remix) / 16th/32
BJSC LX / Llamas In Need / Did You Ever See a Llama? / DNQ (21st in Semi Final)

2014 (as Terra Dinosaur)

BJSC LXI / M83 / Un Nouveau Soleil / 6th/31
BJSC LXII / Fickle Friends / SWIM / 26th/31
BJSC LXIII / Bloodgroup / Cut Out Your Tongue (Girl Unit Remix) / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)

2014 (as Terra Avium)

BJSC LXIV* / Bok Bok feat. Kelela / Melba's Call / 23rd/52
BJSC LXV / Miami Horror feat. Cleobold / Colours In The Sky[/b] / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)
BJSC LXVI / [b]N/A (Contest was missed for reasons of political tension with mammalese candidates and flight working development company)
BJSC LXVII / Flight Facilities feat. Elizabeth Rose / I Didn't Believe / 23rd/32
BJSC LXVIII / Summer Heart / U Got All I'm Looking For / DNQ (25th in Semi Final)
BJSC LXIX / We Are All Astronauts feat. Ellena Soule / Wolves / 18th/32
BJSC LXX / Jaimeson / Complete / 30th/31

2015

BJSC LXXI / OOFJ / You're Always Good / DNQ (16th in the Semi Final)
BJSC LXXII / Power Glove / Crypt / 22nd/31
BJSC LXXIII / MOWE / Birds Flying High / 22nd/34
BJSC LXXIV / Crywolf feat. Maigan Kennedy / Home We Made Part II (Skrux remix) / DNQ (25th in Semi Final)
(5th/32 in BJSC TBO: The Rejects)
BJSC LXXV / Coyote Kisses / Ferrari / 30th/41
BJSC LXXVI / Two Steps From Hell / Miracles / 12th/42
BJSC LXXVII / Milk & Bone / Pressure / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)
BJSC LXXVIII / Slow Magic / Girls / 38th/42
BJSC LXXIX / DIA / ЕГЕЯ / 29th/42
BJSC LXXX / Owsey, Jernalism & Resotone / I've Been Secretly Falling Apart[/b] / 3rd/41
(20th/30 in BJSC TBO)

2016

BJSC LXXXI / U.S. Girls / Woman's Work / DNQ (27th in Semi Final)
(10th/41 in BJSC:TBO: The Rejects)
BJSC LXXXII / tiasu / Plummet / 12th/41
BJSC LXXXIII / How I Became The Bomb / Ulay Oh / 27th/42
BJSC LXXXIV / Hiatus / Precious Little / 10th/41
BJSC LXXXV / Delhi 2 Dublin / Apples / 31st/41
BJSC LXXXVI / Illenium feat. Joni Fatora / Fortress / 20th/42
BJSC LXXXVII / Essaie Pas / Le Port du Masque est Riguer / DNQ (29th in Semi Final)
BJSC LXXXVIII / Daydreamer / Travelling Light / 10th/42
BJSC LXXXIX / Kids of the Apocalypse / Better Life / 19th/42
BJSC XC / Kitchen / Time / 21st/42

2017

BJSC XCI / Alev Lenz / Fall Into Me / DNQ (22nd in Semi Final) (26th/30 in BJSC TBO: Rejects)
BJSC XCII / Marcus Warner / Africa / 7th/41
BJSC XCIII / Conner Youngblood / The Warpath / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)
BJSC XCIV / Varien / Lilith / DNQ (22nd in Semi Final) (17th/30 in BJSC TBO: Rejects)
BJSC XCV / felicita / a new family / 33rd/41
BJSC XCVI / Stellar Dreams / Infinity / 20th/42
BJSC XCVII / Steven Wilson feat. Ninet Tayab / Pariah / 2nd/41 (3rd/40 in BJSC TBO)
BJSC XCVIII / Gjallerhorn / Konungen Och Trollkvinnan / 37th/42
BJSC XCIX / Ravel Nightstar / The Drums and Bass of Flower Bless / 31st/41
BJSC C / Cusco / Orpheus & Eurydice / DNQ (32nd in Semi Final)

2018

BJSC CI / Aly & Fila feat. Sue McLaren / Quiet Storm / 22nd/37
BJSC CII / Think Up Anger feat. Malia J / Mutiny (Crazy) / 22nd/37
BJSC CIII / Strawhatz / Koto / DNQ (24th in Semi Final) (35th/39 in BJSC TBO: Rejects)
BJSC CIV / Mytischi / Cassiopeia / 24th/37
BJSC CV / Apparat feat. Soap&Skin / Goodbye / DNQ (22nd in Semi Final)
BJSC CVI / Moodoid & Wednesday Campanella / Langage / 17th/37
BJSC CVII / Korw / Luna's Moon Dance / 15th/42
BJSC CVIII / We Are All Astronauts / Ether / 31st/38
BJSC CIX / Sheila & The Kit / Time Again / 10th/39
BJSC CX / Goblin / Suspiria / DNQ (27th in Semi Final) (31st/39 in BJSC TBO: Rejects)

2019

BJSC CXI / Epic Soul Factory / Everdream / DNQ (27th in Semi Final)
BJSC CXII / La Phaze / Avoir 20 ans / 2nd/39
BJSC CXIII / Ex:Re / Romance / 22nd/42
BJSC CXIV / Altin Gun / Süpürgesi Yoncadan / 33rd/42
BJSC CXV / Woodkid feat. Jennifer Connelly / On Then & Now / 33rd/42
BJSC CXVI / Anoice / nothing there / 21st/36
BJSC CXVII / N/A
BJSC CXVIII / The Snake Charmer / Nageena (Siren of the Sands) / 41st/42
BJSC CXIX / Nakhane feat. ANONHI / New Brighton / 36th/38
BJSC CXX / Efisio Cross / Can I Keep You / 9th/38

2020

BJSC CXXI / Jonathan Young feat. Malinda Kathleen Reese / Phantom of the Opera / DNQ (19th/26)
BJSC CXXII / LAAKE / Introspective / 16th/39
BJSC CXXIII / Fractal Dreamers / Azure of the Horizon / 16th/41
BJSC CXXIV / Pale Blue / Breathe / DNQ (24th/33)
BJSC CXXV / ADULT. / Why Always Why / 37th/42
BJSC CXXVI / Jutrø / Substancja / 12th/41
BJSC CXXVII / LCD Soundsystem - Seconds / 14th/42
BJSC CXXVIII / Amnesia Scanner feat. Lalita / AS Tearless / 29th/42
BJSC CXXIX / Neev / Staring Through / DNQ (33rd/33)
BJSC CXXX / FalKKonE / Eine Kleine Nachtmusik / 34th/41

2021

BJSC CXXXI / Varien / A Pale White Horse / 39th/42
BJSC CXXXII / Rein / OFF THE GRID / 3rd/41
BJSC CXXXIII / Fïx8:Sëd8- Human Harvest / DNQ (29th/34)
BJSC CXXXIV / Crows in the Rain / Unfinished Dreams of Sadako / 12th/42
BJSC CXXXV / Hunter as a Horse / The Breaking of the Shell / 33rd/42
BJSC CXXXVI / Richard Hawley / Tonight The Streets Are Ours / 36th/41
BJSC CXXXVII / Midnight Danger / To The Shadows and Back / 20th/38
BJSC CXXXVIII / La Femme / Divine Creature / 32nd/42
BJSC CXXXIX / Vancouver Sleep Clinic / From a Distant Dream... / DNQ (21st/30)
BJSC CXL / TAXI KEBAB / Ttabla / 24th/41

2022

BJSC CXLI / Highasakite / Autopsy / 2nd/42
BJSC CXLII / Mentrix / If / DNQ (25th/26)
BJSC CXLIII / Thomas Bergersen / One Million Voices / 3rd/41
BJSC CXLIV / David Holmes feat. Raven Violet / Hope Is The Last Thing to Die / 31st/42
BJSC CXLV / Dead Pony / 23, Never Me / 17th/42
BJSC CXLVI / bdrmm / Three / DNQ (26th/29)
BJSC CXLVII / Desire / Black Latex / DNQ (21st/31)
BJSC CXLVIII / Sung / Cosmic Road / DNQ (24th/31)
BJSC CXLIX / Sidewalks & Skeletons feat. CASHFORGOLD / Name in Blood / DNQ (27th/30)
BJSC CL / Slowdive / Golden Hair / 26th/42

2023

BJSC CLI / Kate NV / oni (they) / DNQ (24th/30)
BJSC CLII / Nyteout / Angels Forever / 1st/44
BJSC CLIII / The Decemberists / The Mariner's Revenge Song / 17th/42
BJSC CLIV / Mono / Life in Mono / 5th/41
BJSC CLV / Synecdoche Montauk / Где бы ты ни был (Wherever You Are) / DNQ (29th/30 in semi)
BJSC CLVI / Chloe Caillét / Quieres (Parts 1 and 2) (feat. Kaleta) / DNQ (27th/31 in semi)

BJSC Spin Offs History

BJSC 90s Dance Anthems / Daft Punk / Da Funk / 14th/32
BJSC Foreign Language / Nightmare / The World / 34th/40
BJSC YBO / Parachute Youth / Can't Get Better Than This / 35th/44
BJSC 00s Dance Anthems / Moby / Porcelain / 13th/35
BJSC Worldvision / Dunya / Kozan Marşı / Syrtos / 23rd/49
BJSC YBO - The Rejects / Shields / Mezzanine / 39th/41
BJSC UK Chart Near Misses / Israel Kamikawiwo'ole / Somewhere Over The Rainbow / 22nd/35
BJSC Halloween Special / John Carpenter / Theme from Halloween / 9th/39
BJSC Christmas Special / Sergei Prokofiev / Troika / 7th/37
BJSC Movies / Kavinsky / Nightcall / 2nd/36
BJSC: Best of Buzzjack / Takeo Ischi / Bibi Hendl / 37th/45
BJSC Worldvision II / TIX & The Pøssy Project - East High 2016 / 12th/38
BJSC Reinvention / Pendulum - Violet Hill / 15th/38
BJSC Instrumentals / Lights & Motion / The Spectacular Quiet / 2nd/41
BJSC Country / Keston Cobblers Club / The Heights of Lola / 12th/27
BJSC Masquerade / Ramin Djawadi / Paint It, Black / 7th/43
BJSC 80s / The Pixies / Where Is My Mind? / 15th/38
BJSC Japan/South Korea / films / sympathizer / 7th/26
BJSC Schlagerfest / I Am Karate / Bitter / 17th/24
BJSC Andra Chansen / Max Richter / Spring 1 (Ade Laugee Remix) / 1st/32
BJSC Worldvision III / Tleskač / Z Hofmanek na Belveder / 11th/40
BJSC 90s vs 00s / Röyksopp / So Easy / 6th/38
BJSC Pride / Bloc Party / I Still Remember / 18th/46
BJSC Reinvention II / The Swingrowers / Mr Sandman / 7th/33
BJSC Masquerade II / Anna Meredith & The Scottish Ensemble (feat. Antonio Vivaldi) – Anno: The Four Seasons - Spring (Full Movement) / 24th/39
BJSC Halloween / Helblinde / The Solace of Oblivion /1st/28
BJSC YBO II / Two Steps From Hell / Miracles / 2nd/39
BJSC Pride II / Pale Waves / Noises / 9th/29
BJSC Christmas / Two Steps From Hell / Christmas Medley / 1st/28
BJSC Worldvision V / Andreg & Devas / Romanian Dream / 8th/38
BJSC Halloween III / Peter Gundry / The Vampire Masquerade / 14th/36
BJSC Christmas II / Trans Siberian Orchestra / Carol of the Bells / 1st/30
BJSC Worldvision VI / Jean Pierre Djeukam / Africa Iyo / 25th/29
BJSC Masquerade III / Mareux / Summertime / 21st/35
BJSC Pride III / Kae Tempest / Salt Coast / 7th/24
BJSC Halloween IV / Resina / A Crooked God / 13th/29
BJSC Worldvision VII / Damaru / Suriname / 10th/21
BJSC Movies II / Para One / La Musique du Futur - Mon/Ton Coeur / 12th/25

(personal best and worst higlighted)

*Operated differently as one big final

Greetings all! This first post will be used to track the country’s progress through BJSC, but there’s a bit more history than you think behind the country of Terra Avium, wondering about all the bird references? read on...

Posted by: C.W 7th March 2012, 01:46 PM

The war of Animalia & independence

The full story of Terra Avium's history has been revised and posted on http://bskywriting.blogspot.co.uk/

The kingdoms became:

- Terra Mammalia (Mammals)
- Terra Avium (Birds)
- Terra Serpentium (Reptiles)
- Terra Amphibium (Amphibiums)
- Terra Piscium (Fish)
- Terra Insecta (Insects and all other invertebrates)

and finally Terra Platypus, who remain to this days, the only rulers of Animalia

('Terra' is latin for 'land of')

And so the animals lived in harmony Mammalia thrived in dominance, Birds ruled the skies, Reptiles were dominant once more, Amphibiums were finally met with peace, Fish ruled the seas and the Insects yearly death rate plummeted dramatically

Our story continues with Terra Avium, which in time became bored of Animalia and wanted to move amongst a different kind of animals…humans. After conducting some research into just where they’d go, The almighty eagles and wise owls decided on the World of Buzzjack, so after getting the best builders to constructing ships for the likes of the penguins and ostriches, receiving aid from the kindly dolphins and chimpanzees of Mammalia, Terra Avium took off and made a beeline for Buzzjack...

Posted by: C.W 7th March 2012, 02:08 PM

So, since settling into the world of Buzzjack, the residents of Terra Avium have began to thrive and may even be planning to engage with the other countries once this rather shocking news of a country filled with birds has reached the natives! The hawk patrol keep the city crime free (particularly from the dastardly magpies) the leader still stands as Orleé the great owl, a wise knowledgeable bird who always looks beyond fighting, pigeons and seagulls remain the most common citizens but no citizen is undervalued here, and an achievement was reached when Neil Balding became the first bird to set foot on the moon:



BJSC

Terra Avium have always been the most musical of the six kingdoms, and so as a way to break the ice with the locals, the birds decided to take part in the Buzzjack Song Contest, it was a tough choice finding a song to send, but in the end Terra Avium opted to send the country's hottest new discovery Skylark Gray (a singer praised by musical legends the Tweatles themselves) on her track with Kaskade, 'Room For Happiness', was it a success?



















Yes it was! Terra Avium qualifies for the final in their first song contest, their immense thanks to all those who voted of course. Skylark Gray is on course to become the new nation's sweetheart (replacing the ever fading Chaffinch Cole) with deputy minister David Cormorant throwing heaps of praise, and all four of the Tweatles - Paul Macaw, John Heron, George Harrier & even the ever quiet Ringo Starling! Terra Avium will be in full force behind Skylark for the final

(there is SO many grammar mistakes in the posts above so apologies, but at least you all know the history now )

Posted by: Freeze 7th March 2012, 06:45 PM

This was very interesting to read! Creative concept and a great story!

I haven't heard your entry yet, but congratulations on your debut qualification!

Posted by: Klumzee 7th March 2012, 06:51 PM

That's amazing! Will we see any of the other kingdoms competing in BJSC soon?

Posted by: C.W 7th March 2012, 07:02 PM

The well being of the other kingdoms is unknown since the birds departed Animalia, but once they hear of this, I'm sure they'll be supportive Terra Insecta may not though, some old feuds never die

Posted by: C.W 19th March 2012, 05:42 PM

The Daily Starling: A result...of sorts

So, Yesterday evening saw the debut of Terra Avium to the grand final of BJSC XLII, a position unexpected by many of the birds...with a forecasted position of 20th

Alas, it was looking like it would be a bit of a disaster at various points as the contest progressed so in a sense, it wasn't too bad a result that Room For Happiness by Kaskade with vocals from Nation's Sweetheart, Skylark Gray ended up with 53 points in 28th place, whilst there was a sense of disappointment throughout Terra Avium, there was also many unexpected higher points given from various countries so the birds would like to thank to all who did

Skylark Gray has commented that the experience was 'life changing' and despite the poor result, she was honoured to represent Terra Avium in their first BJSC, her name will go down in music history of Terra Avium, alongside the Tweatles and even with this country's top fighters and leaders

The winners of the night was largely favoured amongst the birds, Botannika with the beautiful Colours by Emma Hewitt, Ashton took the runners up slot with Like a Girl In love by Elen Levon and taking third was Some Die Young by Laleh, another favourite of the residents of Terra Avium

Plans for the next song contest are under way, further details will follow soon

Posted by: C.W 3rd April 2012, 08:29 PM

It has been risk taking times at Terra Avium this month...

Penguins take a stand as pilchard funds scandal rages on

The penguins have gone on strike following the ongoing debate in public sector pilchard funds

the rising costs of paying for pilchards has been a big problem for the government. If the proposed pans will go ahead, it will mean that the sea bird community in public service sectors will have to face higher staff contributions, later retirement date and cheaper career average fish schemes, this is particularly effective on the seagulls who will have to work for longer hours and receive less rewards

this has had to national outcry - and on Wednesday, the penguins gathered with pickets and stood outside their schools in protest. This is a move that was very risky and has never been done before in Terra Avium, even the elite hawk table at the government commended their efforts

Minister, David Cormorant refused to comment on the matter at hand and apparently talks are still going on


In other news:

Terra Avium confirms choice for 43rd Eurovision Song Contest


the birds have taken a great risk with the current edition of BJSC, going largely against the grain of the pop dominated contest with 'Overjoyed', a very understated soft rock number:



Will this risk prevail? The nation awaits until next week...

Posted by: C.W 26th April 2012, 09:49 PM

.....and it did, sort of

Catching up, there was some surprise throughout the nation when Overjoyed by Bastille got through the semi final votes despite the odds being largely against it. Alas, as was pretty much expected, the select few voters that it did enchant weren't enough to get it any other place than last with a weaker performance than last months entrant.

However, the nation doth not weep, for it has been discovered that this song was very big in the land of Terra Mammalia, and this caught the attention of them, through a lot of work, contact has finally been established with Mammalia!

This is the first kingdom they have come in contact with and there is joy throughout the nation! they have established a presedential system and the old leaders that were the lions have now retired, and taken over by the ever growing Bears. The most powerful of them all, Bearack Obama, the official president of Terra Mammalia

If the old worlds still existed, he would be the most powerful animal of Animalia

This entry has been recommended by him and he believes that it could break them out of the bottom 2, more news to follow shortly

In other news, the BJSC winner was Numayania, a country whose entries are certainly striking a chord with Terra Avium, very narrowly beating Eledan purely by higher number of voters

Posted by: Atonement 27th April 2012, 06:48 AM

You came last?
Well at least you made me discover a great song, I think I gave you good points.

Posted by: CianS 30th April 2012, 07:07 PM

Bastille were unfortunate to have come last. Great song.

Posted by: C.W 30th April 2012, 07:33 PM

I'm glad you guys liked it! (Atonement, I believe you gave it its highest individual points )

Posted by: C.W 7th May 2012, 09:48 AM

So, Terra Avium's entry for BJSC XLIV has been confirmed, recommended and praised by the mighty Bearack Obama of Terra Mammalia, its the rather brilliant dance track from Parachute Youth, Can't Get Better Than This:



The residents of Terra Avium & Terra Mammalia have a very good feeling about this track, and we hopefully can break out of the bottom 2 of the leaderboard. Any thoughts welcome!

Posted by: Atonement 7th May 2012, 12:00 PM

Absolutely fantastic track. After a few spins it's getting really addictive.

Posted by: C.W 14th May 2012, 12:55 PM

I don't see any other spambots taking an interest in any other national thread. I'M CLAIMING THIS!


Anyways, unfortunately its bad news for the residents of Terra Avium & Terra Mammalia, as the Buzzjack World did unfortunately not share the same enthusiasm about our latest joint entry, and it resulted in our first DNQ as a result, Terra Mammalia has agreed to not take part in the selections for the future, however, the birds are still grateful for their help, and are very happy to have established communication after all these years

The birds shall be focused now on preparing for a big event in Terra Avium's calendar, but also searching for an entry to redeem this blip

Posted by: Atonement 18th May 2012, 05:28 PM

Parachute Youth has entered the Belgian top50 at #25, it's becomming a hit somewhere !

Posted by: C.W 18th May 2012, 06:00 PM

well, that's good news I'd love if it did something chart wise in the UK, however doubtful that sounds

and congrats on your qualification btw, its a great song and deserves it

Posted by: Atonement 18th May 2012, 06:27 PM

Thanks I'm very excited about my first qualification

Posted by: C.W 26th May 2012, 06:30 PM

OK, I'm a bit stuck on what to send for this month - I currently have two options, I'd be grateful if someone could listen to them beforehand? so send me a PM if interested

Posted by: C.W 5th June 2012, 07:19 PM

so Terra Avium have selected an entry they've found at the last minute rather than the entry they were initially considering, mainly as it sounded rather different to their recent entries, it comes from duo, I Am a Camera who have been entered in this contest before and garnered success, will it have a similar feat again this time around? we can only wait and see

the song's called Factory Boys:

Posted by: C.W 22nd June 2012, 09:05 PM

The story of Terra Avium has beem revised in great detail. If you haven't yet, you can read the whole history of Terra Avium and the world of Animalia (minus all the buzzjack stuff ) http://bskywriting.blogspot.co.uk/

On a slightly sadder note, it was a second consecutive DNQ for the birds this contest. In the first semi final, we finished 17th out of 25 entries by an extremely narrow margin of just two points from qualifying, however, no mourning is necessary as the quality of the semi final was just so strong, it still led to the most enjoyable contest yet, which was won by Woodkid's Run Boy Run, sent by Ingermanlandia, this was the first time the combined favourite of the public and the juries of Terra Avium had won, and we are immensely pleased.

Search for a song for the next contest has already been completed and although it is very inaccessible and anti-BJSC, we are still certain of it and hope it can make a good impression.

Posted by: C.W 3rd July 2012, 10:01 PM

This month, Terra Avium have gone for something a little bit different to say the least - It is a track from Berlin collective Forss, In Paradisum, one of ten tracks from the album 'Ecclesia' which are a curious mix of hymn recordings with electronica and synth productions and outside noises, I think this is an absolutely fantastic recording, but its a very risky entry for the birds which could go down like a lead balloon or do surprisingly well. What do you think?

Posted by: Chez Wombat 31st January 2013, 11:15 PM

Well, New Year, new start and all, lets just ignore the record for now...



So we didn't do great for the whole of 2012 pretty much, but we're hoping to come back with a bang this time around. Our first entry of 2013 is a very summery style of track that will hopefully appeal to the Buzzjack world a bit more than my last few entries, this one actually has female vocals thoughts are welcome as always!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 11th March 2013, 11:09 PM

For our next entry, we have decided to stick with female pop again, but this time, a slightly darker feel surrounds this one. Indeed, the artist being called 'Feathers' could not be more appropriate in representing us, the song is called Land of the Innocent:




In a slight twist of BJSC karma, it was revealed earlier today that when sending out confirmations that the nearby land of Seyetana was also looking to confirm Feathers. Whilst residents do offer the natives of Seyetana commiserations, there is a slightly triumphant feel in the land now that we have faster deliverers to the host countr, as the move was made at the tail end of last year to retire all active pigeon messengers, and in their place train swifts to take their place. All have been trained by Terra Avium's fastest resident, Peregré, a dedicated falcon that some have deemed 'unstoppable'.

The move was made after Terra Avium missed out on confirming two songs to BJSC. In the first instance, Kyla La Grange's Walk Through Walls was beaten by the residents of Kylienips in XLVII (ironically the very first contest hosted by Aeroche) and in the second, the pigeons being caught in an unexpected hurricane prevented them from confirming Kissy Sell Out & Saint Saviour's Gimme Sin just two contests ago in BJSC L in Fljotavik.

The decision was unanimous in the panel, the pigeons commented that they have been honoured to serve the country and are thrilled to see the new young swifts excelling at their jobs already. The swifts were honoured today by meeting president Orleé and having a freshly prepared meal of fish.

Peregré has recently been lauded with an OFE (Order of the Flying Empire) for services to sports and encouraging many young chicks to get out there and fly. He has remained as modest as ever in this and has simply said that tomorrow's generation is everything.

In a relation to the song itself, With a good start in the predictions and odds, the country are finally relatively confident that this can be our first proper hit. It would be certainly be good considering it is exactly a year since we first joined BJSC.

Posted by: ✖ leww ✖ 12th March 2013, 05:43 AM

this is going to do STUPIDLY well for you.

Posted by: ✖ leww ✖ 12th March 2013, 05:46 AM

PS. i actually aw'd at this!!!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th March 2013, 02:51 PM

We can but hope...although inside the top 20 would be more than acceptable! (and Happy birthday )

Posted by: Chez Wombat 27th May 2013, 11:43 PM

We are, somewhat, proud to announce that for the first time ever we have got through to the final and finished outside of the bottom 2. Our entry Gimme Sin by Kissy Sell Out with vocals from Saint Saviour finished 21st out of 32 entries with 73 points, making this comfortably Terra Avium's best finish yet.

Whilst it is not a 'hit' of sorts, it is still a great relief to us to get a result that is almost decent. On behalf of the nation, we would like to thank the following countries for voting for us:

Eledan
D'yermak'er
Kluminican Republic
Syndare
Persephonia
Batidas
Seyetana
Skall
Lake Thermwoods
Hendinia
Trifoski
Federal Republic of Ashton
Umiiruka

By ways of showing our thanks, we will be sending all the above countries a reward - an Ostrich egg as signed by our world class athlete, Ostreé, who still holds the record for the 100m sprint. It is officially the largest egg in the animal kingdom, so we hope you will appeciate this unique gift.

Due to their continued vocal and points support from us, we will reward that little bit extra for the nation of Persephonia - along with your gift, we will also be sending you an egg laid by a Bee Hummingbird, the smallest egg in the Animal Kingdom and signed by Bea, officially the world record holder for smallest living resident of Terra Avium.

Posted by: Bré 28th May 2013, 12:23 AM

You're too kind!

Posted by: Silas 28th May 2013, 05:18 PM

That's most kind! It shall be put on display at the Royal Palace once it arrives and passes through Customs/Quarantine!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 29th July 2013, 12:11 AM

After sixteen months of constant failures, It is with pleasure that tonight Terra Avium scored their first BJSC hit as Feelsolow by NO CEREMONY/// finished at number 9 with 104 points gained. This is by quite some distance our first proper achievement and there will be a birdhouse party organised by President Orleé tomorrow when he and the Terra Avium jury return from Caerfyrddia.

The winner of the contest and destination next month for the jury will be the relatively new nation of Trifoski, who pulled a shock victory with the track 'So High' by Ghost Loft. As the nation voted for it, we are thoroughly pleased to see it win and wish the nation the best of luck with hosting next month.

We would like to thank all countries that voted for Terra Avium this contest and while egg rewards cannot be sent out this month, you all have president Orleé's backing and a more suitable reward may be with you soon.

Posted by: Bré 29th July 2013, 12:14 AM

Are you ever going to update your first post?

BTW I think that remix of 'FEELSOLOW' was actually better than the 'proper' version which is why you got kinda shitty points in the end despite how much I loved it on first listen but every little helps. The proper version also grew in the final to hold onto the 2 it got in the semi! I definitely had a feeling it was going to be your first major success, it wouldn't sound out of place as an Aeroche entry. Pleased to see it finally happening 4 u.

Posted by: SevenSeize 29th July 2013, 12:14 AM

SO pleased that NO CEREMONY/// got you a top 10 finish! Definitely stood out as a highlight when first hearing the SF2 entries

Posted by: Chez Wombat 29th July 2013, 05:29 PM

First post UPDATED. In a much more easier to read/less LABORIOUS format. What on Earth was I thinking when I started writing it in that format

I was initially gonna send that, but I think I preferred the original though as I just love the way the silent piano and chanting builds up into a euphoric climax, and it compliments her vocals much better. The dance version was good too though, just a lot more subtle.

Any number of points achieved is fine by me! I got the sense it could be an Unknown Pleasures/BJSC crossover, of course none of the pop countries would touch it with a bargepole and I had that confirmed in the results, but I'm really glad the more 'indie' voters seemed to universally like it.

Posted by: ღKΛTH 29th July 2013, 06:04 PM

'Feelsolow' is one of the best BJSC entries I've ever heard. I can't get enough of it right now, it just grows and grows. It's immaculate, if it had more time it would have gotten my 12 and not my 10. Although it got my 12 in the semi. Just thought I'd pop in and mention.

Posted by: Conderella 29th July 2013, 06:20 PM

Bloody hell three last places! And one was so close. I sometimes send the craziest shit but haven't finished last in 52 contests oops Unlucky bitch.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 29th July 2013, 06:49 PM

And it's very much appreciated, Kath. I didn't know if it would be your thing or not, so I'm glad that it was



Not my fault you're all DEAD INSIDE I think my entries weren't risks per se they were just too 'basic bitch' in that I can't imagine they would garner a particular strong reaction in anyone listening for the first time. I see how they can finish last, I am gutted though as they're all great songs.

Sometimes in a way, I'm quite proud of how terrible my past record, its literally got all the fails in - last on a tie, last overall, second last, and seven straight DNQ's in a row, some of which were close, some not at all

(on a plus note, I think our top 10 placing now makes our record officially better than our fellow 2012 flopstars, Bellamia, though they haven't had the embarassment of coming last three times!)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th October 2013, 12:19 AM

The nation has been in a state of rejoice as tonight, it was revealed that the former country known as 'Persephonia' has now been overthrown by ostriches and renamed 'Land of Ostriches'. This means that there are now two countries ruled by birds in the Buzzjack World.

This is particularly pleasing for our residents, as some have been feeling alienated from not only their own kind, but other animals that they previously shared the skies with in Animalia and feeling resented by these 'humans', particularly in the wake of our last result in the court of Syndare last month. President Orleé has said that 'we hope that relationships between us remain strong and together, we can represent birdkind as a force to be reckoned with'

It is of course good news for our Ostrich population. Terra Avium's renowned fastest athlete and sports ambassador, Ostreé, who also holds the rare and desired eggs is said to be 'overjoyed' with this news. No further comment has been given.

-x-

On song contest news, Terra Avium's entry into BJSC LIX was revealed tonight, it is the A.G Cook remix of 'Odyssey, Part 2', which is a vocal remix of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-Ln87214I

you can listen below:



It served as a point of discovery to us that Miami is a place.

The contest is held in Cherry Tree City in our neighboring country of Ramrynia, last months runners up whom are taking over winners Fljotavik's hosting duties. It is the same place where, exactly twelve months ago, Terra Avium failed with WALK THE MOON's Anna Sun. We are hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice for us.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd November 2013, 10:58 PM

This month, Terra Avium have decided to do something different, and attempt to do some good for the world of Animalia.

It has recently been discovered in the land of Terra Mammalia that a disorder has been affecting the llamas of the land - the symptoms of this often include the llamas getting themselves confused with other animals (ducks have been reported as the main case in this). It was formally seen as a mere sign of getting older, but it has recently been discovered that many llamas are being affected.

To attempt to raise awareness throughout the country of this, Terra Avium's community charity 'Birds In Need' have collaborated with Alpacus Vicugna, who has had this condition since a young age and released a heartfelt tribute to the llamas entitled Did You Ever See a Llama, some of the traits of the condition are included in the song, they intended to raise awareness of the seriousness of the condition. Its world premiere on Friday had families of Terra Avium in tears throughout the treetops, and saw a record start in donations.

To raise awareness in the BJSC world, Terra Avium have sent this to the monthly song contest. All countries are reminded that any points given will be transferred into donations that will go towards the Llama Aid & Support group to try and find a cure for this disorder.

You can listen to Did You Ever See a Llama below.

Posted by: SevenSeize 3rd November 2013, 11:00 PM

i sense a 'Roo'-like qualification for this

Posted by: *Bré 3rd November 2013, 11:33 PM

I sense a WIN

#saveourllamas

Posted by: Krusty Wombat 18th April 2014, 02:52 PM

Dinosaurs overthrown, birds take back their home

Rejoice fills the land as the birds take back the land that was rightfully theirs.

Following a disturbing discovery at the start of the year, the nation of birds instantly found their existence threatened by the uprising of a group of dinosaurs hidden beneath the ground. The group soon grew large and overwhelmed the Avium forces, the birds were forced into exile as the dinosaurs took over, enforcing a tyrannical lead around the land and renaming it 'Terra Dinosaur'

However, the dinosaurs also took part in the monthly song contest that the birds did beforehand - and following their first entry at the start of the year - M83's Un Nouveau Soleil - doing better in the contest than any entry the birds managed previously, the dinosaurs instantly became obsessed. However, the birds were susceptable to DNQs beforehand - failure was something the dinosaurs did not recognise and following their DNQ of their most recent entry 'Cut Out Your Tongue' by Bloodgroup, Lord Tyrannus lost control and the nation became a mess.

This became the chance for the birds to strike them by surprise and , following a bloody battle, Tyrannus was overthrown (quite literally as he fell down with no way to get up) and most of then dinosaurs have been forced to retreat around the BJSC world. However, through the mercy of President Orleé, some dinosaurs have been allowed to stay in the nation and assist with the day-to-day workload. Orleé hopes that from now on the nation will be at peace.

So the birds now reign again, and will hopefully start afresh from now on within the song contest.

Posted by: Krusty Wombat 18th April 2014, 03:07 PM

ALSO we're kinda stuck on what to send, we do have a few options but really can't choose between them, so any help would be appreciated and I'll return the favour. I know I don't ask for this often

Posted by: ✖ leww ✖ 19th April 2014, 05:17 PM

justice for bloodgroup #rejectssmash

send away and i'll help u out!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 26th May 2014, 11:52 AM

Posted by: Conderella 26th May 2014, 11:52 AM

excite

Posted by: Thermo 26th May 2014, 01:14 PM

is this the sequel to Llamas in Need? Cows in Need?

Posted by: Conderella 26th May 2014, 01:18 PM

A llama in need is a cow indeed

Posted by: { bré } 26th May 2014, 04:45 PM

terra bovium

Posted by: Chez Wombat 10th August 2014, 02:07 PM

SO, after a month off after THAT travesty where President Orleé attempted to console some of the more passionate fans of Colours In The Sky, Terra Avium are back for BJSC 67 with a song that is a year old, albeit you could mistake it for being older, the ~retro vibes~ it gives:

Flight Facilities feat. Elizabeth Rose - I Didn't Believe



this is a hype test

Posted by: Chez Wombat 27th September 2014, 11:42 PM

Posted by: { bré } 27th September 2014, 11:44 PM

Is this a different song to the two you sent me or am I being dumb and not realising what connects a sheep to those songs?

Posted by: Chez Wombat 28th September 2014, 12:11 AM

The latter Did the hint in the confirmations thread not register either?

Posted by: { bré } 28th September 2014, 12:13 AM

Oh. In that case...

yas 12 points yas (although I think there are already about 3 songs this month that I want to give 12 points to lmao)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd October 2014, 10:40 PM

Posted by: { bré } 3rd October 2014, 10:42 PM

I still don't understand the sheep connection.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd October 2014, 10:48 PM

http://www.taleswithmorals.com/aesop-fable-the-wolf-and-the-lamb.htm
http://www.umass.edu/aesop/content.php?n=33&i=2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boy_Who_Cried_Wolf

Good old Aesop

Posted by: HausofAquarius 7th October 2014, 10:29 PM

God this is absolutely stunning.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 7th October 2014, 10:45 PM

Been a while since I've had #Haushype so yay Very glad you liked it.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th October 2014, 10:58 PM

Posted by: Chez Wombat 2nd November 2014, 05:52 PM

Posted by: { bré } 9th November 2014, 01:46 AM

V pleased to see your 'strategy' (i.e. sending an old forgotten UK hit) paying off ~ Drum n bass returning to its stealth dominance of BJSC after the anomaly of 'Heartbeat Loud' flopping.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:19 PM

I have never done an EOY BJSC countdown before as...well, I couldn't be bothered but BJSC has generally been much better for me this year so I feel now's the time, I was gonna wait til after TBO but yeah, I don't wanna wait until March I will run down the top 10 with comment and then reveal the top 50.

So let's the start the TERRA TOP 10 2014

-X-

10. Altyr Muunlinst - Porter Robinson - Sea of Voices

BJSC LXX, Points given: 10



I'm not always musically compatible with Altyr as a nation but this was a moment I can very get behind for a reason I can't quite fathom, but no, Un Nouveau Soleil oops I mean Sea of Voices is a magical track with a gloriously building atmosphere and goosebump inducing production.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:23 PM

9. Utopia - Kye Kye - Honest Affection

BJSC LXI, Points given: 7



I believe this is the song in my top 10 I gave the least amount of points to, and I'm not sure why looking back. Utopia have sent many a fine song but this was particularly wonderful. Sounding a lot like CHVRCHES is always quite a good thing and particularly when it's sung with such emotion and encased with equally fine production.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:29 PM

8. Persephonia - Kids of the Apocalypse - Empire

BJSC LXI, Points given: 12



I'm still a bit bitter at just how well this did when KOTA were initially MY BABIES (see UP last year), but I can't really say it's undeserved as it's every bit as wonderful and enigmatic as Masters of the Sun, fitted with a suitably graphic and thought provoking video.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:35 PM

7. Cumulonimbia - Fuck Buttons - Surf Solar

BJSC LXVIII, Points given: 12



One of the more surprising hits of the year considering how 'alternative' and anti-mainstream it sounds, but still wonderful. The Clubbed-to-Death like production works brilliantly with the building atmosphere to create an oddly tense feeling.

Posted by: Michael Bubré 18th December 2014, 09:37 PM

'Empire' yas. I still feel a LITTLE guilty about stealing KOTA from you but when I found the song I didn't make the connection between the abbreviation and the full name, and I was already 100% set on it by the time I realised. Still much prefer 'Empire' as a song too as much as I liked 'Masters Of The Sun'

Love 'Honest Affection' and 'Sea Of Voices' too! (I've tried to retrospectively get into 'Un Nouveau Soleil' after seeing comparisons with the latter but it still isn't doing anything for me... Oh this post has turned out rather critical of your songs hasn't it? 'Wolves' is a SONG4LYF, there's some positivity).

EDIT: 'Surf Solar' is brill too of course

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:41 PM

6. FARC - SOHN - Artifice

BJSC LXII, Points given: 8



Probably my biggest turnaround in contrast of my opinion now to points given at the time was the winner of it's contest. It's easy to see how it won really - technically 'indie' but remaining accessible as a sad yet frantic & upbeat piece of indie pop. I loved it much more than everything else I heard from him, the commercial sheep I am.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:51 PM

Tbf, I wouldn't have made the connection instantly, they do sound fairly different from one another!

-x-

5. Skall - Christopher Tin feat. Soweto Gospel Choir - Baba Yetu

BJSC LXII, Points Given: 10



Second of two glorious discoveries from LXII and the one Skall entry that matched the high quality of their entries last year for me (soz ) was this gorgeous slice of world music. Of all the things you'd never expect to see entered into BJSC it's world classical music, so to see it do well is even better!

Posted by: Doctor Blind 18th December 2014, 09:56 PM

#7 for F Buttons.

Glad you enjoyed our trip down memory lane. Hopefully some more of that in twenty fifteen : )

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 09:57 PM

4. Aeroche - Henry Saiz - All The Evil In This World

BJSC LXX, Points Given: 12



Aeroche have sent some beauties to BJSC, but I don't think they've sent anything this good in a long time. I think I told Leww it reminded me of Sprawl II by Arcade Fire, and I can still hear it somewhat. The quite quirky vocals really being used to bring the track to the height of it's emotions and a strong, daunting instrumental which takes off at the last minute - Truly 'EDM' at it's finest <3

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 10:03 PM

3. Persephonia - Jay Dabhi & Moises Modesto - Cry For Freedom

BJSC LXVII, Points given: 12



Only two winners feature in my whole top 50 this year, but they are both top 10. Instrumental proper hits are slightly rare in here so it's fab to see one of them can win these days. It will most definitely in my EOY so I could save my commentary on it for then, but simply put - no words possible could make this any more emotional and beautiful than it already is. Gosh Bre, you can be so so good when you're on point.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 18th December 2014, 10:18 PM

2. Cumulonimbia - Max Richter - Spring 1 (Ade Laugee Remix)

BJSC LXV, Points given: 12



I was honestly quite surprised that two different countries each gave me two of my favourite discoveries of the year, but what can I say, you guys are awesome! I love it when sometimes a song comes along that just makes you go 'WOW that's different', and if a electro-bhangra influenced remix of Vivaldi's Spring isn't that, I don't know what is! So wonderfully different, though I was more surprised how well it worked.


and finally:


1. Quintessa - Natural Animal - Who You Are

BJSC LXIV, Points given: 18 (12 under normal points system)



Truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring songs I've had the pleasure of discovering on here. Everything about it - the message, the lyrics, the running keyboard loop fused with strings, the choral sections and even the spoken word samples of Alan Watts' philosophical speech that fit in remarkably well. Just amaze and I was glad to see, against the odds, it didn't perform too badly overall (not near as well as it should've done but anyway), anyway, much <3 and thanks very much for the discovery!

I will post my full top 50 later tonight.

Posted by: Michael Bubré 18th December 2014, 10:25 PM

Fantastic top 6 there <3 All of this top 10 bar Kye Kye (and obviously KOTA/Jay Dabhi who would be there if they weren't my own entries) are in my top 50, and Kye Kye did make my full EOY top 150 too.

Posted by: FrostytheWallaby 19th December 2014, 12:38 AM

Well in truth a top 51 as I was constantly changing the order and omitting tracks and there was one track I was too sad to no acknowledge at all, GAH THIS WAS HARD:

1. Quintessa – Natural Animal – Who You Are (LXIV, 18 = 12 Points)
2. Cumulonimbia – Max Richter – Spring 1 (Ade Laugee Remix) (LXV, 12 Points)
3. Persephonia – Jay Dabhi & Moises Modesto – Cry For Freedom (LXVII, 12 Points)
4. Aeroche – Henry Saiz – All The Evil of this World (LXX, 12 Points)
5. Skall – Christopher Tin feat. Soweto Gospel Choir – Baba Yetu (LXII, 10 Points)
6. FARC – SOHN – Artifice (LXII, 8 Points)
7. Cumulonimbia – Fuck Buttons – Surf Solar (LXVIII, 12 Points)
8. Persephonia – Kids of the Apocalypse - Empire (LXI, 12 Points)
9. Utopia – Kye Kye – Honest Affection (LXI, 7 Points)
10. Altyr Muunilinst – Porter Robinson – Sea of Voices (LXX, 10 Points)
11. Trifoski – The Magician feat. Years & Years – Sunlight (LXVII, 8 Points)
12. Greenfroze – Hang The DJ – Dark Dark In The Night (LXV, 10 Points)
13. Florina – Vanic x Machineheart – Circles (LXVII, 6 Points)
14. Utopia – Paradis – Garde Le Pour Toi (LXVIII, 8 Points)
15. Umiiruka – Verite – Strange Enough (LXVII, 2 Points)
16. #00274E – Erkka – Plastic Flamingoes (LXVIII, 10 Points)
17. N DNTN – Danny L Harle – Broken Flowers (LXIX, 8 Points)
18. Unovia – KYA vs London Noise – What I Live For (LXVIII, 7 Points)
19. Aeroche – Ain’t No Love – Love Me Lots (Bridge & Law Remix) (LXI, 8 Points)
20. Espen – Deja – Heart (LXIX, 12 Points)
21. Eledan – The Midnight – The Years (Prologue) (LXIX, 7 Points)
22. Danaelanda - Laurel – Fire Breather (Nexity Remix) (LXIV, 15 = 10 Points)
23. Trifoski – Kero Kero Bonito – Sick Beat (LXIX, 4 Points)
24. Ramrynia – Indiana – Solo Dancing (LXII, 6 Points)
25. Kluminican Republic – LIZ – XTC (LXIX, 7 Points)
26. Trifoski – Daniel Avery – Drone Logic (LXX, 8 Points)
27. Vulkyria – Lushington – Settle Down (LXIII, 6 Points)
28. FARC – Elizabeth Rose - Sensibility (LXIII, 7 Points)
29. Karenfanghoney – ES Posthumus – Mosane (LXIX, 5 Points)
30. Aeroche – Lady Leshurr/Orbital – Wonky (LXIII, 12 Points)
31. Florina – Halsey – New Americana (LXIV, 9 = 2 Points)
32. Ramrynia – Shannon Saunders – Sheets (LXVIII, 6 Points)
33. Fljotavik – Gilligan Moss – Choreograph (LXII, 12 Points)
34. OSLOL – Jennifer Davies – Lapse of Time (LXIX, 2 Points)
35. Zechonia – Widek – The Space Between Us (LXIX, 10 Points)
36. Kluminican Republic – Up To No Good – I’ll Be Gone (LXI, 10 Points)
37. Kylienips – SomethingALAMode (feat. DWNTWN) – On My Mind (LXV, 8 Points)
38. Varake – One T/Cool T – The Magic Key (LXIII, 4 Points)
39. B.a.N.G – Ayer – Young (Elephante Remix) (LXIII, 10 Points)
40. N DNTN – Yelle – Complétement Fou (LXVIII, 3 Points)
41. Hendinia – Peking Duk feat. Nicole Millar – High (LXIII, 2 Points)
42. Aquafina – Dotter – My Flower (LXIX, 1 Point)
43. Republic of Adonia – Alex Adair – Make Me Feel Better (LXV, 4 Points)
44. FSR Rontvia – WALK THE MOON – Shut Up & Dance (LXX, 5 Points)
45. Cumulonimbia – Lovelife – Dying to Start Again (LXVII, 7 Points)
46. Syndare – Meadowlark – Family Tree (LXIV, 10 = 5 Points)
47. Zechonia – Tuomos Holopainen – The Last Sled (LXV, 6 Points)
48. FSR Rontvia – Public Service Broadcasting – Spitfire (LXI, 3 Points)
49. Fljotavik – Hercules & Love Affair feat. John Grant – I Try To Talk To You (LXV, 7 Points)
50. Persephonia – TALA - Serbia (LXIV, 13 = 8 Points)

( 51. Syndare – Skogsra – Now You See Me (LXII, 7 Points))

I'm not that consistent with my points and how much I end up loving a song, as you can tell lol, but it's mainly because I'm either lazy and forget to add high pointers to my iTunes or small pointers grow on me more (in the case of Strange Enough, definitely!) I can reveal a fair handful of these made my EOY top 100 this year (to be revealed soon!!11)

Posted by: Michael Bubré 19th December 2014, 12:47 AM

Very good stuff across the board there (yay for 'Serbia' sneaking in a third top 50 appearance for Persephonia too )

Posted by: MerryM¤th 19th December 2014, 12:49 AM

I did end up featuring on here Fabulous countdown, I was monitoring it for a good hour but I didn't really have anything to say in particular ~

Posted by: ░░░░ 19th December 2014, 12:57 AM

so happy to see this here!

this was actually my back-up for that contest as my original had already been taken (admittedly i was going to send a remix), feels more impressive that it was a male vocal that made it through too!

so so melodic

Posted by: Leonardo 22nd December 2014, 03:55 PM

Quintessa finishing 1st Fabulous list CW, glas you enjoyed Natural Animal.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd February 2015, 06:48 PM

The upcoming contest of LXXII will be our 30th contest since joining, and to celebrate we have stolen Danaelanda's idea made a minimix of all of our past 29 entries plus a segment of our current hopeful entry which you likely won't be able to identify but it serves as a little teaser of what's to come. We hope that with this being a landmark for us, it can be another case of a change in fortunes for the better, as in our 10th contest, Woman E broke our streak of DNQs and in our 20th, M83 brought us a new personal best in terms of finishing positions in the final. We certainly hope so as we need it after last contest.

We hope you feel as reminiscent as we do when listening to this here's to yet more wonderful contests to come. (I wonder if about 70% of these are remembered by anyone lol)



(excuse the dodgy editing/bad quality of some of them, not my forte)

Posted by: SevenSeize 3rd February 2015, 07:09 PM

Feelsolow, Anna Sun, Odyssey, Flyaway, Un Nouveau Soleil, U Got All I'm Looking 4, Overjoyed, Land of the Innocent hopefully more entries as good as those this year <3

Posted by: ► ▲ N 3rd February 2015, 08:46 PM

Can't Get Better Than This and Odyssey Pt. 2 are your best!

Anna Sun, Swim, Un Nouveau Soleil, Limitless also to a lesser extent.

Posted by: ✖ ketalina ✖ 6th February 2015, 01:43 AM

omg i forgot you sent the absolutely PHENOMENAL 'flyway'! that, land of the innocent, you're always good, un nouveau soleil and ofc odyssey pt ii <3

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th February 2015, 06:06 PM

BJSC 72:





Spooky [/late]

Posted by: ¡bré! 14th February 2015, 07:08 PM

Somehow win plz. One of my faves ever from you and that's saying a lot ~

(So many utterly brilliant songs in the SoundCloud recap thing <3 Shame the majority of the best ones DNQed... forever underrated. Parachute Youth / WALK THE MOON / Shields / Haiku Salut / BURNS / Keep Shelly In Athens / Bloodgroup / OOFJ )

Posted by: Cheese Wombat 10th March 2015, 11:16 PM

For the 73rd edition of BJSC, we welcome MOWE, an Austrian duo with a tropical house reworking of a well known classic song. We'll leave it to you to figure out what that is and understanding that I've been dropping hints throughout with no one noticing. We hope that it will find some fans I mean it's TROPICAL HOUSE guys, it's totally in atm despite it's rather out there sound for a BJSC hit. The title's very strong relation to our country's motto is of course a rather large coincidence but a wonderful one at that.

(let's try and regularly update this this year ay?)

Posted by: ► ▲ N 12th March 2015, 05:03 PM

AMAZING SONG. I found it during the confirmation period actually but didn't want to replace Mediate Great to see it being entered anyway as I probably wouldn't have.

Posted by: HausofKendrick 10th April 2015, 08:57 PM

*update thread please*

In AWE of your song this month. 5 exceptionally beautiful minutes, so thank you for sending it because it's been one of *those* discoveries for me

Is there a music video? I am imagining one in my head listening to it and am intrigued to see an official one if there is one~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 10th April 2015, 09:11 PM

Well, that's always nice to hear, thanks Bal There isn't actually, certainly not one that I can find, shame, it would definitely suit one very well. Glad I've found one fan in my semi, the other people that I knew liked it are ALL in the other semi

-x-

Update time:




Terra Avium LXXIV: Crywolf - Home We Made Part II (Skrux remix)



Any more hype for this melodic dubstep wonder is welcome

Posted by: ¡bré! 10th April 2015, 09:18 PM

You are ALWAYS in the other semi to me when you send songs this ~powerful~ but I am reasonably confident this will fly through anyway.

Posted by: HausofKendrick 13th April 2015, 09:26 PM

Well.

I know it might not mean much after that news, but i know at least 2 people that have made HUMONGOUS discoveries out of this song, excluding me, so let that sweeten the bitterness of the DNQ. (I say this not taking the news gracefully at all myself and throwing a major strop at it lol). But yes, for me, the song is majestic and i haven't felt this strongly about one from the contest in AGES so thank you so much for sending it. I have had it on repeat all week and will continue to do so because it just does stuff to me and perfectly reflects how i am feeling in general right now: at home but totally lost at the same time. I would rather find songs like this that don't quite make it, than songs i casually enjoy that smash through, so yeah, that's me trying to make sense of it. #justice4ta

& top 10 in the Haus personal chart though!!1 So a winner already~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th April 2015, 10:12 PM

I'm so pleased to have introduced you to such a great discovery Bal, I think sometimes there's so much emphasis on doing well that people that forget that allowing other people to discover great music is really the best part of this and well that's just perfect seeing you write that <3 Makes the pain of DNQing a lot better, It was what made Miami Horror DNQing slightly more bearable that I gave such a discovery to popchartfreak :')

Ah well, here's to a Rejects smash at the end of the year.

Posted by: ¡bré! 13th April 2015, 10:24 PM

It is so frustrating to see you constantly missing out with your best songs tho I can't really call shenanigans here because it if wasn't even in the top 20 of the semi then fair is fair, but for it to be outright named the best song of the competition by at least 3 people after that it's just mindboggling. If there were any justice you'd be near the top of my points given table but people keep taking away all my opportunities to push you up there

But yes this has been a wonderful discovery for me as well! Rejects winner hype etc. I've said that about too many songs this year already and we're not even half done.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 10th May 2015, 02:48 PM

We're hoping that our latest dog has some new tricks in it and can attract more voters to speed into the final faster that the roadrunner unlike our last sombre dog.





Terra Avium: BJSC LXXV

Coyote Kisses - Ferrari



Horrific puns aside, support our 33rd entry for BJSC 75 plz!111 It's the most catchiest, quirky instrumental you'll hear all year, we guarantee it. With some nice looking anime girls to look at in the video too.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 22nd June 2015, 10:26 PM

BJSC Dance Anthems 2000-2009

joint hint~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th July 2015, 11:23 PM

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th July 2015, 11:38 PM

ALSO for the new BJSC 00s Dance spinoff, we have entered one of our most cherished dance songs from the era, Moby - Porcelain, originally a small UK top 5 hit from 2000, it nonetheless remains criminally underrated so we hope to see it do well/possibly be interested to some!

I can't link it rn, but it's in the thread, listen to it etc.

Posted by: ¡brë! 6th July 2015, 11:57 PM

Your entries have been soo on point this year (as they always have been but even moreso than before), 'Birds Flying High' aside literally all 10/10 moments. Rooting for this to be a dark horse smash after managing to get through the horror semi.

Posted by: Iz~ 7th July 2015, 11:53 AM

Rather obsessed with Compass now <3 (it's gone straight to #1 in my chart!) I'll have to check out more from them.

And incredibly pleased to see Miracles qualify obviously, really hope it can do well.

Posted by: HausofKübrick 7th July 2015, 08:20 PM

'Compass' is another very good one, how do you keep finding them and why do they all pack so much punch? Not quite Crywolf levels, but would have been another travesty if you didn't make it. I am hoping you made it comfortably though and go on to rightfully smash in the final too <3 to make up for the other injustice (which I AM STILL NOT OVER )

Posted by: ✖ KETALINA ✖ 7th July 2015, 08:23 PM

omg so intriguing instrumentals done rite is SO UR THING

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th July 2015, 11:26 PM

Just wanna say THANKS to you guys above and everyone that voted for us for the support <3 12th is one of our highest finishing positions and the score is a new points record for us! It could not be a better song for it to happen to, the birds will be singing happily tonight

As for 77, I have nothing and probably won't for a while lol, but watch this space and all~

Posted by: Jade 14th July 2015, 11:31 PM

Congrats Chez on doing well with something considerably niche! An absolutely beautiful discovery.

Posted by: Mack 6th August 2015, 04:37 PM

For your current entry, Chez:

Such a beautiful song to hear this. One of the best entries that you've sent.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th August 2015, 05:58 PM

Finally Usfland support for my entry *.* Thanks very much

Official update:

BJSC LXXVII:

Milk & Bone - Pressure



Will this subtly beautiful electro-gem be putting pressure on the final leaderboard or will the competition prove to forceful for it? Do listen/appreciate anyway.

Posted by: 『bré』 7th August 2015, 12:47 AM

Delivering the goods once again Gorgeous track. Not quite 11/10 life changingly incredible like a fair few of your other 2015 entries but continuing to prove Terra Avium as one of the most consistently great countries. Fingers crossed for another qualifier.

Posted by: Mack 12th August 2015, 06:48 PM

Shame this didn't make the final, Chez Wombat.

Usfland gave it 10 points in the semi-final.

All the best for the next contest.

Posted by: Mack 8th September 2015, 06:29 PM

Another wonderful entry this from your country. Hopefully this will qualify this time. What a relaxing song this is to listen to.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th October 2015, 03:29 PM

Posted by: Jade 14th October 2015, 03:43 PM

I rather enjoyed this, Chez! It really stood out in the semi for me, so do not fear, you have at least one fan! (and I'm sure quite a few others as well x)

Posted by: Pusheen 14th October 2015, 06:45 PM

This is really good, especially enjoyed the unexpected transition to drum n bass ~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th November 2015, 11:21 PM

BJSC LXXX:

Owsey, Jernalism & Resotone - I've Been Secretly Falling Apart



For our final entry of what has been a fairly good year for us musically at Terra Avium, we go for a wintery, heartbreaking ambient chill-kinda song, a collaboration between three artists we've never heard based around a harp instrumental and a vocal sample from a hit song from another world, Aqualung - Strange & Beautiful to make a very melancholic wonder. It is another risk after last month, but after that went well, we may as well try another one - We hope that some of you can find something special in it like we do.

-x-

Spoopy surprise

Either way, we have at least experienced one top 10 hit for this year, in our very own contest at that. The birds recently took the hosting reigns for the first time to host a Halloween special focused on the finest spooky offerings in the Buzzjack world. The contest was a significant success throughout the world and also brought us our first top 10 in any BJSC contest this year as our own entry - the creepy opening score to the classic horror film, Halloween, composed by John Carpenter - managed 9th place with 154 points gained. A higher position than any of our main contest entries this year and our first time in the top 10 since M83 - Un Nouveau Soleil (when the country was under reptillian regime) all the way back in January 2014.

The contest was a significant success and improved relations between the birds and the residents of the Buzzjack world, the contest was won incidentally by another film song - Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells as used in the film, The Exorcist for the country of D'yermak'er. One of our fave songs of the contest and allowing relations between the countries to improve very much

Posted by: Jade 13th November 2015, 11:28 PM

^ have just given that a listen and WOW *.* actual chills right now it's so beautiful, why are you not in my semi :'(

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th November 2015, 11:48 PM

This is Two Steps From Hell all over again :'( But great to hear you like it anyway

Posted by: · leww · 16th November 2015, 12:16 AM

w o w btw.

Posted by: 🌚🌚🌚 18th November 2015, 03:42 PM

🍾

Posted by: Matt O 22nd November 2015, 03:14 PM

This is really beautiful Chez, hope it will be a success for you. Inspired entry.

Posted by: Bré 22nd November 2015, 03:19 PM

What a song to break your Q-Q-DNQ curse

Posted by: Chez Wombat 30th November 2015, 01:01 AM

^A pictorial representation that the whole nation was like whilst viewing the results tonight, and while there was a few tense moments (where we are as far as winning and when we were looking like toppling down after a good start), we ended up in 3rd place with a rather hefty 310 points. Considerably above our own expectations for our entry and a new personal best, (and one the bird kingdom can boast as theirs and not during the country's temporary reptilian regime ;o) and indeed the first contest for us to break the Q-Q-DNQ streak.

There's too many to name but thank you to all countries who voted for us, which included 3 18s and 7 (!) 15s and a lot of top 5 scores. It was a perfect end to what has been statistically our strongest year as a nation in terms of overall performance and giving us hope that we can keep flying high in 2016.

BUT which songs have we been loving the most? Find out with our 2k15 EOY coming soon to a nest near you ;o

Posted by: Jade 30th November 2015, 01:07 AM

I am so thrilled for you that this absolutely smashed! There was even one point where I thought it could maybe go all the way.

Eternal gratefulness that you sent this as it was such an outstanding discovery. The lyrics hit me so hard and the production is so gorgeous :'( Terra Avium fast becoming one of our favourite nations, the points don't lie *.* Massive congrats <3 glad to see you doing an EOY as well! Hmmm there may be an eversoslim chance that 'I've Been Secretly Falling Apart' could make ours... haha x

Woop woop

Posted by: Bréindeer 30th November 2015, 01:50 AM

Really pleased to see the general BJSC voting public finally properly reward one of your many flawless entries this year I didn't have this down as a big hit at all on first listen and was still skeptical of its chances even as it started to pick up some hype, 3rd place is fantastic for it. Welcome to the medalist club xx

Here's to Crywolf hopefully getting a similar result in the Rejects

Posted by: Cheznuts 13th December 2015, 05:24 PM

I shall not bother with a full countdown as cba and there's way too many going on already~

Florina's bonkers Ethnic-tinged entry is our number 1 song of 2015, thank you very much Froot for the fab discovery, more of them in 2016 plz This is their only entry in the top 75 and the only time we voted for them this year, call that a marvellous fluke! Singerpurear lose a very, very tight match and settle for 2nd, but Kishi Bashi's utterly gorgeous tearjerker is a solid second, and combined with the video, definitely reduces me to tears.

Persephonia finished 3rd last year with an instrumental and this year they finish 3rd again with an instrumental, this time the spoopy 80s-synthy sounds of DANCE WITH THE DEAD, Trifoski finishes fourth with my first top pointer of the year - apparently already known to a lot of people, but a discovery for me so yay. #00274E have the honour of the only country in the top 5 not to receive my top marks in it's contest, a really finely produced, melancholic dance track that crept up on me during the year to give a machineheart remix another top 20 appearance after 2014. Staple countries on the top of my votes - Aeroche, Skall & Utopia are also in the top 10.

There are 43 unique countries in the list, woop. Persephonia dominate this list which I'm sure you're all shocked about with six entries and all within the top 50 and two in the top 10, Trifoski are 2nd with 5 entries (however ONE WAY this is ), #00274E and newcomer Land of DW has four entries in here and Jadakissnia, Tinnmark and N DNTN have three (though in the latter's case none higher than 53 oops).

LXXVI & LXXIX have the most entries here with 10 each and LXXII has the least with 4, dunno what happened with that one, wasn't a bad contest just very little stuck with me. Interestingly LXXVII has 9 entries yet only five of them actually were qualifiers, I still dunno what some of you were smoking that contest with the entries you put out in the semis.

I have promoted DISCOVERIES and songs I associate with BJSC so anything I've grown to love after the contest after being a hit isn't here, I did give big points to Sigala in the contest so I'm allowing it here, even if it will be one for the actual EOY rather than BJSC (look out for your own entry when that begins hype!111)

Now my top countries of the year, by points given:

1. Persephonia – 79
2. Trifoski – 56
3. Singerpurear – 53
4. #00274E – 45
5. Espen – 44
6. Jadakissnia – 37
7. Aeroche – 36
8. Ramrynia – 33
9. Quintessa - 32
10. Fljotavik - 30
= Altyr Muunilnst - 30
= Cumulonimbia - 30

And Points Received:

1. Persephonia – 81
2. Espen – 58
3. D’yermak’er – 40
4. Quintessa – 37
5. Seyetana – 35
6. Fljotavik – 35
7. Jadakissnia – 34
8. Usfland – 34
9. Danaelanda – 32
10. #00274E – 31
= Avalonia - 31
= Deandria - 31

Slay #TerraPhonia, #Terrespen,#Quinterra, #Fljoterrik, #Jadavium, Numbers…terra something yay. Looks like I have some countries I owe quite a bit though (apols Bal/Iz )

And finally, our year summarised in lessons of what can we learn from it:

Well, Guardian New Music seems no longer a place to find guaranteed smashes (OOFJ & Milk & Bone :/).

Secondly, that instrumentals and sampled vocals are clearly the way forward (though distorted vocals clearly not). It took until the penultimate contest of the year for me to get a qualifier with original lyrics, and they weren’t in English so it was almost like that language was out to get me.

That dubstep may just be officially dead in BJSC (</3) but orchestral classical music certainly isn’t ()

That different dog species’ give different fortunes in BJSC.

Also, That sending utterly up-the-wall stuff like a Bulgarian language traditional song fused with trap and d’n’b fused with strings and an electro-rock/dance instrumental with horror sound effects can actually defy the odds and get you a qualifier. And that sending a slow ambient track you thought would go midtable at best would actually get you a top 3 hit, or that taking risks for pretty much the entire year will get you your most successful year in BJSC, it has been a wonderful feeling to end with that, so I thank you all for those who pointed me and those who took part in general for making it the most enjoyable year of BJSC yet.

What will we pursue in 2016? In all honesty, we have no idea atm but be sure to be along for the ride whatever it is~

Posted by: #psychic7 13th December 2015, 05:30 PM

All that Trifoski representation *.*!! glad you enjoyed them, hopefully I can award you guys with a bit more points next year~

Posted by: Izzletoe 13th December 2015, 05:34 PM

Hey, it's okay, I just have a lot harder time with figuring out your taste than you do with mine, I'm very pleased to see two entries of mine top 75 with that in mind.

You've had an excellent year with taking risks and really I'm glad enough of them paid off to give you a good showing in the contest, and finally getting a bronze medal (like me yay), I'm really looking forward to what you have next.

Posted by: popchartfreak 13th December 2015, 07:27 PM

2 fab singerpurear tracks and 3rd too! thanks loads for all the support, much appreciated and hopefully exciting new backatchas in 2016

Posted by: CodySleighBell-y 13th December 2015, 08:43 PM

I smell someone who I need to impress next year.

Posted by: Michael Bubré 13th December 2015, 08:52 PM

This really has been the year of TerraPhonia. Hope it can continue into next year. (And those top 2 are both fantastic songs so no complaints about them besting 'Waves'! x)

Posted by: Slade 13th December 2015, 10:34 PM

Jadavium *.* I'm so glad you were such a fan this year! 'Miracles' and 'I've Been Secretly Falling Apart' in particular cemented the fact that it was mutual

Glad to see ONUKA so high and AK & Lynx + jj up there too Largely great top ten there, especially: Kishi Bashi, DANCE WITH THE DEAD, machineheart and A-WA <3

Posted by: Sproot. 15th December 2015, 09:53 PM

So unexpected to see any of my entries at the top of an EOY list but wonderful to see, I'm glad you made such a big discovery out of it. Even if it was only one song that made a good impression on you, I'm glad it was in such a big way!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 25th January 2016, 09:39 PM

Posted by: Dan_ 28th February 2016, 06:50 PM

nothing in here about tiasu yet

well obviously I love it, it may be your best entry to date!! [well maybe, Parachute Youth is hard to top though]

Posted by: Chez Wombat 28th February 2016, 07:15 PM

Nope, but thanks for reminding me

-x-

Posted by: Dan_ 28th February 2016, 08:03 PM

is this what i think it is?!

thought it may have been vetoed because of a certain version of it being popular but yay if it's not!

Posted by: Suedehead2 28th February 2016, 09:22 PM

In the spirit of friendship, Suedeonia sends a message of greetings to Terra Avium on its 40th anniversary

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th March 2016, 11:55 PM

Belated thank you <3

-x-

BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS POST INCOMING

tiasu - Plummet finishes 12th in BJSC 82

First the last of the celebrations, our 40th contest went rather excellently with tiasu finishing 12th with just over 200 points. This was well beyond our expectations and is a perfect surprise for our 40th. It is our second entry (and instrumental funnily enough) to peak at 12th after Miracles last year and continues our strange run of multiples of 3 for our biggest hits. Plummet took the honour of being the third highest of the instrumentals for this contest. Big thank you to all countries who gave us points! We were also very happy to see our 18 pointer (Ethanola) win with a quite breathtaking eight minute ethnic experimental song, it sounds just as good as it is <3

In other news, tiasu also took the honour as being voted our best entry of all time in our recent poll joint with, coincidentally enough, Two Steps From Hell's Miracles with 8 votes each. Thanks to all who took part!

Kavinsky - Nightcall drives us into new personal best



The recent BJSC Movies spin off was always going to appeal to this nation (us birds are big movie fans don't you know ;o) so we took the chance to send a real favourite of ours - Kavinsky's Nightcall, one of the many intense, synthy gems from the soundtrack of neo-noir thriller, Drive.

It was quite a controversial entry for numerous reasons - it was a little well known in the BJSC World already, thanks to a comparatively weak cover by a normally fantastic band, London Grammar recently and also that it had some quite rapid detractors due to the harsh nature of the vocals - one of these was from the nation of Persephonia, usually a supporter of ours, but we had reason to believe that officials from this nations had been starting a campaign of hate towards our entry and bribing other nations to anti-hype the entry in fear of it winning and spreading propaganda relating to the inferior cover version that became apparent in the dubtrack session. Our Owl lawyers were on the case instantly and relations between countries became sour for the first time in aeons.

However, despite these shady doings, Nightcall became a new personal best for Terra Avium to chart at 2nd place with 200 points (behind a winner - Pupok - who we gave 9 points too so we'll let this past), a new personal best, going one better than Owsey's recent 3rd place performance in BJSC 80. So yes thank you everyone with TASTE who voted for us

Buzzjack turns 10 and the chickens are out

So despite what happened with the movie spin off, we expect things will improve in this contest as we have taken their suggestion of what to send to a special 10th anniversary BJSC dedicated to songs/memes of the Buzzjack world. This entry features a guest feature from residents of Terra Avium itself - St. John's Chicken Choir who join Japanese yodeller and minor sensation in some areas of the BJSC World already, Takeo Ischi to form something quite wonderful. It could only be this for our entry, even if we don't make it past the semis likely, listen (and love) below:



This will be a perfect fun interlude before our entry to BJSC 83, which is looking to be quite the bomb for us all ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 24th April 2016, 05:08 PM

Back to normality this month, Terra Avium's 41st entry to BJSC (which has made the final yay) is an electro-indie song by US group, How I Became the Bomb (not terrorist linked dw~), the song, while a lovely soothing number, may not make much sense without the excellent video - which depicts Serbian performance artist, Marina Abramovic, during her 2010 show, 'The Artist is Present' (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramovi%C4%87, she's v. interesting~), her estranged partner, Ulay, showed up at the show unannounced, and the video depicts the beautiful moment that they make contact for the first time in thirty three years, the song's lyrics really touch a chord on that level and give a fantastic story of love reunited. I would recommend all watch it. Let's just ignore the fact that he recently sued her

While the events of the video happened in 2010, the song was released with the footage last year and became a big viral hit last year, which I suppose makes this entry a bit more well known than our usual standard, but we will use the excuse that we were birds so didn't know that ;o It is also our first qualifier in well over a year that isn't instrumental and has original lyrics sung in English [/stats]

Posted by: ♦ ketalina ♦ 24th April 2016, 05:15 PM

marina <3

Posted by: Jade 20th May 2016, 03:23 AM

Omg Chez I was thinking your entry this month sounded familiar/the artwork for it on the YT video looked familiar - and I've been looking in my bookmarks and it was in there from about a year ago, so it must've been a brief potential for me that I bookmarked and forgot about! I have no idea why I didn't send it as it's absolutely gorgeous. Hope this can do well for you

Posted by: Chez Wombat 20th May 2016, 08:04 PM

Ooh ;o It has been about for a while so makes sense! Glad you like (it's from the same channel I found Owsey et al. on!), darn at you being in the opposite semi </3

and yay thanks for reminding me to bump this

-x-

Our 42nd entry to BJSC is an instrumental, shockingly new ground for us but while we've sent chiptune, electronic power metal, orchestral & future bass instrumentals in the past, we've yet to send a piano instrumental, and the recent calls for this in the 'token' thread coupled with BJSC's widening acceptance of niche genres persuaded us to dig up this heartbreakingly beautiful piano piece (with some strings thrown in) by Iranian London based producer, Hiatus.

To add a bit of context here, this track (which was very much out of style of his usual electronic/ambient work) was produced in order to make money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, an charitable organisation that helps innocent Palestinians that are caught up in the recent crossfires and the ongoing crisis in Gaza, hence the very sad tone and nature of the track. It's two years old so has already raised a lot of money, but you can still download the track from http://hiatusmusic.bandcamp.com/album/precious-little for £1 and the proceeds would still go to charity, please consider it if you really like the track.

Either way, I hope some of you can make a great discovery out of this as it is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've heard in a long time and probably our favourite entry of the year

There is also an official video, if you wish to see, though I do prefer it with the artwork above:

Posted by: Ethan 20th May 2016, 09:24 PM

the feels

Posted by: Chez Wombat 18th June 2016, 03:45 PM

So last month saw us grab our fourth main contest top 10 hit with Hiatus' Precious Little, finishing 10th with 218 points scored. This was an extremely wonderful and unexpected result, particularly for a piano instrumental. We thank everyone who voted <3 (and ignored Persephonia trying to feed other countries their twisted propaganda that it was 'dull' ).

This month with our 44th entry sees us take a slightly different approach - wildly different to a genre we have never sent before in fact. We love Indian Bhangra music and also love Irish Celtic folk music, but never did we think it could actually work when combined together, or that there was a band that actually specialised in this, but it is apparently so - as proved by 'Apples' by Delhi 2 Dublin, a bizarre combination that does exactly what the artist name suggests and takes you on a music trip from India to Ireland rapidly, accompanied with a seamless electronic fusion between them and some trippy almost psychedelic visuals, it's something of a glorious oddity to witness and one of the most unique pieces we have heard in a long time - and who are we to throw away the chance to share that with the BJSC populace? ;o

So listen and bask in the glorious sounds of msuic from different sides of the world all in one place.

Posted by: Bré 19th June 2016, 08:41 PM

I'm too savage to your not-so-good entries aren't I. Doesn't seem to hurt you though what with the top 2 for 'Nightcall' and top 10 for 'Precious Little', maybe I should be on the anti-Terra Avium train more often

(not a chance of that this time though (bhangra) )

Posted by: Chez Wombat 27th July 2016, 12:48 AM

Multi-bulletin LATE update:

For our 44th contest and the eighty sixth edition of BJSC, we entered Illenium, a dance music producer who has recently released an utterly exquisite EP 'Ashes', Fortress is one of the songs off it, as is Spirals, the song with which he was previously entered with last year which criminally DNQ'd. Thankfully this one did a bit better, placing 20th/41 with 172 points received, a big thanks who gave points to this subtle wonder <3

And everyone who did like this, do check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjg3-Wla3PU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4kqIruQcvQ and the rest of his Ashes EP, as there is a reason I've been obsessing over it recently.





The most recent BJSC spin off focuses on songs which have been reinvented in some way, including covers, samples, remixes and the like so a lot of inspiration to be found hopefully. Our own entry is a cover by fairly well known drum'n'bass group, Pendulum (appropriately timed as they have reformed this year!) covering one of national idols, Coldplay's less known entries, Violet Hill. It was recorded as part of Radio 1's Live Lounge and certainly reinvents it from a rock ballad into a rather epic drum'n'bass anthem, surely one for all fans of ~sick jams~ Vote for it now x

BJSC LXXXVII: TBC

Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire? Porte un masque nécessaire ? Quel est le point de ce parler Google Translate aidé ? Pour en savoir assez tôt , peut-être

Posted by: Cody Collins 27th July 2016, 02:07 AM

"Partition" will get vetoed, Chez!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 28th August 2016, 10:42 PM

BJSC LXXXVIII: TBA

Posted by: princess_lotita 6th September 2016, 05:01 PM

omg!!!!! was NOT expecting that. defo an experience

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th September 2016, 11:40 PM

and I was NOT expecting you to be a fan, yayy

-x-

For our 46th entry, we have entered what is officially our longest main contest entry to date, beating the 6:51 length of Un Nouveau Soleil by over a minute, in this journey of a track by US mysterious producer, Daydreamer, from his rather wonderful EP, Senses. Of all the tracks, this stands on it's own as something very special. I can only describe it as an audio visual experience that should definitely be watched alongside each other, anything else revealed would spoil it so watch ahead~ I'm aware the length of the song may put people off but I can assure you no minute feels like it's been wasted in this track.

(and do check out the parent EP, Senses, including the lovely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4NdVjADrYI, it's all such a lovely ethereal musical journey).

Posted by: Chez Wombat 19th October 2016, 07:03 PM

Probably due an update here lol

-x-

For the recent BJSC Instrumentals spin off hosted in Persephonia, which the songbirds of the land were especially excited about given how prominently they feature in our own entries, we chose to send the rather stunning building track, The Spectacular Quiet by Swedish post rock artist, Lights & Motion, it was a tip off given to us from our space bird units on another planet known only as 'U.P.' where another one of his tracks was well received there.

It was a very good tip off, as we finished 2nd out of 41 songs with an impressive 245 points, losing by a frustrating margin of just five points but nonetheless given us a new contest best after the slightly less inspired last one - Kavinsky's Nightcall, 2nd in the Movies spin off with 200 points. It was fortunate that in a contest of many, many great discoveries, it was our 18 pointer that won - Fljotavik's 17 minute epic And I Will Kiss by Underworld and our 15 pointer that came 3rd - Avalonia's epic Empire of Angels by former Terra Avium artist, Thomas Bergersen from Two Steps From Hell, making a rather great sandwich, Thanks to all who voted <3



The most recent 89th contest of BJSC and our 47th entry was an artist we had been following for some time - yet because of their constant mystery and habit of disappearing, we never had the chance to enter. Another tip off from our scouts on planet U.P., though they were introduced to the Buzzjack World earlier with Empire, which finished 2nd in the 61st contest for Persephonia, their bleak, scary social commentary had been a winner in our eyes and their recent return with another very different sounding, almost urban-esque song, yet still with the same mysterious vibes. It was technically our second recycle of the year BJSC wise oops, but we still lay claim to this one as our U.P. scouts knew it first.

While it couldn't quite match the success of Empire, it still had a pretty decent showing and finished 19th with exactly 200 points. Again our thanks to all who voted, especially Desbuanda, Espen and Jadakissnia for the rather unexpected 18s <3

The very close ran contest was won by #00274E with Crystal Waters' Relax, coincidentally a month after N DNTN won the contest meaning that minimalist indie takeover is really happening. Our entry for the 90th contest is yet to be determined but I'll give you a taster~

BJSC XC: TBC

Posted by: Jade 19th October 2016, 07:11 PM

What an incredible BJSC month you've had for me! An 18 to both 'The Spectacular Quiet' and 'Better Life' *.* Both so incredible in different ways. Congrats on your positions for both but especially the silver medal for Lights & Motion!

Posted by: Undead Wombat 31st October 2016, 09:40 PM

For our 48th entry into BJSC (just two away from the big five oh ;o), Terra Avium had a number of options but the cheeky Lyrebird society chose to go with an option that was an artist that went by the name of a word deemed taboo in the Buzzjack World. It was sure to get people noticing in the Semis and this indeed was the case, the birds have said of the prank: 'We Regret Nothing'.

Anyway, we didn't only send Time because of that title but also as after the success of post rock in the Instrumentals spin off, we thought it best we tried our luck again, with a longer and more niche stance, we definitely think it is the most anthemic thing we've ever sent, the ever building swirling guitar solo giving classic anthemic 80s alt rock vibes, with some strings as they're always good. We certainly hope some on here take to it as well as we have

In other news, the recent spin off dedicated to the Country genre, one that us birds are not as familiar with, got us yet another solid spin off result with our entry The Heights of Lola by Keston Cobblers Club (probably taking the title as the most obscure entry we've ever sent) got to 12th place, thanks to all who voted especially Seyetana and Suedeonia for the 12s <3

Posted by: Chez Wombat 2nd December 2016, 09:28 PM

I will be doing EOY things quite soon, until then, here's my bandwagon jumping - a lil compilation of Terra Avium in 2016. Soundcloud though, not Youtube, my skills in video uploading there are...non existent, so here's a soundcloud one instead:



I've been very happy with our portfolio for this year, certainly been our most consistent year and I'd say we've branched out to quite a few new styles going by that ;o Thanks to all who supported us, and ofc. for all the discoveries TBC very soon!

Posted by: Michael Bubré 2nd December 2016, 10:04 PM

I haven't been quite as vocal about it this year (I see it's been a lil while since I last posted in here~) but Terra Avium are still continuing to be one of the most consistently great countries - maybe not having half of my EOY top 8 this time but still pretty much wall to wall greatness, of course Kitchen was an absolutely wonderful note to end the year on in particular, has overtaken 'Apples' as my highlight of Terra 2016 and still criminal that Essaie Pas DNQed :'(

I might be FINALLY starting to warm a little bit to 'Precious Little' as well, found myself enjoying the little SoundCloud snippets of it... ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:04 PM

*.* You're seeing the light now, woop

-x-

What's that? The sound of an EOY starting? ;o TBO spoilers may follow, but you all have terrible taste and dumped most of the highlights yesterday so it won't be too bad revealing it now 11-100 will not get commentary as cba, but all top tunes, thanks and I'd imagine quite a few of you will find yourselves here #downwithblocs

Top 10 coming next!

Posted by: mAddy Xmas! 4th December 2016, 07:09 PM

yes 3 entries Ratty being the highest

Thanks

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:12 PM

10. Oslol – Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence



So we start with a country that I pretty much never point with something wildly different from them. I gather it was sent as a tribute to David Bowie at the time due to it being the main theme from a film he stars in, but still, it took me by surprise. I had never heard of it before so this was a great bit of musical education and a fantastic Christmassy yet also quite epic piano instrumental that remains a joy to listen to throughout. I'm very glad this kinda thing can get noticed in BJSC, even if it is apparently a well known song in it's own right. This got my 15 points in BJSC 81.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:17 PM

9. Dobago – T2Kazuya – Youth



OK, so if there's one thing I love, it's a melodic dubstep instrumental, I don't know why I don't flood the contest with them all the time cos they are always making me feel so many emotions in such a short time. Youth could be something I'd sent easily, with that beautiful melodic piano line and erratic production, the drops go hard but it always comes back to those piano keys, and it honestly paints quite an excellent image of youth as a whole I find. I could listen to this all day, it got my 11 Points in BJSC 88, I'm not sure why I gave it that less but it's fully re-hit me since the contest and is the only one from that contest to make my top 10 ;o

Posted by: Slade 4th December 2016, 07:20 PM

Bloody hell Chez, 6 entries in your top 100 already And maybe 'Earth Not Above' in your top 10 somewhere to make it 7 as you gave that 18? ;o Your Jadakissnia stanning this year has been amazing haha *.*

Your taste in general is exquisite, I'd list some of my favourites that have been so far but there would just be so many

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:23 PM

8. New Lexico – Celtic Woman feat. Oonagh – Tír na nÓg



Another country that isn't usually sending things to my taste, but this hit the spot. Celtic music is amazing anyway, those Youtube two hour compilations are incredible, and these beautiful strings are complemented by a hell of an earworm chorus in beautiful gaelic, making me feel like going on a voyage under the rainbow to a land of fairies and little leprechauns. Any music that allows me to feel this much imagery is a keeper, WD Lex ;o This got my 15 points in BJSC 85, and is higher than the song I gave 18 too - OVERWERK Toccata - here as I grew to prefer it narrowly, fear not Jade though...

Posted by: Dobbo 4th December 2016, 07:28 PM

Great to see Youth so high! You pretty much summed up the way I felt about it too, was good to see it have several big fans

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:30 PM

7. Jadakissnia – HAELOS – Earth Not Above



Well observed, Jade ;o I'll wait for Bre's master spreadsheet to confirm, but I believe Jadakissnia are my top pointed country this year, and easily have the most entries in my top 100 with seven out of ten making it (and Sentient wasn't far off making it eight). You're gonna have to tell me where you find your entries as I need to get a tip off But whilst I'm always here for their 80s style synthy wonders (two of them are in the top 20 lmao), I think I like it best when they're a bit different like this - an epic, cinematic masterpiece that sounds so timeless and so appropriate for it's grandeur title. Very well done on the year Jade and hopefully the inevitable win next year will be something of similar quality! This got my 18 points in BJSC 90.

Posted by: Slade 4th December 2016, 07:36 PM

#7 is a fabulous position to have in an EOY *.* Really glad that you took to 'Earth Not Above' so much And quite a large amount of my entries for that matter But it has not been one-sided as you know, some great stuff from Terra Avium this year *.*

Fab commentary there, the epic feel of 'Earth Not Above' really drew me into it on first listen. Definitely felt like something a bit different to round the year off with!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:37 PM

6. Persephonia – TWRR – Water Frozen



Was that intentional, possibly So yes, #TerraPhonia hasn't QUITE been as strong this year as established, totes your fault ofc., take after Jade and send more synths!!11 However, they still have a respectable four entries in here which are all marvellous and when they get it right, they still are one of the best nations here. This was a perfect example of that and I'd go as far to say it's one of my favourite entries by you. Starting with such a desolate atmospheric ballad with longing lyrics, it has a beautiful build up as choral voices and synths gradually enter before becoming a melancholic electro-indie whirlwind. I think someone said it somewhere, but it does remind me a bit of Linkin Park at their best with their new sound. This got my 18 points in BJSC 87.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 07:43 PM

5. Vulkyria – The Flavor – Shosholoza



One of the proper big hits of the year now, I'm not always on board with Vulkyria (I do hope you come back soon!), but occasionally, they can send something so wonderfully infectious and feel good like this. Settle Down's one example and this is another. It wouldn't sound too out of place in the Lion King musical, it's chanting combined with dance boppiness always brings me so much joy and happy feeling about things that listening to any world music would do, and I was very pleased to see it get as high as 3rd in it's contest. Here's to another great finish in TBooooh wait This got my 15 Points in BJSC 84, where did my 18 go tho? ;o

Posted by: Michael Bubré 4th December 2016, 08:16 PM

Wonderful to see 'Water Frozen' getting a place in your top 10 I believe it was Jonjo that pointed out the Linkin Park similarity and I certainly can see where that's coming from! Happy with having three other tracks in your top 100 as well, not a bad showing at all ~

(And yes Jadakissnia were your most pointed country of 2016 by quite a lot, you actually gave them more points than even I did!! 99 points compared to 91 that I gave them, and 59 that you gave to your 2nd top country of the year (Ethanola)).

Honestly not sure I even need to do an EOY, it looks like you have pretty much all the same songs as I will have in mine.

P.S. my planned next entry is possibly the most Terra Avium song I've ever sent so fingers crossed TerraPhonia2k17 will be off to a good start (I have about 6 other songs I want to send as well, not all of which I think will quite be so much to your taste )

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 08:45 PM

;o consider me hyped

4. Fljotavik – Big Black Delta feat. Debbie Gibson – RCVR



So yes, the song that narrowly beat Shosholoza to my 18 in BJSC 84 very narrowly still retains that title, it was near impossible to separate these two. I've always been a huge fan of Fljotavik, always bringing it with the classy and edgy indie, this one felt like a classic early 1980s style duet with both voices perfectly complementing each other with their differences and similarities, an absolutely wonderful synthy breakdown midway through the track is also a highlight. Definitely up there with the best of your entries, D*, It's also the last track below six minutes to appear in this countdown ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 08:50 PM

3. #00274E – Paul Cronin – Now Bad Boy



#00274E's really big hits this year, the marvellous How Do I Love You aside, passed me by a bit, including their winner. This though, was a BIG exception and really standing out as something quite different from them was this rave masterpiece. I know most preferred the other rave-style entry, The Legend entered later in the year, but I massively preferred this as it's more raw early 90s Prodigy style rave with the odd casio keyboard voice effect thrown and an immensely feeling throughout without ever feeling repetitive, it's really missing from a lot of BJSC dance entries. One of the coolest and freshest bangers of the contest, only right coming from the coolest nation in the game. This got my 18 points in BJSC 83.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 08:59 PM

2. Ethanola – Hilight Tribe – Free Tibet (Vini Vici Remix)



Oh so close to being my number 1, but it didn't quite happen, but surely one of the tracks that 2016 BJSC will be remembered for. I've always had a soft spot for Ethan's long dance entries, to me they are more atmospheric and minimalist than boring, however this was just something else. Not content with subtlety at all, it's a rapidly changing musical experience of blaring foghorns, Far Eastern vibes and Dalai Lama chants that you just never know where it's going to go next. I can safely say I have never heard a piece of music quite like this one and I am truly thankful to BJSC for allowing me to discover things like this! Bravo on this year, Ethan, who I've been quite the stan of from afar, they've certainly made this year as the year I take notice of them. This got my 18 Points in the bloodbath that was BJSC 82 and was one of the reasons that made that contest so great, and the fact it won that contest was the icing on the cake.

Posted by: Dancember 4th December 2016, 09:08 PM

Free Tibet recognition

I just hope it does reasonably well in TBO.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th December 2016, 09:11 PM

1. Seyetana – Nayo Hiiragi – Requiem



But my number 1 goes to yet another long dance journey of a song. Again, there's very little chance I turn down hard trance and this one was especially excellent with a quite beautiful opening and the little Japanese distorted vocals that break up the beats, effectively add a lot more emotion to what would've been a straight out banger and makes it resonate with me a bit deeper. I've found myself coming back to this one more and more over the year and still remains a riveting listen to this day. I've never felt like I've loved any of Seyetana's entries, despite how much they as a nation point us so I was very happy that this started off a very good year for #Terretana and I'm pleased to award you the only #1 of the year that matters, WD Iz (and this coincidentally means my top 4 were my 18 pointers from 81-84 in exact order, oooh ;o)

-x-

Aaaand that concludes the year for us, I guess, thanks all who have been kind enough to point us this year and to all countries in this list for the great discoveries <3 No matter how busy my life gets, I can still rely on this contest to deliver me the very best new music of the year, I just hope next year we get the right countries through to TBO Terra out.

Posted by: Dancember 4th December 2016, 09:18 PM

ooh yay Requiem! that was a great entry, I would like to see more songs like that in the contest but then again they don't usually do well.

Posted by: Michael Bubré 4th December 2016, 09:34 PM

Well all of those top 3 also got 18s from me (I'm not sure it registered for me that we had the same 18 three contests in a row!) so... yes, I approve. *.* All of them will for sure be right near the top of my EOY too [/spoilers].

Posted by: Weiss Schnee 4th December 2016, 10:22 PM

Holy hell... yes!!! I was noting with approval all of the Séyetana entries lower down your rank and I figured Requiem would be in the top 10 as I was reading through this earlier but I didn't expect it to be at the #1 at all, but I'm very pleased that you love it as much as I do Chez <3

RCVR and Free Tibet and Shosholoza and Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence are all incredible too and are likely to be somewhere near the top of my rank, I should start compiling that, very well done for ripping through an EOY in one day and making it look so classy.

Posted by: CodySleighBell-y 4th December 2016, 11:00 PM

Oooh I've been expecting "Way Of Life" to make some of these but not so soon! Thanks for the support!

Posted by: Emperor Blizzard 4th December 2016, 11:00 PM

How many birds are there in Terra Avium? Is the entire population from the Animalia class of Aves?

Posted by: Chez Wombat 31st January 2017, 11:06 PM

Close to around 20 Million, give or take [/late] and yes...well maybe not anymore

Terra Avium at 50

For this month, the nation of birds nears the five year participation mark in the Buzzjack Song Contest, and while there has been some moments of despair (like being taken over by dinosaurs and moments like last month where the collective taste of humans just baffles us birds, this month aside, I don't understand how you all couldn't have been encaptured by the dark beauty of Fall on Me, watch Black Mirror x), but it has largely been a very rewarding experience for the Avian kind. It is at this landmark that we saw a fond farewell to President Orlee, out mentor throughout the war days in Animalia and our leader since our inception has decided to retire at the grand old age of 160. We thank him for his services. His replacement is to take place via election next month, though it is widely expected to be his trusted associate, Hornbillary Clinton, there is no other competition expected, except a bizarre cult following for outspoke children's entertainment mascot, Donald Duck.

However, as a parting gift, President Orlee has completed his major project that would be promised to 'bridge the gap between our world and others to make for an inclusive wholesome society'. The result a stretch of unused land between Terra Avium and Terra's Mammalia, Serpentium, Amphibian, Piscium and Insecta where for the first time since the world of Animalia fell, all species can live under the same roof on the same plains in a land known as AFRICA, it is seperate from their individual territories and will be governed by a representative from each land. It is already being claimed as historical move and one that will move towards a united and multicultural Terra Avium, however it is not without it's detractors, with some (mainly that of Donald Duck and his supporters) saying it will lead to clashes between species and similar events that led up to the original war of Animalia.

The land is expected to have it's grand opening next week.



(This also serves as a hint to my entry btw as I know you didn't read all of that x I will also be doing a special to celebrate the 50th starting very soon)

Posted by: Cody Slayberry 31st January 2017, 11:25 PM

Is it the Circle Of Life?



Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaants ingonyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaama bagithi babaaaaaaaaaaa
Sithi uuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhmm ingonyaaaaaaaaamaaaaaaaaa

Posted by: Bré 31st January 2017, 11:46 PM

I feel like something quite spectacular may be coming *.*

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th February 2017, 10:03 PM

You're not actually that far off with that one Cody! Ofc. it's spectacular ;o

-x-

OK, here's the special thing I was doing for my 50th



Over the next few days/weeks (I can't guarantee this will be done speedily, but it will be finished x), I'll be looking back at the past five years both in terms of our own entries and other countries. How it's gonna work is for each year (2012 through to 2016) I will do some little reviews of both my own entries for that year and ten of my favourite BJSC discoveries from that year. I won't be ranking these, I feel it's best to focus on the songs themselves rather than emphasise some with a ranking system that would likely be different on another day, also I've kept it to one country per year, if just to allow more representation. It won't be big on commentary, don't really have time for that and I've waxed lyrical about all these songs before in EOY lists etc., but it's a lovely trip down memory lane for myself and I hope some of you can relive some past gems from both us and other nations. It's these amazing discoveries that have kept us around all these years!

Will be posting 2012 tonight~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th February 2017, 11:04 PM

Starting with my own entries ofc. cos I can

2012: Home

So, it may go to the likes of Usfland or Thelonia or whatever these days, but back in 2012 when I first joined, it was kinda me that was there, Put it in perspective - In my twelve contests, I had seven consecutive DNQs (at the time a record, though it would later be overtaken by poor Singerpurear (never lose hope guys!)) and of the four that made the final, all but one finished last...and that one reached the dizzying heights of second last on a tiebreak...yeah :') Looking back, what caused this was a combination of none being particularly standout or wide appealing, not cementing a particular sound and just purely not realising what does well and what doesn't. Some of these really are facepalm moments. Nonetheless, let's have a look back at my wall of shame...

01; BJSC XLII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSmj-Qc9uDk / 28th/29

So this was where it all started and for over a year, my most successful entry. Stupidly cheap by today's standards ofc. but we all were once and I'd been contemplating entering this song contest for a while back then and I felt this (which I found on Digital Spy, my sole source for entries this year which I thankfully abandoned) would be a good place to start, it felt like a sound Buzzjack would like (when BJSC was quite a bit more pop ;o) and Skylar Grey wasn't exactly a household name. It was a first time qualifier which I was pleased about, but it was just a tad to anonymous to do much else. Honestly, this is one of my flops I still rank quite highly, it's a fairly standard dance track but Skylar's incredible vocals elevate it to great status and post the second chorus it really becomes quite chilling. Definitely not one I'd send these days, but definitely not one I disown.


02; BJSC XLIII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK3fVJtFTh0 / 29th/29

Yep, we laid claim to Bastille and when this video had less than a thousand views *.* (Laura Palmer was not entered before this, that's fake news), this stands out in my 2012 entries as one that still ranks amongst my all time favourites, I obvs don't associate Bastille with BJSC much anymore but this is still absolutely amazingly heartfelt and anthemic with some stunning guitar work that makes my lower lip tremble every time. I felt the same about it at the time, and was glad to see it qualify as I was quite keen to not become typecast with one genre, it was the first of my many wooden spoons, unsurprisingly maybe but saddening especially as I'm sure it would've done better had I waited a few months ago, but it still remains quite underrated as a song so the fact it qualified at all is something that pleases me.

03; BJSC XLIV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHC302BjEhY / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)

Ah, this one still makes me mad -___ It's the one entry from this bunch that I really feel had I waited a year or so, it may have done better, and although I did give it a second chance in both rejects and YBO, still no justice was done, sigh, learn to appreciate this song hoes x Anyway, the first of my many DNQs was this ambient dance track which went on to become a minor hit in some places but not here. I still love and listen to this one regularly, a brilliantly atmospheric and slowly building track that I will never understand the failure with.

04; BJSC XLV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxtOdB-sms / DNQ (17th in Semi Final)

This also makes me mad but not for similar reasons, more the fact I'm still annoyed as to why I even entered this lol. I was planning to send Of Monsters & Men's Dirty Paws to this contest (still a big fave <3 this was a few months before they blew up), but after a DNQ, I wanted something that would be successful so I came across this, which I'd found the artist to have been successful in the past, and instantly thought it would be a big BJSC hit, so I switched...which it wasn't lmao, I'm sure Dirty Paws would've been my breakthrough hit but we'll never know now. IN SUMMARY: I deserved what I got I NEVER listen to this anymore, if mainly cos while not a bad synthy number, I just didn't really love it, DNQs can do this to you.

05; BJSC XLVI / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bmx5p3IG98 / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)

From sending something I thought would pander to Buzzjack's tastes to something completely against that. This was one where I really wasn't sure what I was thinking sending it, maybe I was just really into Forss at the time and his minimalist electronic music proving something quite different in the times where my taste was changing and I was moving away from the charts and that blinded my judgement. It was a short lived obsession as I haven't listened to him in ages, I'm kinda glad I sent it just for the VARIETY it adds to my back catalogue, not that I'd ever be stupid enough to send it again.

06: BJSC XLVII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXlojgGj5SQ / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)

lmao...like really? I think I'd thrown in the towel at this point, that or I really was STARVED of an entry this month. Actually, I wanted to send Kyla La Grange Walk Through Walls to this contest (when I was still brave enough to confirm fresh leaks), but was beaten to it, so ofc. it went top 10 :x This kinda cod reggae song though...I guess I thought it sounded quite nice and wanted to share it? I'm a bit perplexed, I was over it so quickly anyway and would probably rank it right at the bottom of my entries.

07: BJSC XLVIII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDxp8-JP2rM / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)

This WAS notable for being the first of my entries of it's kind - the classic building long instrumental sound that I love, so I suppose I was drawn to this naturally. It failed again and I can see why, it's payoff really isn't good enough to make up for the long build up and the production just feels kinda basic and meandering throughout, and that's pretty much all there is to say about this one so yeah (and yes this is the same Starsmith that's worked with Ellie Goulding et al., guess this was a demo he didn't wanna keep).

08: BJSC XLVIV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDVW81bXo0s / DNQ (16th in Semi Final)

Another artist we lay claim to *.* Well no actually we really can't. This was probably the cheapest thing we've ever sent and one I imagine came the closest to being vetoed, what with it being a minor top 100 Radio 1 A-listed hit, but also one that had been entered into a recent Unknown Pleasures (which I hadn't come across yet ok!11), so really I guess I deserved this DNQ for being a cheap hoe, though it was still a sad one as I was quite sure I had something successful here. I THINK I prefer Shut Up & Dance these days, that deserved to do well, but still, this is a wonderfully fun indie pop ride that never loses energy and one I wish would've gotten more attention either way as it's simply a great song.

09: BJSC L / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0eqlf5k6Tg / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)

So rounding off a rather awful debut year as we began. Honestly, this one I kind of sensed was too much of a risk, I was mainly compelled to send this (after I got beaten to what I wanted to send that contest, more on that later) because of possibly one of the best music videos I'd seen in a long time, and one that is still amazing, idk sock puppets are just so so appealing and one about a troubled love story between them even more so. It's failure didn't deter my love for it, it's a great song as well with a wonderful synth line and infectious chorus, that somehow stood out to me over other sounds of the same ilk. I pretty much completely deserted this sound after this in terms of my own entries, but one I still happily listen to. Also, watch the video srsly.

Gosh, I was such a MESS this year, it gets better from here on~

Posted by: Chez Wombat 5th February 2017, 12:24 AM

2012: Away

So I may have done a bit shit this year, but the reason I stayed was the reason I'm still here - that it introduced me to so much new music that I wouldn't have found in the charts, and 2012, while a little bit different in terms of sound, this was still an excellent year in terms of BJSC entries and I still listen to these ten regularly (and while it may appear that way sometimes, I've definitely just listed my ten twelve pointers here, some songs don't properly hit you instantly):

Country - Song - Contest - Position - Points Given by myself obvs

#00274E – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujO_N6DmFM8, BJSC XLV, 4th/31, 10 Points

45 was a really great contest for BJSC and this was one of the gems uncovered here. A still active country, but numbers were still getting hits back then and this was no exception. Conquest, short and sweet clocking in at just under three minutes, is everything you could want from a dreampop track with an earworm of a chorus accompanied by gradiose synths that live up to the track's epic title. I had missed out on The Sound of Arrows' (though apparently I inadvertantly entered one of their aliases last year as Kids of the Apocalypse were unmasked as one of the guys from here) previous material in here, but this was a great introduction.

Aeroche – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vkj-t1ytzo, BJSC XLVI, 1st/30, 12 Points

Aeroche's FIRST EVER WIN, just three contests in so starting as they meant to go on. But this was still seen very much as a GENUINE shock winner as it's hype was mininal and it was a significant one for reasons other than that - it definitely marked a new 'sound' taking over in BJSC so that the pop/dance sound wasn't as dominant which emerged into the mainly extremely diverse contest that it has become today (I think back then it was known as 'indie/hipsters taking over' *shudders*), and I loved it as it meant there was a lot of 'risky' entries actually getting some recognition, this being one of them ofc. It was my top pointer so I can only heap praise on it but it's still a hauntingly beautiful, desolate electronic track accompanied by a painful but powerful video that I'm so pleased reached a wider audience. I prefer the seven minute version as a song, but the three minute video linked is a must watch. Still a regular fixture on my playlist, I don't think you've bettered this one, leww <3

Herzebania – Phase Spin feat. Matty G & Jolene – Let You Go, BJSC XLVI, 12th/30, 10 Points

I can't remember who this country was (Peter30? They never entered again after iirc) and this track is no longer on the internet, oops. Thankfully I have an MP3 if anyone wants it x anyway, second to Aeroche in my points in this contest and the other end of the spectrum to it in every way. It was pretty much classic pop dance BJSC, but it was enjoyable and I do love a bit of generic pop dance sometimes, especially one with production as exquisite as this. It was very much a song of the summer for me and still a fave.

Kylienips – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvlIs6aARcQ, BJSC XLVII, 9th/30, 10 Points

Well, yeah I've already said this was gonna be my entry for that contest so I'm not bitter x this was still a great epic pop anthem with some brilliantly emotional vocal work going on throughout. It was very much classic BJSC seeing as she'd been entered before, but had that indie-alt edge that drew me to it and to date, I think this was one of the only other BJSC battles I've been involved in, still good to listen to these days, though nowadays, it's all about the Kygo version of Cut Your Teeth.

Ingermanlandia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc21V-zBq0, BJSC XLV, 1st/29, 12 Points

Probably one of the most notable winners in BJSC history, or at least that I've been here for, from the now sadly inactive Ingermanlandia, it kinda changed everything in that omg it was a male led indie song that won!11 I feel it would only do even better these days, not the least cos of a wider range of tastes, but it still sounds totally timeless, the strings and percussion are a masterful mix along with an admirably distinctive vocal and it builds to a spellbinding climax. Says a lot that even the real world took (small) interest, one of my all time favourites from here and long may it stand as a BJSC classic.

Lake Thermwoods – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC57z-oDPLs, BJSC XLIV, 5th/29, 8 Points

Country in here? What? Well, there was some good ones from the genre back then I suppose. First Aid Kit are a name I've seen around, but none was quite as powerful and emotional as the brilliant Emmylou, sent by the inactive Lake Thermwoods (the poster known as Atonement). The pure emotion and heart in the two vocalists' voices are what lifts this alongside the morose strings in the background, the lyrics are beautifully done in their metaphor, so much it makes me well up. I was feeling quite lonely myself at the time of this coming out and it resonated with me a lot and somewhat helped me feel better, so I'll always hold it very highly in my affections. It only got my eight points at the time but has definitely stuck with me much more than what beat it (Jessie Ware' 110% (almost here but not really one I associate much with BJSC at all) and Queen of Hearts' Neon which I barely listen to anymore, but almost sent at the time). Anyway, (shush bre)

Numayania – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELNvmFGNLRU, BJSC XLII, 4th/29, 12 Points

My first ever 12 Pointer! Certainly not something I'd do the same with these days, but it certainly provided me with reason to stick around as I did repeat this a lot. This country were quite a force this year (Tom Kay, actually not sure he's posted in years), their sound was very much the Scandi-pop-dance sound that would smash no problem back then and I certainly don't hold most of that sound in that high regard these days, but even I can't deny the addictiveness and brilliant bounciness as this, one of my pop faves.

Tinnmark – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPeyRiddm4U, BJSC XLVII, 11th/30, 12 Points

Gosh, I barely listen to this these days but it's why I love things like this as it reminds me of how much I used to love this. Tinnmark don't always send things to my taste, but when they do, it normally hits me in a big way. Darling is great in both it's twinkly production and it's uplifting and slightly other-worldly feel in the vocals lifts this up to euphoric levels.

Usfland – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiC9XNQSxFQ, BJSC XLVIII, 9th/31, 12 Points

Much like the above country, when Usfland do send something truly amazing, they do it excellently, a wonderfully eclectic country, I stanned them quite a bit in my earlier days. This was an excellent emotional indie track that grows more and more effective and desperate with how it builds and repeats itself constantly. There actually really weren't enough tracks like this in BJSC back then and today and when it comes, it's a welcome change.

Zechonia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHjpOzsQ9YI, BJSC XLIII, 5th/29, 12 Points

Oh Zech, I miss you, you really did send the most excellently standout of entries that I very rarely didn't really like and would've fit in quite well with the current #rockbloc I feel. But this violin-dubstep hybrid instrumental was definitely their crowning moment, it summed up the very best of what I could find in BJSC - classical inspired instrumentals with a contemporary twist, indeed probably my favourite genre if I had to pick one and this is still an excellently twisting and constantly erupting piece that I could listen to all day, and it opened my eyes to Lindsey Stirling's other epic compositions as well. This was a VERY surprise hit at the time, it was widely predicted to DNQ, and I'm all the happier for it as it showed distinctiveness can prevail, and I'm sure if it were sent, it would do no worse.

2013 possibly coming soon, idk how long that's gonna take me though ;o

Posted by: Iz~ 5th February 2017, 12:42 AM

You know, just reading that is making me nostalgic for the glory days of BJSC 2012 and just how significant the whole 'indie turn' was back then, punctuated by show-stopping entries like Moan, Run Boy Run and Five Seconds breaking through to a BJSC that had never really seen these kind of songs doing so well before. But also with great pop like Conquest still holding on and in between hits like Crystallize becoming surprise hits that no one called because no one thought that everyone else would also like it, such that it turns into a modern classic. That list reads like a large portion of my favourites from 2012 too, I mean, I know we are pretty close taste-wise now but it wasn't always that way, I was still among the pop guard back then but I ended up being quite receptive to the indie phases once I got used to it.

That said, I definitely remember liking most of those Terra entries better than the results they ended up with. Anna Sun having 'mezzanine' in the lyrics is something I quite like for continuity purposes and both of those are solid songs, and your first three were all tunes (even if for Parachute Youth it was after the fact and the former two ended up in strong pop contests I think), I definitely remember Terra getting fairly high on my semi scores in comparison to final scores. They at least mostly feel like 'event' entries even when they're dodgy in quality like The Bullitts (at least as far as I'm inferring from your commentary). And the one that doesn't, Factory Boys, it's still alright, but probably got a bit of stick for not being anywhere near as good as the wonderful wistful Endless Storm.

Posted by: danG 5th February 2017, 03:41 PM

S DNLD are forever Team #JusticeForParachuteYouth, one of the most bizarre DNQs ever

I also liked 'Anna Sun', even if I had already heard it on Radio 1 and it was cheap - don't remember any of your other entries though.

Some good foreign choices too.

Posted by: Mart!n 6th February 2017, 11:31 AM

Actually Anna Sun was my Unknown Pleasures track before it was used in BJSC

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th February 2017, 07:30 PM

You took Walk Through Walls from me You read my mind too much back then

Thanks for the comments, guys!

-x-

2013: Home

We had a vow going into this year to do a bit better than last year, and a bit better we did. With just the (then by my standards small) four DNQs and even our first proper hit and hints of the sound we're known for today and having a bit better idea of the general sound of the contest were showing. It also marked a shift from Digital Spy's Ten Tracks You Must Hear Right Now to Guardian New Music (RIP </3)

10; BJSC LI / https://soundcloud.com/woman-e/you-stole-that-summer-bright / 31st/31

Our landmark 10th entry was our first qualifier in a year, huzzah! However, the celebrations were short lived as I got my 2nd last placer, still I was at least proud of myself for at least gauging what people like, I can see how this finished last, it sounds pretty poppy and dancey so much that it would appeal to enough people to get trickle points to get it through the semi, but it just wasn't standout enough in either genre to do big things in the final. This was a rare pop moment in my back catalogue that I likely wouldn't bother with these days, but I do still rate this one highly. It's like a long lost SAW track from the 1970s with substantially better production, Cameron/UV, if you read this, I would recommend it ;o

11; BJSC LII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQwLltUNcEM / 30th/30

lol, you really couldn't make this up. This one I'm still kinda sad about, I was sure I could reach a wide audience of pop/indie fans with this dark synthpop HAIM-esque song, but it alas had the same problem as Woman E in that it didn't stand out enough in either genre, I guess I was blinded by that... Honestly, I would probably send this these days, even if I always tend to fail with these darker indie pop outings (more on that later). I still love this, the eerie atmosphere and chanting outro makes for such a chilling listen and the 80s-esque ness only adds to it. Probably the first result that I'm still quite sad about to this day.

12; BJSC LIII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAwkI1RzQg / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)

I am more accustomed to sending out there stuff these days, but I think looking at all my entries, this one was the most spontaneous and out of the blue decision I had upon seeing it posted on Guardian New Music, I was instantly in love and switched immediately (I believe my initial entry at the time was Rhye's Open, which may have been my first big hit given the small following it got on here, maybe ;o), I DNQ'd, again, ofc. I did, BJSC still wasn't quite open to this style of music yet and it's functions more as a short animation than a song in it's own right, do I regret it? No, it is still one of the most beautiful videos I've come across and fills me with happiness, and the subtle glockenspiel led instrumental works brilliantly as an accompaniment but also as a calming listening experience, and if anything the fact it actually did a bit better than expected (it wasn't far off qualifying iirc, and I dare say it may have enough fans to manage it these days) told me there is an audience for this sort of thing that was growing. If you don't know this, I do ask you to watch it, it is the perfect remedy to your bad day.

13; BJSC LIV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JRIvwhbcxs / 21st/32

So finally we get to the entry that can just about be called a solid performance and my first non bottom 2 appearance in the final, I felt so accomplished, no srsly I did :x Anyway, I originally wanted to send this in the latter end of last year, but it turns out a lot of people were after Saint Saviour and I was beaten to it (part of the reason I started going for obscure stuff more often in later years is to avoid confirmation battles like this, I didn't realise quite how many I was in in my first two years), so technically the second time I was a recycling hoe, but anyway, it didn't do any harm to it and against the odds it actually found a small fanbase which I was pleased about. The most 'street' I've ever gone probably, but it's still pretty banging, sorry I'm out of vocabulary already.

14; BJSC LV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4pzRoMONu8 / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)

After two contests of taking risks that to an extent paid off, I played it relatively safe with this one, so perhaps this result served me right. I was always a bit wary of this one as to my ears at the time it sounded massive to the point that it may take off around the blogosphere/charts, especially as BURNS had had a small hit recently with the wonderful Otto Knows remix of Lies. However it didn't, so I figured I'd try my luck anyway and it turns out I was worrying for nothing, even if I guess this would stand as one of my cheaper entries going by artist name (and the fact it features Clare Maguire lol). Anyway, I don't have strong feelings towards this, it's pretty cool but it's not standout and I understand it's failure, I'll leave this kinda sound to Mulgracia

15; BJSC LVI / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtyyO4NCqP4 / 9th/31

My first top 10 hit omg :shakingcheeseblock: x100, I always had a feeling I was onto something good with this, I came across it through a remix on, you guessed it, Guardian New Music which led me to the original. I became so obsessed with that I've forgotten how the remix goes, but this was epic. From the soft choral chants and damning piano at the start leading into a synthy outcry in the chorus, it's a melancholy masterpiece. I did notice this name around and knew they were familiar with certain indie communities and I would definitely go on to get more inspired hits, but still this was a well deserved triumph that I adore to this day.

16; BJSC LVII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECw5DTULQ8 / 17th/31

This one I was sitting on for months and was somewhat making waves in the blogosphere that I was surprised someone else didn't beat me to it, but anyway I chanced to send it and got another solid hit on the trot. This is very much like Anna Sun in many ways other than indie pop genre, in it's youth empowerment message, anthemic instrumentals and chorus and feel that this would be used on soundbeds for some random Channel 4 drama before long. I'm surprised it didn't take off commercially in all honesty, but either way, not a vintage entry by any means, but pretty undeniably fun.

17; BJSC LVIII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfvDQEPm3kQ / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)

So I was kinda confident in these indie blogosphere names at this point, so it was rather a nasty thorn in the side that this one failed quite unexpectedly compared to the last two I suppose I was still very much preaching to the indie crowd at this point and wouldn't have got much from those not on that end of the spectrum even remotely, so perhaps it was better for UP, but still, this one I'm still quite sad about and especially as another inferior song by the same artist was entered a few months later that did way better. Grumble. Anyway, Flyway is beautiful, like a much more subtle Feelsolow, which relies on pristine fine synths for the majority of the track but also the longing, soft spoken vocals which make it quite the atmospheric listen, loooove <3

18; BJSC LIX / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPlzeNXLFH4 / 16th/32

Terra Avium's first (and to this date only) descent into PC Music *_* Our entries are often a tad ~serious, but I can enter fun sometimes and I think this is the most enjoyable one, if just for how bizarre it is. The origin of this is a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-Ln87214I which I was debating to send, but then I came across this very strange vocal version, with a fairly standard chorus but verses that contain some of the most ridiculous yet quotable lyrics (did you know Miami was a place? Now you do *.*). I got so into it and opted to send it over the six minute version. The ironic thing is actually that that is definitely something I'd send these days and still love it, whereas this one unfortunately got a bit old as I ultimately saw it as more of a novelty than anything. An enjoyable novelty at that but still, I don't listen to it much these days, but I'm not disowning it don't get me wrong, it was one of my biggest ~hipster hits~ at the time and I technically introduced a winner into the contest as A.G Cook would then go on to win a contest next year with Beautiful (albeit not in a contest I was in).

19; BJSC LX / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHNczNvOnGc / DNQ (21st in Semi Final)

Yes, it is the Llama Song from the 2000s internet meme hall of fame, yes I sent it to BJSC (context http://www.buzzjack.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=139880&view=findpost&p=4492995, idk I was feeling random and wanted to send something weird) and yes it is still the best thing since sliced bread and will forever dwarf any entries that I had or would ever send. All hail llamas. Duck.

Posted by: Bré 9th February 2017, 08:34 PM

It's always so painful to relive the days of your songs undeservedly DNQing/coming last every month, 2012 BJSC voters be ashamed (and 2013 ones to a lesser extent - actually most of your 2013 DNQs were better than the qualifiers, Haiku Salut and Keep Shelly In Athens in particular). </3

Insert stock comment about how 'Emmylou' is awful. (Otherwise mostly good choices of away entries from 2012 there, 'Moan' and 'Run Boy Run' were of course absolutely momentous winners, and a big yes to 'Crystallize' which remains vastly superior to her other bigger BJSC hit).

Oh also I don't think I knew that was Clare Maguire on 'Limitless'. #education

Posted by: SevenSeize 9th February 2017, 08:58 PM

I've come to realise over time that Land of the Innocent is actually really damn great

(and Feelsolow too obviously one of my favourites from a classic contest)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th February 2017, 10:34 PM

Everyone should think that about Land of the Innocent *. I didn't know about Clare Maguire either initially, BURNS being new Avicii clearly.

-x-

2013: Away

Still a very solid year following on from 2013, the risky entries were less of an 'event' than last year as the contest's sound was changing more, but that only meant I was finding a few more keepers every month. Indeed, I actually found something from a variety of genres going by this list.

Batidas – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dcuuEnLhU, BJSC LV, 4th/29, 12 Points

Ah, I always get nostalgic looking back and seeing this country, we will never forget dearest Hits </3 Batidas had quite a good year before they vanished without a trace midway through, what with getting a winner and seemingly constant hits, this one was the main one though. Looking back, I do wonder how many of these points came from the fact it was a Lego video but still, I'm always one for dance instrumentals and once this gets going with it's various drops, it just never stops.

Ingermanlandia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4I0PqNzKE, BJSC LIII, 5th/30, 12 Points

I always knew this would get used as a soundbed to something and now it's probably known as that song on the LoveFilm ads or something, but still way back when it had a minuscule number of views and was entered here, it was still something quite brilliant, possibly the most unashamedly positive song this year, I can't fathom how someone can listen to this without smiling, the whistling, the chirpiness, the uplifting lyrics, it all just paints the best feeling in your head. I do hope we get Ingermanlandia back soon as they are very good as digging gems like this out every so often.

Kylienips – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9dz8pcd_P8, BJSC LVI, 4th/31, 12 Points

What can I say, I was a fan of the 'Nips back then, sometimes I don't get their entries but they can really pull something magic out of the hat every so often, with more than a hint of The Human League and A-ha in there and some amazingly 80s esque production that make it sound right out of a vintage ghost movie, Ghostcity is an intense synthpop thrill ride from start to finish and still sounds excellent to this day. I think this stands as my favourite from this country, really should've been their first winner (sorry seven x)

N DNTN – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qhHUmL0U6k, BJSC LI, 2nd/31, 12 Points

And now something emosh :'( N DNTN really became quite a big deal this year, they even had their first win with the wonderful Look Up...oh, wait wrong country But srsly, I've mainly been very much been on the same wavelength as this country and this, the first of their many 2nd placers this year, was no exception. Having part real life impact as my uni housemates at the time were playing this a lot, it's a swirling (almost as much as The Scream in the video ;o) emotional rollercoaster with constantly changing vocal styles that really hits you in the feels. Still easily their best and I SO wish this had been N DNTN's winner as the song that beat it was fairly average by my recollections AND their eventual winners were pretty weak by their standards

Persephonia – https://soundcloud.com/persephonia/dark-star-hitstastic-edit, BJSC LVII, 2nd/31, 12 Points

Hi Bre ;o I can reveal this is the first of FOUR entries in the Away section for this country, only matched by Skall, and while it took a few years for me to really start stanning their entries, this year was a pretty good one too, the best though I'll predictably give it to their biggest hit this year. Very much deserved too, edited by Hitstastic but I probably would've liked the six minute version just as much if it's this much of a dark pop jam. It moves along wonderfully and the final instrumental drop gets me every time, likewise with the country above, how I WISH this could've been their first winner (and it was fairly unfortunate to run into the TBO winner that year, Belanger, which I still don't get at all), though they would go on to get some justice, more on that later ;o

PRoJ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBsRvthVhdw, BJSC LIV, 16th/32, 12 Points

This was sent in a contest iirc where the veto was lifted completely in response to constant complaints, so was pretty much overrun with cheapness, but this was still deserved. I mean most of the verses are just a pre-cursor to that amazing synth riff but it's amazing and constantly builds in intensity, even adding a choir at the end. PRoJ have always been a country I've been on the same wavelength with, much like Kylienips, they have a knack for doing Absolute Radio-esque indie pop very well. They were always pleasantly diverting with their entries and a bit of a legend so I do wish they'd come back soon!

Sandeborg – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap6VonR_8b4, BJSC LIII, 2nd/30, 10 Points

Remember what I said about what drew me to Zombies in Love and Pumpin' Blood? A video and a just positive feel. They are both encapulsated ENTIRELY here, a quite unexpected big hit at the time I recall, but I'm not sure why, it's just so joyful all the way through. It really is quite hard not to feel when watching a dancing man in a chicken suit forget his cares that you'd like to join him. I'd recommend this to just about everyone really as it has very wide appeal, see I can vote for pop countries too x

Skall – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJJ8hWDXWGs, BJSC LVIII, 7th/32, 12 Points

The other end of the spectrum~ Another country that has made the last five years of BJSC quite wonderful with their eclectic, out-there taste that has swung across various genres. This one I was so captivated by at the time, a really quite hypnotising yet mysterious experience of a song helped by it's wonderful visuals. This was one I somewhat doubt would've done well in the early days of BJSC and it's a perfect example of the weird and wonderful songs we can find here.

Trifoski – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEWnzBSwJyE, BJSC LVII, 21st/31, 8 Points

Ah yes, the debut of Trifoski, definitely one of my favourites at the time and now. Funnily enough, sent two entries that I passed over at the time, this one and the excellent Global Concepts by Robert Delong, which I really should have had the courage to send. This one I would never have done though but I'm so glad someone did as it's such a heartrendingly beautiful song with such sad lyrics, and I guess 'guy in animal suit' videos work on me well whichever the emotion. Unfortunately more underrated in Trifoski's back catalogue, it's still a real favourite and they would only go on to get stronger.

Usfland – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhDv9Gwj5wI, BJSC LX, 18th/32, 12 Points

Maybe it's something in that name that drew me to it in 2013. Like I said in the last post, Usfland are often off my radar until they send something truly amazing that knocks me back, and this definitely did. Composed with little more than a melancholy keyboard with those same keys actually has an incredible effect, it perfectly creates an atmosphere of calm and beauty that lives up to it's title brilliantly, and it stuck with me a lot at a time when I was actually starting to...well, go home to start my new life after Uni, and things like this qualifying again gave me hope that an audience for this sort of minimalist sound was forming and it was a pleasure to see it outperform expectations. Still very grateful for this one, it would probably be right up there on a list of my favourite entries!

Posted by: Cucumberella 10th February 2017, 01:34 AM

feathers / haiku / keep shelly in athens were SO underrated (i remember rly sweating when u'd sent KSIA because i was gna send oostende or potentially flyway to the same contest and david told me it had been taken so i was obviously expecting them to do better, seems i'd dodged a bullet). dreamtrak and NOCEREMONY/// were amazing too (should've pointed the former feelsolow being an aeroche potential as well, our tastes got quite IN SYNC this year). yay for the trentemoller mention and loving a few away mentions, especially john de sohn, james young, autre ne veut, clams casino, phase spin and woodkid :3

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th February 2017, 03:25 PM

2014: Home

Just the nine contests this year with three DNQs and six qualifiers, I was slowly heading up in the world of BJSC, the year of rather confused blogosphere pop I suppose you can call this, honestly if I had to pick a year that was my least favourite for entries after my debut year it would be this one, if just cos a lot of these haven't really stuck with me in the same way that other entries have, and a lot of them I simply don't have THAT much to say about other than...they are pretty good sangs lol. However, there was still a selection of highlights, let's see~

Oh and yes, this was where the dinosaurs took over briefly if you'll recall, they had mixed results x

20; BJSC LXI / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhLsL594g4U / 6th/31

Yes Bre, they are a thing x A big thing in fact, as it got me another top 10 hit in another multiple of 3. I almost never even sent this, I was looking for potentials and saw M83 had a new soundtrack album out from a French film about...an orgy lol (which I later came across at a film festival I was helping out at, irl impact indeed) , my initial choice was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF-SRZuzgcY which I found and loved, but I'm certain it would've done nothing. I was checking out the rest of the album out of curiosity and came across this and KNEW it was the one - an almost seven minute other-worldly epic journey that starts calmly before launching into a euphoric synth extravaganza that perfectly fits it's title of a new sun rising on a desolate landscape. It was also partially responsible for getting me into M83, I liked Midnight City but it was this that made me aware of the epicness they were capable of. I could write a lot about this, I was srsly obsessed with it back then and still would probably rank it 2nd in my all time entries rank and I couldn't be happier with it for a long time being my biggest hit as I wasn't sure this sound would catch on initially, and indeed it was a sound I'd return to a bit later on...

21; BJSC LXII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrvMzMMdoeU / 26th/31

Apparently they re-recorded this last year now they're finally getting minor attention, but stick with the above one, feels a lot more natural than the newer one. Anyway, here I revisited the indie pop blog sound which I was so accustomed to last year. This was one where I confirmed slightly earlier as I was sure a lot of people would be after this (and I believe at least someone else was iirc) due to the CHVRCHES/The 1975-esque sound of it, but apparently not and it ended up flopping a bit (but at the least avoiding the bottom 2). Although, I didn't send this one just cos I thought it would do well, it did really perk me up in the dark January months back then and it's still a really infectious earworm with sunny guitars and vocals that still is so darn happy and irresistible that I can't help but grin when listening, I still listen to this one a lot.

22; BJSC LXIII / https://soundcloud.com/sugarcane/bloodgroup-girl-unit / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)

Perhaps the most strange thing I remember about this one was that I found it at around the same time I viewed a film festival entry about the group, Bloodgroup. To my pleasure they were Icelandic which was a lovely nationality to add to my back catalogue, this remix somewhat changed the quite dark and epic feel of the original to an atmospheric, electronic whirling synth number that sounds straight out of the Drive soundtrack. I was kinda sad it DNQ'd, but wasn't overly surprised as it would be something of an acquired taste, I can see it's repetitiveness can grate and isn't an entry I go back to a lot, still a wonderfully atmospheric listen though and is an entry I think COULD do better these days though, maybe the extended dancebloc could help me out now.

23; BJSC LXIV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iprGdZfZe1k / 23rd/52

Ah yes, the infamous Pavel/Vulker led mess of a contest that turned into one big final and the eighteen point system coming in a bit before it became commonplace :') I believe, recalling Vulker's spreadsheets, that this would've qualified anyway so that's a good thing and I was very pleased with a top half finish anyway and appeasing a different genre crowd. This is a little bit like Gimme Sin but a bit more urban-tinged and 6Music-esque what with the feature of Kelela (this was me not even realising at the time she'd been sent earlier in the year and DNQ'd, oops). I like sending curveballs like that sometimes and there was something very addictive about it when I found it on the Guardian blog. Maybe another jam of this ilk is overdue~

24; BJSC LXV / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWgHWPL-nvE / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)

And this was a comedown. There were 27 entries in this semi so this officially stands as my least successful entry EVER, like...why Why was it just me and popchartfreak that realised the immense electro-indie jam this was? It still confuses me a little bit being honest, I suppose there isn't much of an appeasing to one genre and it could be seen as standard male-led electronica that gets lost in the crowd, but still, I don't know how you can deny that chorus and the production, at least not second last...gah, now I'm bitter just thinking about it. Anyway, this will perhaps be forgotten by most over the years but I think I would still put this in the top half of my entry ranks, it hasn't lost any of it's feel good factor over the years and still makes me want to stare at the skies.

25; BJSC LXVII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdsvtnOoFAg / 23rd/32

Halfway through woop, after a month off due to sulking travelling on the other side of the world, we were back with a very conventional sound that was rather cheap given both artists had been sent this year and one of them had gone top 10. There was some irl impact behind me finding this entry just to reassure you I do have one and I don't stay cooped up inside when finding all these entries, I heard it a lot on Triple J radio whilst down under (along with many other BJSC hits, Peking Duk's High and Joywave's Tongues from UP being one that comes to mind, it was a pretty dream radio station for finding new music), it was that infectious that I had to track it down and send it, and given it was a year old, I was surprised someone didn't send it before as it sounded like a big hit, a wonderfully retro dancefloor filler with an infectious chorus and an amazing string breakdown in the middle 8. Was just a middling hit in the end (though I do recall this being one of my best semi performances to date) but I suppose I'd take that over bottom 5.

26; BJSC LXVIII / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1J5mqEHto / DNQ (25th in Semi Final)

A lot of my flops I didn't quite see at the time that they didn't sound like big hits (and maybe I still don't #biased), this one was quite different, I think even at the time I didn't think this would do well, what was I thinking exactly v. 2012 rookie mistake there, I mean I did get really into him at the time, he had some lovely guitar-led summery gems which were pretty relaxing, and this is still a lovely listen albeit one that would get completely lost in the crowd in a BJSC semi. Maybe I should've waited a few months as he did start to get more attention later and was even entered into another Buzzjack contest iirc. Wouldn't even try with this sound these days, but I've not lost any love for this. I hope Joseph sees this, I think he may like this one, he even has long hair ;o

27; BJSC LXIX / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Vo3J-bWeY / 18th/32

This was something of a revelation for me - it was the first song I picked where I didn't find it on some kind of blog of some sort, I was entirely led there by a random Youtube playlist and it introduced me to the utterly impeccable channel that is 'Ambient', we'll be revisiting them later but suffice to say, this wasn't the last time I came here for inspiration. Onto Wolves, officially (just about) my second biggest hit of the year and finally nudging into the top 20 and I was SO glad for this as it's one of the few entries this year that I still really love and it was probably the most tense I've ever been when waiting for an entry to qualify as I was unsure if it would have enough appeal (this was still when just 15 went through which was a big ask for a song that was kinda different), but was extremely happy to see it appeal to a few in a BIG way. If you look up 'atmospheric' in the dictionary, you'd probably find this song here, the sampled vocals are used perfectly with the backdrop and building electronic soundscape to create a glorious build up, I still get chills when that 'fall' part comes in. I really need to find something like this again to send.

28; BJSC LXX / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvaKEqjdEGc / 30th/31

And finally, a top 15 hit from 2003, ofc. This would be vetoed these days but older hits like Jolene and Adelante were entered fairly regularly and I guess I thought I'd like to join. It was Buzzjack impact that made me come to this, I was hosting the Now rate for the album that this was on and really quite liked it and thought it sounded rather ahead of it's time with it's drum'n'bass style and garage beats (albeit I'm not sure it would still be a hit today) and thought why not send it here to see if it could catch on. It was a miracle that it even qualified in all honesty, I didn't think there'd be enough interest in it for that, so it somewhat softened the blow of me being in yet another bottom 2, though at least I wasn't last this time. Still a nice throwback, if a complete oddity amongst my entries these days.

Posted by: Bré 13th February 2017, 11:37 PM

Yayy for 'Dark Star' getting a nod here I would definitely recommend you check out the full version if you still haven't, I just got Hits to make that edit because I didn't want what felt like such a big hit to end up not doing so well just because of its length (I feel much more comfortable sending longer entries now they seem to be more widely accepted ) - the extra buildup to the final breakdown is well worth it. Still no ill will towards Belanger considering I gave that my 12. x

Much love for 'Ghostcity' (a snap 12, and I agree should have been Kylienips' first winner), 'Counting', 'Dance Our Tears Away', 'I'm God' and 'Agoraphobia' from the other away songs there

Very here for you to return to the sound of 'Wolves' in the near future, still an absolute stunner of a track.

M83 will never be a thing

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th February 2017, 01:52 AM

I think I have heard the longer version of Dark Star before out of curiosity, will make sure to revisit it (this is providing me with some wonderful nostalgia trips in my playlists <3)

I'll be carrying on with this soon, but back to the present for a minute~

Terra Avium XCII: Marcus Warner - Africa



So our big 50th entry had to be something quite special that captures our trademark sound, as well as reflecting recent political landmarks for the nation, and we think this one does that just fine. Composed by Marcus Warner (believe it or not, only 20 years old, eep) an epic sweeping orchestral piece of grand scale much like that of Two Steps From Hell that really does not let you go until you may as well be at the top of Pride Rock holding Simba up to the sun. It doesn't have an official video but we found this rather lovely fan made one with clips of African wildlife that fits the song very well and puts me in the mind of watching a David Attenborough documentary <3

Enjoy (and bring tissues as it's a bit heartbreaking towards the end )

Posted by: Dobbo 18th February 2017, 02:32 PM

Wow 20 years old! A beautiful piece this is, I get Ilumbarada vibes in parts, hope it does well.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 28th February 2017, 10:34 PM

Firstly, a big THANKS to everyone that voted Africa high enough so we got to 7th place, our highest placing in over a year *.* A wonderful 50th anniversary present indeed and very encouraging start for the nation's new shared land.

Secondly, we've not done this before but we're really stuck this month and we can't really find anything we LOVE soooo if I could get a second opinion it would be very cool~



Indie song with some cool whistling and guitars and stuff, sounds like it fits in a Western thriller.



Prince-alike kinda folk pop, very catchy number. Doesn't sound like something I'd send at all and initially I thought it would be one I'd only send if I somehow AQ'd some contest



Middle Eastern inspired trip-hop-esque instrumental, it's not quite as amazing as that sounds but still certainly a good one.



Gorgeously subtle (perhaps too much so for this contest), I've been really getting into in love with a ghost (and their song titles) lately.



Jadakissnia-style synthwave instrumental, simple but you can't really go far wrong with Star Wars and synthwave

Posted by: Cody Slayberry 28th February 2017, 10:35 PM

OMG THE WARPATH

I think I was considering that for this edition of Nuggets

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 5th March 2017, 06:48 PM

I like It's a Trap, but out of those I think I'd be most likely to vote for Love as a Weapon

Posted by: Iz~ 5th March 2017, 08:41 PM

in love with a ghost is interesting and I've wondered if they'd show up here, I do really like flowers but I agree it'd be quite a subtle and risky BJSC entry (and sadly it's the one song they have that denies us the wonder of their amazing other titles)

It's A Trap and The Warpath sound the best of the rest.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th March 2017, 09:19 PM

I was considering another song of theirs, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAKy6m83yME *.*

Thanks guys, thinkkk I've got something now ;o (and thanks to all who voted for us yesterday and helped to another top 10 finish at the BJSC Masquerade Ball in our thoroughly unconvincing disguise as Altyr Muunilinst <3)

Posted by: Cody Slayberry 6th March 2017, 10:02 PM

I didn't realize they made the titles for The 1975 albums

Posted by: Chez W♀mbat 3rd April 2017, 01:11 PM

Posted by: Chez Wombat 21st July 2017, 05:12 PM

Well oops, I've not updated this in a while so here's a bump to reassure you.

This month, we were represented by 80s-esque synthwave duo (hailing from Kuala Lumpur as I've just found out, which is wonderful for the diversity) Stellar Dreams, who specialise in M83-like building atmospheric songs that transport you to outer space dancing with stars and planets. At least that's what Infinity does (and other songs including https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_USoax5kh8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HoojaAUgS8, check them out <3).

We were sceptical given the year we've had, but nonetheless we finished 20th with 172 points. Our second highest this year and first proper 'hit' (ie. top half of scoreboard) since Africa by Marcus Warner took us into the top 10 for our 50th anniversary. Thanks all who voted <3

We are set on our next entry and we're hoping it can continue this hit streak, it is a rare recycle for us of an artist sent just this year (not cheap though dw x), but we couldn't when we saw this, who will it be? ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 21st July 2017, 06:11 PM

Also, I've realised I completely forgot about this 50th thing I was doing lmao, I probably set myself too much of a task writing that much in all honesty. I don't like leaving things unfinished and I feel the moment's passed, so I'm just gonna do the copout option and do a list of a ranking of my own 50 entries and a ranking of my 50 favourite discoveries from foreign nations (from BJSC 42 up to and including BJSC 90, as that works out to ten per year from 2012-2016).

I'm sticking to ten entries per year for the away nations just to keep it balanced and not favour certain countries too much (even if they appear in multiple years ), very sorry to those that didn't get a commentary or if you were anticipating one but just know by being on this list, that's praise enough as it is considering that cutting this to 50 was very, very hard!

Home

1. BJSC 76 / Two Steps from Hell / Miracles / 12th/42
2. BJSC 61 / M83 / Un Nouveau Soleil / 6th/31
3. BJSC 84 / Hiatus / Precious Little / 10th/41
4. BJSC 69 / We Are All Astronauts feat. Ellena Soule / Wolves / 18th/32
5. BJSC 92 / Marcus Warner / Africa / 7th/41
6. BJSC 43 / Bastille - Overjoyed / 29th/29
7. BJSC 74 / Crywolf feat. Maigan Kennedy / Home We Made Part II (Skrux remix) / DNQ (25th in Semi Final)
8. BJSC 80 / Owsey, Jernalism & Resotone / I've Been Secretly Falling Apart / 3rd/41
9. BJSC 56 / NO CEREMONY /// / Feelsolow / 9th/31
10. BJSC 81 / U.S. Girls / Woman's Work / DNQ (27th in Semi Final)
11. BJSC 53 / Haiku Salut / Glockelbar / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
12. BJSC 82 / tiasu / Plummet / 12th/41
13. BJSC 88 / Daydreamer / Travelling Light / 10th/42
14. BJSC 90 / Kitchen / Time / 21st/42
15. BJSC 62 / Fickle Friends / SWIM / 26th/31
16. BJSC 44 / Parachute Youth - Can't Get Better Than This / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)
17. BJSC 72 / Power Glove / Crypt / 22nd/31
18. BJSC 58 / Keep Shelly In Athens / Flyway / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
19. BJSC 79 / DIA / ЕГЕЯ / 29th/42
20. BJSC 83 / How I Became The Bomb / Ulay Oh / 27th/42
21. BJSC 71 / OOFJ / You're Always Good / DNQ (16th in the Semi Final)
22. BJSC 89 / Kids of the Apocalypse / Better Life / 19th/42
23. BJSC 91 / Alev Lenz / Fall Into Me / DNQ (22nd in Semi Final)
24. BJSC 57 / Youngblood Hawke / We Come Running / 17th/31
25. BJSC 64 / Bok Bok feat. Kelela / Melba's Call / 23rd/52
26. BJSC 86 / Illenium feat. Joni Fatora / Fortress / 20th/42
27. BJSC 52 / Feathers / Land of the Innocent / 30th/30
28. BJSC 87 / Essaie Pas / Le Port du Masque est Rigeur / DNQ (29th in Semi Final)
29. BJSC 54 / Kissy Sell Out feat. Saint Saviour / Gimme Sin / 21st/32
30. BJSC 49 / WALK THE MOON - Anna Sun / DNQ (16th in Semi Final)
31. BJSC 85 / Delhi 2 Dublin / Apples / 31st/41
32. BJSC 75 / Coyote Kisses / Ferrari / 30th/41
33. BJSC 77 / Milk & Bone / Pressure / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)
34. BJSC 65 / Miami Horror feat. Cleobold / Colours In The Sky / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)
35. BJSC 50 / Shields - Mezzanine / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)
36. BJSC 67 / Flight Facilities feat. Elizabeth Rose / I Didn't Believe / 23rd/32
37. BJSC 42 / Kaskade feat. Skylar Grey - Room For Happiness / 28th/29
38. BJSC 51 / Woman E / You Stole That Summer (Bright Light Bright Light Remix) / 31st/31
39. BJSC 60 / Llamas In Need / Did You Ever See a Llama? / DNQ (21st in Semi Final)
40. BJSC 63 / Bloodgroup / Cut Out Your Tongue (Girl Unit Remix) / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
41. BJSC 55 / BURNS - Limitless / DNQ (20th in Semi Final)
42. BJSC 78 / Slow Magic / Girls / 38th/42
43. BJSC 68 / Summer Heart / U Got All I'm Looking For / DNQ (25th in Semi Final)
44. BJSC 73 / MOWE / Birds Flying High / 22nd/34
45. BJSC 70 / Jaimeson / Complete / 30th/31
46. BJSC 59 / Dreamtrak / Odyssey Part 2 (A.G Cook Remix) / 16th/32
47. BJSC 46 / Forss - In Paradisum / DNQ (26th in Semi Final)
48. BJSC 48 / Starsmith - Zeros / DNQ (19th in Semi Final)
49. BJSC 45 / I Am A Camera - Factory Boys / DNQ (17th in Semi Final)
50. BJSC 47 / The Bullitts - World Inside Your Rainbow / DNQ (23rd in Semi Final)

Couldn't be anything else as my number 1 rlly, asides from being one of my all time it sorta helped shape my style since and I just love that sound too much and am so glad it has an audience these days. This is fairly arbitrary and could change any time but this is pretty reflective (I had no idea where to rank the Llama Song so just put it in between the songs I do still listen to and those I don't )

Away

1. BJSC 43 / Zechonia - Lindsey Stirling – Crystallize
2. BJSC 65 / Quintessa – Natural Animal – Who You Are
3. BJSC 45 / Ingermanlandia – Woodkid – Run Boy Run
4. BJSC 46 / Aeroche – Trentemoller – moan
5. BJSC 44 / Lake Thermwoods – First Aid Kit – Emmylou
6. BJSC 60 / Usfland – Tom Day – Going Home
7. BJSC 65 / Cumulonimbia – Max Richter – Spring 1 (Ade Laugee Remix)
8. BJSC 51 / N DNTN – Autre Ne Veut – Counting
9. BJSC 65 / Greenfroze – Hang the DJ – Dark Dark in The Night
10. BJSC 70 / Aeroche – Henry Saiz – All the Evil in This World
11. BJSC 82 / Ethanola – Hilight Tribe – Free Tibet (Vini Vici Remix)
12. BJSC 53 / Ingermanlandia - NONONO - Pumpin’ Blood
13. BJSC 67 / Persephonia – Jay Dabhi & Moises Modesto – Cry for Freedom
14. BJSC 62 / Skall – Christopher Tin & The Soweto Gospel Choir – Baba Yetu
15. BJSC 81 / Seyetana – Nayo Hiiragi – Requiem
16. BJSC 79 / Persephonia – DANCE WITH THE DEAD – Waves
17. BJSC 78 / Singerpurear - Kishi Bashi – I Am The Anti-Christ to You
18. BJSC 84 / Fljotavik – Big Black Delta feat. Debbie Gibson – RCVR
19. BJSC 53 / Sandeborg – John de Sohn feat. Kristin Amparo – Dance Our Tears Away
20. BJSC 84 / Vulkyria – The Flavor – Shosholoza
21. BJSC 56 / Kylienips – Thomas Azier – Ghostcity
22. BJSC 83 / #00274E – Paul Cronin – Now Bad Boy
23. BJSC 76 / Florina – Jai Wolf – Indian Summer
24. BJSC 61 / Utopia – Kye Kye – Honest Affection
25. BJSC 74 / #00274E – machineheart – snow (Myles Travitz remix)
26. BJSC 71 / Trifoski – Yeasayer – O.N.E.
27. BJSC 62 / FARC – S O H N – Artifice
28. BJSC 87 / Jadakissnia – FM 84 – Arcade Summer
29. BJSC 60 / Usfland – Twin Shadow – Five Seconds
30. BJSC 46 / Herzebania – Phase Spin feat. Matty G & Jolene – Let You Go
31. BJSC 76 / Skall – The Very Best – Yoshua Alikuti
32. BJSC 67 / Florina – Vanic x Machineheart – Circles
33. BJSC 75 / Jadakissnia – ONUKA – Time
34. BJSC 81 / What – Kontrust – Sock N Doll
35. BJSC 54 / PRoJ – Phoenix – Entertainment
36. BJSC 87 / Persephonia – TWRR – Water Frozen
37. BJSC 57 / Trifoski – Autoheart – Agoraphobia
38. BJSC 57 / Persephonia – Jaymes Young – Dark Star (Kiely Rich Remix), BJSC LVII, (Hitstastic Black Dwarf Radio Edit)
39. BJSC 70 / Altyr Muunilinst – Porter Robinson – Sea of Voices
40. BJSC 85 / New Lexico – Celtic Woman feat. Oonagh – Tir na nÓg
41. BJSC 76 / PRoJ – Neon Indian – Annie
42. BJSC 87 / FSR Rontvia – Ortiga – Illumbarada
43. BJSC 58 / Skall – Clams Casino – I’m God
44. BJSC 47 / Tinnmark – Wild at Heart – Darling
45. BJSC 73 / Utopia – Mr Fijiwiji feat. Danyka Nadeau – Yours Truly
46. BJSC 45 / #00274E – The Sound of Arrows – Conquest
47. BJSC 75 / Espen – Etienne De Crecy feat. Madeline Follin – You
48. BJSC 47 / Kylienips – Kyla La Grange – Walk Through Walls
49. BJSC 55 / Batidas – Manufactured Superstars – Zombies in Love
50. BJSC 42 / Numayania – The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – Heart Attack

Again quite arbitrarily ranked and could be different on another day but I feel like that top 5 is set in stone. Crystallize, apart from being one of my first 12s, again reflected the different varieties and styles of music that I could find in this contest and would eventually shape my own choices in entries as well as played a large part in the shifting of my own music taste to that of one less mainstream and what made me stick around the contest in the first place! Shame the country is inactive these days but it felt right to put this there. It's fairly close in that top 5 though, I still absolutely love Who You Are (coming from three (!) entries in the top 10 from that contest) and listen to it loads and 3-5, as I discussed earlier, represent early BJSC memories in a similar vein to Crystallize and have still stuck with me well.

Nothing from beyond 2014 in the top 10 JUST YET as I like to let songs grow over time, but the contest is still pretty much strong as ever right now so perhaps we could see some changes whenever I next do a ranking like this! (my 100th? eek)

So that's that then, I can finally change my subtitle lol. Sorry I flopped with this, but thanks to all for five wonderful years (and a bit) of discoveries and here's to many many more <3

Posted by: Cucumberella 21st July 2017, 06:21 PM

womans work so high up!!! that kind of terra sound is my FAVOURITE

40. BJSC 63 / Bloodgroup / Cut Out Your Tongue (Girl Unit Remix) / DNQ (18th in Semi Final)
46. BJSC 59 / Dreamtrak / Odyssey Part 2 (A.G Cook Remix) / 16th/32

TOO LOW the latter!!!! u dont listen to these anymore?! i listen to these a lot still!!!

yay for two in ur top 10 <3

Posted by: SevenSees 21st July 2017, 07:10 PM

^ my favourite Terra tracks! Feathers and Bloodgroup especially are massively underrated (think i underestimated just how good Land of the Innocent is, such a gorgeous atmosphere <3)

Highly appreciate the Trifoski inclusions O.N.E is a classic and Agoraphobia is always wonderfully emosh :'''(

Posted by: Chez Wombat 21st July 2017, 07:35 PM

Well I listen to them a bit (Bloodgroup more so after Masquerade reminded me of it), but generally they just didn't stay with me I think I just prefer the original of Odyssey Part 2 (I think I just thought this would be more of a hit so sent that oops, though I still do love the additional lyrics for how random they are)

Woman's Work gets better every time I listen to it, maybe it wasn't right for this contest, but still, quite a gutting DNQ :'(



Poor underrated feathers </3

I very nearly sent Agoraphobia at the time, but I never got round to it, I'm glad you did though as it made me rediscover it!

Posted by: Jade 24th July 2017, 05:59 PM

Really pleased to have not one but two songs in an all-time list for you Chez!! ONUKA is a terrific choice and I think 'Arcade Summer' has really cemented itself as a favourite of my own from last year. FM-84 getting recycled in Masquerade really brought me back to it a bit in particular.

Fantastic winner in your home list *.* 'Miracles' is just stunning. Glad to see 'Woman's Work' in your top 10 also, that one is forever underrated </3

Posted by: Leonardo 25th July 2017, 11:26 AM

Highest active country in the away list (I'll take my arbitrary victories where I can find them)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 31st July 2017, 03:26 PM

A rare recycle from us at Terra Avium, brought timely to coincide with new material from Steven Wilson, who represented Rolloland back in BJSC 94 with Routine. This material has been some minor flack from his existing fans for being a bit 'sell out' and mainstream sounding compared to his earlier prog-rock material, however I think this packs a real emotional punch just as much as those. The two voices work wonderfully together and when the guitars enter at the halfway point, it soars. Hope you all like~

-x-



It was FM 84's masquerade entry that really got me into it, I checked out the whole album and it's marvellous



Always the ones that never stick around that send the best songs :'( (it was really, really close, I still love Who You Are a lot <3)

Posted by: Capybréra 3rd August 2017, 12:00 AM

A slightly late response (I was a bit occupied when you posted this and meant to respond later but forgot to until now oops) but hooray for having 4 appearances in your 'away' list, all very fine choices, especially 'Cry For Freedom' of course and it's lovely to see an inclusion for one of my less big hits in 'Water Frozen' as well. With the one obvious standout exception in that top 5 (lol) that list works fine as a good BJSC greatest hits *.* Two Steps From Hell, We Are All Astronauts, Crywolf and Owsey are all among my absolute favourites of my favourites of your entries as well so hooray at them being in your 'home' top 10.

For a more timely response, 'Pariah' didn't disappoint at all, another beautiful track from Steven Wilson a different direction for him but still sounding just as good, hope this can be another hit! Hearing this is reminding me that I still haven't yet got around to listening to 'Hand. Cannot. Erase.', I really must remedy this.

Posted by: Cucumberella 7th August 2017, 08:53 PM

this is INCREDIBLE. i liked routine but this really something else WIN PLEASE

Posted by: Cursed Wombat 26th October 2017, 10:19 PM

Sorry for the lack of updates since, let's sort this now x For the big milestone 100th contest, Terra Avium have ofc. gone for an instrumental sound, but a genre we haven't tackled before in New Age. Cusco are a German New Age project that were active in the late 90s and early 00s and I have really been stanning their worldly epic sounds, especially when they tackle great myths and legends like that of the tragic story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Every bit of the danger, grandeur and ofc. soothing music of their story is captured in this six minute epic. We hope you find it to your liking~

Stay tuned as well for standard EOY stuff and also some fun stuff to mark the anniversary I'm sure ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 6th February 2018, 07:52 PM

OK time for an update (no big paragraphs I'm afraid, go to Persephonia's national thread for those).

So BJSC 100 wasn't too big a success in the end, with our amazing multi layered instrumental failing to make the final to unfortunately leave us out in the cold for the big milestone I still plan to make Cusco happen though, it perhaps wasn't the best idea to send something so niche when the semis were as big as they are.

However there have been various successes since~

TBO was a decent success for us this year, unlike last year, we managed to get an entry going right through to the final with our original runner up in BJSC 97, 'Pariah' by Steven Wilson feat. Ninet Tayab (revealed recently to be the nation's #1 song of the year yay~) and one that turned out to be our highest placing entry in TBO yet finishing 3rd with 119 points, a much better result than the 20th place achieved by Owsey et al. two years earlier and outperforming the song that beat us - Norda and Mike De Ville - Gypsy (Catch Me If You Can) sent by Quintessa, making us moral winners We didn't get any of our other entries past the nominations stage, but this was more than enough~

TBO Rejects was less of a success but still a fairly good one as we managed three out of four of our DNQs progressing past the nominations stage (and very nearly 4/4 purely for being one of the few nations competing that bothered to vote lmao). Conner Youngblood's The Warpath managed to get to the semis, though finished fairly low down. Better news for Alev Lenz's Fall Into Me (The ORIGINAL Black Mirror entry don't forget that x) and Varien's Lilith (which technically shouldn't have even been here anyway, but we've covered that x) who both made it to the final, though finishing in comparatively paltry positions of 18th and 26th out of 30 respectively. Still some justice was had and it continues our final streak for the rejects after US Girls last year.

But it was the Andra Chansen what really matters - where we finally managed a winner *.* Quite unexpectedly to all Terra Avium residents (we weren't even around to see it at the time), but it did turn our to be second time lucky for one of our all time favourite and unique discoveries in our participation record - the Ade Laugee remix of Max Richter's Spring 1, a masterful mix of classical and contemporary styles, who finished 1st with a point shy of 100. A wonderful result for us all, complimented by the fact there were two of our previous entries, entered from a time where we were much more susceptible to flopping, in the contest who both performed decently too - Youngblood Hawke's We Come Running entered by Altyr Muunilinst finished 6th and Woman E's You Stole That Summer (one of our rare pop-dance outings) was entered by New Lexico and finished 14th. President Orlee could not be contacted for a comment on this momentuous event due to the sheer amount of alcohol and dangerous flying occuring in the nation that night.

Worldvision also returned for a third outing, always fun. This time we were gifted with Czech Republic and we were lucky to find that they did ska music very well indeed and found an entry almost instantly - the incredibly hard to type but marvellous ska version of Little Talks, Tieksac - Z Hofmanek na Belveder, it proved a big success finishing 11th out of 40, a new personal best for us at one place higher than our venture into Norway - East High 2016 finishing 12th for us in the last edition. Thank you all who voted, we must aim to visit this Earth one day~

And finally BJSC 101, where we finished 17th with our quite wonderful Russian distortion-heavy dark Die Arntwood soundalike...or at least we would've had we been quicker than Persephonia on the confirmations thread No our actual entry was a still great eight minute trance epic, Quiet Storm by former South Danaelandan representatives Aly & Fila with vocals from Sue Mclaren. It was a fairly decent success, finishing 22nd (our third song to do so, as we found out yesterday), we have finally at least qualified in January, this being the first time that's happened since 2014 with M83 (one of our biggest successes), I guess the dark indie pop female vocal just doesn't work The contest was won by Ashton, with the very catchy Sofia that was, praise be, a song we voted for that won. This was also the first time we'd been in a confirmation battle since sparring with Kylienips in 47 for Kyla La Grange's Walk Through Walls and Seyetana in 50 for the artist Saint Saviour (which I eventually ended up entering a few contests later).

AND NOW THE HYPE

Posted by: Bré 6th February 2018, 08:31 PM

West Aaaaaafricaaaaah?

It was interesting that our songs ended up so close together for basically the whole results (right next to each other in the semi as well!) - not like I really denied you a particularly incredible result so I guess just think of it as a contest with 2 great Terra Avium songs in it instead of just the one x

This is such a great start to the year for Terra Avium though with you getting my top marks in both of the spinoff things and I guess you would have been right at the top of my votes in 101 too had I not stolen your entry 'Z Hofmanek Na Belveder' is maybe my favourite discovery from any of the Worldvisions so far, delightfully bonkers ~ excited for what is to come the rest of the year.

(oh yeah and a late boo you hoes at Cusco not qualifying ofc)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 19th March 2018, 05:52 PM

Idk, but it's kinda cool right?

(advisory note: not to be watched before bedtime)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 11th July 2018, 12:10 PM

Our 64th entry into the Buzzjack Song Contest is a rather multicultural affair. Taken at the time of the World Cup, I thought there could be nothing else. Langage (French for, you guessed it, 'Language') is a duet between French electronic artist, Moodoid and Japanese hip-hop/electro group, Wednesday Campanella (on their second appearance here after their 36th placing for Persephonia in BJSC 77) to create an MGMT-esque electro-pop song about the depths of discovering new languages using both of their mother tongues. It's a really sweet and lovely song that is matched by an adorable and funny video that is definitely worth watching. We hope it enchants some of you to return us to the final after not the best first half success-wise.

Posted by: Bré 15th July 2018, 10:36 PM

Love love love, both the song and the video. Getting a good feeling about this doing quite well, should at least avenge the insultingly low placing 'Shakushain' got xx

Posted by: Chez Wombat 20th November 2018, 09:32 PM

So quite a few things to update~

BJSC CIX: Time for a return to good form

Last contest, we went a bit of a different direction with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB0VJn_-zgI, a love letter to 80s classic shimmering synth pop sound and probably one of our most poppy entries yet (it coming after the seven minute ambience of We Are All Astronauts, I dare say probably a relief to some x), for sure, it did alienate a lot of my core fanbase, but the good news was it appealed to a larger number of entrants than my usual niche and was our first top 10 of the year peaking at 10th with just under 200 points which is simply wonderful, our 3rd hit to peak here in fact after Hiatus' Precious Little and Daydreamer's Travelling Light both from 2016. In a year where we have underperformed in the final quite a bit (or maybe that's just due to expectations) despite only DNQing twice, so this sets things up very well, thanks once again all for voting~


BJSC Halloween: The Solace of WINNING



So, we were very pleased that, to date the only contest that we have hosted here (we will win the rights one day </3), Halloween, was resurrected from the dead in a timely return recently. We were even more pleased to find that we were chosen as the relatively clear winner this time around *. The track - a unique hybrid mix of drum n bass, breakbeat, hardcore and various other sub genres (I hope I'm on the right lines here) has just about everything you could want from a scary dance track - creepy Satan voice at the start, a pulsating beat, breakneck pace and constant switch ups (including a delicious section from 1:21-2:21). We couldn't be happier to see it win, thanks to everyone that voted, it will remain to be seen if we made the wrong choice sending this here instead of my current entry to the main contest, speaking of...

BJSC CX: Goblin - Suspiria



Our 68th entry to BJSC sees us go back to our niche roots after a month off (it's almost like we learnt nothing at all x), with what is our oldest ever entry with a slice of Italian progressive rock from 1977. Released as the lead track from the soundtrack of the Dario Argento film, Suspiria, it captures the creepy, unsettling and incredibly artful vibes of the classic film and coming at the same time as the remake by Luca Guadagnino, it felt an apt time to send this. How it will do we cannot tell, but we certainly hope it's a discovery to some as it deserves to be recognised by everyone as the all time classic it is.

Posted by: Bré 21st November 2018, 11:37 PM

I do really like 'Suspiria' but Helblinde was so much better! But then again, I'm not sure if 'The Solace Of Oblivion' would quite have gone all the way to a win in the main contest so maybe you did make the right choice depending on what your priorities are so thrilled that did win the Halloween spinoff anyway, what a monster () of a tune, makes up for 'Fortuna Redux' just missing out on the win in Club Bizarre as well! (I assume you know that the same person is behind both Helblinde and Fractal Dreamers ;o)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 21st November 2018, 11:50 PM

Omg no I didn't (although that does make a lot of sense!), safe to say that he is my favourite new discovery of the year *.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th April 2019, 12:36 PM

Time for an update! Let's keep this as succinct as possible.

BJSC CX: Darkness, Tears and Sighs...

So this didn't go very well, finishing second last with a paltry 25 points. I still can't believe you all have the audacity to snub such a classic horror soundtrack from one of the best horror films of all time, but whatever, the witches will deal with you all later, sleep soundly...

BJSC TBO: A fruitful year at the start with not much pay-off

This was actually probably one of the years where a lot more of our songs than usual qualified. In the main TBO, we managed two entries getting past the nomination stage despite neither setting the scoreboard alight the first time around, they were Quiet Storm (initially 22nd) and the still beautiful Langage (initially 17th), unfortunately the joy was short lived as both bombed out in the semis, but I suppose one can't expect more when they were surprise qualifiers as they were. Was nice while it lasted I guess~

Things went a bit better in Rejects when that eventually came about, where thankfully justice was at least part way to being achieved with Suspiria qualifying, I guess the visits from the witches helped knock some sense into people and even the loltacular bizarre-fest, Koto managed to get a few fans, truth be told the nation has been trying to put this behind us as it was a time when a drunk Hoatzin tampered with the entering system that month, he has subsequently been jailed and so this will never happen again Unfortunately the final didn't go as well, with neither finishing outside the bottom 10, Suspiria finishing 31st and Koto finishing 35th. A sad turn of events, but at least Suspiria has the honour of being technically our highest representation in this season of TBO, justice, in a way, has been served.

BJSC CXI: Dreams of a final...squandered



To start the year off, we entered a song we'd been considering for a while - an epic building ambient piece Everdream by the aptly named Epic Soul Factory, that brings to mind the smallest souls reaching for the stars. It's a moving beautiful piece, however we were lumbered with potentially the worst semi draw we could've got and limped out in the semis finishing 27th/29. A disaster for a track so wonderful. So much so, that it has lead to tension in the nation for our resident ducks given the hosting country Oslol's affiliation with our amphibious natives.

BJSC CXII: être la deuxième place



The good news is we followed up a contest low with our joint best...again. Yes, it seems us birds are forever doomed to the second place, and while the vast majority are very happy, it has been setting right wing tabloids like the The Hooters wondering if we are ever destined to win again and whether the calls of a referendum of us parting ways with the BJSC customs union (deemed by the tabloids as Birdxit) growing from our feathered residents due to the deteriorating relations with humans are justified. However, President Orleé has stood firm that a second place is nonetheless very much welcomed and we shall keep trying to get that elusive win, and that Birds know better than to let the public decide clear political issues like this.

(Thanks everyone that voted xx)

BJSC CXIII: Fast pace is dead and buried



Which brings us to the current contest which we were fortunate enough to gain an AQ for with this subtle, beautiful, luscious piece of balladry from a side project of Daughter, Ex:Re. It has already gone one better than the other two Daughter entries here (criminally, srsly what were you all on with Youth?) and made it to the final, we certainly hope that more see it's subtle and raw power and see it to a decent placing in the final.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th May 2019, 12:29 PM

BJSC CXIV: Ode to a cleaner



This month, we send our first ever Turkish language entry, Altin Gun, though it is actually from a Dutch outfit so I guess a win-win for diversity there. Based on an old Turkish folk song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_-Iyv5zNSY if interested, This version of the song, Süpürgesi Yoncadan (which apparently translates to something like broom cleaner in English, might just be Google Translate being dodgy) adds some spiky synths and a constantly building (and boppy) production making it right up to date, the last bit with 30 seconds to go in particular is something to behold. The animated video featuring a psychedelic dancing naked woman (PG warning x) makes it rather avant garde and hypnotising in tone. Enjoy~

Posted by: Bré 8th May 2019, 07:39 PM

This is fabulous, I greatly approve of more modern versions of old folk songs being in the contest x

Posted by: Chez Wombat 22nd July 2019, 03:40 PM

BJSC CXVI: Nothing to see here



Our last offering we'll be able to gift to the BJSC masses before we give our feathers a breather in the contest for a while to deal with some unexpected political problems, but don't worry it's completely worth it, an all-star collaboration between the stars of the ricco label, a label speciailsing in Japanese cinematic post-rock/orchestral music, including long-time Terra Avium representatives, films making their main contest debut. It's a moving, desolate affair with strong percussion, building strings and wistful operatic vocals, it really pulls you in as you go along and the ending is breathtaking. Make this one do well guys, I'm relying on you xx And if you like this, do check out their other two simultaneous releases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5eWEvzMok and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Swcq_GkZiwc and the rest of the https://riccolabel.bandcamp.com/music which also showcase the beautiful cinematic sound that can come out of Japan.

Posted by: Bré 28th July 2019, 05:51 PM

3 for 3 on the films songs being wonderful, this might actually be my favourite of the 3

I hope you'll only be missing the one contest after this!!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 20th January 2020, 08:02 PM

Will 2020 be the year I actually remember to keep this constantly updated? We'll see, but might as well start out right.

Quick update for 2019.

BJSC CXVII-CXX catch up
Indian bagpipe dubstep craziness as my BIG COMEBACK wasn't quite as hot as I expected to say the least and beautiful soul-pop ballad from an artist from my new favourite country of South Africa also didn't, but did kinda well considering. Thankfully, I got my dues from the always classic piano ballad sound in this beautiful number from Efisio Cross with a picture that will make any Game of Thrones fans cry. It finished 9th, giving me a second top 10 hit of the year, I would go into my EOY stats but we haven't them yet as our provider is slightly late ;-) Can't argue with a year with just one DNQ though, a new record from us.



BJSC Christmas: Jingle all the way to the top!
It was a rather good festive season for us this year as the Christmas spin-off returned and we took the opportunity to send serial Terra Avium artist, Two Steps From Hell, fresh off winning a main BJSC contest and coming 2nd for yours truly in BJSC YBO, this one continued that run of form by finishing 2nd again....before a deduction to the non-voting winner meant we won Our third spin-off win after Andra Chansen and Halloween II, so I guess it's something in the seasons. Christmas playlists are probably tucked away now but we'd highly recommend you add https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOOaH6BAwvY to your playlists for next time as it's a gloriously epic take on your favourite carols.

BJSC TBO:
...is ongoing! Please vote La Phaze in TBO Semi 1, we very nearly got Everdream to this stage, a great feat seeing it's dismal original result, but it alas just missed out.

BJSC CXXI: Sing my Angel of Music
And that brings us to our current entry and first of the new decade! It's not often we opt for covers, but this one is a metal re-imagining of the classic original that fits wonderfully that adds a real fear and dread factor to the already sinister song, the last minute opera closer particularly you really get the sense that the phantom is forcing the vocals out of Christine perhaps even more so than the original and it's gripping to listen to. It's most surprising that it comes from two YouTubers (who also do many metal Disney covers and Google Translate songs) who are certainly rather talented going by this. Quite the surprise package ;o

Posted by: Chez Wombat 27th March 2020, 05:52 PM

Updating not going quite as well, but I'm back to it~



BJSC CXXII: Thinking Introspectively

We turned to our good old friend the piano instrumental last contest in a beautifully building and highly addictive electronic-tinged instrumental with a certain ~avant garde~ tone to it as the stunningly shot video filmed in Reykjavik, Iceland backs up with it's imagery. It's a thing of wonder though, and it gave us a very respectable 16th placing, a much better start to the year than the sad fate of the Phantom of the Opera last contest frustratingly missing out on qualifying by just a few points. It also won it's own battle in a rather rare occurence of there being two piano instrumentals in the final, with Persephonia sending the similarly haunting and avant-garde vibes of In Pursuit of Ghosts by Max Cooper and Tom Hodges. Sadly, this one didn't quite catch on as well, finished 30th.


And now this here contest



BJSC CXXIII: Azure approaching

For our mini landmark 80th entry, we send a song that is very much our thing. Fractal Dreamers have long been a favourite of the nation's music committee and have been making waves in external, underground contests with other entries for a while now so it was only a matter of time before they were entered to the main contest. A song just as epic as the images its title conjures up, it is a gloriously triumphant mix of orchestral classical music and drum'n'bass, electronic which moves at a breakneck pace towards a stunning crescendo. If you like this one, make sure to check them out on Bandcamp, their art style of music combined with modern electronic beats is really quite excellent and their EPs are all great listens.

Posted by: Dobbo 3rd April 2020, 11:16 AM

Absolutely brilliant. Not quite on the level of Fortuna Redux but I'm fully behind this being a smash in the big fish. This *should* prompt me to check out more of their stuff really!

Posted by: TheSnake 5th September 2020, 07:13 PM

Your new entry LCD Soundsystem - Seconds is great, reminds me a bit of the band Sisters of Mercy.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 5th September 2020, 08:39 PM

Ooh, great to see another fan, thanks, you've also reminded me how much of a flop I've been at updating this One day I will remember to do it per contest, let's start from now

-x-

BJSC CXXVII: A shot was heard around the world



For purely the fact that it was a random track I discovered last year, We've decided this month to send this album cut from last year's live album by LCD Soundsystem. If it sounds unmistakably 80s, it's because the song they're covering is actually from there, a song on the Dare album by the Human League which was written about the death of president, John F Kennedy, hence the rather bleak lyrics and morose tone, yet it still sounds striking and danceable with blaring synths and a very catchy chorus, and even more impressive given it was recorded live in the studio. I've seen comparisons to Joy Division and New Order in the YouTube comments and I can certainly see that too, have a listen and see for yourself~

Posted by: Thom Regulus Kay 5th September 2020, 08:40 PM

Love this too, you’d better make it in

Posted by: Chez Wombat 27th September 2020, 09:54 PM

BJSC CXXVIII: A confusing land

So this month, we quite unexpectedly have the job of co-hosting, so with the most rushed preparation for a hosting ever, there's a certain pressure to qualify else we'd be one of the few hosts in history to not be in the final they are hosting. But ultimately, we don't really like sending an 'obvious hit' as that's boring, so we sent this rather bizarre thing and just hope for the best. Called a 'break up song with the planet' (a sentiment that can definitely be understood in these times), this very strange, distortion-heavy, assault on the senses is accompanied by haunting Latin vocals from featured singer Lalita and a garish, trippy, rather disturbing video that makes this a notable one. Will probably charm and deter as many, but I hope some of you get some enjoyment out of this. Recommended for fans of Die Arntwood and Arca in particular~

Posted by: Dobbo 2nd October 2020, 02:18 PM

This is great, and better than their other entry from a few years back.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 22nd November 2020, 02:39 PM

The scenes of the last few weeks in the land of the birds could be described as 'disarray'. Following on a successful hosting job, morale was high as we sent our 86th entry, however disaster struck, as early projections did not look good for us and after various demonstrations we ended up finishing dead last with 3 points given to us by just one nation...

Never mind that our entry in question (Neev's Breathe) was beautiful and did not deserve that low, we couldn't even get that much sought after null pointer, preventing the first ever null pointer in a final and can't even get one back, unacceptable

This has led to widespread outrage, with many claiming the three points we received were fraudulent and there have been multiple referrals to the Crown Pigeon Court as well opposition leader, Donald Duck, calling for foul play without any evidence.

Amongst all the craziness though, the selection process for next month's entry has become seriously faulty, with many putting the blame on both parties' extreme reactions to the last month and has resulted in our usual internal process going haywire and coming up with some bizarre choices, what punters are already calling the Meltdown contest.

Due to tensions in our own land and bird's general lack of ability to fix machines, we thus have no choice but to turn to the BJSC public for the first time in YEARS to decide which of these should be our next entry, though we should warn they are a little more left-field than usual.









...or who knows, we may have something even more insane up our sleeves

Posted by: Cody Goes On 22nd November 2020, 06:06 PM

BUM BUM BUM

GOT ANY GRAPES???

iconic

Posted by: Rob S~ 22nd November 2020, 06:15 PM

!!!! I was introduced to The Duck Song by a friend a couple of years ago. I must admit I didn't get it but it would certainly be a choice in BJSC lol.

Posted by: ✖ leww ✖ 22nd November 2020, 06:47 PM

we're not encouraging this.

Posted by: diva thin muffin 22nd November 2020, 07:28 PM

DUCK SONG PLEASE

Posted by: King Rollo 23rd November 2020, 04:32 PM

All four of those are better than the winner of the last contest. I liked the metal version of Thomas The Tank Engine the best.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 11th January 2021, 07:23 PM

BJSC CXXXI: Riding into bleakness



2021 has gotten off to a bleak start for many of the Terra universe, the alleged disease spreading from bats that had been plaguing Terra Mammalia for all of 2020 may have infiltrated the Avian border this year (not helped by the rambunctious and slightly out of control protests that occurred last year, resulting in what was one of our strangest entries closing out the year). Many of the nation was not in the mood to vote, so it can only be something bleak and depressing starting us off.

But really, this is a very gloomy and incredibly haunting piece of music that Varien wrote while she (yep it's she now, came out as transgender last year!) was in depression and this work really functions well as a musical representation to this. It's a vast and expansive piece of music that through three very distinct parts - experimental electronica, classical influences and chilling distortion - explores the pit of sadness. I wish it had some more visuals, it would make perfect music to a dark animation or something.

This truly beautiful piece of music compelled us to do the dirty act of self-recycling, but we hope it's worth it. The last time we sent Varien did result in a pretty heartbreaking DNQ that actually shouldn't have done so, more recent songs from him in both BJSC and other contests have done better so here's hoping for some justice to be done this time!

Posted by: Golden Maknae 12th January 2021, 02:42 AM

just wanna point out bc i found out sometime last year/two years ago but Varien came out as trans!

Posted by: Bré 12th January 2021, 04:44 AM

As it says in the post Chez made...

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th January 2021, 08:50 AM

People not reading my rambling confirmed

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th April 2021, 12:31 PM

I've decided I'm only gonna update when I feel I have something particular to say about my entry x

-x-

BJSC CXXXIV: Sorrow for an Unfinished Dream

Following on from one of our most successful entries to a DNQ, one would think we'd want to play it safe to get back to our Q streak but sod that, instead let's send our longest ever entry! I like to live dangerously x

It's been a while since we've sent post-rock (none since Time (Inception) way back in 2016), it can be hard to find standout examples of the genre, but we certainly have here. Taken from the similarly titled, Sorrow for an Unfinished Dream by the Iranian post-rock group, Crows in the Rain, Unfinished Dream of Sadako is a gloriously building ambient piece that unfolds itself gradually before reaching soaring heights and then winding down throughout its hefty, near eleven minute runtime.

The Sadako in the title is not the Ring character, but actually Sadako Sasaki who (to quote vimeo) as a Japanese girl who was 2 years old when an American atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, near her home next to the Misasa Bridge but survived. Sasaki became one of the most widely known hibakusha – a Japanese term meaning "bomb-affected person". She is remembered through the story of the one thousand origami cranes she folded before her death, and is to this day a symbol of the innocent victims of nuclear warfare. The sombre and sometimes scarily shrill guitar throughout could reflect the grandeur of effort of unrealised dreams.

Many beautiful examples of the imagery such as the origami crane can be found in the video which is sadly only available on Vimeo, it also abridges the song a bit to a more manageable 6:30, so those of you allergic to long songs may want to use this one (and do give it a watch anyway, it's got some beautiful visuals in):



But I personally think the song is at its very best in its original length, so if you're into this sort of thing (and I'm not anticipating this will convert anyone that isn't x), please do check out the extended version as it really makes the most of the glorious build-up and is a truly spellbinding ten minutes:

Posted by: Chez Wombat 22nd April 2021, 08:38 PM

So we qualified yay! Thank you muchly to all who voted, we hope some peeps that were in Semi 1 can get some enjoyment this too and we can get a semi-respectable final position x

Also, thanks to the wonderfully charitable and hard-working hosts and our own flag going AWOL apart from avatar form now Tinypic has died, we have a new flag We are quite the fans of this Egyptian style and while it may be as wistful as our old one, it's the more dynamic look that we need right now (as well as y'know, resembling a flag rather than some text photoshopped on an image!)



Thanks once again to Jafet for the awesome job

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th June 2021, 04:20 PM

Times have changed. The Birds are no more, after being let out of our hiding place for the first time, we have overthrown those petty feathered beasts and now reign supreme as masters of the land. Now we have done this, nothing can stop us from taking the BJSC world! The first stage will be hypnotising all countries into submission with indoctrinating material mashed into a song of some kind. First we will win this song contest and then the world. There is no if. Your new world leaders are here. LOBSTER SUPREMACY.





(will I get bored of this after a month, maybe)

Posted by: uhsting 9th June 2021, 06:12 PM

I can't help but chuckle at this new country name

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th July 2021, 04:12 PM

New takeover at the top

Democracy has resumed in the state of Terra Avium as after (through much propaganda and suspected foul play) the lobsters got their way to the final of BuzzjackFestivalen with their national anthem, they were under the impression that they would go unchallenged from here on out thanks to all the work already done and win. However this was not the case as they instead found themselves joint last, it was enough to make the leadership go awry and for the secret society of crisis management avian kind to call a coup and retake the land. This experience has made the birds considerably more united and has made up for many of their past political problems.

BJSC CXXXVI: Reclaiming the streets

In celebration of our defeat against the lobsters, the avian community has selected this triumphant and blissfully produced track from previous contest entrant Richard Hawley. We feel a change of mood is needed after the generally moody and dark feel of our entries in the first part of the year and this Smiths/Bowie/Orbison esque, string-laden love song perfectly encapsulates that mood, let's hope the streets of the semis are ours as well x

Posted by: Chez Wombat 22nd January 2022, 02:58 PM

...Happy New Year!

COUNTDOWN TO 100

The nation of birds is stoked to be just two contests away from their 100th contest, our entry is already selected and we have a few festivities to go over to mark the occasion. Watch this space for more, but for now, let's see what flying successes we have for you between now and then

BJSC CXLI: I'm so mysterious...



Our 98th entry is an artist we never expected to be sending, two points to their former entry Golden Ticket sent over forty contests ago is the extent of our past affection for Highasakite, that is until they come back with a near ten-minute song which drastically changed what we thought we knew of them. Starting as a more blogpop-esque song that didn't hit me instantly, but I grew to appreciate its intense feel and emotive vocals with some captivating lyrics over anxieties and paranoia of women in society, and it helps pave the way for the entrancing entirely instrumental second half in which it gives into the rave in a big way as it becomes a constantly building, trance-esque number with some hushed, muffled spoken word samples. I like how the production building complements the theme of growing anxiety. The package as a whole is a serious standout moment that I never quite expected from the artist.

The unusual amount of veto points this entry picked up has been controversial and some have put it down to the ever dastardly, anti-establishment Magpies who took a heavy interest in the public vote, the avian public await as to what the outcome of this out of character moment will be...

Posted by: uhsting 23rd January 2022, 05:24 PM

Really enjoyed this song from start to finish and I equally love both parts of the song. The production is extraordinary and I hope this song could win the entire competition.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 25th March 2022, 07:23 PM

BJSC CXLII: One Hundred Bird Calls

Well, hello there, it's finally here...





The birds are celebrating their 100th entry in this contest, yes 100 contests of me pretending to be a country of birds on the internet, one could wonder if I needed to get out a bit more, but who cares about that, it's time to celebrate and this time we are bringing back an old favourite of Terra's with what is for us, certainly one of their most striking and beautiful entries yet



Thomas Bergersen (the founder/basically synonymous with Two Steps From Hell) has provided two of our greatest successes in the past with Miracles and Christmas Medley, but perhaps crucially, their epic modern classical soundtracks have come to influence our sound quite a lot and have caught on in the BJSC public in a big way, even going on to win for other participants, indeed, it's our one case in which we can truly claim to be tastemakers. So it is only fitting that he be our anniversary artist with fittingly, a one million subscribers special track for him released three years ago, however as of last year, it is now available on his most recent Humanity album.

Across nine minutes, Bergersen somehow manages to capture the sound of the whole world and the plethora of cultures that come with it, from silent Japanese electronica esque opening, it gradually journeys through Middle Eastern beats, tribal drums, fiddle solos and a constant rousing chant which really brings the unifying spirit that the world needs right now. It's one of my favourite songs of recent times and I'm extremely thrilled to share it with you all on our centennial <3

Listen to it and all* of my 100 entries on the below playlist and stay tuned for some celebratory countdowns and stats that will follow (that I am to finish this time x)



*Not quite all I'm afraid, many of these were mp3s only I can access oop but it'll certainly have most recent ones x

Posted by: gooddelta 29th March 2022, 02:29 PM

An absolutely awesome entry Chez, there are a lot of strong songs - especially in your semi - but it's clearly not going to have trouble qualifying and what a wonderful and unique winner it would make.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th April 2022, 02:12 PM

Thank you and the many others who voted to give us our third bronze medal! We were nail-bitingly close to both a win and yet another second place which would've made us alternately jump for joy and scream in despair, but we'll take this middle ground as it makes our final medal table look very neat and gives us the next 100 contests to get the three wins to match

For the second part of these celebrations and in the interim between contests, I will now be doing a dual countdown of both a ranking of my 100 entries and...while I could attempt a top 100 BJSC discoveries list, it would be all over the place and inconsistent with entries in the past so I will instead rank my 100 18/12 pointers, I'll include some slight anecdotes for each one, not too much as partly as I don't wanna burn myself out so I don't finish it () but also, I've waxed lyrical about all of these many times over the past decade, there isn't much else I can say but just fondly look back at them!

I'm going to hopefully aim to finish this over the next week, do feel free to comment, I don't expect anyone will until their entry comes up anyway , but any reading is welcome. I'd like to do this however much interest there is as my own self-indulgent tribute to the last ten years at BJSC.

Before we start, my Points Received & Given

and we'll start in the next post, here's a lil patchwork I made that could remind you of my past entries x

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th April 2022, 03:12 PM

Terra Avium entries 91-100 AKA The ones I probably could do without

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cWcq9g6b2w
A bloopy and bleepy entry that I was drawn to from the rather serene enigmatic electronic music of this group, in fact there were others I enjoyed, but they were so subtle, I went with this one as it seemed a bit more accessible, but even then it didn't do great. It's a pleasant electronic soundscape, but I haven't really gone back to it or a lot by them much since I entered it so maybe it was just a passing phase x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R1J5mqEHto
Well this one's a rather odd choice from me looking back, bit like Owl City meets James Bay. It has a very nice guitar line and sounds nice in the sunny weather, but I'm not sure how I thought this would be a suitable hit for BJSC and it suitably bombed, I come back his other song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnmLUSdooKk a lot more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvaKEqjdEGc
Yes, I managed to sneak a top 20 hit from 2003 in here somehow, this is another one that sticks out a bit and I can't really remember why I was compelled to send this, I may have discovered it from a Now album or something and I didn't have anything else, it's still a nice song, just a weird entry. It had the honour of being my 4th wooden spoon x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeJT_el4wTA
I mean it took me long enough to send a song with Bird in the title and I was briefly quite into the then-interesting tropical house trend, over time, my opinion of that genre has definitely soured and as a result, this one doesn't interest me much anymore. It's a decent use of a sample, but too long and never really *ahem* flies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K-s8wefKlA
My only fairly recent entry to be in my bottom 10, which certainly doesn't bode well for future rankings. It's a very cool bagpipes and Middle Eastern-inspired entry and great title and video, but sadly I was just really drawn to that genre tag on reddit without really realising that the song itself was just a tad too repetitive to really hit hard. Shout out to the iconic 1 minute long Youtuber outro though x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPlzeNXLFH4
I know this one has or had some vocal fans, so this is perhaps harsh, but idk, it's a little...dated? This was around the breakout of PC Music and the like and I just feel it's evolved or moved on quite a bit from this, it's still got some rather iconic lines and a great bassline and was actually one of my most successful entries statistically so I can't complain too much, I just wish I'd actually sent the instrumental https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0-Ln87214I as that is still brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DirorrcKK74
OK, let's get to the worst of my 2012 flops. This was my first proper "alternative" entry (I do remember distinctly a time, the general outlook of the entries became less exclusively pop-oriented and more experimental entries seemed to be finding more of an audience, it was also the time my own tastes started to expand to more buried, obscure finds rather than popular publication's new music recommendations), I was kind of hoping to appeal to that crowd, but really I could've picked one that had a bit more oomph to it. I loved it at the time, but as I've managed to find more powerful examples of this genre, it's faded a bit with time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDxp8-JP2rM&t=13s
My first proper instrumental entry and I was definitely still learning...this does just kind of build and build yet doesn't reach a satisfactory climax. There's much better to come thankfully!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXlojgGj5SQ
Some day I will realise how I thought a cod-reggae pop thing would be a good BJSC entry and stop my constant BJSC flops, but that day has still never come x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exxtOdB-sms
This gets the bottom slot just because it's the worst example I can remember of me picking what I thought was a hit over my favourite song at the time. It was between this (whom I saw had past BJSC success and it was a female synthpop song which I thought would be gold dust x) and Of Monsters & Men's Dirty Paws...which being a bit more 'indie', I was hesitant towards (stupidly looking back as it would've done great), in the end I went with what I thought was the easy hit and sadly after Little Talks blew up around the same time, I couldn't enter this other one (which still sounds amazing) for the foreseeable, I was left disappointed on all fronts. Moral of the story: send what you love x I never really come back to this and it's a fitting last placer.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 9th April 2022, 03:52 PM

Terra Avium Top Pointers ranking 91-100

(I will include the top 3 of that contest alongside the top pointer)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dffvSBLyQMY
Runners up: Christopher Tin – Temen Oblak (Seyetana), Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance the Way I Feel (Medhelnia)
My top pointed nation still and so it's no surprise that Persephonia have 12 (!) featuring in here, this one thought I'm not quite sure was worth it, it has a wonderful intro and excellent desolate production when it's allowed to settle, but the rest of the song doesn't quite come to the same level. Still good though x Think Medhelnia was the one that has stuck with me the most of that top three.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUe0kPKR3hw
Runners up: Solarstone with Giuseppe Ottaviani – Falcons (Deandria), Zola Jesus – Exhumed (Desbuanda)
Another country that is no stranger to my top points as we'll find out, this 80s throwback entry was a treat and has a great instrumental, but that's kind of it but it hasn't held up as well as their other 80s throwback (Bye Bye Mi Amour) in my book. Can't think why I was drawn to this over the other two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAxXRmwA40o
Runners up: HAARM – Better Friend (Rolloland), Africa Express – City In Lights (feat. Georgia, Mahotella Queens, Otim Alpha & Nick Zinner) (Suedeonia)
Danaelanda/Danaeviia only have two top pointers from me which did surprise me and it surprised me even more to recall this was one of them as I must confess I don't have a huge memory of it even if it was just two years ago! Coming back to it, it does have some nice atmospheric piano and synths. I think this may have just been a victim of 2020 being a bit of a blind spot for me BJSC-wise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81d9ulPttIg
Runners up: Ayer - Young (Elephante Remix) (B.a.N.G), Surkin – Oedo 606 (Persephonia)
Definitely a cool video, and I think that's what drew me to it as well as just being like anything Aeroche entered at the time and just always going up a storm. Doesn't hold up as well without that though, they have much better to come.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhO7k44x9hk
Runners up: Vendredi sur Mer - La femme à la peau bleue (N DNTN), Apollo 440 – Blackbeat (Usfland)
The legend that is. I've gotta confess here, I was very much encouraged by the vitriol that was directed at this entry, particularly as plug sessions were a huge thing around this time. Now I do still like this - we've not really had a lot like this in BJSC before and it's got a great atmosphere to it that makes it great for running, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pointing it somewhat reactively. The runners up have again held up much better.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-dcuuEnLhU
Runners up: Bibio - À tout à l'heure (Utopia), Smallpools – Dreaming (Varake)
Ah, Batidas, been a while since they totally deserted us and indeed many would struggle to recall them now, but they were quite on top with their BJSC choices for a while. This one was the only time I gave them top marks and...again it's a good dancefloor filler and has a wonderful Lego video, but much like Wonky, it hasn't held up as well outside of that. Bibio on the other hand, is still one of my favourites <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ8xD6FVic8
Runners up: Christopher Tin feat. Soweto Gospel Choir – Baba Yetu (Skall), S O H N – Artifice (FARC)
How apt given they've just been entered again after eight years in the most recent contest. This was a wonderfully balmy piece of music that I enjoyed at that time, it's mainly so low as it's held up nowhere near as well as the runners up, who remain absolute BJSC favourites (and indeed were the top 2 of that contest!) and I'm wondering what I was thinking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx10TczxT3c
Runners up: Jessie Ware – 110% (Aeroche), First Aid Kit – Emmylou (Lake Thermwoods)
Neon was actually a potential of mine (back when I only ever went on the Digital Spy New Music page for new releases x), I can only assume I was still really into it then, because 110% and Emmylou are some of my all-time favourites (even if I don't associate the former with BJSC much anymore) and have absolutely no place being below what is a fairly nice synth pop song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCdW5QjfQd0
Runners up: MODERNS – Jarre (Rolloland), Aphex Twin – Ageispolis (Jadakissnia)
This bottom 2 both suffer from me having very little memory of them, I was clearly very unfocused on BJSC during 2020 (I guess I was focused more on old albums during the pandemic) as I have none of the songs in my library, I had to remind myself of this and while it's certainly very nice, I'm not sure it's 18 potential. I think I might have actually preferred the other one sent recently oops :')

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeXBiXcEBkY
Runners up: DVBBS & Borgeous – Tsunami (Espen), Ten Walls – Gotham (Ethanola)
Genuinely no memory of giving this 12 at all! It's a nice indie-pop track, but nothing compared to the runners up, both classics, even if one is probably better known elsewhere now.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 10th April 2022, 06:46 PM

Terra Avium entries rank 81-90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRozKfYGFVc
I think this is the highest I can rank this without looking too bad If you're confused about the title, it is the memetastic The Llama Song, scroll back through my thread to find the reasons why (ie. I felt like a troll entry x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBU5qxMjhoc
The song that broke the at the time record breaking run of seven DNQs for myself. I knew this sort of pop-dancey sound would have some effect even if it sounds very out of character now, but I was desperate at the time however that was only half the battle as it then went on to be my second wooden spoon. It was taken down for ages, so that's prevented me coming back to it much, but it still is quite a nice song, I don't regret it as much of some of my other early entries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdsvtnOoFAg
When I went to Australia to volunteer back in 2014, I was exposed to Triple J radio and became quite enamoured with their sound. This rather funky throwback song with two blogpop favourites was one of the many I heard on the radio and while it somewhat underperformed, it's still quite a funky ride x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4da1B7bWI0
At this point, I had moved from my primary source of entries being Digital Spy's Ten Tracks You Need to Hear to Guardian New Music, it had mixed results as we'll see. This one was a dance remake of the similarly paced song from the Icelandic electronic band. Earns brownie points as one of my few Icelandic entries, but it isn't one I've come back to much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krtMlq31M7s
An epic genre meld of hyperpop, PC Music and screamo metal. I knew it was standout enough to be an entry from when I first heard it. The unfortunate thing with these type of entries is that it's all about the first time reaction and once the shock factor's over, I don't end up enjoying them quite as much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qlK8129I4g
A very nearly null pointer if not for one set of points! I can't pretend I didn't see it coming at all (I probably should've been wiser at this point to know this wasn't prime BJSC material), but it's a shame as it is a beautifully sung song that evolves a lot in it's latter half.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMGsQSMrLGI
La Femme's album was one of the real standouts of last year and I had many options to send with them, I opted for this hypnotic deep house-esque song as it pulled me in, but in retrospect, I have much preferred both Pasadena and La Sang De Mon Prochain and they probably should've been my La Femme entry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPZEGtrkRH8
An EXPERIENCE of an entry which is about three different songs condensed to one coupled with a bizarre video that I can't possible describe in words. Much like Llama song, I can't rank this too high alongside my...actual songs, but I have no regrets x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Z1rqwZx1w
Kinda more of my wannabe hit pop-dance leanings unfortunately, this is a decent dance track, but you can't quite beat LIES x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8yVABvkMV4
Strangely enough, I have found an ADULT. entry on my new music playlist recently that is really great. I did like this 80s synth led anti-consumerist one too and it was a surprise qualifier, although I did find myself tiring of it even before the contest was over oops

Posted by: Chez Wombat 10th April 2022, 09:30 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 81-90

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRB0hU7qMZ4
Runners up: polnalyubvi – Кометы (Quintessa), Quixotic – Schwarzenegger (Vulkyria)
A great slice of Icelandic techno from the contest I (part) hosted, it was another one where my 18 could've gone to any though and it was one that did peak on first listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODgKDZr9IGM
Runners up: Hot Chip – Need You Now (Pi/Eledan), Diviners (feat. Contacreast) - Tropic Love (TRIANGLEDONIA)
Not exactly the most remembered Aeroche entry, but something about this did appeal to me, but the vocals and production really soar for me, A solid one, though ofc. they still have better to come (Completely forgot I had Triangledonia in my top 3 wow x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83486UyyB04
Runners up: Deafheaven - The Gnashing (Persephonia), CLUBKELLY - DO YOU EVEN BLISS? (Cumulonimbia)
Of my recent 18 pointers, I have tried to be balanced as they would obviously have a bit of an advantage for being fresh to my ears. This one does rank the lowest of the very recent, because, as banging and knockout a garage track it is, it doesn't have as many layers to it as the other recent favourites. Not to worry though, Trifoski have some great ones to come x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TCObIZGHHA
Runners up: Lanark Artefax – Touch Absence (Cumulonimbia) Hazmusic – Delight (Buzzjack Mountain)
An African-tinged entry that was very standout, I hate that this commentary's getting boring, but this again suffers from being a contest that didn't have any standout discoveries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w61i_ngWIeA
Runners up: Widek – The Space Between Us (Zechonia), Danny L Harle – Broken Flowers (N DNTN)
One of many wonderful moments from Espen, but not quite the most wonderful. Have to say the other two have been a bit more memorable, Widek was beautiful and Broken Flowers in it's best version is still <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9zMFodNtA
Runners up: Guerilla Toss - Skull Pop (Trifoski), SIAMÉS – The Wolf (Seyetana)
I must confess RUFUS has been sent so many times that I got a bit sick of him so this may have been why I haven't come back to this as much. This one though I'm pretty sure I remember to be a great, atmospheric nine-minute song that constantly builds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di18hTFTwIw
Runners up: OTHERLiiNE – Chimes (Jadakissnia), The Subs vs Tsar B – Flesh & Bone (Fljotavik)
This wonderfully camp 80s song was actually one I knew prior to the contest. I distinctly remember this contest being very average though as I wouldn't have said it was 18 potential!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Jg_25ytU0
Runners up: Anathema – The Storm Before the Calm (Rolloland), A Tribe Called Red – Sisters (feat. Northern Voice) (Persephonia)
A chilled, immersive experience that is much like the clouds it is likening itself to. It perhaps suffers a bit compared to others from not changing as much. Anathema very close to one of the few artists I've given top marks to twice (try and guess who one is x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA6XuRkXkPk
Runners up: Rex the Dog – Maximise (Fljotavik), Eric Whitacre – Fly to Paradise (Quintessa)
I remember this coming around the same time as I was really into new age music (and this influenced one of my entries) and so I was really happy to see this here. It's not held up quite as well and I think Maximise has held up better, so I guess that obsession was short-lived, but still a lovely song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OzULLqT898
Runners up: Dawn Richard – Tide: The Paradox Effect (Persephonia), Phoebe Ryan – Mine (Ramrynia)
I completely forgot I gave this 12 wow! And that is a very poppy top 3 by my standards. It was kinda nice to revisit this, although I definitely should've given Zola Jesus the 18 over this. if we're talking Desbuanda entries x

Posted by: Dobbo. 12th April 2022, 09:27 AM

Some good reading/reminiscing here, in particular those 2 entries from 103 which still resonate with me today (plus that other Koto entry from I can't remember who).

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th April 2022, 12:12 PM

Thank you! I believe it was Singerpurear that sent the other Koto entry

-x-

Terra Avium entries rank 71-80


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg9aSAHgpZA
My first AQ, and you can tell! I have no idea what drew me to ancient Swedish folk music, but this still bangs, no regrets x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmugwrlnSWA
This one was pretty much entirely inspired by me watching Exit Through the Gift Shop and visiting a Banksy exhibition last summer, I just was really taken by how well it soundtracked that and the euphoria that it brought. It had a bit more of a following than I thought it did and even managed to be one of those rare top 40 hits from my chart listening days that I'd avoided.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCMXO9sBIcU
Of all my 'epic classical' entries, this one definitely bombed the most, I guess it was a case of the wrong semi or maybe it was just a bit more of a subtle build than the others (in fact so subtle, I did an edit of it, whether that was a mistake I will never know). Either way, it was disappointing. While there are definitely better examples of this type of song, I still think it's a rather masterful build to something truly special and it has some wonderfully inspiring YouTube comments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3um06fOsk
I mean, I definitely do regret this, it was silly of me to assume I had a surefire AQ as the other two did (although it was painful in the way it was taken away from me x) and this is just not the right song for BJSC, but I do still really like the song. For some background (as I never went into it), this is the closing track from Mentrix's album that has many themes of the stifling of her own nature and gender by the country she lives in and the visuals attached to the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qNIkiTxfEs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynB_OszuH0k and use of exclusively Eastern instrumentals are truly striking. This closer was still subtly brilliant and was a real grower, even if I probably should've sent the one with the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPYTWsCMTtA
A pretty much surefire DNQ, not sure how I missed that. Saying that it's still great and has some wonderful harmonies and breakdowns present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSmj-Qc9uDk
Here we are then, patient zero for Terra Avium! I'll always hold some affection for this random entry from Digital Spy's Ten Track You Must Hear Right Now. It's got good production and Skylar's haunting vocals are as good as ever. Certainly unusual for me to send these days (the artists themselves make it a bit questionable), but I still hold it up well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ILqU5GQ8E
A quirky instrumental with cute little nightcore esque synths and a great, quite jarring drop. Still quite unique, but not quite as powerful as some of my other instrumentals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giKRecwNJxM
So I had a random phase for Phantom of the Opera covers (I've never seen the musical though) and this came at the right time for that I guess. Despite this being two YouTubers and being quite ridiculous in nature, I think it works well, the combination of vocal styles works very well and it ends extremely powerfully, with the phantom literally wringing the song out of her, it's very dramatic. It did also introduce me to the extremely talented Malinda and her wonderful Google Translate videos I may have a crush x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWgHWPL-nvE
Up until quite recently, one of my biggest flops. I do wish I'd sent Real Slow which came out around the same time but I didn't know about until quite a few years later, but that did at least get its chance to shine in the Pop Forum contest. This one still deserved better in my view, it's got a great chorus and synth line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foPK_K0vxo4
A rush job of an entry as it was one of the few times someone beat me to my entry (still to come in the other list), I have always liked trance so it fits that I would send one and this is a great building entry that makes good use of that. I have since gone off trance a little bit partly through overuse in the contest, so it isn't my first choice of entry to go back to.[size="3"][/size]

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th April 2022, 12:49 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 71-80

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELNvmFGNLRU
Runners up: CSS – Hits Me Like a Rock (Kluminican Republic), Lalah – Some Die Young (Tinnmark)
My first ever 12 pointer! Much like my first entry, it would look a lot more unconventional these days. But I still hold a good place of affection for it and it is still a wonderfully, catchy and vibrant pop song that I would likely still give big points to today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhQBHiyLYTA
Runners up: Covenant – Dead Stars (Summericia), Jenny Hval – Ashes to Ashes (Fljotavik)
I can't resist a bit of witch house, and this one was a great example of that. Albeit the other two here were fantastic and Ashes to Ashes is to credit for introducing me to Jenny Hval.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJvzBN6f5fk
Runners up: Loods – Gumni (FSR Rontvia), Hante. – Wild Animal (Jadakissnia)
Not perhaps my usual type of top pointer, but I was really taken by this psychedelic video and sound. I'm not always on board with Seeb, but this one connected.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcJsOfC0UDg
Runners up: Skin On Skin & X CLUB. - Rise Up (Kathaldazia), Secret Garden – Prayer (Lotunia)
I mean I can't really rank my most recent 18 pointer particularly high, but I'm certainly not forgetting it already which is a good sign. This has some wonderfully atmospheric production throughout and it was cool to add Niceland to my gold medallists, thanks Pete x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv89Cs-fRyg
Runners up: Will Sparks – Stand By Me (Kathaldazia), Doss – Puppy (N DNTN)
Melodic trance is always a winner for me, listening now, it's not the BEST example of it's genre but I obviously liked it enough to 18 it so go figure! And yes, I gave Kathaldazia 15 exactly one year apart, how neat x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRcXVZFlSWY
Runners up: Yoshitaka Hirota - hazy iii (Jadakissnia), Weyes Blood – Movies (Quintessa)
For all I love Deandria, the few times I've given them 18 haven't held up as quite as well as when I haven't (as we'll see to come). No insult to this rather frenetic, cyberpunk-esque banger though, just hasn't held up as well for me as I hoped it would.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWhzu_m8ahQ
Runners up: HOWWLER – 9 Times (Cowtermont), Amon Tobin – One Shy Morning (Persephonia)
Espen again, and this time with an environmental-tinged dance floorfiller, I think the message struck me the most when pointing it, we haven't seen a lot of anti-climate change dance in BJSC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pryb1VugJq4
Runners up: Mr Fijiwiji feat. Danyka Nadeau – Yours Truly (Utopia), Fred V & Grafix – Major Happy (Trifoski)
This was actually a potential of mine that someone else beat me to, so I suppose it figures that I pointed it highly. It's a great sultry, electro-pop song, but I think this was the peak of my SuicideSheep enjoyment as it isn't one I've gone back to a lot, the runners up have held up better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhqQNEnSpkc
Runners up: Simon Patterson feat. Lucy Follin – The One (Cumulonimbia), Audialist – Burning (Persephonia)
And just like that, that's all of Espen's entries here gone, at least Cal won't be here to see this x You is again a very nice indie-pop sing with a wonderful dance beat, there's just quite a lot of competition here :'(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la5UHh6Zopc
Runners up: Priest – Our Time Will Come (Cumulonimbia), Audio Paradyne & Stahl! – Paradise (Seyetana)
First of four golds for my other bloc member x I utterly love Max Richter's Nature of Daylight so seeing it sampled here was glorious and it is still very striking, but I do wish more was done with the sample than just slapping a harsh, loud drumbeat over it. Priest was a really underrated entry that I wish had done better.

Posted by: Dobbo. 13th April 2022, 11:46 AM

Can't disagree re Atlas, I definitely didn't expect it to do as well as 6th!

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th April 2022, 12:41 PM

Yay to see Army Of Lovers in the rundown

Personally I think Miami Horrors' is the greatest DNQ in the BJSC that I had never heard before, it topped my personal charts for 6 or 7 weeks and is comfortably inside my all-time Top 500 list (still ongoing obv due to lack of time). Colours In The Sky was totally robbed of a final place and justice is still demanded!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th April 2022, 02:01 PM

Oh yes, I remember you were a (or should I say the) big fan *. You have one more to come x

-x-

Terra Avium entries 61-70

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzCRXEyVXPg
One of my shameless recycles, but this time it did do it's bit to get them a higher finishing position. Absolutely crazy use of distortion with a video that's out of this world, a classic crazy entry x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEOFPvlNEFM
The entry right after my first big BJSC landmark was always gonna be a bit of a struggle, I guess I was struggling at the time as this Western-esque acoustic number does seem a bit out of place, saying that, it's still great and puts me in the mind of a Wild West movie. To date, this was my last entry from MrSuicideSheep, a source of music that really dried up after a while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcwt6mbpjc0
The end of 2020 could not have been more appropriate to send this absolutely bonkers symphonic metal cover of the classic Mozart symphony. Actually, it was kind of a troll entry due to my last entry finishing last in the semi with three points, but it fit well as FalKKonE's symphonic metal covers were a big discovery of 2020 for me and it's still epic x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqndJfNoIXE
While I won't spoil the other countdown, the first Jutro entry is still to come on the other countdown and was quite a treat so when this wonderful witch house-esque Rihanna-sampling number popped up on my new music playlist, I felt I had to. While I do still like it, comparison is natural and it's not aged as well compared to the other entry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDVW81bXo0s
In all truth, I'm not that proud of this one looking back - it was on the Radio 1 playlist at the time and had already been sent to Unknown Pleasures (unbeknownst to me tbf) where it did quite well, but that's what a DNQ streak. The DNQ was unexpected at the time and probably wouldn't happen today but maybe it was fate telling me to stop being so cheap x While they're best known for Shut Up and Dance today, I still love this one, very runny and vibrant, like a rainbow in a song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFuVXzg_gkg
To this day, I still can't believe I found a song that incorporated Bhangra and Celtic music, what a wonderful find that was. It's still an entry where I admire it more for what it is rather than properly connecting it as a song, but it's still a bop so no complaints x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehnk8hSnJ7c
After my trip to South Africa, I felt obliged to send an artist from there and thankfully this had popped up a few months prior. It wasn't a huge success, but it's still a lovely song and one that reminds me of a great experience in my life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0eqlf5k6Tg
This has an absolutely genius video, do give it a glance, so cute <3 This is still upper tier of my 2012 flops, it's got a great synthline and catchy chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56SJhX83duQ
This artist is actually kind of making waves now (or at least I heard it on 6Music) so...kind of bragging rights Every time I forget about this, that glorious synthline and production always pulls me back. A wonderful piece of world music that deserved to do better x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fFbeSykaJk
One of two times I have self-recycled (three if you count Two Steps and Thomas Bergersen), my main reason being the first time I sent them was in 2014 and I wanted to introduce them to a new audience and...it actually finished quite a bit lower than I'd hoped oops x Time has allowed me to reconsider that lightning doesn't strike twice and while does have all thje glorious atmosphere and build as my last entry (still to come), it can't quite match it by any means.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th April 2022, 02:29 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 61-70

(I love all of these going forward so if you're ranked lowly, don't see it badly x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJjOEenWBiE
Runners up: Ramin Djawadi – Light of the Seven (Altyr Muunilinst), Grouplove – Good Morning (Mulgracia)
I'm pretty sure I remember Bre telling me he was aiming for my 18 with this so no surprises I guess x A lovely piano instrumental piece of emotional art-core (I think?) that is pretty much everything I love in a BJSC entry, granted there are others that do it better x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6piXf6TQqo
Runners up: Right Hand Left Hand - Chacabuco (feat. Taliesyn Källström) (Utopia), Cerrone – Supernature (Singerpurear)
First of three for Rolloland (though they have many more 2nds and 3rds for me), This is another rather lovely synthy rock instrumental that was always gonna get my 18, granted again, not the best of its type.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4DqCevajw4
Runners up: Yoko Kanno – Cyberbird (Deandria), Nouvelle Phénomène -- Cruel Game (Vanzetti & Sacco Remix) (Espen)
I've heard a new song from this group recently and it just reinforces how incredible they're building, atmospheric sound is, this is awesome BUT slightly painful as I so wish I'd give my 18 to Cyberbird, easily much better than the other Deandria 18s in my countdown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er416Ad3R1g
Runners up: Tina Guo – Super Mario Bros. (FSR Rontvia), Fang Island – Daisy (Fljotavik)
We are just going through the 'custom-made for Terra' entries in this section. 93 was a fantastic contest even through I DNQ'd for it to which I made a lot of good discoveries and this fast-paced, synthwave number is certainly one of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBlreotoFKg
Runners up: Passion Pit – Take a Walk (PRoJ), Pictureplane – Real is a Feeling (Usfland)
Ten years on, that intro is still one of the most epic. I hadn't come back to this a lot until recently and did rank it lower before this, but it's still an exhilarating listen and fully deserved my 12 (even against Passion Pit).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPeyRiddm4U
Runners up: Kyla La Grange – Walk Through Walls (Kylienips), Sarah West – If Pain Could Talk (Greenfroze)
My runner up here was the entry that I initially wanted to send but was beaten to it ( ), still I was deducting it so it's to the strength of this entry that it took my 12 over it. This has such a euphoric feel and strange, almost other-worldly vocals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fph-hTd2KqE
Runners up: Sandra – (I’ll Never Be) Maria Magdalena (Singerpurear), Woolf and the Wondershadow – Cloaked (Quintessa)
Now this is one of Ethanola's best long, repeating entries. The vocals and escalating piano add a sense of uplift and the main hook serves as inviting as it builds, Heaven Sent indeed x (2nd and 3rd wonderful too x)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-QLl5qjLg
Runners up: Ágy – Arvedávgi (Lotunia), Me & My - Dub-I-Dub (Aeroche)
It saddens me I didn't 18 Agy here as that would probably rank as one of my favourite discoveries, but given it was Two Steps from Hell that beat them, I can't be too mad x This packs a hell of a lot of epicness into it's short run time and is all the better for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4taIpALfAo
Runners up: Kai Tracid – Trance & Acid (Botanikka), Caravan Palace – Lone Digger (Kluminican Republic)
This was the contest of my first ever medallist (Owsey et al.) and so I do have some positive memories of this contest and the music from it, all of the top 3 are wonderful and this (as it turns out one of main opponents for the win) was a simple yet great dubstep song with a glorious video feat. the classic Microsoft clip x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UATQujvVSz0
Runners up: Dead Can Dance – Kiko (Rolloland), KAS:ST – Hell of Earth (Summericia)
This is one of the 2020 entries which had held up better, a very nice and euphoric dance track with a great build. I do seem to remember KAS:ST but that maybe because it was in TBO.

Posted by: Izzy 💀 14th April 2022, 11:40 AM

'September' and 'Happy End Of The World' are still among my top BJSC entries of all time. <3 though lots of this list is very great.

forgot it was you responsible for that incredible FalKKone track in my library, one I regularly play even now (as I do with any cover that he's done that I recognise)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 17th April 2022, 02:32 PM

Thank you! He has so many great covers, including a lot of anime themes I'm sure you'd be more familiar with x

-x-

Terra Avium entries 51-60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qXp7WVdwzg
Recycling a past winner isn't usually something I'd do, but in this case, it was almost a complete sound transformation I couldn't resist. A choral, drum-led nine-minute track with spoken word interludes from none other than actress Jennifer Connelly, it's one of the weirdest things I've ever sent, but still stands out a lot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iprGdZfZe1k
I've been particularly bad at sending Hip Hop and R'n'B and I am trying to change that, this one probably gets the closest. A blogpop fave with some great production. Sent in the infamous contest where both of the final hosts went AWOL so qualified by default x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0OBeMg-bj8
A beautifully produced duet featuring an equally beautiful lyrical theme about how language is no barrier to knowing true love, fittingly sang by a French and Japanese artist and...an alien in the video x One of the entries I had hoped would perform slightly better than it did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5auyUSI6as4
Illenium is quite a big name in dance music now but back in 2016, he was still mainly big in the world of Mr SuicideSheep, and I had several of his entries I could've gone for, but I settled with this rather lovely melodic dubstep/electronic song. As lovely as it is, I have found I have come back to the other potentials - Afterlife and Reverie - a bit more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwH4QBDJNmY
Perhaps a little low for one of my biggest hits, the fact it hasn't been on streaming services until recently sadly hasn't helped in me coming back to it that much. Saying that, this French quirky D'n'B type thing (eloquent x) is one of the hits I'm most proud of as it's one of the few that isn't from a very well known artist and wasn't at all cheap, I really wasn't expecting it to take off so much, but very pleased it did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yabQTgR0wDE
Time will tell if this sticks with me, but listening to their back catalogue so far, I'm pretty sold. It was a hell of a fun trip to Tescos when this French-Arabic danceable concoction popped up on my new music mix x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rnqXs0m0QA
Music recorded specifically for trailers can be the best kind, and this (which I believe I discovered through a trailer to the new series of The Handmaid's Tale) reframes the original - Seal's Crazy - in a new, innovative way which I always love to see in covers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQwLltUNcEM
Of all my wooden spoons, this one kinda hurts the most. I actually had quite high hopes for this rather lovely electronic track that brings to mind a more 80s-esque Haim, and it really deserved better x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JZRdGeT1Bg
Not an unexpected DNQ but a sad one, this darkwave, Kraftwerk-esque song was a haunting and spiralling journey. As above, deserved better x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JRIvwhbcxs
This entry was very nearly not to be as a Terra Avium entry - as I first discovered it a couple of contests prior and was beaten to sending the artist and I almost forgot about it for a few months until a month when I was really short on entries and I thought I'd give it another shot x 21st may not seem like much (especially out of 30 as it was back then) but my God, that was such a huge step up for me at the time! I really was quite the flop x Anyway, the song itself is a great garage throwback and still sounds rather wonderful almost a decade on.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 17th April 2022, 02:57 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 51-60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCCkDQ6gbg4
Runners up: Robert DeLong – Global Concepts (Trifoski), Flume feat. Moon Holiday – Insane (Danaelanda)
To top up a rather Persephonia heavy section, This was I believe the first time I ever gave them 12! I don't regret it to this day, even ahead of that excellent top 3, it's a beautifully dreamy dubstep-esque track that really does feel like cruising through the ever-changing waves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1BlykdDuwM
Runners up: Shadeux – Roo (Eledan), Autoheart – Agoraphobia (Trifoski)
...And here they are again, this time with a still massive sounding dark-synthwave sounding song. Quite typical of the sound I'd come to love them for, and they did better it, but it's still a tune, we don't talk about that runner up x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBsRvthVhdw
Runners up: Sir Sly – Ghost (Usfland), Novaday – Beautiful Lies (Espen)
A bit of a cheap one (I believe coming from a contest where the veto was totally relaxed), but a wonderful introduction to myself to Phoenix which I still wasn't aware of still being in my top 40 phase. Only thing that could've been better if it would've been Listzomania x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS4nqQVqEEM
Runners up: Blanck Mass – D7-D5 (Rolloland), Dan Deacon – Snookered (Fljotavik)
I think this is the first entry with just numbers in the title I've pointed but I'll need to check that x This recent 18 has stuck with me very well with its Darkwave, Depeche Mode-esque sound and is a worthy one in the Jadakissnia repertoire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fULXi348-jI
Runners Up: Transa – Timeless (Zanmatony), ascendent vierge – Influenceur (Dobago)
Another recent one, but it has so far stuck with me despite this contest, in general, being a big write-off for me. It combines classical instruments and a throbbing beat which is the ideal combination that make me emotional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CE3yZKO_QA
Runners up: Nora En Pure – Wetlands (Land of DW), Das Mortal – It Comes (Cumulonombia)
Speaking of classical music combined with Dance, this one does so masterfully with its violin and drop combination. I think the other two in the top 3 have stuck with me a bit better though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZYnw3GBAlU
Runners up: ishi vu – This is Your Life (FSR Rontvia), Kid Francescoli - Moon (And It Went Like) (Rolloland)
Utopia have had an impressive amount of 18s in such a short time, I've always really liked Boards of Canada entries when they were entered and this slowly building entry is no exception, I really should check them out more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGUy00TxVW0
Runners up: Laibach – Vor Sonnen Aufgang (Lotunia), Ben Frost – Venter (Jadakissnia)
A beautifully building post rock song (although it slips a few vocals in there) that I was always going to be really into. There have been better examples of the genre though and I really wish I'd given 18 to Laibach now with that gorgeously medieval song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEeSQ5cC12s
Runners up: Ortiga – Illumbarada (FSR Rontvia), FM 84 – Arcade Summer (Jadakissnia)
Another case of the 18 not aging as well as the rest of the top 3 (FSR Rontvia are certainly the Sash! of my votes, They've ranked 2nd in my votes seven times and never been first!), but I still really like this slowly building, beautifully produced track, brings to mind Linkin Park a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJE-sznINYI
Runners up: De Staat – Kitty Kitty (Alteria), White Lies – Tokyo (FARC)
Ooh De Staat and White Lies were big tunes, but so was this. Cowtermont were really on the top of the game the short time they did participate and this dark, classically-inspired song was a highlight. Worakls will feature a bit later on x

-x-

Halfway through whew x

Posted by: Roba. 17th April 2022, 07:09 PM

Huge yass obviously for 'Turbo Killer' and 'Minor Cause'. Amazing to see the latter in this already and it is an stunning piece. TK robbed off a top 20 at least in the contest back then too after all those top 10 predictions

Posted by: gooddelta 17th April 2022, 07:21 PM

Didn’t realise I’ve been the bridesmaid of your votes seven times maybe one day!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 18th April 2022, 06:27 PM

I forgot that Turbo Killer missed the top 20, robbed x



Now that I'm aware of it, I'll try and make it happen! Illumbarada and This is Your Life I think should've got there in retrospect x

-x-

Terra Avium entries 41-50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLZzR4fVQ4I
I suppose I could've picked something with a bit more oomph for the landmark 100th, but I had two big hits already that year so maybe I didn't worry (or in truth, I just wasn't prepared for how big the contest was, oops), maybe for the 150th this year x Anyway, it doesn't hamper my opinion of this song, one of many wonderful new age songs from Cusco that I really got into around this time and they still sound wonderful. I really need to go back to this genre at some point.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB0VJn_-zgI
A rare pop moment for Terra Avium post-30th contest, the 80s synths and super catchy chorus really just caught me by surprise and it was nice to confound expectations briefly and hey I got a top 10 out of it. I would've done the same this month had I not been beaten to mxmtoon last contest x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Pf7z9Zr70
I'm pleased I got to enter this if anything as it brought some long-awaited to the singer's other project, Daughter when Youth inexplicably DNQ'd originally. This song is a very stripped back and intimately personal experience and it still hits so hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP1z_txiLXY&t=5s
Definitely one I should've waited a few months to send, not only as the 18-point system/20 qualifier system was brought in then but also as the make-up of the contest got a lot more alternative. This one did nonetheless inadvertently start my 'moody, dark January flops' more of which we'll see later. Now known as O Future, this song is still very standout with the tense, atmospheric strings and accompanying the creepy vocals to make an altogether arresting experience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TKb8RCka70
...another of the Dark January entries! This one entirely came to me when watching Black Mirror's Hated in the Nation episode, perhaps in context, it makes a bit more sense, but it's still wonderfully dark with her vocals and orchestral backing complementing the feeling of dread perfectly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtJByYiOM_o
I guess I'm ranking a lot of these dark, atmospheric songs with female vocals near each other as they do all give me a similar feeling of immersion. This one ranks as one of my shortest entries, but packs a whole lot of mystery, drama, and intensity into that time and has some glorious lyrics. It pleasantly surpassed my expectations despite the low finishing position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m77khLVlsuc
Sadly seems to not be on streaming anymore, but I almost felt I had to enter this to reclaim Kids of the Apocalypse after Persephonia got the big hit soon after I entered them to Unknown Pleasures, although I'd really wanted the opportunity to anyway when I saw they'd returned from obscurity. I've always loved the mysterious yet instantly attention-grabbing, apocalyptic manner of this group and Better Life is slower and more atmospheric than their other efforts but is no less effective.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvweGfab35w
An ecstatic and lively drum and bass/orchestral instrumental that performed fairly mediocre, but it's stuck with me well. Not a whole lot I can say about it, but just listen and have a fun bop x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ECw5DTULQ8
We're back to the Digital Spy selections, but this one is the one that actually got me a decent hit (which resulted in the first time I had two consecutive top 20s coming after Feelsolow, my first top 10 hit, again huge for me at the time x). Phoenix and MGMT would be some close comparisons, but it's still a very euphoric-sounding song that truly throws everything at that chorus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XUpc_Np4qM
Essentially in style, this is a close cousin to Power Glove's Crypt, still to come, but more synthwave and with a creepy video rather than horror film excerpts. However, it's not like that's ever a bad thing, a fixture on my running playlist x

Posted by: Chez Wombat 18th April 2022, 06:53 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 41-50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzqyoIK7H8&t=12s
Runners up: Phil Lober – Alive (Aelandor), Grandbrothers – What We See (Danaeviia)
A proper standout moment when I first heard this, a totally stripped back, slowly building melancholy eulogy over nine minutes, accompanied beautifully with natural imagery. It's one that peaked on first listen, so it isn't quite the highest Rolloland entry here, but it's still a hell of a listen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBH-dO68ooA
Runners up: K?d – Creator’s Flower (Thelonia), Hybrid – Finished Symphony (Tartford)
I AQ'd this contest so am quite well associated with all of these, but as good as the runners up are, you can't beat the top pointer. Part epic LOTR style orchestral, part Avicii tribute, it melds together as most of Bergersen's compositions do, that is wonderfully. One of the few times my 18 has won and what a wonderful moment it was (not at all bitter, that I still can't do that with the same artist xx)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOic6pVAN30
Runners up: Stupeflip – Stupeflip Vite !!! (Skall), Firefox AK – Heart of Mine (Syndare)
Even though I did love exploring La Femme's material last year, it doesn't come close to this, a wonderfully psychedelic trip visually and audially with so many layers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tqCc6H51jw
Runners up: Propaganda - Das Testaments Des Mabuse (Rolloland), Set and Setting – Coping (Persephonia)
A masterclass in slowly building atmosphere, this was always gonna score quite well for me. What a shame it came in the same contest as Propaganda though which proved to be a great discovery that has stuck with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4MWmS5C-vU
Runners up: W O L F C L U B – Rebels (Ojnoj), Boston Manor – Welcome to the Neighbourhood (LeBrock Remix) (Niceland)
While a lot of 2020's BJSC clearly went a bit over my head going by this countdown, this contest I do really enjoy all of that top 3 so there's some progress. The 18 itself is Dobago's best for me, a frantic, impactful rock-dance instrumental full of head-banging moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT2l5bo0Z9E
Runners up: Telepopmusik – Breathe (Deandria), Fenech-Soler – All I Know (N DNTN)
A classic one now, I still hold this in quite high regard ten years on, I especially love it's transformation from slow and contemplative to a disco-esque groove mid-song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCVsxfZI5Ic
Runners up: The Flavor – Shosholoza (Vulkyria), Salt Ashes – Save It (FARC)
Speaking of throwbacks, this one was wonderfully 80s with some great instrumental breaks and duet. Shoutout to the glorious African vibes of Shosholoza as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKts4tF9ue8
Runners Up: Wind Rose – Diggy Diggy Hole (FARC), Explosions in the Sky – Did You Pass Through This Night? (Pagasa)
Aelandor again (and one more still to come), this was a wonderful, synth-drenched darkwave song that built on the already great sounds of Draumadis. I was recommended her album a few months back, need to make good on that x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiC9XNQSxFQ
Runners up: Blackmill – Evil Beauty (Utopia), Italove – Strangers in the Night (Numayania)
A lot of the reason I stuck around BJSC at first throughout my flop era was the great discoveries and this was no exception. An intense and unfolding indie track that goes in many places but always keeps your attention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYNaciHJrIY
Runners up: Hoàng Thùy Linh - Bánh Trôi Nước (Lotunia), IC3PEAK - Grustnaya Suka (Persephonia)
At the midpoint is this very brief, yet beautiful orchestral electro-song that evolves gradually with some equally haunting visuals until you're left wanting a lot more (can't believe the video still has so few views!) It was enough to beat the song that I had planned as an entry (naturally by Persephonia, IC3PEAK)

Posted by: Jade 18th April 2022, 06:59 PM

Have enjoyed following this so far! Maybe I would feel similar about 'the nature of dying' if I'd known the Max Richter original before sending this, alas cool to see '0' only recently dropping out, the reception to that one felt a bit muted following a winner so it's great to see you holding it in high regard too, amongst a couple of others <3

'Le Port du Masque un Rigeur' DNQing still hurts

Posted by: Cody Severide 18th April 2022, 07:05 PM

The best Terra Avium entry landing smack dab in the middle, perfectly balanced as all things should be

Posted by: Dobbo. 19th April 2022, 12:21 PM

I love that Cusco track

Posted by: Chez Wombat 1st May 2022, 04:26 PM

Thanks for all the comments guys, sorry I fell off the wall with this a bit after going back to work, but I do still aim to finish this within the next few weeks x

Go vote for my 101st entry, Hope is the Last Thing, in the mean time. Great apocalyptic, electronic track with a trippy and fantastic video

-x-

Terra Avium entries 31-40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQFIp1wXU0k
An entry of almost other-worldly beauty with its shimmering synths and ethereal operatic vocals. It was one of the many fantastic discoveries from the New Retro Wave 80s synthwave channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIiOy3Me0Xs
Before they broke the mainstream all the way back in 2014, this very sunny and optimistic pop-rock single was an entry for me. I still come back to this a lot, it's a really uplifting listen. It's a shame the main version you can get from this is the 2016 re-recording which is much worse in my view. I haven't really got into a lot else from them sadly (although In Real Life was great).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7jpJP9G2lg
Yes, most of you have probably forgotten this, but for me, this darkwave, chaotically produced song still really hits the spot with that chorus and the harsh Dalek vocal is a wonderful mix and so was his album, you all didn't know what you were missing x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66VnOdk6oto
I often am inspired for BJSC entries by the films and TV I watch and this one is no exception, the somber and damning opening from the German Sci-Fi series, DARK (which I would highly recommend to everyone as one of the programmes that stays incredible and intriguing throughout its run) was a surefire entry for me even though it sadly didn't catch on. Inadvertantly, this was the second time I've recycled a past Unknown Pleasures entry, despite being in that contest, I really had no knowledge of that at all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHpTNLkZVHs
Fitting in this DNQ heavy section to get to my very first one! This one I feel was unlucky and did gain something of a following after and did well in the Reject competition that year, I still hold this one up in high regard, it's house-esque production moves along at a steady pace allowing you to be pulled in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfxWGdx8QfQ
The one time (and probably only time) I sent an entire EP to BJSC, when will your faves etc. Not that the songs themselves would've been substantial enough length, and you really get the whole immersive experience of this lockdown project here. Sampling the Japanaese folk artist, Kyooo's melodies and combining them with his own emotional and dreamy style is a winning result, fu all etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfvDQEPm3kQ
At the time, I was genuinely quite shocked and dismayed at this DNQ as it felt out of nowhere and it did seem a hyped song, my first of many lessons to not listen to the BJSC Odds thread x This is still a wonderfully cosmic and atmospheric experience with the slowly building synths complementing the desolate vocals perfectly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhbrAIgGrXs
I recall selecting this entry as it just randomly popped up with the title 'Bulgarian Futurepop' and I was kind of sold with its mix of Bulgarian folk chanting with modern electronic production and strings, one of my quirkier entries and it's charm has held up with time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1LDGwIRoTA
From my browsing of the old mod threads (if you had my powers, you would too x), this was actually one of the nearest I've got to being vetoed in my time here. Not surprising as I do think it charted on the Billboard hot 100 briefly, but it had been a long enough time that I figured it would be OK. The main attraction of this is the viral video which captures the moment performance artist Marina Abramovic reunites with her long lost lover Frank Uwe Laysiepen (Ulay) at an event and while it's beautiful to watch with the music, the song remains powerful on its own as an emotional and building synthpop song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDOzjjYaD_s
One of my recent big hits (yet you still all forgot about it for TBO -__), perhaps a little cheap as Rein did come top 5 a few years prior but this rather wonderful industrial-inspired track is urgent, dark and danceable at the same time, I was hopeful it could become a hit and was pleased to see that happen (and it wasn't 2nd thank God x)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 1st May 2022, 05:01 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 31-40

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbhXQTFRGj4
Runners up: Uun – One Occult Vision (Cowtermont), Shogun – Skyfire (Dobago)
Fljotavik's highest entry here is this rather enormous banger of an entry that beats you round the head and doesn't let up. Simple, but massively effective. One Occult Vision was also wonderful with its documentary observings and throbbing beats, but I think I chose wisely here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTTUEJiaac
Runners up: Porter Robinson – Sea of Voices (Altyr Muunilinst), Daniel Avery – Drone Logic (Trifoski)
We are really getting to the entries I absolutely love now, this feels too low but it's just the sheer competition. I have wonderful memories of all of this top 3, but Henry Saiz's emotional and intensive dance track still gives me the shivers and is one of Aeroche's finest moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRqg6qS8-yU
Runners up: Ólafur Arnalds - re:member (Quintessa), Jean-Michel Blais & CFCF – Hypocrite (Fljotavik)
Cowtermont's peak was this epic, building dance song aided by a choir that really just sounded like such a euphoric and triumphant moment, I have to remind myself it didn't actually win (though the actual winner also in my top 3 is no less gorgeous), still wonderful to come back to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiCEzJIDpwU
Runners up: World's End Girlfriend - Les Enfants du Paradis (Deandria), Burial – Archangel (Kluminican Republic)
I have a real liking for Ave Maria used in electronic music and it was used to certainly quirky effect in this bleepy, bloopy witch house song. I always love Jadakissnia's witch house and this one didn't disappoint, saying that, I have really come to love the World's End Girlfriend a lot more, but that is testament to the quality of this top 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65zRvHQxXcM
Runners up: VNV Nation – When is the Future? (Summericia), Trudge – strast’ (Jadakissnia)
The highest for Danaelanda/Danaeviia and one of the few countries to have two winners that I've given 18 points too. Storm is pretty much Terra Avium 18 all over, with beautiful strings, atmospheric, intense dance beat and a slow but immersive build. This was the icing on the cake to one of my favourite contests of recent times due to the discoveries made and the only time I've given the top 2 my 18 and 15 respectively!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycfM6XGBE30
Runners up: Celtic Woman feat. Oonagh – Tír na nóg (New Lexico), BICEP – JUST (Skall)
Another scary-spooky Jadakissnia entry (my favourite kind) and this is a similar style of classical sampling, atmospheric and synth-heavy instrumental that is right up my alley, it moves in many directions throughout it's runtime and is always engaging. Although a shame it denied the unlikely occurrence of a New Lexico feature in this countdown x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYXwnQoE87c
Runners Up: Carpenter Brut feat. David Eugene Edwards – Fab Tool (Rolloland), Dilemma – In Spirit (1991 Techno Mix) (Cumulonimbia)
It may be a little premature and by all accounts I should be furious at this for keeping me from an overdue winner, I can't be mad when this is one of the mosy creative and craziest dance tracks I have seen in recent times, whether it's the morose choir, french whisper, screeching beats or throbbing bass, it never lost my attention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQcSR-pHSew
Runners up: Ison – Isae (Jadakissnia), Sidewalks and Skeletons – Cybercrimes (Aeroche)
One of Persephonia's most striking and distinctive recent dance tracks, I admittedly sometimes forget about it, only for it to surround me with its intensive beats and angrily atmospheric edge that I'm left in awe at the end of the listen. Should've won x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX_RD7DT-8k
Runners up: Ulf Nilsson – Little By Little (Lulleaux & George Whyman remix) (FSR Rontvia), Vicetone feat. Kat Nestel – No Way Out (Llewandia)
Apparently quite an indie favourite even at the time it was entered, but I had no prior knowledge of it. It was a fantastic discovery with a timeless feel and catchy hook, the sort of song that I'd wish would get airplay to have commercial appeal as I'm sure it could (allow me to dream x).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hup1QGgtuOY
Runners up: Tol & Tol – Eleni (FSR Rontvia), Max Cooper & Tom Hodge – In Pursuit of Ghosts (Persephonia)
The highest of Utopia's entries here, if I had to have a comparison point, it would be the Editors and that's a big compliment. The murky and atmospheric indie track was a real breath of fresh air at the time, albeit at the expense of yet another beautiful FSR Rontvia world music runner up.

Posted by: dandy* 1st May 2022, 06:26 PM

Signatune is one of my all time favourite dance tracks - so happy to see it so high

Posted by: Chez Wombat 19th June 2022, 04:57 PM

Hey, remember this was a thing, I haven't forgotten, aiming to get it finished in the gap between contests, let's see how true that turns out to be x

-x-

Terra Avium Entries 21-30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pins1y0XAa0
Sadly one of my biggest failures here, maybe it would've been better in the Halloween spin-off. Suspiria is one of my favourite films and the unsettling, whirling, immersive soundtrack by Goblin all throughout it certainly adds to its unique aesthetic. The deep, gravelly vocals, lullaby-like melody, sudden 'Witch' guitar breakdown, and furious synths create an atmosphere like no other, you all don't know what you're thinking x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThkHUxtZNjY
I went through a bit of a phase with Brony music at one point, I really quite admired not only the melancholic, classical-house-inspired sound but also the depth of storytelling and moods they create. This epic string-led song feels like the perfect song for the last dance as the end of the world happens around them, it's really stuck with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stZt_TC6sAY
Fractal Dreamers have been one of my favourite small corner of the internet discoveries and the Kingdom of Silence EP genuinely ranks as one of my favourite listens. Their sound isn't easy to categorise, but there are a lot of epic classical influences and when I saw they'd released something in early 2020, I had to send it. It's not quite their best work but still a wonderful synth and string combination that moves at a breathtaking pace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbpLrP-y2fQ
It may be too early, but I got quite caught up in the euphoria of discovering this in the dark days of January this year and though the artist is a fairly cheap choice, the song is unlike anything I've heard from them before, starting off fairly standard but with a pulsating and aggressive beat n the background with some quite forlorn desperate vocals, it keeps your attention before it completely changes track halfway through and becomes a hypnotic and beautifully building trance-like track. I'll talk about it more in my EOY probably but it's one of my favourites of the year, I'm really happy it went down so well, it was not to be a winner but I can hardly complain given I gave the winner an 18. Just give it justice in TBO and we'll be even x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuPQ6w_lDc0
One of the greatest examples of a journey in a song is this one. It follows one pulsating synth line as it escalates and descends across seven minutes and takes surprising turns, from fierce grinding to solemn piano, it's a real ride accompanied by some great visuals. I discovered it via MrSuicideSheep's Experimental week and I was really pleased to see it connect with so many. The whole EP is rather lovely, I would also recommend Skyscrapers, which has always been a potential if I wasn't hesitant about recycling my own artists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4G75PZL68o
Another very nice MrSuicideSheep discovery and a fitting one for a round numbered contest as it does reflect my sound quite well. A video-game-style epic synth-drenched run that's quite a wild ride and doesn't let up until the final moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqpnIMn0dsI
Given how much I love post-rock, it's kinda surprising I've only sent two entries with the sound but then I don't like repeating genres too often and I do like to reserve it for the very best. I will be honest the name of the artist and the spam filter on this website as well as the length did kind of make me want to send it as a troll entry, but thankfully it's much more than that. This post-rock cover of Hans Zimmer's wonderful Time from the film Inception has a beautiful build and strings mixed in that makes every use of its nine minutes. I wonder if I'd sent it now if it would do a little better, as there does seem to be more of an audience for this sort of thing now. There have been other covers of this in the contest, but mine is still the best x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct7StqqRhjk
I've pretty much put all the epic instrumentals in this section, haven't I? Similar to above, Witch house is a genre I pretty much always stan, though I've only sent this once, time for a change x Part of a series of long, galaxy-inspired tracks posted by this obscure Russian artist, they're pretty much all explosions in sound that throw everything in there - this is a great example of that with its entrancing choral section breaking up the pulsating synths.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EDP-me3FNY
Possibly patient zero of the spooky scary instrumentals that I've become so fond of. This was recommended to me on Soundcloud I think and it captivated me instantly with its horror film sound effects, crashing guitars and pulsating beat that doesn't let you up. It's another one I feel it would have a lot more of an audience had I sent it now rather than when I did, listen if you're unfamiliar, you won't regret it x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK-19lEHO60
And another spooky scary instrumental to round us out! A controversial one, one that should've qualified if not for a clerical error and one that saddened me as I really had high hopes for this, but it performed fairly lukewarm in TBO and I did get to send him again so I suppose it all worked out. The song itself is still great, a hypnotic and creepy piano line that pulls you in instantly and some serious hard drops accompanied with that fricking terrifying image gives you quite the experience to take away.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 19th June 2022, 05:50 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 21-30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9dz8pcd_P8
Runners up: Henrik B, Niklas Gustavsson, Peter Johansson – Echoes (Yehesi), Crystal Fighters – Wave (Isconia)
From almost nine (!) years ago, this one has really held up well. It's creepy synths and brilliant vocals in the chorus combine to create a brilliantly atmospheric yet danceable synthpop song, still my favourite discovery from this country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzteYM2Xv0M
Runners up: Apocalypse Orchestra - The Garden of Earthly Delights (Dobago), Rob Dougan – Furious Angels (Fljotavik)
Persephonia again, the real question is which one will be the highest and will Bre ever get round to commenting on this thread? This has a sort of medieval folk style but makes use of that awesome building, chanted chorus and an iconic throat singing outro. It's one of their most distinctive songs and still sounds wonderful, needs to be on the soundtrack to The Northman x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiZVjfjgNyY
Runners up: Houseshaker feat. Amanda Blush – Light the Sky (Bellamia), Gabrielle – Sitterher (Caerfyrddia)
This one had like a re-release in recent years I think? I was pleased to see it pop up again as it reminded me of that real power I felt when I first heard it, the synths and hushed yet emotional vocals give it a real emotional punch especially with the psychedelic-esque video. I also never knew this was Imogen Heap on vocals! (Yes, I gave as much as ten points to TARO Bellamia in the past! )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3AKSxFJ6FM
Runners up: Faun – Gaia (Lotunia), Burial – Space Cadet (Skall)
It was only from last year, but I feel confident to rank this as my favourite of the Trifoski top pointers I've given out. It's a glorious euphoric ride that throws just about everything into the mix, yet still sounding wonderful and uplifting in its various vocal samples, sax solo and melodic instrumental. There's one similar euphoric, packed almost-instrumental still to come from the very same year coming up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18-Ye2L3ej8
Runners up: pg.lost – Terrain (Arcodesia), Animal Collective – Banshee Beat (Skall)
This is a strange one as I'd known this for some time when it was entered and had considered sending this myself, but always assumed it would be vetoed given how well the Midnight do in this contest. I suppose my bad for not trying, but it was one of my favourite discoveries of the past decade so it was always gonna be high, and I was totally disengaged from this contest after my DNQ for Suspiria so I didn't care enough to penalise it for familiarity. It's the Midnight's 80s fever as its very best - beautiful sax solos, guitars, an anthemic chorus, it deserves to be the go-to anthem symbolising 'a new day' ala One Day Like This x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbGZDEFHBmc
Runners up: The Very Best – Yoshua Alikuti (Skall), Neon Indian – Annie (PRoJ)
A wonderfully quirky instrumental with what I think are some Middle-Eastern influences peppered in, but those huge synths really take a lot of the focus and it's undeniable. I hold this contest to quite good memories as it was the same one as when I sent Miracles and this top 3 and many more are still very close to my heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hQXSsbQCMs
Runners up: Erkka – Plastic Flamingoes (#00274E), Paradis – Garde Le Pour Toi (Utopia)
I don't know a lot about this potty-mouthed band but this was a great introduction and one of Cumulonimbia's early entries. Its computer malfunctioning synth-style builds to a massive swirling breakdown in what is still a wonderful listen, shoutout to Plastic Flamingoes too with similar quirky instrumental power.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j4I0PqNzKE
Runners up: John De Sohn feat. Kristin Amparo - Dance Our Tears Away (Sandeborg), Truls – Out of Yourself (Persephonia)
One of the most uplifting and feel-good songs entered here, it's impossible not to feel totally filled with whimsy and optimism after hearing that whistling hook so many times (and I did as it was snapped up by a lot of adverts at the same time x), another contest in which I hold quite good uni memories of and Dance Our Tears Away got unlucky as that is one of my favourite dance-pop songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCWyGO0x1Uo
Runners up: Fraunhofer Diffraction – Fate (Aeroche), Ratty – Sunrise (Here I Am) (Botanikka)
The highest of Jadakissnia's entries here, I do love their spooky scary, witchy entries, but this quite trip-hop-esque one hit a lot different and the slow build, swirling strings and dramatic vocals really give this an epic, standout feel that is reminiscent of Massive Attack a little bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzNvk80XY9s
Runners up: Wim Mertens – Close Cover (FSR Rontvia), Boards of Canada – 1969 (Ambienta)
Sleeping at Last first came to my attention when they were sent to BJSC Instrumentals spin-off with the beautiful Hearing. Saturn isn't entirely instrumental but has a lot of the same power in it's strings and piano combined with his soft vocals to make something very soothing and beautiful, like a modern-day lullaby or stress reliever. It's something Keane would've killed for back in the day.

-x-

Next section should come next week hopefully, hopefully before this list becomes three entries out of date (speaking of, apocalyptic dance didn't quite work out but Scottish post-punk was a step in the right direction whoop *.), in the meantime, go listen to my Pride entry x

Posted by: Roba. 19th June 2022, 05:54 PM

'Pumpin Blood' is a banger. Also major love to DJ Sabrina and Sleeping At Last. Both wonderful entries!

Posted by: Jade 19th June 2022, 06:05 PM

Fantastic to see three of my entries showing up in your top 40! Admittedly I don't revisit 'Ave Plague' that much but I still adore 'Toccata' and 'Earth Not Above' as much as when I sent them back in 2016, great picks. Who knew binge-watching 'Catfish' one night would introduce me to what would become your favourite entry of mine

'Time' is up there with your very best for me I pointed it generously at the time but it was still a post-contest grower, to the extent of wishing I'd given it 18. So intense <3

Posted by: Doctor Blind 2nd July 2022, 11:21 PM

“Surf Solar” is one of my favourite Cumulonimbia entries - the video (Penguins), the bass, the pacing. It also iconically led for one of the leaderboard updates IIRC!



Clams Casino – I’m God (Skall, BJSC 58) - this is god tier, how this didn't win!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd July 2022, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the comments all <3 Can I still get this finished before the next contest starts? :x A tall order but here's another section x (@Jade: My favourite from you would be Arcade Summer actually, I regret never giving that 18 )

-x-

Terra Avium entries 11-20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jIyWlVL7R8
Probably the one of the DNQs that has the most 'cult following', it would go on to get a great position in Rejects despite the quite nasty surprise of this DNQing despite a lot of hype behind it (or just a couple of very vocal people ). Crywolf makes the sort of dark, melancholic dubstep that I was massively into back then and though this is not actually the original whose beats are a lot more subtle, it adds some beautiful explosive breaks to the sombre duetting vocals. A wonderful sad anthem, I thought nothing could beat this as my top DNQ but something has...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cJ9oVW8hO0
While I love post-rock, I tend to only select the ones that really hit me and this eleven-minute epic definitely struck me on a late-night YouTube trawl. Dedicated to Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl who was a victim of the Hiroshima bombings and became the face of the event, remembered by the many origami cranes she made, the song starts with low ambient guitar before exploding into a searing harsh sound before gradually fading out as it came out, coupled with the visuals, it takes the form of a haunting metaphorical journey through her short life and unfinished dreams. It's the sort of under-the-radar masterpiece that I'm naturally drawn to and wanted to introduce here, and I was thrilled to see a lot better performance for it than my last post-rock entry!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw6ZX07NZSM
First of two piano instrumentals here, this one standing out amongst others for its progressing beat gradually merging with other electronic sounds and beautiful accompanying visuals filmed in Reykjavik with an enigmatic figure that makes it quite an entrancing experience. It didn't quite follow my other piano instrumentals into the top 10, but still a solid showing x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o_VTdT573Y
My first time reaching the heights of the medal table, it was a tense evening as the two I was battling with (Delta Heavey's Ghost and Caravan Palace's Lone Digger) were both favourites of mine, and I'd honestly not expected this at all. I'm very proud of it though, as it wasn't an entry gaining any online hype or by a big name, it was just another late-night YouTube find that I almost didn't send, and yet it connected with so many. I was thrilled to see it and though I don't come back to it as much as my other hits, its Aqualung sample is used masterfully to create a gorgeous, if hard-hitting, sad and haunting exercise in how minimalism can conjure huge emotions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJDMAHdGDDg
And another piano-led one, you'd think I quite liked these x This is a stripped-down, twinkly style piano that gradually builds up to sad strings and a haunting choir creating a heavenly and ethereal effect that just makes it so...pretty, one of my most beautifully composed entries (and the GOT still in the video was a sore point for me at the time x). We still have one piano instrumental to come that does it slightly better, but you can never go wrong with one of these (and indeed it broke my bad run of form at the time)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9IMOrF_6EE
Another utterly unjust DNQ which I'm still mad about, it would thankfully also get some justice in the later Rejects contest. I've not checked out a lot of U.S. Girls' work and that's probably to my detriment going by what the critics say. It reminds me of Kate Bush in a lot of ways, including the title mimicking that of one of her songs, and is a dark, synthy journey with the lead vocal switching from furious, to whispering to other-worldly excellently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXakG7IRWeI
So I don't normally recycle artists, but I felt like I had to in this case as Varien has done so many different styles, one release is never the same as the next. This one is a true journey of a song, I've used that word a lot but it really applies here, written and composed while she was in a very dark place and it shows, it moves from harsh synths to bleak piano and organ to an unsettling, echo-ey outro which sounds almost supernatural. It's incredibly hard-hitting, even tough to listen to at times, but is one of the many ways that Varien has massively stood out, and while it sadly flopped in the final (which I did to put down to an overload of instrumentals in that final), I'm glad that it got justice for Lilith anyway x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkj83iwRmNk
Perhaps a bit big of a name for BJSC, but this was a live studio cover of a Human League song that sounded incredibly well done for a live performance that somehow randomly ended up on my new music playlist and I wasn't expecting a huge amount for it, but it was my second biggest hit that year. The synths and production take you right back to the 80s here, it's glorious, now must get around to checking out their other material x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtyyO4NCqP4
My first properly big hit, yay! It was quite the feeling of elation on hearing this announced especially as I had only ever finished in the sub-20s until this point. I cheated a little with this,
as in I saw it in a few personal charts and Guardian New Music was promoting a remix of it which led to me finding a much better original, but it hadn't been attempted yet, so thought I'd give it a go. It still ranks very highly for me, especially from my earlier entries, sombre and downbeat at first before building to an explosion of feels in the synth-led chorus, it marked a small turning point for my style as I was kind of 'getting' what was doing better. Sadly, haven't heard from them since for almost a decade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAwkI1RzQg
Another early entry, I can't really explain how this has stuck with me amongst these much punchier songs, but this minimalistic, dreamy xylophone-led song with a gorgeous, hand-drawn video struck me at the time to send this over Rhye's Open (probably not the best choice hit-wise, but I stand by it x) has always made me feel quite rosy, and introduced me to the many minimalist, lo-fi charming little songs that this duo have. It's the sort of music you can get lost to in relaxing playlists, maybe not quite right for BJSC, but a wonderful listen nonetheless.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd July 2022, 08:02 PM

Terra Avium 12s/18s 11-20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eHMCbR_s_Y
Runners up: San Fermin – Jackrabbit (Trifoski), OMFG – Ice Cream (Altyr Muunilinst)
Oh, I thought nothing could beat this for the top 10, but it's tough up there (they do still have one to come), one of my favourite synthwave entries and truly one that set the bar. It came up on my running playlist today and sounds every bit as epic now <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk6OsIncmsM
Runners up: Paradis – Toi Et Moi (Trifoski), Fla.mingo – Die (Eledan/Pi)
An artist that would inspire a future entry of mine, but I give credit that this still holds up a lot better. An unsettling, dark number with a striking horror effect, it would fit great in the current series of Stranger Things. The female vocals add a lot here, a sense of vulnerability and suspense that take it to the next level. A lot of great songs came in this contest (which was my 50th) which I still listen to now, but this still tops them all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3fStlr1EwY
Runners up: San Cisco – Beach (Bignia Zaragovina), Curxes – Haunted Gold (Trifoski)
A wonderful song from coming up to ten years ago and a 12 I don't regret, some wonderfully striking production and vocals that really lifting the edge and drama of the song to top level. Should've won x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjAb3GXHWdI
Runners up: Crystal Castles – Concrete (Tartford), Rednex – Spirit of the Hawk (Botanikka)
I still absolutely swoon and get immersed in all eleven minutes of this epic when it comes up on my shuffle. A wonderful example of post-rock mixed with black metal and Celtic strings to give something truly standout. There's a brief screamo section but it mainly gives way to those wonderful strings and goes full-on guitar epic by the end of the track. What an epic x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD3H3rmUIbw
Runners up: Up to No Good – I’ll Be Gone (Kluminican Republic), Ain’t No Love – Love Me Lots (Bridge & Law remix) (Aeroche)
Persephonia double here, and one I should have feelings of resentment towards as I sent another entry from this group to Unknown Pleasures at the time and it didn't do anywhere near as well, and then Bre goes and gets a massive hit with them x This has very different vibes to my entry though, it's much more striking, fast-paced and haunting mixing choral vocals with fast-paced electronic beats and unsettling visuals. I couldn't deny it 12, from one of the most striking and unique groups of the last decade, shame they went a bit quiet since 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAQ-UrcsBi0
Runners up: Somnium – Sinking (Jadakissnia), HISASHIz – Feign Madness (Seyetana)
This is the sort of surprise I love BJSC for, I'd not heard a lot of Mylo's discography, and while I did love In My Arms and Doctor Pressure, I didn't expect in his oeuvre a somber, low-key trip-hop style song in the vein of Massive Attack, it's a gorgeous and standout entry that deserved the success it got.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3O2GYpwitw
Runners up: Pogo – Mellow Brick Road (Kluminican Republic), DJDS – In The Flames (Syndare)
I have a lot of love for both of that top 2 (Pogo went a bit dodgy shortly after this, but Mellow Brick Road is a wonderfully weird Wizard of Oz mash-up), but Now Bad Boy with it's early 90s rave throwbacks, club shoutouts and pulsating beat is an instant standout and remains to this day, it seems to be back on YouTube after disappearing for a while so yay x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lBjcaMokvo
Runners-up: Kenton Slash Demon – Harpe (Fljotavik), BLVCK CEILING ~ WVFFLIFE (CHVRN Remix) (Jadakissnia)
Ah yes, the song that proved we could have winners with a difference with this wonderful meld of many different global styles with a mix of Tibetan chants and psytrance. It was always going to be high up my points but I was struck by how much we all united behind this and it remains one of the best winners to this day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XctSlhQvaGg
Runners up: Lost in Kiev – Insomnia (Arcodesia), NTO – Invisible (Paul Kalkbranner remix) (Land of DW)
I've only given Seyetana top marks twice, paltry compared to the points total from them to me, but both being in the top 20 shows that even if it is rare, it's great when it happens. This from last year is quite similar to Try Not to Be Afraid in it's a long wall of sound, this one being a lot more damning with sad choirs and angry frenetic production yet the glimmer of hope comes through from the sample (I still haven't got to this Cowboy Bebop yet, grr x) to make it a wonderful experience. A similar immersive sound experience still to come from them x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh6wbjljiWM
Runners up: Port Blue – Up Ship! (Aelandor), Steven Wilson – Routine (Rolloland)
An unlikely 18 from me, especially as the other songs in the top 2 seem much more my style, but something about the forlorn vocals, the bagpipes and anthemic chorus compared with that powerful outro really drew me into this and is the last but one for Aeroche.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 4th July 2022, 01:02 AM

what an incredibly based top 20 so far. Didn't expect Backdraft up so high but that's also still one of my all-time favourites, Free Tibet and Empire and Counting and Hearth and Waves are all fantastic.

And yesss at both of my entries here getting into the top 20, it's always a pleasure getting high marks from you and both of these are among my best too I think, 'Jvnko Still Loves You' is so beautiful (get on Cowboy Bebop, it's almost time I consider a rewatch of that)

Posted by: Brer 16th July 2022, 12:26 AM

nnn I intend to eventually, I have still been reading this (albeit not super promptly since I only just saw this nearly month old comment now )

To just quickly selfishly comment on the last few of my own entries xx 'Waves', 'Hearth' and 'EMPIRE' are certainly all pretty high up my faves of my own back catalogue, 'Hearth' in particular is one that I'm super glad I took the chance on and will never forget when it inexplicably got the most woots of any song in its semi-final on plug.dj back when the woot count was a thing (it's not something that I miss but still good memories x), the other two though were both among my occasional entries that I sent with a feeling that they might do very well and turned out to be right about. Kids Of The Apocalypse unfortunately seem to have removed all their music from streaming services on top of going quiet so not sure we'll ever be hearing from them again </3

I don't know what my one remaining song here is but I won't look it up

Posted by: Jade 16th July 2022, 08:52 PM

Ooh that checks out, with your fellow appreciation of synthwave. It was my entry that received the most 18s until Trudge came along! So if you had then it'd still tie for the most ()

I remember hearing 'I've Been Secretly Falling Apart' for the first time and melting on the spot, still one of your best for me shame it's still not available on streaming, the Aqualung original will do I was also a massive fan of 'Woman's Work' and was gutted that it DNQed! I've apparently streamed that 'Woman's Work' more than Kate Bush's 'This Woman's Work' over the years according to last.fm, small victories x

Pretty sure I gave medal positions to 'Waves', 'Travva', 'Need You Tonite' and 'Free Tibet', taste!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th August 2022, 01:59 PM

OK, it's been long enough, time to get this finished! Thank you for the continued interest, I'm pretty sure I've been quite clear on what my favourites are before so none of this should be a surprise so I won't drag this post out x

Terra Avium entries 1-10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2pZqJFyY4Q
I never thought something could overtake Crywolf in the 'iconic DNQ' stakes, but this takes the mantle for my favourite DNQ. To this day, I am still appaled and livid that this did as bad as it did, I know it's a bit niche but it's just insulting for how standout a track that is. Part of an EP focused on domestic and sexual abuse of women, the acid house serves as a suitably unsettling backdrop for the throaty, damaged vocals, the track flows steadily until it suddenly stops leaving you with just her vocals and it's one of the most haunting experiences I've heard in a song in recent years before the beat kicks back in with some renewed anger and confidence in the vocals. It's a haunting, unsettling journey of an entry, I'm gonna need YBO Rejects right now x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK3fVJtFTh0
Yep, I entered Bastille before it was cool x This is a tough one to rank as I don't really associate this or them with BJSC at all for obvious reasons, but I do really love this song. It's probably the most Coldplay-esque thing they've ever done which helps and wasn't a hit so avoided overplay, but it's such a gorgeous, standout ballad with a great electronic undertone that they have never matched (indeed, it's been a gradual deterioration from there, their music this era has been shit x). It was my last qualifier before my run of 7 DNQs and my first wooden spoon, yet it has stuck with me better than many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmN4jzEr7TE
I mean there was a reason when I heard this in 2019 and immediately bookmarked it for my anniversary three years later (asides from the fact Thomas Bergersen is quite easily vetoable these days x), everything about this is so triumphant, it's something that should be played at the Olympics - the effortless merging of different styles from Bhangra to Celtic folk, the constantly building nature and rousing feel that makes you really remember how wonderful and diverse we are as a culture and makes you hope we can overcome what troubles come our way. It was one of my favourite songs of the 2010s and I'm very pleased to see so many here take to it so well too (even if I still can't win x) <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Vo3J-bWeY
This was one of my first real wins for experimental entries, I just found it buried away on a Soundcloud stream but was really struck by the power of the ambient production combined with the sombre vocals and slow build, its atmosphere almost mimicking a wolf's environment. It really exceeded my expectations in the final, especially as there was doubts it would even qualify, it also led me to the lush sounds of ambient music channel which is where I found my first top 3 hit from. Eight years later, it's still got that same power and standout feel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWDcMnBvsIA
I was surprised how highly I ranked this, but I just enjoy it so much every time I listen, it's quite an underrated gem these days. The neo-classical Japanese group, films, have been one of my favourite online discoveries and I've sent quite a few of their stuff round the forum, this is them collaborating with various other Rico Label artists of a similar genre which combines their operatic sounds and harsh violins with post-rock distortion and murky production that is wonderfully invigorating right up until the end. It's reminded me I need to check what they're doing again x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZnw3fEl5M
Though I have been typecast with it before, I don't actually enter epic classical that much anymore as while there's plenty of it, there's only so much you can hear before they're starting to sound the same. Two Steps/Thomas Bergersen are obviously an exception to this, but not a lot others have proven that standout until this rather wonderful majestic piece, with triumphant strings, gospel choirs and a scale suitably grand to fit the continent in the title, you'd find it hard to believe he was only a student of classical music 21 when recording this. It had to be my 50th anyway, accompanied with an unofficial yet beautiful David Attenborough-style African wildlife video, it was my style to a tee. It hasn't lost any of its power, though I would highly recommend If Elephants Could Fly which I would enter myself if I wasn't keeping self-recycles to a minimum x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdyG7Q_u7bg
If epic grand classical tracks are my trump card, piano instrumentals would probably be my back-up. But as wonderful as all of them that have been so far are, none are as emotional or affecting as the first one I entered, Precious Little, recorded in order to raise money for innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire in the war, it is set over a single continuing sad piano melody before some haunting strings join the fray to create a truly touching and tear-jerking moment that exemplifies how you can create such big emotions with such minimalism. It was a risk to send but I'm so glad I did and it will take something truly special to knock this as my favourite piano instrumental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTaFArEObU
My first of what would become quite a reputation for me as the eternal bridesmaid here, and probably one of my cheaper entries given he had an album out, was entered earlier in the year and had some suitable acclaim behind him. Yet I couldn't resist this as it's one of the most beautiful duets I've ever heard. Wilson's restrained, sombre sound merges perfectly with the more powerful and gravelly tones of Ninet Tayab with some tragic lyrics reflecting on loneliness. The explosion of guitars near the end gives me the absolute chills, my favourite medallist and again one I can't see changing any time soon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mlX318Q3w
(inb4 Bre 'You've forgot 2'), I was fairly late to discovering M83 (when most of the Indie world had already done so x) but they are now one of my favourite bands and while they are not usually an act I'd sneak past the veto, this closing soundtrack to You & The Night (a French arthouse orgy film...lol x) went a bit under the radar that I had to take the chance. Officially my first 'epic instrumental' and biggest hit until Owsey came along almost two years later, this is pretty much everything you could want from cinematic M83, whirling synths, sombre strings and a gradual layering of sound unfolding over six minutes, it's kinda hilarious that this could come from the film it did, but it doesn't make it any less powerful. Honestly I do sort of think of this as one of my watershed entries which I really knew what sound I wanted to send, and that's reflected in the gradual improvement in my performance over the years, much like me in this contest, it may forever be the bridesmaid, but a pretty great bridesmaid at that x


01. Two Steps From Hell - Miracles (34th entry, BJSC 76, 12th)
I mean is this surprising? I've waxed lyrical about how glorious Two Steps from Hell were and how they've contributed to expanding and refining my music taste so much over the years as well as how they made me refine my 'sound' in BJSC, and it all started with this beautiful euphoric number that still is the main jewel in my proverbial BJSC crown. I visibly remember being terrified this would DNQ that's how much it impacted me, I'm very glad it didn't and while it wasn't my biggest ever hit, I take pride in introducing this act to Buzzjack and opening the floodgates for many more intriguing classical instrumentals from myself and many others (not to toot my own horn, but they were pretty rare before this x ). But however well it would've done, it's still easily my favourite entry, do listen if you're not familiar, you won't regret it x




And now on to the bit that you guys might feature in x

Posted by: Chez Wombat 14th August 2022, 03:07 PM

Terra Avium 18s/12s 10-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2gGQV3L4ig
Finalists: Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (Oslol), Kontrust – Sock N Doll (What)
The other massive Seyetana instrumental starts us off, they do energetic instrumentals very well and this is a whirlwind of energy from the first minute that barely stops to breathe and though it is a lot about the production, the little vocal samples throughout do add an emotional touch to it that makes it very satisfying. Topping off a wonderful top 3 all of which I still listen to today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaFnOnxPMBk
Runners up: tiny deaths – Ocean (Persephonia), Bagarre – Claque-Le (#00274E)
Singerpurear have sent many different styles that you can never tell what's coming next, but I highly doubt it will ever better this. One of the most devastatingly sad songs and videos I've seen in here, just watching a few minutes of those poor bunnies and hearing those shrill strings and falsetto vocals is enough to make me get the shivers. I don't entirely know what it's about, but sometimes the emotion is all you need and it's an incredibly effective package that I do wish the mainstream world knew about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhDv9Gwj5wI
Runners up: Pyramid – Wolf (Varake), Wave Racer – Rock U Tonite (Kluminican Republic)
A masterclass in subtlety to create beauty, this was one of the many early 12-pointers I had that encouraged me to search a bit wider for that real emotional power that instrumentals can bring (indeed, it's from MrSuicideSheep that would go onto be a favourite of mine). At the time, I was finishing university and was slightly unsure of my future so the title and wistful tone really resonated with me a lot, but even without that context, it's a beautiful piece of music that while it never really goes anywhere, it doesn't need to, it's all about that mood it creates. Shoutout to 2nd and 3rd as well which I still play as well x

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDsMpOM4uAU
Runners up: Kölsch - þema fyrir fljótavík (Fljotavik), Life Sim – IDL (Persephonia)
The highest and in my opinion, most epic entry from Rolloland, officially two songs but they go together very well. The first part a more Mumford & Sons-ish (in a good way!) acoustic led song until the instrumental and vocal builds into something very striking and introduces the wonderful female vocals that turns it into a forlorn and beautiful duet which really does make you feel the sadness present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbDfVveKVIw
Runners up: Ana Caprix - @The Villa (Blackout) (N DNTN), The Magician feat. Years & Years – Sunlight (Trifoski)
The highest for multiple medallist, Persephonia was actually their first winner and one of just a handful of my top pointers that have gone on to win, I hope that makes you happy x This is another song where the context really feeds into the music, recorded to reflect the horrors of the Israel-Palestine war and the emotional and rapid pace of the track is really affecting, a perfect example of drum'n'bass. My recent memory of this was blaring it out while on the vast Battlefield of the Jacobites while in Scotland last year, not quite the same context it was associated with, but the war-torn and urgent feel is just so apparent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY11rh5nQJs
Runners up: Hang the DJ – Dark Dark in the Night (Greenfroze), SomethingALaMode feat. DWNTWN – On My Mind (Kylienips)
One of my favourite ever top 2s, Dark Dark in the Night is a big favourite, but it was never gonna match this bonkers, creative take on Max Richter's version on Vivaldi throwing in s handful of Middle-Eastern sounds, I even sent this to the Andra Chansen contest years back and won with it, if only it had been sent later! Still my favourite from Cumulonimbia and a pinnacle of creative musical fusions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vkj-t1ytzo
Runners up: Phase Spin & Matty Graham feat. Jolene – Let You Go (Herzebania), Urban Cone – Kings & Queens (Bignia Zaragovina)
Both this and the next song have special memories attached to me as at the time, BJSC was very much pop-oriented and I couldn't believe some of the stuff that was doing well, but the make-up of the contest was changing and a song like this (which many thought would DNQ at the time) was able to cruise to victory was a brilliant moment for alternative music in BJSC (and ofc. was the first of many for Aeroche!). But even outside of that context, it's wonderful with one of the most sad and difficult to watch videos that fits the slow build of the song perfectly (even if it does cut it short, if you're on the go, keep to the seven minute version x)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmc21V-zBq0
Runners up: The Sound of Arrows – Conquest (#00274E), Sigur Ros – Ekki Muk (PRoJ)
Again, arguably the song that singlehandedly opened the floodgates for alt songs (and even if it wasn't, it certainly caused arguments about that ), nowadays, it's quite established in real life as that song that's used for soundbites for sports events occasionally, but to me it will always be one of my favourite discoveries. I still have never seen a song quite like it with it's unique mix of strings and percussion and it's used to brilliant effect accompanied by the video. A classic forever and always.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEAHQ2gvdF8
Runners up: Laurel – Fire Breather (Nexity Remix) (Danaelanda), TALA – Serbia (Persephonia)
While unlike some others in the top 5, I don't have any specific cultural or contextual memories for BJSC, I just really love this song. It's like if Coldplay and New Order combined, it's beautiful with the twinkly production, rousing chorus and one of the first uses of that Alan Watts sample which I've heard pop up in so many songs. This doesn't sound like I've written enough to justify this being as high as second, but believe me, it is!

01. Lindsey Stirling – Crystallize (Zechonia, BJSC 43)
Runners up: Nause – Mellow (Republique d’Ashton), Morgan Page feat. Tegan & Sara – Body Work (Kylienips)
I mean what can I say, the first classical instrumental I can remember in BJSC (in my second contest) and it's success against the odds, while I can't say it influenced my sound as I was still confined to small mainstream blogs to pick my entries and hadn't thought of where to look further, it certainly kept me interested enough so I was finally able to eventually find that sound for my own. The whirling strings are still so epic, I don't think this country will ever see this as they left years ago, but thank you for this nonetheless (Zechonia's entries would be welcome back these days tbh x)




Thanks for all those who've read and commented in this little self-indulgent musing of mine, BJSC has been a significant part of my life and music taste for ten years now so I felt like I wanted to do it justice by going back over my own entries and those that kept me coming back, I knew it would take ages but at least I've finished it now! Thank you one and all, here's to another 100! (if the site lasts that long oops x)

Now onto this month's entry, trust me you'll have a STRONG WANT to hype this whatever you're wearing x

Posted by: King Rollo 14th August 2022, 06:35 PM

Good to see Untouchable here. As the next most recent in the top 10 is from BJSC81, it's your favourite song by any country since Rolloland joined the contest so I'm honoured.

Anathema ran out of money after their 2020 tour was cancelled due to the pandemic and they split up.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 15th August 2022, 09:45 AM

honoured to be in the top 10 with one of my best ever entries <3

naturally awesome picks throughout both top 10s, particularly great winners of both

Posted by: Chez Wombat 29th November 2022, 08:10 PM

Well after all that effort, you guys have sent me on my longest DNQ streak since 2012, why did I even bother...

Still, we can hope to end this and this one calls for a revival of this thread x

BJSC CL: Going for Gold



The landmark 150th entry (celebrated as is only appropriate in the glorious land of ducks) was decided by our woodcock consultants who have never been on Terra Avium's entry panel before but after the recent underperformance, have been brought in as creative consultants, though they have said their flying speed has nothing to do the choice of title x

This is a live version of a track originally released in 1991 and a cover of the Pink Floyd album, it is expanded to nine minute length and allows for an expanded guitar solo that builds and builds before going truly stratospheric. While officially a shoegaze group, there's some real post rock vibes that come with it, and it's even more incredible to think this was all done live.

Here's hoping for an end to the DNQ streak, I mean if it isn't, you are most definitely getting our meltdown entry in January ;-)

Posted by: Chez Wombat 4th March 2023, 06:12 PM

After 109 contests including near misses (which may well be a new record between debut and win, but don't quote me on that), last night it was confirmed that Terra Avium had finally won a contest with the breakbeat Angels Forever by Nyteout. Birdsong has persisted throughout the day, flocks have gathered and the nocturnal team that chose this entry has received a hero's welcome from the masses and an honorary mention from President Orlee.



It was certainly not a done deal by the end of the night, while we did end up with a fairly clear lead, it remained incredibly close and it was only in the last two votes that the lead was secured. We received an impressive five 18s on the night from the wonderful people at Seyetana, Persephonia, Buzzjack Mountain, Dobago & Fljotavik. We also received three 15s from Freedonia, Land of DW & Jadakissnia and several 12-10 pointers despite no bronzes. To all those and to all who contributed to our pleasing total of 333 points, we thank you dearly and offer a complimentary basket of eggs which will be sent to all delegates. In an incredibly pleasing twist, our own favourite for the night, FSR Rontvia, finished 2nd in what will be very hard in becoming the nation's favourite ever result.

Coming after a run of DNQs (and an additional one just last contest), we are hopeful that this will improve the fractured Buzzjackian-Bird relations and great prosperity to the nation. We hope to see you all very soon as we take to the skies for the next contest.



(Maybe this will be a trigger for me to finally keep this thread updated, but don't quote me on that x)

Posted by: Jade 5th March 2023, 08:31 PM

Well done for finally taking the crown!!! this is immediately an ultimate favourite of yours, t'was unlucky to run into FSR Rontvia in the same edition as it sounds like a nailed on 18 for me most other contests. I did think you'd do well but I couldn't call a winner this time, love to see another fab one this year. Hyyyyped for your contest! (need to decide what to send though *_*)

(also this is a new low of belated reply but: 'Run Boy Run', 'Cry For Freedom' + 'I Am The Antichrist To You' are all big faves of mine too <3 I need to familiarise myself with 'moan' more as it was before my time and I really like what I know of Trentemøller. 'Miracles' is a beautiful pick of favourite own entry of yours, was stanning that and ofc 'I've Been Secretly Falling Apart' from you so hard in 2015. )