It sounds DIFFERENT from Tonight Alive (a little) :angry:

 

*looks again at plan to send Paramore-ripoff bands until the end of the year*

 

 

*looks again at plan to send Paramore-ripoff bands until the end of the year*

 

*Gives Séyetana 12 points every contest*

Hold Me Down in Syndare

 

As we head into the final stretch of what has been largely a dreadful year in the contest for our country, Séyetana is not giving up, indeed, we're coming out fighting. To that end, we're heading in an electropop direction in the hope that our hiring of new duo Cardiknox with their fantastic debut single Hold Me Down will give us a good placing in the contest over the next couple of weeks. Competition is high but the Commission has faith. And if that faith is misplaced again, we might have to declare a war or two.

 

It is incredible though. Go vote for it. Even the lyrics are appropriate to my situation this time. I always love it when that happens.

 

 

 

LIX

 

My first entirely male-vocalled entry is representing Séyetana in LIX, Antti Railio with his awesome awesome awesome power ballad Ruostunut Ankkuri (meaning 'Rusty Anchor' in English). And as most of you were around when I entered Amaranthine you should know that when Séyetana say power, they MEAN power. *.* (although it's not metal so you EDM freaks can get into this thing too)

 

It's also only my second foreign language entry - in Finnish also because it is the absolute best - while my only previous one is still my worst performing ever (I still ask myself how as that's among my favourite songs, let alone entries, of the year). Anyway: Male foreign language ballad - really ticking all the boxes in how NOT to do a BJSC entry, aren't I. I REALLY hope it can overcome this.

 

 

^The video. I haven't sent the video as the Youtube link because I think Antti looks kinda scary in it, the lighting throughout is awful and I'm convinced there's better sound quality on the link I actually sent but putting it here for completeness.

 

In summation: it's stunning and I hope you all think so too.

meat loaf

I still maintain he's more akin to the likes of Ott Lepland.

 

[/sneakilyputtingpositiveimpressionsinurheads]

And... exhale, the year of torture is over

 

Well, let's HOPE anyway. With 3rd, 4th and 5th on my entry rankings of the year joining the DNQ pile it hasn't been a great one. (For the record: Amaranthine, Only You, Sonsick, Pohjanmaan Tuulia, Ruostonut Ankkuri, Hold Me Down, Exhale, The Ocean, Peacock, Come Together) But past hurt aside, we're just going to urge you to start some hype for Ecstasy's Exhale, which despite coming 7th on that list is still pretty incredible. I only send incredible songs. And I'm definitely not blinded in my love for them such that I'd start a flood of incandescent rage when they don't do as well as I'd hoped.

 

Anyway, just let the electropop bliss wash over you. And vote if you like, that's quite important.

 

 

#DoubleE4Eyes

Interesting CHOIX. It was on the longlist for my entry last month, but I didn't love it enough to enter it. Good luck though, it is a very good song and should hopefully do better than some (most) of your entries this year!

This SHOULD do well but after Sonsick and Hold Me Down (both of which I thought would be big for sure) it's hard to be too confident in it.

So I didn't live up to expectations yet again. SURPRISE. Stop hyping me when you don't believe in it! (it is nice to be at least hyped don't stop doing that though, I really don't know what I prefer) But anyway, as punishment to you all for not voting for me more, my entry in the new year will be ROCK *.* (probably, if I maintain the guts, but it is so good I doubt I'll get bored of it)

 

On the flip side, I do love getting top 10s. Helped salvage the year.

 

Also possibly séyetan review of the year coming in here after I've finished with uni, although I said this'd happen last year and it didn't but anyway, I'll try.

 

A bit later than everyone else because a) no spoilers for TBO (like that mattered) and b) more importantly I was still working on it. It's a lot. I'll post a list of the 50 best in the post after this.

 

Séyetana End Of Year Review

 

So, this is going to take a slightly different form to everyone else's BJSC year in review lists. No compilations, no countdown, what I'm going to do is go through country by country and sum up in a paragraph what I thought of their contribution to the contest this year. I don't want to unnecessarily bash anyone so even leww can rest easy, I'm gonna be nice, even if I do mention the tracks I didn’t like. This is so no one gets left out, when I do get attention, good or bad, I appreciate it, so I'm gonna give all of you at least a bit of attention, I presume you'll like that.

 

This will probably get a bit long but honestly, you don't have to read it all. It's like a long encyclopaedic summary and nearly every entry I liked this year is mentioned there somewhere. Oh and unless it's mentioned it's all within the boundaries of LI-LX, nothing is taken into consideration outside 2013.

 

We’re gonna start with myself so you read my paragraph before scrolling down to your own part and close this without reading the rest. I know what you’re like.

 

SÉYETANA

I think on the whole, and this is what makes my cries at their failure all the more impassioned, that this is my favourite set of yearly entries since I started entering. Sure I made a couple of missteps that I would not repeat now and really should know better at this stage of my BJSC career but some of the highs this year are phenomenal and they’re a far more diverse set than my 2012 ten. The big one is obviously Amaranthine, I believe, the only song with harsh metal vocals to have hit the BJSC top 10. *.* That aside it is a true beauty of a song, and the one time my method of enter the strongest interesting track I have has actually paid off, in full. It’s my highest points scorer and the entry I’m personally proudest of. I need to enter more songs that are a couple of years old. On the complete other hand we have Sonsick. I like to say that one’s failure was what threw me off for the remainder of the year as it reminded me I really don’t know what works any more, it’s still the most baffling DNQ I’ve ever experienced in the contest. It is still an absolute tune and I go ecstatic every time I hear the chorus. More on those two towards the top end of my personal EOY chart. :kink: My Finnish duo of Pohjanmaan Tuulia and Ruostunut Ankkuri were in some ways expected failures but I’m still hugely proud I entered them because they are still lovely (and both better than all the winners this year, yes I went there). Sometimes I don’t know if I’m listening to the same stuff, particularly the former, it sounds like something with at least moderate appeal, it’s amazing, the only thing I see putting people off being the language, yet it’s still my worst performing entry. CRY. Only You is one of the best pure pop tracks of the year, should have done better than it got, at least it got a form redemption in TBO with a good improvement, Peacock was an interesting experiment for me going into K-Pop for once, it failed, but it’s still a very cute pop track that I still love, Little Games, The Ocean, Hold Me Down and Exhale are perhaps more standard ways to do well in BJSC the Séyetana way but all pretty lovely in their own way, the ‘hype’ that ‘surrounded Hold Me Down and Exhale’ not withstanding I do still love them, and only Come Together I regret entering, but it’s still a nice song and had it qualified I’d probably look more favourably on it.

 

But enough about me, let’s get to the bit you’re all reading this topic for! You. In alphabetical order:

 

#00274E

#00274E only struck a chord with me a couple of times this decade, but when they did, they struck gold. Look Up is one of the most arresting and fantastic tracks ever entered into BJSC and is still one of my favourite winners. A&E grew on me a lot after the fact and once Clean Bandit became big, top marks for originality there, it’s very nicely unique. Skirts was pretty cool if eclipsed by a much stronger contest and Jolene gave me a nice introduction to an old classic.

Best entry: Carli - Look Up

 

AEROCHE

I’ve made no secret of it recently that the majority of poor leww’s entries just aren’t to my taste. I seem to be the most diametrically opposed nation to Aeroche right now, because nearly everyone else has given him a shedload of points for SOMETHING while he hasn’t gotten points for me since 110%. Let’s go with what I do like, Northern Lights was pretty strong as a winner and something I briefly considered myself, were it not one of the best contests of that year it would have gotten points. And Breathe This Air I did really like as Purity Ring are great and it was one of the few times where a lo-fi track actually properly interested me. Cold Nights comes a distant 3rd… the rest… I honestly tried to like Catfish during the contest after Puppets growing on me beyond XLIX but while it did grow on me a bit (after, of course) it’s just worse if good for a 4th place and I suppose Massive Attack is okay (but cheap).

Best entry: Kate Boy – Northern Lights

 

ALLECIAN/SCRUVOVNIA

Well, Allecian started off so well with I’m Not Your Hero, a track that I directly credit for getting me further into Tegan & Sara, who I now love, think are extremely cool, and I have plans to get all the earlier albums as well as Heartthrob which I do have. In other news, I’m also secretly a lesbian. So big thanks for that. I really want to support you more. Oh and Mel Jade should have DEFINITELY qualified, your best inspirational effort this year and it’s really a shame how it got ignored. Make sure to enter every time next year, that can only help your case.

Best entry: Tegan & Sara – I’m Not Your Hero

 

ALTERIA

I rather liked Fight Or Flight to be honest. Shame Brett didn’t enter more as it was a great debut entry (and some sorely needed rock) despite everyone ignoring it.

 

ALTYR MUUNILINST

One of the few successful nations I can claim to support the majority of the time, I really like almost all of John’s entries this year. None more so than the mighty Naomi Pilgrim which did not deserve mid-table obscurity in the slightest… so beautiful, quirky and everything BJSC should be full of. I Will Lead You On was so lovely as a ballad, while Hey Love was very beautiful and quirky. You’re Not Alone, Power, Dream Of Bombay and Bon Voyage are on my regular rotation lists too, all of them really nice in their own ways.

Best entry: Naomi Pilgrim – No Gun

 

AQUAFINA

HI LEE! This one’s actually quite simple, Aquafina were brilliant in the first half of the year minus Lune (by Glowing I’d given Lee points 5 contests in a row and was wondering whether a voting bloc had started, because I hardly ever give consecutive points like that, Aquafina L-LIV ties with Caerfyrddia LIII-LVII as my longest) Alas, they were pretty terrible in the second half minus Adelen (and Ilium). It’s actually so hard to pick a standout between Glowing and Marabou, both were fantastic entries, I will give the edge to the more inspired one however. Ask Yourself and Fools may have tired on me a little but also highlights.

Best entry: Antonia – Marabou

 

ASHTON (FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF)

I always have felt in the past I should have supported Ashton more than I did, but a lot of their pop just about managed to pass me by. Thankfully this year they had an incredibly strong period, reaching their zenith in the middle with Envole-Moi, a truly awesome French song (for once) that was a lovely discovery for me. Put The Gun Down and U B The Bass either side of it stood out in their own respective contests, resulting in my giving of 32 points to our favourite dictators in 3 contests. Actually, a general rule is the further away from Envole-Moi an Ashton entry was, the worse it was. A couple of exceptions like Little Nikki being better than Vali and Tooji being better than Hunter, but mostly it fits.

Best Entry: TAL & M Pokora – Envole Moi

 

B.a.N.G

I ended up liking much more of Casey’s entries than I normally do, indeed all of them were great! Eli & Fur were brilliant obviously (even if it should’ve been Sea Of Stars in that top 10) and it was lovely seeing Blazin do well after I had it on the back burner for ages. Some mention must also go to Great Good Fine OK, something I was really surprised I liked so much, while Shadowless shouldn’t have been forgotten like that.

Best Entry: Eli & Fur – Tonight

 

BATIDAS

Well, it wasn’t a bad final year for Batidas (I assume they’re not returning now :(), Uncover is a reasonably good winner, Zombies In Love is the definition of a background instrumental that is fun to have on and I See You was funky, but the real highlight was the strained wonders of Alex Hepburn’s voice on Under, something that really seemed quite compelling.

Best Entry: Alex Hepburn – Under

 

BELLAMIA

Well aside from ruining Katie Sky for me (still love you but don’t go beating Only You with your lovely vocals on an average dance track) this has been an UP AND DOWN year for Bellamia. Highs from Alyssa Reid, yes I did just write that sentence, and the surprising grower of Houseshaker were countered by that tyDi thing and far too many pre-pubescent boys. Still pretty good for a pop nation.

Best Entry: Alyssa Reid – Running Guns

 

BEN’S SANCTUARY

Ben ended the year with three fantastic entries, that really made me take notice of his nation for once, something that hadn’t happened before. All three of 10aks, Linda and Milky Chance are so so good, will definitely be looking forward to any entries in 2014.

Best Entry: Linda Kiraly – Runaway (Beautiful Tragedy)

 

BIGNIA-ZARAGOVINA

I actually gave final points to Bignia this year. So that’s a definite indication of an increase in quality from Jack. In all actuality there are only two entries of this 10 I don’t really like and they both DNQed. Tail Of Hope, Ask Me To Dance and Heartbreaker make up a top tier trinity of amazingness. Long live the Ambiguously Fluid Governmental Structure of Bignia-Zaragovina.

Best Entry: Mia Martina - Heartbreaker

 

BOTANIKKA

Mostly just about passing me by this year, Mainline was obviously great and that’s easily taking this but I also have to talk about the wondrous DNQ that was Tears From The Moon. So clear, full and vibrant, real shame it wasn’t more of a hit, in a very strong contest however. Oh and Le Mama was pretty fun.

Best Entry: Tensnake (feat. Syron) – Mainline

 

BUDTAR

Look I actually like Can’t Stay Away so yeah, don’t judge me.

 

CADELICIA

Basically with Cadelicia, I love it when they send full blown dance songs, subtlety doesn’t work so well with them. Of course I’d like it even more if they replicated Trees all the time but sometimes I appreciate that can’t happen. I was hoping badly at the time that Become A Legend would be Oliver’s first qualifier as it felt so right to be, thankfully After Dark was almost as good a final debut. And Beating Of My Heart was divine and I did really like The Good Life despite that earlier rule.

Best Entry: twenty one pilots – Trees

 

CAERFYRDDIA

Ghosty has had an almost perfect year as far as final qualifiers go, the only one I wasn’t too enamoured with being #sitterher. So Close and Bror are just bliss to listen to, was so pleased to see Queen Of Elba qualify at the time, it’s also beautiful, Hafdis was a lovely BJFest entry, and with Bring It Back being one of the best winners this year, Caerfyrddia were definitely one of its best nations. (come back please)

Best Entry: Olafur Arnalds (feat. Arnor Dan) – So Close

 

D’YERMAK’ER

I feel like I don’t exactly share the same aims as most Bal fans. I was a big fan of what the D’yer was pushing pretty quickly, Move, Sirens, Slow Love and 2025 all clicking with me pretty hard, three are in my top 50 and with 2025 not far behind I was ready to declare D’yermak’er one of my favourite nations. Then came those two big hits. I can just about get Embrace but Julia does not work for me. So currently on a downturn, bring it back for me in 2014 Balraj.

Best Entry: Pawws – Slow Love

 

DAEHUN

I am desperate for Daehun to bring the big K-Pop tunes next year as when they get it right they’re probably more essential than any other nation. This time two of Yu’s three most awesome entries fell by the wayside, which is really bad because Wild is one of the best K-Pop girlband entries to EVER grace this fair contest and One Shot was a lovely risky entry that deserved to pay off. And to add insult to injury you guys made that generic ho Namie qualify twice with basically the same song? One thing that I did love was Microphone scoring a mini-hit with a very unique song, so enough getting martyred for Yu. Continue sending the best of the Far East.

Best Entry: Ayumi Hamasaki – Microphone

 

DALISSKA/DEANDRIA

Because they entered once in the same contest this year and neither entry made that much of an impression on me. Although I did find myself humming Make Some Noise not that long ago weirdly.

 

DANAELANDA

I like to think me and Thermo have often been at loggerheads in the taste wars. I have taste, he has dance. This may or may not have something to do with his dislike of Amaranthine and not in actual fact my non-existent hatred for dance. All joking aside, Danaelanda have been pretty good this year on occasion, Insane, Summerbreeze (criminal DNQ) and particularly Siren being highlights and I trust them to do the right thing with the genre most of the time.

Best Entry: Kat Krazy (feat. Elkka) – Siren

 

ELEDAN

Pavel has had two good entries this year. Pyrrhic and Meet Me In A House Of Love. Okay, three, Call Me Tonight. Mmm, can probably let Andvekur and T in there too. So half really good. That’s not a bad ratio.

Best Entry: Julianna Barwick – Pyrrhic

 

ESPEN

I think Espen might be my favourite nation overall in 2013. They’re certainly the one I’ve given the most points to this year, 7 ahead of FSR Rontvia in second. Any nation that sends Aura, Changes and Tsunami in the space of four contests has got to be onto a winner. I really like all the others too to varying degrees, the only one I wouldn’t rank in the top 20 of their respective contests would be The Take Down and that’s only because LIII was the strongest ever. So much love.

Best Entry: Team Rockit – Aura

 

ETHANOLA

Promising future as a new dance nation, and Gotham was about the most inspired I’ve ever seen a nation be on their debut.

Best Entry: Ten Walls - Gotham

 

EUPHORIFFITH

Not really hit a chord with me so far. Plezier was only pretty notable because of what it was and the others were crap. Always next year Griff.

Best Entry: Plezier – Plezier Anthem

 

FARAHTYN

I may have set myself a silly task. Told You So was a bit forgettable. There.

 

FLJOTAVÍK

Rumour was a real fantastic highlight and great discovery in terms of keeping me liking Ms Howl. And Weapon For Saturday and Electricity were very much to my taste also. As always, a great nation when they hit the right notes for me, which they aren’t always trying to do.

Best Entry: Chloe Howl – Rumour

 

FLORINA

Any nation who enters my dear of Verona gets a good pass from me. Here’s hoping you find your feet a bit more in 2014 as Worthy at least deserved to make it from your other 3.

Best Entry: of Verona – Dark In My Imagination

 

FNT NICKODONIA

Menagerie was the hit that only I seemed to love and as a song of that type would normally DNQ, so glad it at least was allowed through.

Best Entry: Caitlin Rose – Menagerie

 

FSR RONTVIA

A good year for Rontvia despite the DNQs, Platinum Chains, Take Me To Church and Because Of U represent the great diversity you’re still very capable of, and all three were phenomenal. There’s a reason I still give Rontvia points contest after contest, you rarely fail to subvert my expectations and come up with a great song from a direction I didn’t expect.

Best Entry: Michael Woods – Platinum Chains

 

GREENFROZE

I haven’t found myself wanting to support Greenfroze as much as I used to this year. Some of the many DNQs (they all blur into one a little) are cute but nothing really stood out enough to love completely.

Best Entry: Jillette Johnson – Cameron

 

HENDINIA

Similarly, Hendinia has been on a rough and critical ride for me this year too, haven’t given Rob points since he entered Sharon Doorson (ha). Unfortunately their best entry this year was the only one to DNQ. Completely serious, Texas is wonderful. I suppose Shadow Of The Sun, Run On Love and The New Kings were okay too…

Best Entry: Magic Man – Texas

 

INGERMANLANDIA

A nation that mostly sits at opposite sides of the BJSC court to me, I was blown away by the loveliness of Cat And The Menagerie (leading to many jokes about my obsession with the latter word following Caitlin) as it was right up my street. 12 points to Ingermanlandia then, not one point (even in the semis) before or since. I did like Pumpin Blood and What’s Going On a lot too though.

Best Entry: Cat And The Menagerie – Better

 

ISCONIA

I’m probably not expected to like Isconia entries most of the time, and as I gave them no final points this year this gives me the freedom to be a bit left-field with my favourite entry from them. Greasy Love was very nice and would have done better if we weren’t all so rock-phobic but their best this year has to be the rather dark bliss from Chinawoman.

Best Entry: Chinawoman – Kiss In Taksim Square

 

JAMVALE

It might take a little while to get what does well. Please don’t take that to be patronising.

Best Entry: Shannon Thomas – Edward

 

JAYRUSALEM

Do not leave us Jay. I forbid it. Although you have been subject to some rather bad DNQs lately. Open message to everyone else: Stop being so racist to the Jayrusaleminians.

Best Entry: Sharon Doorson – Killer

 

JURANABAIJAN

It’s been a much better year than normal for Juranabaijan I think, I liked most of their stuff at the start of the year, certainly all that qualified. And then there was that success with Thank You (that I called as soon as I heard it yay)

Best Entry: MKTO – Thank You

 

KATHALDAZIA

Mmm, I really liked most of the entries Kath turned up with this year, so it is quite a shame she’s gone for the foreseeable again. Alone was a great comeback to BJFest, loved Closer to pieces and I feel a little guilty about Take Me To The Dance as I thought it’d do great and told Kath that too.

Best Entry: LCNVL & Lakota Silva – Closer

 

KLUMINICAN REPUBLIC

Spaceship, Wasting My Young Years and Union were all very good and ones I was happy to support/chuck a commisserations, but none compared to the beauty of Rock U Tonite, a very well deserved return to the top 10 for Klumzee, and a lovely discovery to boot. Oh and Bublitschki was so inspired in BJFest, I hated seeing it fail.

Best Entry: Wave Racer – Rock U Tonite

 

KOPECKA

Okay before I start, Kopecka is welcome to come back any time they like in my book, for old time’s sake (so looking forward to this LXI entry). It would be a good idea to make sure those entries are actually good though. Pay TV was quite fun for a bit, but the blandness of Step Up equalling a top 10 leaves me bewildered.

Best Entry: Pay TV – Trendy Discotheque

 

KYLIENIPS

A weird one as they have an equal chance of either me liking the entry enough that it shouldn’t qualify but it does, they send something that will appeal naturally or they send an immediate no-hoper that crashes and burns. Quite predictable I think. Ghostcity was unarguably their greatest moment this year but I do prefer the weirdness of Magic Mind just a tad.

Best Entry: ColorKaleido – Magic Mind

 

LAKE THERMWOODS

With only a few appearances this year one of my favourite countries of 2012 has fallen from grace quite a bit. One thing Atonement did do was allow Wings to finally grow on me however so it wasn’t an entirely wasted exercise.

Best Entry: HAERTS – Wings

 

LAUNICA

Wicked Side was unfortunately the worst Launica entry yet. I used to love their entries too. L countries are cursed by my love. :(

 

MDICE

One major highlight from Mdice’s entries this year, and that was the lovely lovely BIPP, which is up high on my ranking that will follow this post. Various others, My Love, Never Say Never, Fall For You made me like them but not enough to reward.

Best Entry: SOPHIE - BIPP

 

MEZIDINIA

Poor cursed Mezidinia. At least a qualification can finally be put against your name, always a champion of Ain’t Got Time. The less said about the Boom Boom debacle the better (it’s good now)

Best Entry: Ray Foxx (feat. Rachel Collier) – Boom Boom (Heartbeat)

 

N DNTN

Chris had essentially three great entries this year, Counting, Hate Or Glory and Fall Over, the latter of which I was really wrong to not give points as it’s now in at least my top 5 from that contest, the one I keep saying is the strongest of the year. There was a whole period in the middle of the year where I didn’t consider giving them points at all but given my anti-Aeroche feelings it’s a wonder I come round to N DNTN that many times anyway.

Best Entry: Autre Ne Veut – Counting

 

N-LAZONE

The two entries from Nick that made the final this year are some of his best ever (in the two strongest finals of the year no less) and it’s quite a shame he only entered 4 times. Chronicles Of A Fallen Love and You.Me.Bed.Now are fantastic in very different ways, very underrated country

Best Entry: The Bloody Beetroots (feat. Greta Svabo Bech) – Chronicles Of A Fallen Love

 

NUMAYANIA

The sharp decline and leaving of 2012’s premier nation notwithstanding, it wasn’t an awful (half) year for Numayania, although not a great one either. Of the five, four were nice but forgettable. The one that did stand out was Vanessa Paradis’ Love Song, their first DNQ in a long time but also one of the most personable and lovely French entries ever.

Best Entry: Vanessa Paradis – Love Song

 

OJNOJ

A lot of their entries did pass me by, but there were several notable exceptions. Firstly anytime they entered K-Pop, Just Go actually making the final was very good, as by doing so it ended up being one of the best-performing Asian entries of the year. The very friendly Hello and particularly the divine Nightswim by premier musician Owl Eyes helped their case too.

Best Entry: Owl Eyes – Nightswim

 

PALMYRA

I would at this point say poor unloved Palmyra but I can’t remember really liking any of their entries this year so that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. Closer was nice enough though.

Best Entry: Lulu James – Closer

 

PERSEPHONIA

What a poor excuse for a nation. Terrible entry after terrible entry. Aside from Eden. And Dark Star. And Out Of Yourself. And Surph. And Pacifica. Maybe. Still, can’t endorse them or they might get ideas. Like achieving victory before me. That would cause the world to end, or so I hear from certain Séyetan shamans.

Best Entry: Truls – Out Of Yourself

 

PROJ

Right. I’m very sorry Jester. PRoJ were very good LAST year (Lianne, Neon Trees, Passion Pit etc.), just haven't been wowed this time. Erm… I’ll give you Wild and Entertainment. Best offer.

Best Entry: Phoenix – Entertainment

 

RAMRYNIA

Cheap, annoying and EVERYWHERE.

But unfortunately rather good when they want to be. Particularly as they seem to be always entering what I like in a pop song. We have nearly-mine Emerentia, formerly-mine Cady Groves and Ellie Goulding-esque Alida among their lineup so it would be unfair on Ryan if I didn’t support him with these. The rest… ha.

Best Entry: Emerentia – Wasting Water

 

SANDEBORG

I definitely need to support Sandeborg more (they’ve given me so many points and I’m yet to return even one :( ). Every single contest they have been around about 11th-20th in my rankings of the final. And then on one of only two occasions when they DIDN’T make the final this year, that entry that didn’t make it was by far and away the best song Adam’s ever entered. Life just isn’t fair.

Best Entry: Fallulah - Dragon

 

SANDENIA

Sometimes really good with the odd left-field pop song, again, my favourites of Calum’s are definitely not his smashes. His first three are the main ones I’d go back to, the best of them all being that very September-esque beauty Tempted. Love it, a perfect BJSC entry and definitely in my top 100 of the year (it just missed out on the top 50).

Best Entry: Markus Schulz (feat. Sarah Howells) – Tempted

 

SINGERPUREAR

Well of course I’m going to sow sympathy for poor popchartfreak here, as most of these have been pretty good entries. I really liked Walk Off The Earth, The Leisure Society and Red Sky July, but the best is a war between the majesty of OMD’s little known album track and the great late 90s discovery I made in Shivaree. Winner below.

Best Entry: Shivaree – Goodnight Moon

 

SKALL

I’m not normally on the same wavelength as Harve, although there are occasions when our taste matches up perfectly. Like distant planets aligning. Anyway, much love to Princes and (belatedly) Let Go which are lovely.

Best Entry: Gang Gang Dances (feat. Tinchy Stryder) - Princes

 

SYNDARE

Plenty of randomfurlong’s entries struck a chord with me, none more so than TBO winner Take Me Home. But beyond that there were a host of lovely Syndare entries, the beautiful Never Look Away chief among them but also Dark Motion, Luminous, Birthmark and Phoenix which were pretty lovely too. Belanger, Vienna Teng and that wonderful BJFest entry of The Planets (still my jam) were enough to make them an essential 2013 nation though.

Best Entry: Belanger – Take Me Home

 

TARTFORD

Newly back but looking like a good influence if they stick around, both very nice entries.

Best Entry: Sky Ferreira – Dynamite State

 

TERRA AVIUM

I continue to be a very regular supporter of the nation of birds. Well, it’s almost always I really love their entry or I don’t get it at all but they’ve been one of the best for sure. You Stole That Summer was a jam from the early year, Land Of The Innocent as one of my former potentials deserved better than it got, and Gimme Sin (so glad it finally got entered), We Come Running and Odyssey Pt. 2 were all very lovely songs to reaffirm my faith in the contest. Great year for them, let’s make it even better next time.

Best Entry: Kissy Sell Out (feat. Saint Saviour) – Gimme Sin

 

THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF GINSAY LOHANDS

Been a remarkably decent addition to the BJSC pantheon of late, assuming they come back in January of course and don’t just have only three entries. I against all sense love Porcelain Black but the deliberate rhythm of DNA grabbed me just a little bit more.

Best Entry: Anna F - DNA

 

TINNMARK

Really didn’t deserve the bad year they had. Admittedly a few of their DNQs (like Cazadores and Kid Astray) I loved at the time but have since gotten a little bored of but to make up for that ones like Linnea Dale and Highasakite have grown on me. And Pstereo and Lazarus are good anyway. But of course the big one is their one big hit this year, the glorious Close Enough, one I really didn’t give enough at the time.

Best Entry: Ghost Beach (feat. Noosa) – Close Enough

 

TRIFOSKI

Another one of the big nations that don’t get many points from me, in fact they haven’t yet gotten any. This is due to my inner hipster asserting itself and declaring that their best TWO entries have DNQed so far. Those being WOR and Happier. Nonono BJSC, don’t keep doing that. I do like their winners to an extent and Curxes, Robert DeLong and Cashmere Cat were all fairly good entries I wouldn’t skip on shuffle but I really want to give points to Seven sometime so his best ones need to not fail.

Best Entry: Django Django - WOR

 

UMIIRUKA

Two words. Super Driver . It’s the only entry of Umi’s I’d say beats his debut back in March 2012, I was all over encouraging him to send it as soon as I heard it (this was before I also got obsessed with the associated anime series) and unfortunately it turned out I was its only big fan. :( I really wish I wasn’t. My favourite DNQ of the year people. Umiiruka needs to qualify more than once next year or there will be blood. One of the French songs (Insomnie), that Polish one, Swag In A Bag and Uncanny Valley would have been worthy finalists too, they deserved a better year.

Best Entry: Aya Hirano – Super Driver

 

UNOVIA

Well, as long as they aren’t sending talent show rejects they’re okay, although I can understand that method as Liam’s finest hour is still Dia Frampton for me. Entering Haloo Helsinki and Maria Mena in the same year are things the like of which all nations should do, needed to qualify. At least Spark and Indiana did to give Liam two pretty amazing finalists.

Best Entry: Haloo Helsinki – Huuda!

 

USFLAND

Most of the time I find I’m really not on the same wavelength as whatever Usfland has sent to the contest. The one time I was though this year was with the BEST MØ song to have graced either song contest, the surprisingly beautiful Glass. Again was passable too.

Best Entry: MØ – Glass

 

UTOPIA

Similarly, I’m not often on board with Utopia. However this time, towards the end of the year I began appreciating their entries more and more, first the fairly decent Dumb Disco Ideas, then the wholly lovely Layou, followed by the nicely quirky Sunshine, and finally, with them qualifying with an entry I liked for once, the beauty that I never expected to like, the lovely Afraid Of The Dark. If this pattern keeps up I’ll be very pleased.

Best Entry: Ejecta – Afraid Of The Dark

 

VARAKE

Still the only time I’ve ever gone as far as sending a confirmation PM and then getting beaten to it was in the instance of Smallpools, something I never expected to get beaten to I might add (I dithered a bit and didn’t send it as soon as the confirmation thread was open, that was probably my downfall). Given it was by Varake, who at the time had no qualifiers to their name, I wasn’t as vengeful as I might have been. I’m so glad it became a hit whoever it was sent by though, it’s among the top 10 of the songs in this contest this year, that’s including my own. Aside from that they have been consistently decent although I haven’t given Luke points again. Wolf was particularly enamouring and several of the DNQs, particularly Still Falling and Far Too Close, deserved more than what they got.

Best Entry: Smallpools – Dreaming

 

VULKYRIA

Not the best so far but if they stick around this time it could get better, Ultralight was very nice.

Best Entry: Parallels - Ultralight

 

XANAGA

Both fairly decent but unforch neither really stood out that much.

Best Entry: Love Grenades – Genius Of Fun

 

YEHESI

Sometimes it can be very good when Yehesi does dance. It doesn’t often lead to them getting points though. Still yet to give them anything also. If Broken Angel had qualified… maybe. Wallpaper and Echoes were lovely, can’t say I thought that much of Animals before it blew up.

Best Entry: Arash (feat. Helena) – Broken Angel

 

ZECHONIA

And finally, one of my closest allies in at least the rock sense, although Zech swings more towards indie and I swing towards pop when one has to choose, they’ve had yet again another amazing year. From the start with Phildel, Bitter Ruin and Tailor, through the great Fiddler’s Green, The Earth And Everything In it, to the Latin chanting of Dolci Ire and the fantastic discovery of Ivy Quainoo’s Wildfires, one of the best nations in this contest. A top 3 placing really SHOULD be soon.

Best Entry: Ivy Quainoo – Wildfires (Light It Up)

And my top 50 in a list:

 

1 - Ingermanlandia - Cat And The Menagerie - Better

2 - Tinnmark - Ghost Beach (feat. Noosa) - Close Enough

3 - Espen - Team Rockit - Aura

4 - Syndare - Belanger - Take Me Home

5 - Varake - Smallpools - Dreaming

6 - Umiiruka - Aya Hirano - Super Driver

7 - Allecian - Tegan & Sara - I'm Not Your Hero

8 - Altyr Muunilinst - Naomi Pilgrim - No Gun

9 - #00274E - Carli - Look Up

10 - Zechonia - Ivy Quainoo - Wildfires (Light It Up)

11 - FSR Rontvia - Michael Woods - Platinum Chains

12 - Caerfyrddia - Olafur Arnalds - So Close

13 - Espen - DVBBS & Borgeous - Tsunami

14 - Ashton - Tal & M Pokora - Envole-Moi

15 - Daehun - Ayumi Namasaki - Microphone

16 - D'yermak'er - Pawws - Slow Love

17 - N DNTN - Autre Ne Veut - Counting

18 - Ramrynia - Emerentia - Wasting Water

19 - Syndare - Vienna Teng - Never Look Away

20 - D'yermak'er - Kelly Sweet - Sirens

21 - Mdice - SOPHIE - BIPP

22 - FNT Nickodonia - Caitlin Rose - Menagerie

23 - Eledan - Julianna Barwick - Pyrrhic

24 - Kluminican Republic - Wave Racer - Rock U Tonite

25 - Espen - FAUL (feat. Wad Ad) - Changes

26 - FSR Rontvia - RL Grime - Because Of U

27 - N-Lazone - The Bloody Beetroots - Chronicles Of A Fallen Love

28 - FSR Rontvia - Hozier - Take Me To Church

29 - Danaelanda - Kat Krazy (feat. Elkka) - Siren

30 - Fljotavik - Chloe Howl - Rumour

31 - N DNTN - Banks - Fall Over

32 - Aquafina - Antonia - Marabou

33 - Terra Avium - Kissy Sell Out (feat. Saint Saviour) - Gimme Sin

34 - Singerpurear - Shivaree - Goodnight Moon

35 - Terra Avium - Dreamtrak - Odyssey Pt. 2

36 - Aquafina - Nikki Williams - Glowing

37 - Skall - Gang Gang Dance (feat. Tinchy Stryder) - Princes

38 - Daehun - B.A.P - One Shot

39 - Utopia - Ejecta - Afraid Of The Dark

40 - Persephonia - Truls - Out Of Yourself

41 - Daehun - Nine Muses - Wild

42 - Caerfyrddia - Braendt Barn - Bror

43 - Eledan - Cut Copy - Meet Me In A House Of Love

44 - Jayrusalem - Sharon Doorson - Killer

45 - D'yermak'er - Mausi - Move

46 - Ojnoj - Owl Eyes - Nightswim

47 - Ashton - Luciana - U B The Bass

48 - Altyr Muunilinst - MDNGHT - I Will Lead You On (feat. Lana)

49 - Terra Avium - Woman E - You Stole That Summer

50 - Zechonia - Fiddler's Green - Yindy

 

Couple of points:

*Second time Tinnmark's been in my top 5, indeed they're the only nation to have repeated this in the three years I've been in the contest (following Laleh being 2nd last year). I look forward very much to the Tinnmarkian entry for LXII.

*Most of the nations in my top 10 have their only entry in the top 50 there. Diversity.

*I could have done a top 100 because there were plenty of great entries missing out here, but it's all in the review I guess.

*There is a possibility that this ranking will not be reflected in the exact same way in my EOY as I did them up on different days. I tried to follow it towards the top though.

i will get through to you one day.

 

not january though (even tho one of my potentials features somebody you were gonna send but someone else ended up sending later...)

nice little 'reviewing each country' idea there iz, and yes i DO need some séyetan points next year please thanx <3

 

I never thought I'd see anyone list Woman E amongst the top 50 of the year, hurrah for it not being totally forgotten yet :D

 

I wish I could return some of your support sometimes, I think Amaranthe's the only time you've ever got points from me :( I never seem to be on the same wavelength as you musically, although that song you sent to BJfestivalen (can't remember what it was called) was really good though.

Edited December 18, 201311 yr by Father Walrus

Whooooo <3 Especially for the Planets mention! I should've won. :angry:

 

Hopefully you're more to my taste next year, I feel bad that it's always been so one-sided! Although if I'd been in the contest at the time, Cady Groves would've got my twelve points, even if I'd probably have regretted being so enthusiastic afterward. It remains a tune.

FAB idea Iz! And don't worry, i'll work on bringing you back on board eventually.

 

YAY for a few entries creeping into your chart :D Our paths rarely cross with our big faves from each contest but a fair few i'm liking away from my own entries there anyway.

i will get through to you one day.

 

not january though (even tho one of my potentials features somebody you were gonna send but someone else ended up sending later...)

 

Interesting! I'll have to ask you about that one later.

 

nice little 'reviewing each country' idea there iz, and yes i DO need some séyetan points next year please thanx

 

It has NEARLY happened so many times this year. It'll come soon if that's any indication.

 

I never thought I'd see anyone list Woman E amongst the top 50 of the year, hurrah for it not being totally forgotten yet :D

 

I wish I could return some of your support sometimes, I think Amaranthe's the only time you've ever got points from me :( I never seem to be on the same wavelength as you musically, although that song you sent to BJfestivalen (can't remember what it was called) was really good though.

 

It's actually incredible, has stuck with me all through the year.

 

:( It's okay, I hope to win round a few more countries next year, I'll just be sending what I love most and seeing what sticks as has been my method recently. Little Games was that song, sometimes I wish I'd sent it to the main contest as it clearly would have done much better than I had expected and people seem to forget BJFest so easily.

 

Whooooo :angry:

 

Hopefully you're more to my taste next year, I feel bad that it's always been so one-sided! Although if I'd been in the contest at the time, Cady Groves would've got my twelve points, even if I'd probably have regretted being so enthusiastic afterward. It remains a tune.

 

:wub: Would have been a much better winner.

 

Yeah, like I said to Chez, I HOPE to bring more people on side, I'll see what I can do. But your regret is enough for now. :D (This Little Girl >> that Forget You nonsense)

 

FAB idea Iz! And don't worry, i'll work on bringing you back on board eventually.

 

YAY for a few entries creeping into your chart :D Our paths rarely cross with our big faves from each contest but a fair few i'm liking away from my own entries there anyway.

 

Well you definitely have the potential, I just haven't been getting the ones of late. I'm sure it'll come back around soon.

Woo! glad to know this whole year of Allecian entries wasn't in vain.

Great idea!

I'm happy to see you remember Broken Angel. I still love the song so much and it's my ultimate workout jam at the moment