O-M

 

Oslol　おすろる

Well one theme with Oslol this year is that they did well at finding songs with long titles . And in the case of Hayley Orrantia, a sequel to their Elle King entry in finding a title that looks obnoxiously redneck. But it was a good song nevertheless, I have some sympathy for country. I quite liked Dangerous and Brand New Moves and yes, I actually quite liked the ballad of Honey apart from the unintentionally hilarious video it came with. Quite a few DNQs for the masters of PJSC but at least they’re experimenting a bit over here, I wasn’t a fan of Merry Clayton at all but Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence was a great introduction to a classic tune for me and one of the best instrumentals we’ve seen in the contest this year.

Ranking: Ryuichi Sakamoto – Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence > Built By Titan – Dangerous > Kenzie May – Honey > Hayley Orrantia – Strong, Sweet & Southern > Hey Violet – Brand New Moves > Asta – Wild Emotion > Liam Summers – When U Do Me Like That > Froder – Air I Need > Merry Clayton – When The World Turns Blue

 

Ojnoj　おじゅのじゅ

Only a couple of entries for Ojnoj this year, I wasn’t too much of a fan of Chelsea Lankes, I haven’t been in the past what with her one word titles and fairly throwaway pop songs, but Lao Ra was completely a different story, my most recent 18 and what a banger it was. Definitely keep up that sort of quality please Jonjo if you’re staying.

Ranking: Lao Ra – Bang Boom > Chelsea Lankes - Bullet

 

Niceland　にせぁぬづ

A new country with unfortunately not much success right now, I can sort of see why, Lovers Friend was somewhat commercial BJSC but the other two weren’t. I do prefer the charm of AJR though, I couldn’t help it, I might have actually done so, I’d have certainly considered, but keep trying Pete, eventually you’ll get a breakthrough and it’ll be glorious.

Ranking: AJR – I’m Not Famous > MOWE – Lovers Friend > Royce Lovett – I Wanna Love You

 

New Lexico　ねわ　れじこ

Thankfully, New Lexico have been present for all ten contests this year and they’ve done rather well at getting success. Albeit in the latter part of the year they’ve tended a bit towards the sort of pop I’m not so often into, I wouldn’t actually say any of it was bad. Praying eventually grew on me to be a little bit less horrific than Feeling, Kaye, Richard Istel and Gutarra were just ‘pretty much there’ entries and King Deco was some medium-ly strong pop that I have no real issues with. The two drag entries come about the middle of the rank and I really considered pointing Adore Delano as it has some really nice chord progression. It’s certainly an improvement on stuff like Boy Is A Bottom and This Is My Hair. Being commercial though, I have to say their three top tens were their best of the year though. I’d known Ashes Of My Paradise since it first got vetoed and it was nice to see it finally get its dues to counteract Kelly Sweet (after Sirens) tarnishing her legacy in BJSC a bit with a few below par dance tracks. Colorblind Cruisin, as chosen for my nightcore, just really stuns me with those carefully sung but speedy fast verses, it’s so addictive and very nearly takes the top spot. But a Celtic track is very hard to beat for me and Tir Na Nog is a beautiful stringed throwdown (or at least the Celtic version of one) track that I definitely don’t have entry jealousy over. A very good year for you Lex.

Ranking: Celtic Woman – Tír Na NÓg > Sofi De La Torre – Colorblind Cruisin > Kelly Sweet – Ashes Of My Paradise > Adore Delano – Take Me There > King Deco – Castaway > Tatianna – The Same Parts > Gutarra – Let’s Get Fxxxed One Last Time > Richard Istel – Still Mit Dir > Kaye - UUU > BB Diamond – Praying

 

N-Lazone　んーらぞね

I was slightly baffled at the success of Waterfalls and to a lesser extent Tuesday (and actually I’m more surprised to see Oasis finishing higher than those as I remember so little about that track and even listening to it now doesn’t help it – it was less than a month ago, come on Iz!), but I don’t hate that sort of low-level subtle dance, I just don’t always point it. N-Lazone are a weird nation for me, with more support than I expect them to have, but I like Tuesday and Waterfalls, although both needed to grow on me, and I summarily like them both now more than I did in the contest.

Ranking: LVNDSCAPE and Holland Park – Waterfalls > Burak Yeter – Tuesday > John Rous and Alfie Rhodes – Oasis > Detour - Plešem Sama

 

N DNTN　ん　づんつん　

First off, as far as Plaitum are concerned, LMHY is far better. I don’t know what it is about Jagwa but it’s just got so much going on I can never really get a handle on it. This lineup has two great entries, one bad entry, Security, never thought much of Heartbroken anyway, and then from Jagwa up to Milk Choc, it’s all pretty competent pleasant stuff that I didn’t love enough to point. Which I guess is about normal with regards me to N DNTN, I do find occasionally Chris has a tune I adore. I’d say Milk Choc, 285 and Kiss To Kiss were all within reach of getting points and I have to give some brownie points to Cash Flow for doing a good M.I.A impression. The two I loved though: Raye really shocked me, I had thought nothing of her last entry. And most entries of that sort I ignore straight away. I ignored Shhh at first. But on subsequent listens it just got better and better, because of its fast pace and sense of purpose – it was that sort of standout pop-RnB entry that it won over even me, who’s been quite disparaging about songs of a similar genre in the past. That’s the key to a BJSC entry and it was beautiful to see that in action and then win. It’d be nearly the best if not for the slow beauty of Socila that again felt purposeful as the slow motion vocals marched towards some great synths, synths that felt like aura, one of my favourite ever BJSC entries, I adore that elusive vibe and Socila found it.

Ranking: John The Baptiste – Socila > Raye – Shhh > Kazaky - Milk Choc > Kitty Pryde – 285 > The Swiss – Kiss To Kiss > Nadia Tehran – Cash Flow > Kiddy Smile – Let A Bitch Know >Vendredi Sur Mer – La Femme A La Peau Bleue > Plaitum – Jagwa > Sega Bodega – Security

 

Mulgracia　むるぐらしあ

I see much fewer generic dance tracks this year. That is good! Because Beautiful (It Hurts) was one of the most laughable of the lot and it’s good you didn’t go any further down that route, I predicted how it would sound before I listened to it and I was exactly right. It wasn’t bad to listen to but it was so generic I couldn’t even take it seriously. On the other slightly generic dance entry, I respect and like Kaskade so Us was pretty enjoyable and had a good choice of vocals. Wasn’t a fan of off bloom or this Ariana Rose entry, Chronic was alright, Moth To The Flame was pretty weak for Chairlift and then we get to the good stuff. Cobi was a rather good Hozier pastiche, but the real winners for me were the rock (of course it’s the rock), Chasing Shadows had a very nostalgic sound, I liked that. And then of course Dance Like Hell, a huge return to form for Monarchy and Mulgracia alike, actually challenging We Were Young as my favourite Monarchy song. I didn’t think that could be done.

Ranking: Monarchy – Dance Like Hell > Angels & Airwaves – Chasing Shadows > Kaskade – Us > Cobi – Don’t You Cry For Me > Chairlift – Moth To The Flame > Phoebe Ryan – Chronic > Project 46 – Beautiful (It Hurts) > off Bloom – Love To Hate It > Ariana Rose – Survival Of The Fittest

 

Medhelnia　めでへれにあ

Well Medhelnia, you’ve had a very interesting trajectory as far as results go and it’s always been one worth talking about, whether it’s a surprise hit or a huge, down in flames failure, it’s made you one of the most noticeable countries. And there’s a certain Medhelnia sound now, even after less than a year here. And that’s a good sound as it’s rooted in British psychedelic pop and electrosynth pop, that sort of M83/MGMT/Smallpools vibe – and that’s a great vibe. I’m slightly jealous. Well, part of that is that I found Feeling Electric in the depths of my huge potential list after you sent it and I don’t remember me even finding it, let alone seeing any of the potential I saw when I listened to it at that moment and saw it for the wonderful hit it was. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool I imagine is conjuring up similar feelings for Bre, that was a lovely introduction to a song I’d heard Bre talk about before but never actually listened to (must pay more attention). No Wyld and FMLYBND, very strong FIFA soundtrack songs, I enjoyed seeing a return for FMLYBND, Electricity was one of the first nightcores I experimented on myself, as I started doing it not long after the contest when that was entered. No Wyld was one of the most surprising hits of the year for me but it was a good one. Surfboard Fire probably deserved more than it got but I had no spaces to help it in 80 and it had that deduction. Fuqboi… :’) it’s growing on me, that sound is hard for me to fully hate. And then the first two entries, I guess experimentation to find out how this contest works, not your best but you figured out what works very quickly and made your mark exceptionally well, you already have more top 5 finishes than me. I don’t feel inadequate, what are you talking about?

Ranking: Parade Of Lights – Feeling Electric > Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance The Way I Feel > No Wyld – Let Me Know > FMLYBND – Come Alive > Blitz//Berlin – Surfboard Fire > Hey Violet – Fuqboi > Kállay Saunders Band – Faded > Topic – Home

Very much looking forward to Deandria's slot in this because I know a few of my entries left a pretty good impression on you this year but there are many where I have no idea at all what you thought! So it'll be interesting to read for sure. tbh I only entered every single contest this year so that you would have every possible entry of the year to go on for this :kink: jk!

Yeah, looking back on the year, fully half of my entries this year were right on the borderline of points from you (Color Guard/Fallgrapp both getting 2 points, TWRR 1 point and Baby Blood/Øfdream commiserations), at least I'm mostly consistent! + of course did have 2 entries break through in a bigger way for you <3 Poor Aron Can though. Not that a Drake/Future-alike was ever going to appeal much to you, but our tastes were clearly abnormally divergent on that one, as it's in my 2 favourites of my own this year.

"Feeling Electric" is legit perfect

Very much looking forward to Deandria's slot in this because I know a few of my entries left a pretty good impression on you this year but there are many where I have no idea at all what you thought! So it'll be interesting to read for sure. tbh I only entered every single contest this year so that you would have every possible entry of the year to go on for this :kink: jk!

 

If I can get more people entering BJSC for that reason... *.*

L - J

 

Lomaja　ろまじゃ

A very promising new country as I’ve liked all of their entries so far. Starting off with K-Pop is never bad and Born To Be Wild was probably the second best K-Pop song to come up during the year because I’d been experimenting with that sort of dirty K-Pop sound a bit myself in my listening habits. Trampoline was wonderful as KKB always are and yet again they were horrifically underrated in the final results, I have to wonder if I’m hearing something different to everyone else as it’s just amazing pop-dance that I’d expect everyone to be flinging high points to. And From Here I didn’t expect to like but it grew on me, very good for that sort of song. Excellent start Lomaja, continue like this please.

Ranking: Kero Kero Bonito – Trampoline > Triple T – Born To Be Wild > Chrystina Sayers – From Here

 

Land Of DW　づわ　の　らぬづ

Quite an eclectic mix of entries as ever from Land Of DW, and pretty much of all of them had some merit to them, Spacecats was a bit brash but it wasn’t that bad, and Antti was a bit generic Finnish pop but still… Finnish, that language even gets me on songs like that. And Condimente really got a raw deal, it’s quite catchy. Normally I’d say that’s the worst it can get but Land Of DW had another last-place finisher and it was completely undeserved as Kadebostany got underrated again. Not quite as good as Castle In The Snow but still… don’t do that to them, they’re an interesting band. Frank’s most talked about success is some overhyped country-pop, it’s enjoyable but doesn’t stand out so much compared to the rest of your entries although it at least isn’t your least good entry of the year as Search Party was (and actually it finished lower than Bobby K, which was some decent Halsey-esque electro). The best Land Of DW as ever though is their ventures into dance and whether that’s the deliberate drop in Indaqo or the frenzied rush that is Deep, it’s lovely to listen to. Praan was a great early world tune that didn’t get enough love, it feels so lovely and atmospheric and with that Planet Earth-like video, I have to love it. However I don’t think anything comes close to Spring, it’s like a happier ResuRection with brighter sound effects, pinnacle of 90s dance that I had no idea existed before this. Definitely an excellent discovery.

Ranking: RMB – Spring > Garry Schyman – Praan > Marusha – Deep > Kadebostany – Teddy Bear > Indaqo – Boom Boom Boom > Lucian & Remmi – Bobby K > Ward Thomas – Carry You Home > Nosfe – Condimente > Antti Tuisku - Pyydä Multa Anteeks Kunnolla > Ummet Ozcan - Spacecats

 

Kylienips　きゃりにぷす

I probably exaggerated to Skype how much I hated That Other Girl in the contest…. *listens*… nah I was right, that breakdown is still horrendous. Xanax was nothingy, I liked the act name of Antony & Cleopatra but not really the song, Drugs was funny but not in a good way, Hatef*** was offputting and slow, Juventa was generic, yeah, it hasn’t been the best year for Kylienips I’m afraid, certainly nothing as good as The Hardkiss or Meg Myers last year. Silk was a good entry though and Porcelain had nothing especially wrong with it. It is however a shame that White Noise didn’t qualify as that was really upbeat and quirky and fun. And then their best, Supposed To Be wasn’t as good as Now You Know… or most other Icon For Hire songs for that matter but they are a great band and I still really like it as a song. So for those two, you’re saved.

Ranking: Icon For Hire – Supposed To Be > Danrell – White Noise > Skott – Porcelain > Veorra – Silk > Juventa – Superhuman > Cruel Youth – Hatef*** > Adam Jensen – Drugs > Antony & Cleopatra – Love Is A Lonely Dancer > Elohim – Xanax > Sevdaliza – That Other Girl

 

Kluminican Republic れぷぶりか　の　かるみにかん　

Nothing quite as life-changing as Lone Digger this year but still good for the first half of the year, but the last few Klum entries have had them losing their way a little for me, It’s Only probably being the best of those and that faded into the BJSC tapestry pretty easily. On those entries I did love, Aloha came in a strong contest so fairly low on my BJSC 82 priorities but still an enjoyable song, Speaking Of Moments was fairly strong and a good top 10 to round off Klum’s hosting, but then it’s the top 3 that really stand out even then one of them, Jetta, grew on me in its trap loveliness after the fact, while Ocean Eyes struggled a bit with the competition and got knocked out of points, it’s one of those songs that COULD fade into the background but has an interesting enough backing to stand out just a bit more. Clear highlight though is Pogo, the exact sort of weird and wonderful I want from a BJSC entry, and even in my imaginings of what would be great to see in BJSC, a Lemon Jelly inspired song was definitely not in my conception so that surprised me in a good way a lot.

Ranking: Pogo – Mellow Brick Road > Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes > Jetta – I’d Love To Change The World > Bleitch – Speaking Of Moments > Møme – Aloha > ODESZA – It’s Only > DENM – Green > wens – Bones > Mason Jennings – How Deep Is That River?

 

Kingdom Of Horanius ほらにうす　の　きんぐどむ

Ranking: The Opposites – Licht Uit

The Opposites was certainly not a forgettable entry (and a brave choice for the overlong-awaited main contest debut for Maurice) but not quite something I wanted to point, nice seeing more Dutch rap from someone who isn’t…

 

Jukianie　じゅきあに

Who seem to have ditched that long ago and are only entering sporadically now. I’ve never really given them many points but it’s always sad to see someone withdraw. Most of these aren’t for me, but Lie was slightly better than the average of this sort of entry.

Ranking: LL – Lie > Dirtcaps – Bad Habit > GNUCCI – Work > Teyana Taylor - Undercover

 

Joedonia　じょえどにあ

I underrated LANY in the contest, it’s decent, nothing that special, but good enough to listen to. This section filled with one-contest wonders, where are y’all now?

Ranking: LANY – ILYSB

 

Jayrusalem　じゃるされむ

Yeah, I’m going to need Jayrusalem back, not because Keke Palmer was any good, it absolutely wasn’t, but they’re a good source of banter for me. And it’d be to Jay’s benefit as he’d get to knock me out of a final again. Looking forward to your return :D

Ranking: Keke Palmer – I Don’t Belong To You

 

Jadakissnia　じゃだきっすにあ

One of the countries of the year for sure, I was always considering pointing Jadakissnia entries, at least by final voting time because they’d always need at least 2 or 3 listens for me to realise the wonder of them. Maybe I’ve pushed myself into a mindset where I’ll need to do that for every Jade entry in the future. The only ones I’m not so keen on are Perturbator, something had to misfire for me eventually, and FM-84, which felt a little basic and with not enough elements for what it was trying to do. But everything else, top class calibre. Seret Aravi was a refreshingly different entry, and it was sad to see it go down, Blood In Blood Out paced itself very well and I think that one opened up the true beauty of synthwave to me because so many more of those that have come in I’ve liked far more now and the ones like Waves that I missed sound much better now. Yo Quiero Bailar was obviously iconic, but above that we get to the perfect ones. I kind of wish I’d given HAELOS a few more listens, I’d say so it could have won but I doubt I’d have been able to push it up that high, just a bit more infuriatingly close. 1-800MYLOVE has a beautiful repeated part that just sticks in your mind. Scope was another one that I wanted to win, the winner for that contest was great but Scope was just as good if not slightly better than Xe2 and it was great to hear more from MssingNo again. WVFFLIFE was just about the best witchy track I’ve heard from BJSC, because of its dives and beautiful instrumental backing, that remix really did it proud.

But then, and I think it’s definitely my favourite Jadakissnia entry overall now, the winner of the Jade rank this year has to be Toccata, apt for the name, it’s a fast-moving beauty that exhibits the dark synthy traits it has excellently, and it just keeps going and going and doesn’t feel anywhere near the length that it is – a most excellent song for BJSC to put top 10. No pressure Jade, but keep this quality up x

Ranking: OVERWERK – Toccata > BLVCK CEILING – WVFFLIFE > MssingNo – Scope > FEYNMAN – 1-800MYLOVE > HAELOS – Earth Not Above > Sonia & Selena – Yo Quiero Bailar > VHS Glitch – Blood In Blood Out > Tuna – Seret Aravi > FM-84 – Arcade Summer > Perturbator – Sentient

That 'Arcade Summer' shade hurt me a tiny bit Izzles x But otherwise I am totally floored by what is such a glowing report *.* You have become such a loyal Jadakissnia supporter this year! In fact I have amassed a fair amount of loyal supporters, so the pressure is definitely on for next year :kink:

 

Your top two of my 2016 entries are the same as mine but the other way round *.* Hooray for the spooky ones particularly hitting you hard. 'WVFFLIFE (CHVRN Remix)' is my favourite by quite some distance, but my second favourite has just kept changing throughout the year.'Toccata' is there at least for now, it's just irresistible in the way that it builds.

 

Absolutely fantastic write-up :heart: All the points that you have given me this year have been much appreciated.

That 'Arcade Summer' shade hurt me a tiny bit Izzles x But otherwise I am totally floored by what is such a glowing report *.* You have become such a loyal Jadakissnia supporter this year! In fact I have amassed a fair amount of loyal supporters, so the pressure is definitely on for next year :kink:

 

Your top two of my 2016 entries are the same as mine but the other way round *.* Hooray for the spooky ones particularly hitting you hard. 'WVFFLIFE (CHVRN Remix)' is my favourite by quite some distance, but my second favourite has just kept changing throughout the year.'Toccata' is there at least for now, it's just irresistible in the way that it builds.

 

Absolutely fantastic write-up :heart: All the points that you have given me this year have been much appreciated.

 

Yeah sorry, FM-84 just didn't quite click for me into something amazing, it's a decent song but that's a 'if I had to be critical' moment, I do that a bit with these - maybe it'll be like Waves last year for Bre in time which I was disparaging about at the end of the year but don't mind now. But otherwise, glad to hear that we both have excellent taste

 

I - G

 

Isconia 　いすこにあ

Only one entry from Isconia this time, a shame as they can really be great sometimes. Waiting was a bit of average indie-pop and if this is to be their final entry, isn’t as great as I Will Meet You There. So give it one more shot at least Grebo x

Ranking: Alice Boman – Waiting

 

Ingermanlandia　いんげるまんらんぢあ

I was very pleased to see Ingermanlandia coming back for three contests in the middle of the year, I’m always happy to see long dormant countries awake from their slumber (that’s a hint Umiiruka/Qarenfanghoney), and Amanecer was certainly an enjoyable little bop. So was Photomaton in a more downbeat way. Not so much Omut, even if it was foreign language, I wasn’t feeling that vibe. Maybe they’d have found more hits if Arrs had stuck around, maybe they can do so again.

Ranking: Bomba Estéreo – Amanescer > Jabberwocky – Photomaton > Naadia – Omut

 

Hushkanukia　ふしかぬきあ

As with last year, Hushkanukia are very good at entering endless numbers of female-led power pop anthems and sometimes it’s hard to differentiate them. Which I’ve done a little bit more successfully this year, as the year wore on. I know I wasn’t keen on Frankie’s Gold, Be OK was a little bit more basic, but that’s not the right way to go… is it? Let’s go over to the stuff I liked. Caution Tape was unfortunate to DNQ and if there was to be a Hushkanukian DNQ I’d have rathered it had been something else, it’s just above the average Hushkanukian bar of quality. Yeah! was a rather fun thing reminiscent a bit of Echosmith, but it was an actual Séyetan recycle in Cardiknox that proved to be something that stood above the crowd and actually outshine Hold Me Down. And then Lost proved to be subtle but actually better as it grew to a huge lift, definitely a Hushy highlight.

Ranking: Emji – Lost > Cardiknox – Wild Child > COSBY – Yeah! > Starling Glow – Caution Tape > Hann Mjøen - Perfect Noise > K.Flay – Can’t Sleep > Jillea – Shattered > Kristina Si – Kosmos > April Ivy – Be OK > Frankie – GOLD

 

Hendinia　へんぢにあ

Sadly not a regular in as many contests this year, Hendinia still had a pretty strong year for me. Entering Against The Current will do that to your country and that is of course my favourite of theirs, as it was the only one I gave any points to. Three were rather close to getting points though and that’d be Dust because it has a rather epic-sounding instrumental/vocal effect chorus (would have definitely been one I’d have pointed if it came in any contest other than 82) and Love Me Better and Money just because they were rather competent pop songs. The Ocean was a decent tropical song, not one worthy of being a hit, which it didn’t in the end. Lol. Samurai Swords is one of Highasakite’s weaker songs but I’m saying nothing else in case Bal reads this (golden ticket was way better). And that’s the only one I’d say I wasn’t keen on. Nightmare could have been majorly my thing but didn’t completely grab me and so has to settle for being only partly my thing. Still accepted though.

Ranking: Against The Current – Outsiders > CLMD – Dust > Love Thy Brother – Love Me Better > That Poppy – Money > Mike Perry – The Ocean > Sasha ₴ѺѺ - Nightmare > Highasakite – Samurai Swords

 

Harmonica　はるもにか

FINALLY breaking through into a country that regularly qualifies and amazingly, that wasn’t done with any quality compromisation on the part of Harmonica, they’ve actually stepped up their game and have easily had their best year ever here. That does come with a few tracks I didn’t like, principally Nasty, another BJSC entry that seems set up for me to hate it, but that’s just one. And then The Cure and Need Somebody could be taken or left. But the rest… excellent. And it’s telling that the lowest of those is the incredibly funny Tequila, a DNQ I was very sad to see. Road Less Travelled was a very strong Battlefield-esque country pop stormer and I understand its success completely. Die For You, some excellent Evanescence-esque rock, I was very sorry I couldn’t help out at all in the contest, I’d have qualified it if I’d been in that semi. Sleigh Bells never disappoint and A/B Machines was no exception. The top two are excellent in what they’re aiming for, Never Be, gospel-pop anthem and well-deserved/long-awaited first top-10 while White Flag made itself one of the best examples of Haim’s special sound.

Ranking: Joseph – White Flag > Meg Mac – Never Be > Sleigh Bells – A/B Machines > Megan McCauley – Die For You > Lauren Alaina – Road Less Travelled > Doop – Tequila > Sizzy Rocket – Need Somebody > Lipstick Gypsy – The Cure > PARRI$ - Nasty

 

Greenfroze　ぐれえんふろぜ

Occasionally coming out of nowhere to make an impact with a song, I’m glad Greenfroze are still able to do that, being as a part of the furniture of the contest as they are, it’d feel very different without Freeze confirming right near the end. Especially when he has tunes like Revolver in him, that was I think the best Greenfroze entry to date, even outstripping Rachel Platten, it just builds and has the most wonderful instrumental line that feels like it’s going to make everything right. Make You Stay was a wonderful duet and I think people were giving Always far too much shit, it’s a perfectly competent K-Pop track and one I enjoyed a lot more than some other K-Pop tracks this year. Some Finnish from Lautturi was also appreciated. I’m always prepared for there to be Greenfroze entries that aren’t for me though and while Anywhere I Go, Waves and Lowlife were nice enough, they didn’t stand out massively for me, I don’t think any were offensively bad though.

Ranking: Philter – Revolver > The Girl And The Dreamcatcher – Make You Stay > A.Kor – Always > PMMP – Lautturi > Vicetone – Anywhere I Go > Perttu – Waves > That Poppy – Lowlife > Alle Farben – Bad Ideas > Matilda – Ghost > Sody – Sorry

Yeah sorry, FM-84 just didn't quite click for me into something amazing, it's a decent song but that's a 'if I had to be critical' moment, I do that a bit with these - maybe it'll be like Waves last year for Bre in time which I was disparaging about at the end of the year but don't mind now. But otherwise, glad to hear that we both have excellent taste <3

 

I hope this is the case!! 'Arcade Summer' is Jade's best entry ever bar none. x

 

The Ingermanlandia comeback was all too brief wasn't it :( At least we got the wondrous 'Amanecer' out of it.

Harmonica

FINALLY breaking through into a country that regularly qualifies and amazingly, that wasn’t done with any quality compromisation on the part of Harmonica, they’ve actually stepped up their game and have easily had their best year ever here. That does come with a few tracks I didn’t like, principally Nasty, another BJSC entry that seems set up for me to hate it, but that’s just one. And then The Cure and Need Somebody could be taken or left. But the rest… excellent. And it’s telling that the lowest of those is the incredibly funny Tequila, a DNQ I was very sad to see. Road Less Travelled was a very strong Battlefield-esque country pop stormer and I understand its success completely. Die For You, some excellent Evanescence-esque rock, I was very sorry I couldn’t help out at all in the contest, I’d have qualified it if I’d been in that semi. Sleigh Bells never disappoint and A/B Machines was no exception. The top two are excellent in what they’re aiming for, Never Be, gospel-pop anthem and well-deserved/long-awaited first top-10 while White Flag made itself one of the best examples of Haim’s special sound.

Ranking: Joseph – White Flag > Meg Mac – Never Be > Sleigh Bells – A/B Machines > Megan McCauley – Die For You > Lauren Alaina – Road Less Travelled > Doop – Tequila > Sizzy Rocket – Need Somebody > Lipstick Gypsy – The Cure > PARRI$ - Nasty

I appreciate this so much, thanks for all your support this year. We're enjoying our taste of success, it was worth the wait although that wait was frustrating at times. I'm actually surprised you liked two-thirds of those entries, seems like a pretty high percentage from Séyetana.

 

YES at 'Revolver' being the top Greenfroze entry this year, what a beauty that was. And wow, this contest could use more G/H/I country names.

^ There are quite a few for F though. (for reference, looking at what's left, I'm now planning three more sections containing D-E, C-B and A-#)

 

F

 

FSR Rontvia　ふする　ろんつふぃあ

Reliably trusted by now to bring out an enjoyable entry nearly all of the time, this year has been no exception for FSR Rontvia as they even return to their invincible ways and qualified every entry this year. I love risks and even though North Circular wasn’t entirely to my taste, having an entry as unique as that in the contest was great. Error I enjoyed but it has been a couple of contests since I’ve really had them high on the points, but of course that was Ilumbarada. Which is just so brilliantly perfect and a song I’m really glad to have discovered, definitely the best of any of the world music tracks that have come to BJSC this year. Prisoner had a pretty good soulful voice, Pixie Paris was… well German and quirky, I can’t say no to that. The Touch is very strong and enjoyable, as was I’m Not Your Lady, and that one brought back nostalgia as Scandipop is so much rarer these days. Emoji was pretty incredible too, containing a brilliant progression and drop to complement a sunny happy dance track, definitely set Rontvia on the right tone for the year.

Ranking: Ortiga – Ilumbarada > Pegboard Nerds – Emoji > Olivia – I’m Not Your Lady > KOLAJ – The Touch > Pixie Paris – Es Rappelt Im Karton > RØMANS – Prisoner > Natalie Nykiel – Error > Real Lies – North Circular > Alyss – T S I E R > Theia – Roam

 

Frandoot　ふらんどおつ

Coming back for one appearance, I wasn’t entirely taken with I Got Drunk but then it came last in the other semi and I think it was slightly better than that.

Ranking: Miya Folick – I Got Drunk

 

Flynnonda　ふりんのんだ

Infamously out of the final 8 times this year, I might actually say I understand why many of the Flynnonda entries failed, they could have been enjoyable indie rock from Mount Tyrant, Them Swoops, Panama Wedding but that has trouble qualifying at the best of times, they could have been the sort of pop that basically is a semi filler all the time, like Turbulence or Oceans, or Electric (and that one made it through!). And then there was Obi Wan which I really didn’t like at all, too much slow warbling. So yeah, I liked… six out of the ten but I can see why so many didn’t get through. Two of them I can’t really though. Cry Baby may share a title with an awful Eurovision song but it’s one of the better CHVRCHES pastiches in BJSC (I prefer it to Never Stop xx) while I’m Fine was a rather interesting K-Pop track that I briefly wondered about myself, so seeing that out was a bit disheartening as it really was Harry trying something different. I’m a sucker for Magic Man though so the best is the anthem of Paris, at least that had no trouble. I’d like to see some Flynnondan successes, best of luck at finding those Harry.

Ranking: Magic Man – Paris > Fickle Friends – Cry Baby > Grace – I’m Fine > Mount Tyrant – One Night > Panama Wedding – A Brand New Life > Them Swoops – Work Around It > Alice Jemima – Electric > Ruth Koleva – Oceans > LKA – Turbulence > Wolfie – Obi Wan

 

Florina　ふぉりな

I’m very happy to see Florina back and in a form that’s far better than what I remembered them for. They were certainly capable of amazing stuff back in the day (Circles, Indian Summer) but also had quite a bit of filler – thankfully I wouldn’t say that’s the case about any of these three. Foreign Air is certainly the standout with its triumphant Echo heralding an excellent return for the nation. They kept up that theme with Echos, which wasn’t quite as good but still a fine track that I thought stood out quite a bit. And then they topped it off with a male-led FRENSHIP that was instantly more enjoyable than Capsize. I’m definitely happy with this return.

Ranking: Foreign Air – Echo > FRENSHIP – 1000 Nights > Echos - Gold

 

Fljótavík　ふれよたふぃか

Mostly on proper form this year, there was certainly a period in the middle of year where FLJ could do no wrong as far as I was concerned. Not always, I didn’t quite get Who Returned and Raise Hell was a little bit below par despite having a great title combination but I’m still keeping them around. Damn and Harpe were enjoyable songs, Harpe taking ages to grow on me despite everyone raving about it. And then Anekdoter and Randomness I believe took low points from me or just missed out, Randomness was pretty crazy (like a preview for a certain FKA entry below this, I’d also vaguely wondered about it before rationalising it was far more likely to fit with a country like Flj and I didn’t actually point it in the end so I think I made the right choice), while Anekdoter has some fantastic sound effects running through it. The top 3 is just perfect though. Familiar was not something I expected from Agnes Obel, being more of an Olafur Arnalds type affair but the slow deliberate vocals are just beautiful, and that’s a success that was very well deserved. So were the other two, but I wish they had both been top 10 as they were easy 18s for me, or at least, Kitten would have been my 18 in any of the other contests this year. RCVR has such an awesome flowing backing, it instantly stood out to me and is still one of my favourite discoveries of the year – but it’s trumped by the sheer delight of Fall On Me. I liked the previous Kitten songs but none really quite struck me like this, the dive into delicate emotional chorus, the lead singer building the tension with her voice (that last chorus, my god), plus the lyrics harking back to nostalgic 90s music, I’ve listened to it so much since the contest – it’s just a stunning track.

Ranking: Kitten – Fall On Me > Big Black Delta – RCVR > Agnes Obel – Familiar > Hanna Järver – Anekdoter > Olga Bell – Randomness > Kenton Slash Demon – Harpe > Red Rosamond – Damn > Sir The Baptist – Raise Hell > Arthur Beatrice – Who Returned

 

FKA FKA FKA π　ふかあ　ふかあ　ふかあ　ふかあ　ぴ

Definitely a lot better after they added the extra FKAs, there was a period in the middle of the year when was sending incredible entry after incredible entry. I still wish I’d sent Mai Lan to BJSC 85, I saw it almost as soon as it went up, but as is usual with the big hits I miss, I have no idea they’ll be quite as big as they are, and seeing it come second was quite the amazing sight. It’s incredible and it was hard to choose it not being the favourite but the distorted vocals, beats and wall of sound that is $ORO is actually even better, definitely one of my highlights. Similarly, Not Enough Violence is a right tune and one I’m glad I let grow on me. I wasn’t so in to Cyan, I think I wanted to point Cobra but 82 was tough, and Francis & The Lights was fairly decent. Good stuff Pavel, but don’t get your best entries deducted thx

Ranking: LUH - $ORO > Mai Lan – Technique > Ariel Pink – Not Enough Violence > Ital Tek – Cobra > Francis & The Lights – I Want You To Shake > Dinamo Azari - Cyan

 

F.D. Anēne　ふづ　あねね

Only one entry for this newly christened but returning country, All I Wanna Do wasn’t really my thing, too much down the generic dance side. I guess that’s all I have to say about that, it’s a real risk entering with only one entry per year, you’re liable to get slammed like this.

Ranking: Martin Jensen – All I Wanna Do

FARC　ふあるか

Having a penchant for quality pop is never bad as a BJSC country, I’m not sure what the distinction is between that and pop hoe tracks except that Buzzjack likes to put this sort in the indie forum. Which is why I so rarely post in pop itself. Someone and Hoops were a bit dull for me, I liked the first Jones track, Deep, a lot more. Morgxn was a decent Y&Y pastiche. Save It I liked as a winner at first and I see why it won but there are three Farc entries at least that I think are better. It’s a shame Hagenaar got deducted out of the final as it’s quite an amazing whirlwind pop track. Winterbreak probably has the biggest cult following of any BJSC entry this year and it has grown on me since the contest to be pretty great, reminding me a bit of Frida Sundemo in that both of them liked talking about COLD STUFF. But it sounds fairly similar. And good. That’s important. The best thing Jake did this year though was taking a fairly by-the-numbers ethnic Melodifestivalen contestant and presenting her with an Persian-Swedish anthem for the ages, Azizami is most excellent an entry.

Ranking: Mahan Moin – Azizami > MURA – Winterbreak > Patrick Hagenaar – Turn Back Time (Back To The Time) > Salt Ashes – Save It > morgxn – love you with the lights on > Jones – Hoops > Noella Nix – Someone

 

Farahtyn　ふぁらふちゅん

Sort of on the same page in entering a slightly Middle Eastern entry, Farahtyn’s one try this year (they seem to have done one entry per year each time I do this) was pretty enjoyable and from one of the least notable Eurovision winners no less but in BJSC 82 only slightly decent was no good.

Ranking: Nigar Jamal - Herhalde

E-D

 

Ethanola　えふぁのら

Never say Ethanola’s given us nothing, because Free Tibet is the most bonkers amazing track to have been entered into the contest this year. And it won. It won. Amazingly, over two awful tracks, Ethan pulled the most bizarre yet incredible winner out of the bag and there was no result I was more pleased to see this year, even if it narrowly loses out in my winner ranking to Aelyn. He’d shown signs of this direction the month before with Too Much Information, but as good as that was, that will forever have to sit in Free Tibet’s shadow. Even though I only pointed those two, I’d have to say this is Ethan’s best year overall, Empire was very anthemic as a celebratory track for winning. And while the first three weren’t quite matched, Afterglow and Mashisa were very nice tracks, I Waited For You was something quite different from Ethan, that was really appreciated, 2685 was bonkers even if not the sort of bonkers that really gets me interested, while Reste was okay if a bit long and repetitive, it wasn’t nothingy repetitive like Mutter. It was only the last two that I object to. Kinda with Bigger Than Prince, my only problem with that is that it sounds so ‘seedy nightclub at 3am’ filler that it’s offputting. I still have no idea what people saw in Mutter, it’s nearly the exact same basic beat for 10 minutes and that’s just so dull. But otherwise, cool.

Ranking: Hilight Tribe – Free Tibet > Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra – Too Much Information > Dimitri Vangelis – Empire > Attom – Afterglow > V.O – Mashisa > Billie Black – I Waited For You > DJ Marfox – 2685 > Noir & Olivier Giacomotto – Reste > Green Velvet – Bigger Than Prince > Konstantin Sibold – Mutter

 

Espen　えすぺん

I’ve just noticed looking at this list that Espen has been bringing us tunes from all around the world this year, with varying degrees of success, but that is a very inspired looking list. It’s also telling that two of the bottom three are their two ventures into more normal pop – Second Nature was semi filler if better than Stalking Gia’s first entry, while I think I was tired of CAPPA after her first BJSC entry, let alone her 4th (?). Hessian and Kalaam weren’t amazing but were alright. Nneka was rather good, I like Heartbeat, this wasn’t as good as that but it’s nice to hear something else from her. Cosima was surprisingly good, I didn’t expect much from it. Not enough to quite point it but… it’s good. La Dalle was some lovely French pop I don’t think I managed to point, My Moon is kind of classic Espen, I support more of this sound and specifically that type of vocals, they really make it for me. The Turkish song was really good, that really stood out among of the (relatively few) Turkish bellydancing anthems I actually know, and then Espen’s best was them unearthing a forgotten gem from the 90s and giving us our requisite world music entry for BJSC 90, Yeha Noha is wonderful, thanks for introducing it to me.

Ranking: Sacred Spirit – Yeha Noha (Wishes Of Happiness And Prosperity) >İrem Derici - Dantel > Sweet Coffee – My Moon > L.E.J - La Dalle > Cosima – Had To Feel Something > Nneka – Soul Is Heavy > Mashrou’ Leila – Kalaam (s/he) > Dahlia Sleeps – Hessian > Stalking Gia – Second Nature > CAPPA – Mad About U

 

D’yermak’er ぢゃまか

I only pointed Bal once this year, for Frances Rose. Who are kind of both as attractive as Apprentice Frances, so… good name. But I only knew that after google searching them out of curiosity just now, Dangerous as a pop song itself is wonderful, two voices melding together in harmony making pleasing sounds with a good build, that is lovely. The Actress of Sada who might have appeared on the X Factors was also very good for being very nice and Sia-esque. Sugar as well, after disliking it at first (why, Iz?) the sweetness of it grew on me and it was very nice like. Where We Are was a pretty decent dance-pop success. The rest… Because was rather decent, but yeah, the rest would be that sort of anonymous pop so prevalent in BJSC that I don’t really hate but can’t really support either. I don’t think Bal was aiming for me with most of this.

Ranking: Frances Rose – Dangerous > Sada Vidoo – The Actress > Terror Jr – Sugar > Ryos – Where We Are > Smerz – Because > Kiiara – Feels > Julia Knight – Ghost Of You > Scavenger Hunt – River Runs Dry > RIVRS – Falling > CAPPA – I’m Good

 

Dobago　どばご

Dobago have certainly found their place in BJSC, with an amazing year for success. For me though, they continued getting better with better results until they topped out with Feel. Now Don’t Be So Shy is awesome, Feel is even more so what with its string sections and breezy, Ottomanic vibe, and I love those two so much. But Dobago didn’t reach any of those heights over the rest of the year for me, their next best being their only DNQ, for similar reasons of strings. I’m very impressed by their ability to turn Albanian and Bulgarian dance-pop into hits, maybe that’s the next thing to come out of the Balkans. K’vo Ne Chu was much better than Je Kem Nis for me in that regard. Youth and Baby Boy were a bit non-descript for me, The Legend was rather good if not as good as other Carli songs I know, Dive used the nice vocals of Alex Aris and a decent breakdown (it has a sort of Eurosound, brass set against a neat beat that seems common to most Dobago entries and actually is rather great, so while I’m sort of critical here, I definitely like that sort of sound sometimes, when it all comes together like in the case of Feel or Don’t Be So Shy, it’s amazing).

Ranking: Mahmut Orhan – Feel > Imany – Don’t Be So Shy > Monoir & Osaka – The Violin Song > DARA – K’vo Ne Chu > Salvatore Ganacci – Dive > Albin Myers & Carli – The Legend > T2Kazuya – Youth > Lincoln Jesser – Baby Boy > Kida – Je Kem Nis

 

Desbuanda　ですぶあんだ

Another very good country, although principally for a couple of entries. I Was On Your Side is that rare pop ballad that clicks so perfectly with me, although it’s kind of reminiscent of a few of the others of the sort of pop I adore, a bit Marina, a bit Naomi Pilgrim, a bit of choral backing, and as I said in my in-contest commentary, it’s the sort of entry I’m so glad to see qualify. Matadora got quite the cult following and grew on me in time I think for a point, that’s also fairly wonderful. Angel Dust is pretty crazy and is the sort of thing I always consider rewarding even if this time I wasn’t able to, while Cross Your Mind was the requisite deep-voiced Desbuandan entry, a shame that didn’t qualify that time. Catalyse was decent, Ngaiire definitely looked a bit doomed but I think it deserved a bit better than it got. Daniel was fairly good too, T.O.L.D is slowly growing on me but is probably one of the weaker ones and I think I wasn’t fussed on Brushstroke, but Desbuanda are definitely capable of quality.

Ranking: Lilyer – I Was On Your Side > SOFI TUKKER – Matadora > LSDXOXO – XXX ANGEL DUST XXX > A R I Z O N A – Cross My Mind > Suns – Catalyse > Ngaiire – I Can’t Hear God Anymore > Batuk – Daniel > T.O.L.D – 2 Young > Jome – Brushstroke

 

Deandria　であんづりあ

I know Mattias is eagerly awaiting this, let’s try and do that justice. Deandria have had some absolutely amazing entries this year, and haven’t had nearly as much success for them as they deserved. And I thought them winning would be a ticket into them not being so unlucky/ignored as a nation. Obviously, one of the best things you can do as a nation is pick one of my rock potentials that I was probably never going to get around to entering, and Until Eternity provided that for me, being the clear highlight (along with Aelyn) of a weak contest, beautiful, beautiful song and as many people said, seemingly tailored for me. That’s great. Father Hu$$la as well, incredible, I can see why it did so badly now but more people need to appreciate purposeful invigorating shouting, it stood out to me and I really enjoyed it – I like to imagine that Father Hu$$la is some corrupt Russian Orthodox priest/plantation owner. That works in Russia. Definitely. Poison Ivory was also very enjoyable, such a great atmosphere in that song and at least it gave Deandria another hit this year, as much as 24th is a hit… Sanctuary was a decent winner, a good pop song, but that only really adds up to a decent winner. Maya’s Moving Castle was the other big DNQ loss out of the rest, it’s some really pleasant pop that kind of resonates with me. With You and Oh My Love had some strong hooklines that kept me interested with them fairly decently at least. The other two, didn’t really think that much of them, but yeah, Deandria DESERVED BETTER. And I even forgot an entry of theirs, Hologram is kind of a tune too, why are we doing this to them?

Ranking: Blackbriar – Until Eternity > ECCA VANDAL – Father Hu$$la > Poison Ivory – Alchemy > Maya’s Moving Castle – When You Wish Upon The Stars (Amoras) > Allie X – Sanctuary > Vogel - Hologram > Clement Bazin – With You > Tzlil – Oh My Love > Anna And The Barbies – Álmatlan > NOEP – Move

 

Dalisska　だりっすか

KNOWER was probably doomed anyway but at least a bit less than Dalisska’s previous attempt, and I got some brief enjoyment out of it, Hanging On is a decent song.

Ranking: KNOWER – Hanging On

 

Daehun　だえふん

I don’t know what it is, I haven’t been so into K-Pop this year, so Daehun haven’t been as strong as they normally are for me and I’ve been feeling the evils from Yu over Skype a bit more. Particularly when I’d been wondering about Hurt Locker for a few months before it got entered and then didn’t even give it final points – Wild is definitely better and I still wish that one had qualified, but Hurt Locker’s decent. And then next month when they had a much better entry, a non-Korean one as well, I gave it a few too few points in the semi, and seeing it one point off from qualification hurt really badly. Because I honestly thought Come would storm the contest – isn’t that the exact form of French pop that normally slays? I guess 82 was strong but really… that was a huge loss and it’s definitely one of the entries of the year I’ve listened to the most, it’s so moreish. They even went one better the contest after and came out with what is easily the K-Pop track of the year in Rough, just listen to those beautiful strings. Should have been a top ten AT LEAST, I prefer it immensely to the dirty beat K-Pop tracks that do come top 10, Rough feels, ironically, so clean and slick, it’s kind of an Asian masterpiece. They wouldn’t quite reach those heights later on, although Free Somebody was some competently great pop and Gee I like enough as an actual song to chuck a point to as a ‘kinda cheap’ anniversary entry. Russian Roulette was a bit weak for Red Velvet, but it was better than Dumb Dumb – those girls haven’t really impressed me hugely since Happiness. Twenty-Three was competent IU but not her best, Hero was pretty much the same for Namie Amuro, like with B Who I Want 2 B last year, I like it more than her older BJSC qualifiers. Very Very Very was very very very weird, not the sort of K-Pop I really find myself liking, I don’t know why, it’s just a bit messy. Why was just a bit boring. But there’s a lot of K-Pop there, I’m pleased with that, hopefully I’ll just find more from that genre that I like next year, keep it up Yu pls – because Rough proved that it’s still very possible.

Ranking: GFriend – Rough > Jain – Come > Girl’s Generation – Gee > LUNA – Free Somebody > 9MUSES – Hurt Locker > Red Velvet – Russian Roulette > IU – Twenty-Three > Namie Amuro – Hero > I.O.I – Very Very Very > Taeyeon – Why

Thanks Iz! :D I guess you could say you did my paragraph 99% justice, the missing 1% is because you forgot to include Vogel - Hologram! :kink:

 

Glad you really enjoyed several of the Deandrian entries this year anyway!

Thanks Iz! :D I guess you could say you did my paragraph 99% justice, the missing 1% is because you forgot to include Vogel - Hologram! :kink:

 

Glad you really enjoyed several of the Deandrian entries this year anyway!

 

OOPS. I swear I went to the end of the list. Added a bit in about it.

Enjoyed reading that write-up Iz. My own top 2 ranking probably matches that of yours too (although maybe The Legend might just sneak into second). Was a shame you didn't take to Youth (definitely the most out there entry I've sent I think) but hopefully we'll share some big points next year!

 

For me it was the opposite with Séyetana! Your last 2 entries were my favourites, Temen Oblak in particular was magnificent.

lmao I feel like I've pointed Daehun almost every single time

 

Can't wait to be destroyed by your write-up

C-B

 

I want to practice my hiragana memory skills (although TECHNICALLY they'd be written in katakana but I haven't configured my keyboard to do that) so I've written all the country names in this section in Japanese after their English name. Just so you aren't weirded out by that bit.

 

Cumulonimbia　くむろにまびあ

Nothing from me to Cumulonimbia this year sadly, I mean, some of it was stuff that I probably wouldn't have liked in any case, Love No More was not one of those, and Longcut wasn't good enough for me, Lite Spots was decent but had some offputting bits. The rest was fine, I mean, I like the BBC news theme so that went over okay for me, Two Hearts would have been a good grower but has ended up as a rather enjoyable synth anthem, Xpander introduced me to a lovely dance track from ages ago, although BJSC 82 meant it was knocked out. And actually, the best Cumulonimbia this year is Change Your Life, very inspiring and poppy and yet surprisingly successful entry in the contest, but definitely one I enjoyed for a small while, I appreciate the sometimes different tacks Cumulonimbia goes on to secure an entry though and I know at least to expect something classy.

Ranking: Dan Deacon – Change Your Life (You Can Do It) > Sasha – Xpander > NCZA Lines – Two Hearts > The Len Goodman Independent Artists For Online Kindness Collective - Theme For BuzzJack (BBC News Remix) > Kaytranada – LITE SPOTS > The Longcut – A Tried And Tested Method > Soule – Love No More

 

Cor Lupus　こる　るぷす

Anyone think Cor Lupus flopped a bit this year? No one? Good. Because in terms of success, storming year for Cor Lupus, although not entirely to my preferences in how well some of them did, Higher... still the worst Naked And Famous song I've heard for being so basic, I get why it won but I wish it didn't - it's fine to listen to hence why it's about halfway up here but winner... no (also it's one of the winners with a slightly cheap bit attached to it and as hard as I try to stop those feelings every time a winner that has a slightly cheap aspect wins part of me dies a little inside). Still, I'm glad you won with something Cody, you clearly wanted that and it's one less country that needs to win before we finally crown myself as the last BJSC country to ever win. Never Stop suffered from pretty much the same problem, weak CHVRCHES clone (even more so here) that does inordinately well, but it was those 'closer to CHVRCHES' vibes that mean I rank it higher, and it almost grew on me enough for points. A little. Actually, listening to it again, are we 100% sure this isn't just CHVRCHES under another name? Hell, I may end up liking it even more in the future, I didn't point CHVRCHES when they were entered here and I kind of love them to pieces now so that sort of thing is possible. Didn't really get You Settle Me, a little subtle for me, Nuestra Cancion fell a bit flat for me, shame for a Spanish song but I wasn't keen and that remix of Dynasty was decent but not the absolute best. Bring Back The Summer is kind of a classic, I saw it used a lot in the Youtube community this year, so that explains why it did so well in retrospect, I quite like it. Gone was a bit of a tune, that was enjoyable. But it was the top 3 that really stood out for Cor Lupus this year. Stockholm is a bit of a rock anthem, I wish I couold have been in this one's semi to help it, that was one DNQ that didn't need to happen, The Birthday Massacre are a great band and In The Dark was a classically great tune from them - but it was the Cor Lupus autoqualifier that really stood out for me in a big way, properly making me aware that Touhou existed, and with some brilliant electro vibes and German lyrics, Way Of Life stuck itself inside my head and wouldn't leave.

Ranking: Nhato – Way Of Life > The Birthday Massacre – In The Dark > Atlas Genius – Stockholm > JR JR – Gone > Rain Man – Bring Back The Summer > Contact – Never Stop > The Naked And Famous – Higher > MIIA – Dynasty > Pixel Fix – You Settle Me > Snow Tha Product – Nuestra Cancion

 

Cadelicia　かでりしあ

I'd like to be giving Cadelicia more points, they've certainly chucked a few my way, but there's been only a few that I've really loved, again it's the more out there entries though, and Banana Brain certainly was that, if it hadn't been overshadowed a bit by Hateful Love in the same contest, Little Big beating Die Antwoord at their own game, I think I'd have noticed it more. It's still incredible, it just took me a bit longer to notice that it was. Tunak Tunak Tun was a moment too, I'd have liked that to do a lot better than it did, it introduced me to something that should be an unforgettable classic to everyone - genuinely good song there. Hate was good as I always like 4Minute but I think it was one of their weaker songs, certainly not as good as Crazy or I My Me Mine or Volume Up. Sorry Oliver, I am rekking you here a bit. I did actually like seven of your entries this time round, even though I pointed far less than that. Reunite was a bit generic but I find that sort of stuff enjoyable if not essential, Undone was certainly an enjoyable song if a bit presumptuous with its contender status - Cadelician dance is normally decent. Love Druggie put me off slightly with the vocals but no complaints on the rest of the song, a worthy second placer and it led to a good hosting for you fiinally. And Kinetic really shouldn't have DNQed even if I haven't gone back to it much. Wild Child was a bit average, Feed Me even more so, so much so that I ended up hating it a bit. And Get Down went from okay to pretty awful very quickly, I wonder if it's because she's called Jess, that's not a good name to have in music but she comes across so irritating here!

Ranking: Die Antwoord – Banana Brain > Daler Mehndi – Tunak Tunak Tun > 4Minute – Hate > Paris & Simo – Reunite > Jane XØ and Dannic – Undone > Mendoza – Love Druggie > Kinetic – Living The Illusion > WEKEED – Wild Child > Feed Me – What It Feels Like > Jess Kent – Get Down

 

Buzzjack Mountain ぶっずじゃくもうなたいん

In Love sounds pretty good right now, I guess it’s that retro dance sound of some genre that I’m sure Snake will correct me on if he ever reads this. Keep to non-original compositions please, although I guess we’ll have to allow you one more if what I hear is true. That’ll DNQ too, just warning you. (although actually now I say that I start to fear what the BJSC voters will do, I’ve lost too much trust in the public voting system lately)

Ranking: Water Juice - In Love > SnakingStevens – Wasting My Life

 

Bubblelands　ぶっぶれらんです

A bit of a blink and you’ll miss them country, Orion had a fairly interesting structure. A structure that was completely going to fail horribly… but interesting.

Ranking: Ta-Ha – Orion

 

Brechtoria　ぶれちとりあ

God, Mombasa was so good. Much better than Aide that it clearly sounded like, but with so much more power behind those beats and a killer drop. I have zero clue how THAT won and this soundly DNQed merely a contest apart. Must be people in favour of Beaverdonia. Lonely Cities was also a very good debut entry, one of the better female electropop anthems this year. The rest of Brechtoria’s entries weren’t quite up to the same standard but I’d love more of the stuff that the first two were made of.

Ranking: Stadium X – Mombasa > Tigertown – Lonely Cities > GLADES – Her (Loving You) > The Boxer Rebellion – Big Ideas > Kelsea Ballerini – XO

 

Botanikka ぼたにっか

Botanikka’ve moved themselves into centre stage after a few years on the sidelines here, becoming a bit of an A-list country, and key member of dancebloc alliances. I really didn’t like Tell Me or Bang, that just happens. You’re Mine and Karma were a bit average. However, good news Addy, everything else was brilliant – and received points from me. Despite being one of the best hits of the year for me, I’m ranking This Girl on how I liked it in the contest as when it comes to real world hits that were entered here, I don’t like them to have them dominating my end of years if I didn’t already love them in the contest – sort of keeping things stable on that end – and also because it’s a bit boring. In the contest, I threw it a point. It grew on me. But with that in mind, it’d be only my 5th best Botanikkan entry even if overall it’s probably just below LP. Anyway, moving on. Stanga. Definitely quite an anthem and I wish I could have given that more than a point, I think it’s grown on me since the contest too. However not quite to overhaul the beautiful Tu Ba Mani, a haunting slow Afghan ballad that’s definitely been high on my list to appreciate. And Ratty, taking the talents of Scooter without me expecting them, to produce a Sandstorm-like dance anthem, I’m not saying no to that. But the best is easily LP, with that beautiful, tortured, gender-neutral voice singing emotionally, Lost On You is quite the triumph, I loved it in the contest, and am loving it again now, I hope it does very well in TBO.

Ranking: LP – Lost On You > Ratty – Sunrise (Here I Am) > Meghan Kabir – Tu Ba Mani > Sagi Abitbul & Guy Haliva – Stanga > Kungs vs Cookin’ On 3 Burners – This Girl > Alma – Karma > Raving George – You’re Mine > Anitta – Bang > Vita Chambers – Tell Me

 

Bignia-Zaragovina　びぐにあーざらごヴぃな

Jesus, Bignia have really had one hell of a rough year looking at it – a mere 3 qualifiers and two of those were last in the final! We should be kinder to the mod nation, although at least Jahq managed all ten of the entries this year. And yes, the best they have is the only one of those qualifiers not to be last, the huge surprise of success that was Hope – although, BJSC 82, so quite far off my points despite being good. JESSARAE, For My Help and then their most recent three entries were rather good and unusual entries I’d have liked to see qualify, although I guess they were all quite doomed too. Electrisk… I guess it wasn’t that bad although it certainly tried to be obnoxious and Back On The Wall wasn’t a good Greyson Chance song. Probably best I don’t say anything about my opinion of the other two, they were quite awful. Anyway, I don’t like seeing such a poor run of luck for a nation, turn it around please!

Ranking: White Night Ghosts – Hope > JESSARAE – No Warning > Hayden Calnin – For My Help > StrangeFaces – Swimming > Jeremy Messersmith – Ghost > Chord Overstreet – Homeland > Marcus & Martinus – Electrisk > Greyson Chance - Back On The Wall > Ryan Beatty – Passion > Sing Street – Drive It Like You Stole It

 

Bhangra　ぶはんぐら

Oh it was excellent seeing such a venerable country as Bhangra return to us, even if the rules on how cheap an entry could be had changed quite a lot in their absence and Timeflies was probably one of the cheaper entries of the year. But I mean, I wanted to like Timeflies and I did at first but they went down a really mainstream path. Once In A While is a cool song and the only one of theirs I’ll tolerate like this. Still, once Bhangra acclimatised a bit, When Life Is Grey is a pretty good lost Eurovision NF classic, would have been a good qualifier. Wasn’t so keen on Home although I guess it wasn’t bad, just forgettable. I’d enjoy seeing more of Bhangra though.

Ranking: Timeflies – Once In A While > Karizma ONE – When Life Is Grey > Henri PFR - Home

 

Beaverdonia　べあふどにあ

I guess I’m required to do requisite rival bashing and insulting, to increase my power projection against the Beaverdonian threat. They have ambitions to conquer Séyetan clay I tell you! Ganjaman was quite the anthem though, and the first time I’ve really liked a Beaverdonian entry enough to point. Sadly, it was the only time, although if Chasing Ghosts had got through I might have done that, because that was quite a tune. A bit of filling the bhangra hole doesn’t go amiss either. Then there’s their winner. As I’ve said at Brechtoria, Aide was a weaker Mombasa and it winning when the other went nowhere is so weird. It’s the weakest winner of the year for me (although not far behind Higher), I like the trumpets but the rest is a mess. Dreamin’, Medicine and Only A Girl were boring for me, Him was godawful and this Mazoo track was appropriate for an AQ, but not that good and I never really took to the first one either. Anyway, I spit upon your dams, I hope to deplete the European beaver so Séyetana’s fur prices can rise, and I look forward to your return upon recalibration of sound.

Ranking: Alfons – Ganjaman > The Eden Project – Chasing Ghosts > Shreya Ghoshal and Osman Mir - Nagada Sang Dhol > Bang La Decks – Aide > Embody – Dreamin’ > Mazoo & The Zoo – I Tigri > Daughter – Medicine > Gia – Only A Girl > geO Louis - Him

 

One more left!

YAY JAPANESE

 

How the heck did I miss this overhaul of "Bring Back The Summer" on YouTube? What kind of vlogs have you been watching? Either way this make me even more glad that it became somewhat of a surprise hit here and underground success elsewhere - one of those per year is enough for me. Still my favorite thing I've sent all year.

 

Surprisingly positive review (albeit for like three entries #Justice4Stockholm), thanks!

YAY JAPANESE

 

How the heck did I miss this overhaul of "Bring Back The Summer" on YouTube? What kind of vlogs have you been watching? Either way this make me even more glad that it became somewhat of a surprise hit here and underground success elsewhere - one of those per year is enough for me. Still my favorite thing I've sent all year.

 

Surprisingly positive review (albeit for like three entries #Justice4Stockholm), thanks!

 

Well it was just one streamer I watched a bit who made it his sub sound for ages so I kept hearing the chorus to it - a lot - in the months after you entered it.

Link plz

Link plz

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/MyNameIsB0aty

 

if there are any videos on there that he recorded direct from his twitch streaming it might be in there but I make no promises, that's a lot of video just to hear a short clip so I wouldn't. Like it's just that that repetition of the sound got the chorus embedded in my head is all I meant to say with that bit, in my personal Youtube/Twitch watching experience it felt like I heard Bring Back The Summer loads.