G-I

 

Gardens, Bare and Naked (B.a.N.G)

I was informed I missed B.a.N.G's one entry out. So I'm indulging in cheap tactics to say it's still in alphabetical order this way. Japanese Wallpaper was a sweet entry, a little forgettable, but not unworthy an entry.

Entry Rank: Japanese Wallpaper - Forces (feat. Airling)

 

Greenfroze

Generally pretty high up in my votes, I don't go into Greenfroze's entries expecting anything because it could be indie-rock, it could be cutesy pop, it could be Asian cutesy pop, who knows? But for the most part, that's the sort of stuff I like. So I appreciate the variety and the genres that variety normally leads Freeze into. Especially your hits, my god, two of the top 10 hits that I'm most amazed and pleased became top 10 this year came from Greenfroze, those being Don't Wait Up, an addicting romp of a song and Hopeful. And Delta Rae was pretty great as well, I mean, I sacrificed one of my favourite entries from this year to 12 that into the final and I have... very limited regrets as far as that goes (Flutterwonder/Scared was a first for me knocking myself out of the final I believe) because it's a brilliant song. Perfume, although not with as good a song as Cadelicia's Perfume entry, and Bleachers were pretty brilliant. The rest I can generally take or leave but the amount of times Greenfroze hit with me this year was very satisfying, keep the shock hits up

Entry Rank: Robert DeLong - Don't Wait Up > Delta Rae > Bear Mountain > Bleachers > Perfume > Paul Rey > Plug In Stereo > Jessi Malay > Rosie And The Goldbug

 

Harmonica

Forever underrated, but getting somewhere with scoring a few hits now and then, which is good because I often at least like your entries Jordan, and I'm impressed with your persistence, we need to give you a smash period soon. Interestingly, although I am a fan of the general Harmonican sound, my favourite entry of yours is outside that sound quite drastically, the very cool dance tune of Open Heart, something I thought would do far better than it did unfortunately. It has an addictive instrumental and should have had everything going for it. But I liked it. Other than that it was a strong year, from the triumphant qualification and subsequent smash of A Rush Of Blood, to the very friendly and happy I'm In Love With My Life, another strong indie entry in Tomorrow, the quirkiness of Running Behind. We Can Go Blind was also rather good, Ladies was one of the best proto-Iggy Azalea tracks I've heard, Avalanche was cute, Wanted sounded quite pathos-y tortured, which is good, and it was really only Jackpot I wasn't so enamoured by. 9/10 is good going.

Entry Rank: Morgan Page - Open Heart (feat. Lissie) > Phases > Coasts > A Silent Film > Sarai > HOLYCHILD > Ben Hazelwood > The Flavr Blue > Rachael Lampa > Jocelyn Alice

 

Hendinia

Hendinia are a country that I can sometimes really love but at times I can find it's a bit too basic pop for me. I mean, Rob entered a song that is quite literally a Rihanna demo, but unfortunately it was one of the worst Rihanna songs I've ever heard in my life. And the other first few Hendinian entries of the year weren't much better, I'm afraid. And then Tumor came along. Turning the Hendinian year around with a fantastic pop song, it was followed up by two more fantastic pop/trash PC-music songs in House Of Cards and Friday Night then a fairly good pop song in Money All Around. For that second part at least, I could see why Hendinia are normally invincible, sending drag queens and forgetting to vote with Asian pop aside.

Entry Rank: GFOTY - Friday Night > Allie X > RUUMER > Holychild > Stockholm Syndrome > Julia Volkova > Kenya > Ida LaFontaine > Alaska Thunderf***

 

Hushkanukia

Well, PVRIS is utterly awesome. That really turned my opinion of Cameron's music taste around because it's wonderful and about the best winner we had this year. Major props for that Cameron, I know I go on about not entering it but that's all my fault for not taking advantage of it the contest before, it doesn't diminish your achievement with it there, it's one of the best winners BJSC has ever had. If I'm honest the rest of your entries haven't really hit me to any extent which is why I don't think I've pointed you outside that, although Stefanie Heinzmann came within a hair of getting a point. Anavae had some lovely verses too and Regina Spektor was also really cool. And I think aside from Ashley Allen, none were that BAD either, although some did better than I ever thought they would, Jilette Johnson for one, it's really not as good as Cameron... yeah that sentence is cool. Mostly very consistent, which is why you're holding the Q record. Well done.

Entry Rank: PVRIS - St. Patrick > Stefanie Heinzmann > Regina Spektor > Anavae > Sumera > Daniella Mason > Jessica Lee > Jilette Johnson > Haris > Ashley Allen

 

Isconia

Come back! I loved Isconia's votes and I do like their entries a lot of the time and even when I didn't some of the entries grew on me afterwards, Ofelia in particular, I thought nothing of it in the contest but it's really sweet now. I do hope that isn't Isconia's last entry. But then, I could tell that some interest in the contest was declining but I'm glad we got Heaven Sent out in there, that's one of my favourite entries of the year just because of the outrageously addictive rock chords

Entry Rank: Best Coast - Heaven Sent > Ofelia > Christy And The Professors > DiSa > EXGF > Billy Who > MALKA

 

Well played with B.a.N.G :P

 

I do hope Isconia come back at some point, though I guess they probably just drifted for the same reasons as Zechonia :(

Lovely words Iz! :heart:

J-L

 

Jacksland

Twenty One Pilots are a great band and one I need to listen to more of so the solitary entry from this country gives them a 100% approval rating from me. ^_^

 

Jadakissnia

I hope it's alright to say I had some high expectations with you finally joining the contest Jade, I wasn't quite sure what you'd bring as you've got quite the diverse music taste so that piqued my interest to say the least. And I think for the most part you've delivered on that with some cool entries. Curtains was a great start, it just kept growing and growing and is still one of my favourites of that contest, Time and Virtual Paradise both hit my definition of epic, with their subdued but powerful vocals and emotional lyrics, which is a very good thing. I also rather liked Unzip Your Skin. All White Everything and When didn't stand out as much but we can't win them all. I wouldn't even say Luv W Luv was bad, it was pretty quirky.

Entry Rank: Last Lynx - Curtains > AK & Lynx > ONUKA > Stranger Cat > Muhsinah > JJ > M+A

 

Jayrusalem

Yay shade time for Jayrusalem ^_^ You like it when that happens from me right? If you don't you could always knock me out of another final to call it even. But really, although we don't share the same taste a lot of the time it's cool when we do match. Like on Run. I really adore Run and yet again it only got so few points because it was in the best contest of the year. And actually, that pretty rubbish big hit you discovered early aside, it's not been a bad year for you, Lion Babe I don't resent TOO much as I did once think (for a minute or two) about sending it back in the day so if there's crossover there we good. Heartbeats is a cool dance song from best contest, I LOVED Unbroken and I'm so glad that was such a big hit for you, I think that's one of the best pure pop entries we've had this year, Wait Just A Minute was pretty cool in retrospect and the only thing I had against Rescue My Heart was that it was a little downbeat for me. Yay Jayrusalem (now give me all the points please and let's end this rivalry the universe keeps forcing us into).

Entry Rank: COIN - Run > Bonnie Anderson > Adam Rickfors > Lion Babe > Myzica > Liz Longley > Natalie La Rose

 

Joedonia

Joedonia's three entries have been all good at least. I'd say the first two, Xylo and Lapsley were what I expect of Joe more, I don't really get Afterlife failing so bad when Hurt Me came 2nd the contest after because they seem like they're appealing to the same market and Afterlife was so much better than that other Xylo song we had earlier this year. Hurt Me I'd also say is the weakest of the three, it seems to be playing the whole indie-pop ballad thing a little bit too straight. The best Joedonia entry so far though has been the catchy tune from Lost Kings, Bad, definitely a good jam.

Entry Rank: Lost Kings - Bad (feat. Jessame) > Xylo > Lapsley > bothering with copying accents in artist names across

 

Jukianië

Jukianie tend to enter a lot of RnB and as much as I try, that's a genre it takes a special song for me to get, and all of these weren't that song. Or weird foreign songs I think are okay for one listen before then not voting for them. I'd say the closest I came to really enjoying an entry was Zhala's less successful song. Apologies, we just don't have much in common in taste it seems.

Entry Rank: Zhala - I'm In Love > EA3DN > Raye > Ronnie Flex > Boaz Van Der Beatz > Kehlani > Rochelle Jordan

 

Kathaldazia

Feder and Northbrook. Well, I enjoyed them both. And I gave Northbrook points. It was a very good entry. And Feder had some great ethnic vibes.

Entry Rank: Northbrook - On A Train > Feder

 

Kluminican Republic

I've made no secret of how incredible I've thought a certain number of Kluminican entries have been this year. When you get it right it is amazingly right. As Hendersin and Caravan Palace proved. The former was a pretty amazing discovery as it combines some funny and on point rap verses with a speeded up chorus of New Soul. And that chorus is the key, I like speed edits. And then Lone Digger was just a speedy, boppy ditty that I'm still not quite over the initial obsession with, it's rare I feel like I must hype an entry during the contest as best I can and I definitely gave it a good go. Additionally, Truls. Which I have spam played so, like all the entries I could have entered but other people enter and then smash with, I now don't really care that it wasn't me smashing with it, I'm very glad it came 2nd and behind a really good winner as well. Aside from that, LCMDF were also great because they were Finnish and Fooled was the best song I've heard from them, Electric Love was pretty brilliant too, and I have a small soft spot for the ethnic jam of Color Gitano. Very good year for you Klumzee, I'd love to see momentum like that continuing into the new year, if only one of your tracks had become a winner.

Entry Rank: Caravan Palace - Lone Digger > Hendersin > Truls > BORNS > LCMDF > Kendji Girac > Francesco Yates > Whilk & Misky

 

Kylienips

Mikey, you had a great period in the middle of the year. I know obviously there's your long-awaited winner, the wonderful Sorry, and that has to take my favourite of your entries but, and it's not far behind, I also have to throw out some major props for the Ukrainian hard-rock you sent to your hosted contest, I really thought Organ would do better, I adore it, it's so uplifting and could fit right into my entry list so easily. Young Empires was also a fun entry out of those produced by your winner's momentum and Hayley Kiyoko and Ryder weren't too bad. The others didn't make much of an impact on me but just for those two in the middle the year was worth it.

Entry Rank: Meg Myers - Sorry > The Hardkiss > Young Empires > Ryder > Hayley Kiyoko > Sandra Lyng > Montaigne > IS TROPICAL > Lonelady > Spoon

 

Land Of DW

I do support Land Of DW more often than not, and I've for the most part enjoyed them as a presence this year but I'm sorry, I found little special about your biggest hit to date, Search Party as that sounded so disappointingly normal for a country that normally stands out in the entry list. For the rest of the entries, it was mostly a love fest, from your awesome and addictive dance entries, ID2 and Undaunted are about as good as each other, I'm not sure which I'd rank in front. They're both the sort of instrumental that evokes feelings. And that I like. Radics Gigi I also liked a lot, and I'm glad I got to show that support finally in the Rejects, a good singer and a lovely melody with a pretty excellent remix. It was very good to see BigBang entered, Polar Dear was a pretty good entry that was unfortunate to sit out, I sorta liked Feed Your Head. But the biggest support I'm glad I could show you was for the excellent dark indie tune of In This Together, my my, I could scarcely imagine a more perfect track to enter into BJSC, it's just a shame there was one track ahead of it as in many other contests, that would have been an easy 18. All in all, a very underrated country.

Entry Rank: Art vs Science - In This Together > Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman > Wibi Soerjadi > Radics Gigi > BIGBANG > Polar Dear > Paul Kalkbrenner > Carmada > Passed > Sam Bruno

 

Llewandia

I really like Vicetone now, it's one of those dance tracks that grows on me and I get slightly addicted to after the fact. Great debut entry. Alright was only alright, and I guess that's all there is to say about this as Llewandia gave up pretty quickly sadly.

Entry Rank: Vicetone - No Way Out (feat. Kat Nastel) > Antonia Giacci

 

Notionally halfway through (after we reach M really). Although I think we must be over by now because I'm sure slightly more people have country names in the first half of the alphabet.

Thanks for the lovely words about Flynndona Seyetena *.*

Aw that's a great write-up for Jadakissnia, Izzles! You've always been one of my favourites for quirky tastes so I'm glad to see you feel the same. Much love :wub:

M-P

 

Mezidinia

Orca... orca.. orca. Not quite as good as 2025, which I adored but a cool melancholy song for Mezidinia's only entry this year.

Entry Rank: Until The Ribbon Breaks - Orca

Mulgracia

My problem with Mulgracia's generic dance is not that I hate it. In fact, I do actually enjoy this type of entry, as it's the type of dance that with a good lyric like 'till the sun stops turning' (from Wait For You) it can hook me in to an extent. It's just that I tend to enjoy a lot of the entries (and yet always seem to find something to complain about, but that's BJSC), and with so many entries often inhabiting the 'rather good, would be happy to give points' 7.5/10 area, for the lower point brackets I have to find more creative ways to separate the quality of entries. The easiest way to do that is the inspiration level, normally meaning favouring a genre or song type we see less often in the contest. Or just less generic entries. And this means generic entries, especially in the dance genre, as everyone sends that, often end up at the bottom of the 7.5/10, which is what happened to all of Light Up The World, Never Let You Go, Take Away The Pain and Sweetest Mistake. For the others, Magnetic Nights I found a little overrated, Elicit really wasn't my type of dance at all, too repetitive and didn't have a good enough instrumental, and LEV tired on me pretty quickly, too much plug pre-hyping there. :kink: Then there's the two non-dance entries. And it's telling that I found them your best this year James. I didn't give points to Harper, it suffered a similar fate to the other entries, although it didn't fall away from my points quite as easily. But your best was the achievement of totally switching expectations and coming away with a strong winner with Fuel For The Fire, lovely song. Bring more like that.

Entry Rank: Rationale - Fuel To The Fire > Harper > Rosette > Project 46 > Dannic and Shermanology > Shaan & Lauren Evans > Dash Berlin & John Dahlback > LEV > LEMA (feat. Christina Novelli) > Elicit

 

N DNTN

And the award for best K-Pop entry of the year does not go to Daehun, but instead goes to N DNTN :o This is coming from someone who really really loves 4minute though, they are the best K-Pop girlband measure for measure and Crazy was a suitably crazy fun pop song to add to their collection of great songs (I think it's entered my 4minute top 3 behind Volume Up and I My Me Mine). So there's that. And there's also Hannah Diamond, bringing always good PC music to the contest as a really standout dance song. However, you've DNQed a little too much Chris, I think this might be my favourite year of N DNTN. Human Drama had some very cool synths, Dry was captivating all the way through, Scandinavia is now beautiful, I wish I'd given it points. Some of the other entries went a bit past me, although I recognise that they're a bit outside the norm so I appreciate that at least but for a few of those more guilty pop entries, very strong nation this time around.

Entry Rank: 4minute - Crazy > Hannah Diamond > 18+ > Merely > Planningtorock > Christine and The Queens > SWET SHOP BOYS > Amadou & Mariam > Theodora > Palmistry

N-Lazone

It took a long time this year for me to really take notice of N-Lazone. So many of their entries just went in one ear, out the other, and then ended up last in the final after being insanely lucky with their semis. And in fact the first entry I really quite like, although it grew on me after the contest, was one of their few DNQs, the very wistful ethnic Esena Mono, it gives such brilliant late summer vibes. And then in the last contest they entered something I could finally give some points to, a very good pop tune that was punctuated by some synth magic, All Hours. I mean, the rest, I don't know that there's much to say about the rest. Ehh. Have the rank.

Entry Rank: Julie Bergan - All Hours > Kaiti Garbi > Deborah Cox > Xylo > Preditah > Krystal Klear > Lea Rue > Therese > Sinead Harnett > Zak Abel

 

New Lexico

BJSC is not a 'enter whenever you feel like it, drop an amazing entry on us then piss off for the next six months Lex' :hitler: It is a WAY OF LIFE. I made New Lexico, so come back. That amazing entry of course was the one good song in Kazakhstan, Kesh You's Riyzamin, spelt all Cyrillically ofc. Got very obsessed with that in the summer. The pinching of a song from the Eurovsion NFs for another of your entries, Frozen Silence was also a good strategy, and then I suppose Biscuit was quite fun for the people who like that sort of thing. But seriously, you're more good value than not. Let's have that return in January.

Entry Rank: Kesh You - Rıyzamın > Fahrenhaidt > Ivy Levan

 

Numayania

I felt sorry for Numayania all the way through the first half of the year as it became clear Tom was becoming more and more frustrated with what the contest had become, I actually can't blame him for leaving, maybe he'll come back to us and try again in the new year. Unfortunately, I just didn't like any enough for them to reach my points. Harvest Moon grew on me too late, it's probably the best of them but at the time I knew it was going nowhere and was pleased/surprised it did so well. Magnus was pretty good as I do like Melfest entries as a rule, could have picked a better track if we had to be picking from there though. And the others were.... eh. Sorry! (if you ever see this which I doubt)

Entry Rank: Poolside - Harvest Moon > Magnus Carlsson > Fritz Kalkbrenner > Scooter Island > Maja Francis

 

Ojnoj

The Ojnoj entries this year ranged from very good to pretty terrible with little in between. Well, CFO$ was the one in between, that gets a 'good' from me. Actually so was Cajsa Siik, the one finalist no one remembers anything about. Sometimes average is more damning. It was mainly WDSTCK. But that aside, the rest were very good, Overload was some top-drawer Avicii-ripoff dance and we all know how much I enjoy that and will flaunt my love of it in the face of all non-Avicii fans (aka. wrong people), I loved the lyrics on Tink because it was like, commandments, for being ratchet and all. It's an interesting way of approaching that kind of life and it's a catchy song. Why surprised me a bit by doing so badly, it sounded like a mini-French smash to me, and then finally, the glorious thing that was Lava conquered all. Well, a lot. Well it made the final and shook off some weird people who could hate something so friendly. It's so sweet and that sort of tropical ukelele strumming really gets me so much of the time.

Entry Rank: Life Of Dillon - Overload > Kuana Torres Kahele, Napua Greig and James Ford Murphy > Tink > Luyanna & Mampi > CFO$ > Cajsa Siik > WDSTCK

 

Oslol

So many pop entries from Oslol. The best of course being Velcro, the one with the huge sample... what, don't I rail against samples? I don't hate samples in BJSC, if they're there to make a song with original lyrics a little bit more amazing, then that's cool. I don't mind that. And Velcro is a good song, it would be so with or without, it just adds something extra. Other great pop songs include the ones that inexplicably didn't make it through the semis, the lovely Paragon and the very fierce (why don't we like Findlay guys, she's great) Electric Bones. I even liked the vocals on America's Sweetheart. And Tennessee was pretty cool too. I guess it's all pretty good but rarely does it connect enough that I love.

Entry Rank: Clairity - Velcro > Mia Koo > Findlay > Elle King > Kiiara > Anna Of The North > Xenia Ghali > Tamta > Hopium

 

Patvia

Pretty much barely registering (not helped by barely being in the same semi) except for the lovely Our Own House from the very reliable MisterWives, it's a shame that was the entry that had to be deducted. Nelly, you're silly.

Entry Rank: MisterWives - Our Own House > MO > Rob Gasser > Koven > Sebastien

 

Persephonia

Right. Persephonia. Gotta do this justice as it was another big year for Persephonia and one where I only supported Bré about half the time. So much for bloc voting for your friends. I suppose I was happy to take all the points but not give them back as often. :kink: No, for real, always vote on merit because it's good. BUT, when Bré brings it on merit, he really does do so, most particularly with Japanese rap. I like Japanese rap. Especially when it's about Hokkaido. A lot. Even though it's one of the entries that didn't do so well for him, that's my favourite of the Persephonian year narrowly. Masses, get some Persephonian taste. Second though goes to a far more mainstream choice, the beauty of Tide: Paradox Effect, which I didn't expect to like but the build on that works so fantastically it was a deserved smash. The winner, A-WA is another great song, I slightly love it more for the concept of its existence than the song itself, I gave it only a few points in the final for that reason, but it is one of the good winners so that's all fine. I also liked San Holo a lot and Audrey Napoleon was a huge tune. Sogand, Yung Lean and Audialist were all pretty good too. It's just those last two bronze medallists where I guess the appearance that all hasn't been rosy in the #Seyephonia camp has come from. Because while I don't hate them, they're good songs, I really don't see where all the support came from for Ocean and Waves. Part of it is probably my inner hipster, as you'll see in the eventual rank, they're actually not at the bottom. Just, I really don't hate them, it's just one of those 'bewildered that so many people could vote for that song that high' moments I seem to be getting more and more in BJSC. But otherwise, strong as ever, keep giving me tunes.

Entry Rank: Suiyoubi No Campanella - Shakushain > Dawn Richard > Audrey Napoleon > A-WA > San Holo > Yung Lean > Audialist > tiny deaths > Dance With The Dead > Sogand

 

PRoJ

It was a strong start to the year for PRoJ. Not so much Walking With Cars but definitely with Cold War Kids and Everything Everything, showing everyone how one can smash with alternative sounding songs if those alternative songs are anthemic to the max. And then even in the middle of the year I found Amber Run a beautiful entry, thankfully growing on me in time for points. Annie was a great follow-up too, more to EE to continue the weird indie sound. Which I'd appreciate back whenever you want to return Jester, I don't know if you're planning to but I'd have no complaints.

Entry Rank: Everything Everything - Distant Past > Cold War Kids > Amber Run > Neon Indian > Honne > Beirut > Walking With Cars > Laura Doggett

 

Pupok

Ah I think Pupok could have a good future in the contest if the current entries are anything to go by. Not so far as getting points from me yet although it'll probably happen eventually, even Tim got points this year. All four were good, I think I might have to give the edge to Phantogram, as it was a pretty good entry although it isn't quite as good as Fall In Love, Marina Kaye had a pretty strong pop song, Schulkid was unfortunate to DNQ, and then Margaux was the weakest for me. But hey, my debut was pretty weak too and look where I am today (if your answer is 'still not winning anything' you're quite correct)

Entry Rank: Phantogram - Black Out Days > Marina Kaye > Schulkid > Margaux Avril

At least someone appreciates 'Shakushain' :heart: x I think I'm going with something Asian (but 'different' Asian ~) again in January so interested to see what you'll think of that.

They said we were dead. We not.

 

Q-S

 

Qarenfanghoney

Oh it was so lovely seeing HandS finally getting entered given that that early 10s Scandipop sound was so prevalent in BJSC in 2011 that No Romance was about the only song I heard sounding like that that didn't get entered. Some brilliant flashbacks to 4 years ago back when I was a silly little MLP nerd. Qarenfanghoney entering whenever they feel like it is cool and encouraged.

Entry Rank: HandS - No Romance

 

Quintessa

Quintessa have always been an underrated nation and it's good to see them finally getting their dues at least a little bit lately. I particularly like their indie-rock entries as lately one of the few nations able to do anything huge with them, I was so pleased when Woolf and the Wondershow made it through the semis as that's one of the best indie entries we've had this whole year. Also to an extent with 1/M/T and Resonate, though I wasn't fully on board with them they narrowly both missed my votes and it's fantastic to see a nation without much success in the past get two top 5s in a row. The early entries of the year didn't make much of an impact on me but it's so pleasing to see that you've finally found your feet.

Entry Rank: Woolf And The Wondershow - Cloaked > Mirror Talk > Avec Sans > Noonie Bao > Silvermine > Float Fall > Priest > Gemology > Moon Regiment > Cyclist & Maiko

 

Ramrynia

Movement Ban Ramrynia is a go go. Ah, once one of our staunchest allies, or at least a country that we often leeched votes from, the point exchange between Séyetana and Ramrynia has really slowed to a crawl lately. So many entries doing well that I thought were really below par and clearly just sellout crap. ^_^ We know I love shading Ryan ^_^ You were the most awfulest country this year and you should just really give up ^_^ Send some listenable entries and don't try to ride the veto and maybe you'll get points next year ^_^ Actually, what I will say is that, pop as they were, the Phoebe Ryan and Erika Selin entries were rather enjoyable, enough that I listened to them a few more times than normal after the contest. Save Me was pretty decent, Cool Enough was a bit bland but inoffensive, Shut Out Of Paradise was sweet and you had one actually really good entry this year, based off recycling one of your best entries of last year. Tidal Wave is slightly inferior to Haze but it was cool seeing Evvy return. So yeah, maybe you'll get the most valuable points of all if you get better Ryan. I want to stop ny2ing you.

Entry Rank: Evvy - Tidal Wave > Erika Selin > Phoebe Ryan > SLO > Listenbee > Spada & Elen Levon > Level 3 > XYConstant > LÉON > ASTR

 

Republic Of Adonia

Adonia have a couple of types of entry I've noticed. There's the odd generic dance entry that goes nowhere like Fearless, I Need U, and.. Intoxicated. Well okay then, but the latter has grown off me after becoming a hit because I'm such an awful hipster. And then there's... basically anything else that makes me quite interested in them because it's a lot of diverse stuff I can't really categorise, growing off Josef Salvat at the end of last year into indie-pop Naked and Famous, indie-rock Flagship, some cool K-Pop in Lim Kim. Any of these are much preferred, by me at least. And they're pretty good ones, that lot. Oh and Alessia Cara, which unfortunately has also grown off me, but it was rather good at the time. And I suppose, even though it was basically a hit remix, that tropical house version of Big City Life was rather great.

Entry Rank: Lim Kim - Awoo > The Naked And Famous > Flagship > Mattafix > Frequency & Lost Circuit > Martin Solveig & GTA > Alessia Cara > Lucas & Steve > Swanky Tunes & Playmore

 

Sandebörg

Mostly a lot of generic pop that's clearly bribing people to vote for them in TBO etc etc. I actually liked Sandeborg more than ever this year. Principally for one entry, the one entry that sounds like little else in their back catalogue, the majestic pop stomper from Lo-Fi-Fnk. I was actually surprised it was better than Marchin' In as I though that was too great to be topped, but no, Nightclub Nirvana enraptured me in the centre of the year. And that could seal the Sandeborg year alone but there were some pretty good pop entries in there too. Mainly Elin Overfjord, Krista Siegfrids (UP FINLAND, HYVA SUOMI), and particularly the wistful tones of Ola. He's always been the best Scandipop male. Keep sending the best of the Nordics.

Entry Rank: Lo-Fi-Fnk - Nightclub Nirvana > Ola > Krista Siegfrids > Elin Overfjord > Freja > Stockholm Syndrome > Liza Fox > Lara Lee > Michael Rune > Lisa Ajax

 

Sandénia

I'm afraid I'm often not a fan of the sort of pop that Sandénia offers. Either it's the sort of thing I find offensively bad or it's way too generic for me to particularly find enamouring. Different tastes and all though, I guess that's to be expected with me and Calum. But I have a weird soft spot for Dylan Hyde now. I think it's that the 'and it feels like suicide' lyric is always getting in my head (what does that say about my twisted psyche) and I always forget which song it is and then I listen to this and it reminds me. And GJan was pretty good too (sans rap), although as a Sia-lite thing that was pretty likely.

Entry Rank: Dylan Hyde - Sick Of Your Love > GJan > Masketta Fall > Mahogany LOX > LYON > Kat Dahlia > Mako

 

Sangria

Regrettably not allowed an opportunity to qualify in their brief return, Sangria nevertheless deserved to do so with the anthem that was War, and if I'd been in that semi, it would have made it. The other two entries, though certainly not normal songs, were both rather good too and I appreciated this brief return. They also used one of my Finnish potentials in BJFest which was pretty cool (and that also went nowhere).

Entry Rank: Kensington - War > Friðrik Dór > Eric Sumo & The Fox-Fairies

 

Sãó Ricó

Bizarre and amazing, both Sãó Ricó entries are icons for the ages in BJSC.

Entry Rank: Maluma - Carnaval > Егор Крид

 

Singerpurear

One of the most consistent nations in general, I often supported Singerpurear from the start when they could never qualify and, like with Quintessa, it's very pleasing to see them emerge as a force. Particularly as a force that doesn't follow any set rules for choosing entries and so gets the hits by the strength of making people talk about every entry and then reaping in the high points. It's cool to enter entries that aren't a safe hit, that is what I've always gone for, and lately it's been paying off big time for the nation that once never stood a hope of making it past the semis. Part of me wonders how many of those would DNQ today. But in any case, there's little denying that Singerpurear really stepped up their game this year and with their current qualifying streak have entered some of the best entries ever entered to BJSC. In particular, the standouts of Reol, which was a quirky anime-esque song reaching a level of crazy that even I couldn't match. It subsequently easily got my 18. And the sheer beauty of Kishi Bashi slowly intrigued me, then captivated me. It's so perfect. There's so little to separate those two and I had a hard time choosing which one was best. Otherwise, the South Asian entries qualifying were both pretty fun and entered my low points, Sandra some great rock-pop, Get Up saw the best impersonation of Gorillaz' elusive vibe I've seen in BJSC, 10cc was a nice delve into the past and even Fly Project was forgivable for being fun. Not one of my highest pointed nations this year for nothing, the greatest strength of Singerpurear is that you never know what is coming next.

Entry Rank: Reol - LUVORATORRRRRY! (feat. nqrse) > Kishi Bashi > Chinese Man > Sandra > Neeraj Shridhar & Tulsi Kumar > 10cc > Sajid Wajid, Kumar Sanu and Shreya Ghoshal > Above & Beyond > Fly Project > Order Of Era

 

Skall

I think this year proved that the strength of Skall I like the most is world music, with The Very Best delivering on a very addictive Malawian swag vibe. I also loved Gallant as the one indie song that reminded me of earlier Skall. That was a bit of a tune. I guess I'm just not so much of a fan of (what appears to me to be) meandering instrumentals, which is a shame because I like supporting Skall and this was the majority of their output this year. Even Cassiopeia went through me.

Entry Rank: The Very Best - Yoshua Alikuti > Gallant > The Radio Dept > Animal Collective > Kolsch > XO > Stephen Lopkin > Telephones

 

St. Burbia

Pretty decent new nation so far in that I rather liked the Dirtcaps entry for what it was, another dance song that is 'pretty good'. Wasn't so much a fan of the other one but you've got plenty of time to impress me.

Entry Rank: Dirtcaps - Fool's Paradise > LORIS

 

Summericia

Decent so far, mainly because of the Tungevaag debut, I have him as one of my guilty pleasure Euro dance DJs. THe other songs have been okay-ish pop entries which I won't complain about as you're always going to get those, but they don't get me majorly excited. MAASAI is a step in the right direction though.

Entry Rank: Tungevaag & Raaban - Parade > MAASAI > Margaret > Maggie Lindemann

 

Syndare

As so many people have probably said to you David, there were a few entries that weren't my thing this year, especially if you go down the slow jam route, which is fine for some I'm sure but in many cases it's one of the best ways to avoid getting my points in particular. We've sort of been moving in opposite directions in taste. HOWEVER, there were a couple of entries that avoided that. I do love a good rap song so the song from Empire really hit the spot and I was glad to give that points, and then POWERS was very refreshing, and indeed, something I'd vaguely earmarked prior to the contest, so it was nice to see that entered. I know we can connect, but this year it didn't happen all that often for me I'm afraid :( Your Zak Abel track was way better than the other one though, if you want some form of vindication.

Entry Rank: Yazz and Serayah McNeill - Drip Drop > POWERS > Mura Masa > Megan Vice > Zak Abel > A-L-X > Pawl > KLOE > Lena Fayre > Tanika

 

I would like to thank such T countries as Terra Avium, Taahino and The Actual Republic of Bellamia for their patience. So close to the end.

T

 

Taahino

Ah, it's taken us a while, but we've finally gotten to my favourite new country of the year (and obviously, the location of the next Danaelanda/Ethanola duo) In that I enjoyed pretty much all of Lindsey's entries this year so much that, when I was able to point you in the semis, you were never out of my top 4 (getting the 12 a massive three times, for Oh No Fiasco, Set It Off and We The Kings). Yet despite that, it hasn't been all top scores in the final, Taahino have gotten my 13 three times. Set It Off would have gotten a 15 had it qualified though, I'm sure the 18 will happen sooner or later at this rate however, and I can pay you back for Against The Current properly. And then The Summer Set got my 10 so that's actually slightly better as that came second (although it's ranked a bit lower than some of the others because 73 was a bit weaker on the whole). The thing is, the little experimentation with Kyko aside, I've freaking loved every little bit of pop-rock that Taahino have sent, sending that genre in the first place is normally a surefire way to win some easy points and all the entries have been so upbeat and catchy. It's exactly what I look for in discovering new music and they've had me rediscovering some old bands (like Courage My Love - cracking dance remix - and We Are The In Crowd from BJFest) or discovering some new bands, like Set It Off and Oh No Fiasco. Big Data is my sort of indie-pop so even though that was outside the normal Taahino sound I still really liked it. So glad you joined BJSC, Lindsey, it's really brightened up my year in here, I am really rooting for you to get a big hit Paralyzed-style sooner or later. Now how do I rank these, it's so tough...

Entry Rank: Set It Off - Forever Stuck In Our Youth > Oh No Fiasco > Courage My Love > We The Kings > The Summer Set > Big Data > Macy Kate > KYKO

 

Tartford

Previously the country that probably had the worst luck in BJSC, it seems this may be getting turned around Quintessa/Singerpurear style so that's nice to see. As much as this contest should be based on quality I do like to always see different countries doing well to prove to myself that we aren't voting on the prior reputation of a country and giving it more attention because of that. Which I have to say is what I think happened with Baby Love because that really sounds like it should have done well, although it didn't grow on me until after the contest, I was safe in the second semi. It'll probably be a big challenger for me in the Rejects because of its slight success this year, which I wouldn't mind as much as I normally do with cheap stuff doing well in TBO. Maybe because it wasn't THAT big. But then I also loved Maria Hazell (again with another entry, she a good non-screechy singer) and Son Lux were also very cool. Definitely capable of a few moments even if a few of those moments don't really go anywhere. Venemy and BH was another I think should have made it through, a good dance entry that deserved better.

Entry Rank: Petite Meller - Baby Love > Maria Hazell > Son Lux > Venemy & BH > Ola Salo > Cigarettes After Sex > Stereolove > Sharon Forrester > Dusty O

 

Terra Avium

What a country. As the first entry from you this year said, 'You're Always Good', and you nearly always are, Tom. Particularly with your mastery of the emotional, stirring, epic instrumental, it's a niche I'm incredibly jealous of, and I love every second of all of your entries that espouse this philosophy. Crypt was pretty great in stealing my vibe that contest, it was suitably spooky though and prepared us well for the year ahead, Birds Flying High was a nice remix of Feeling Good, there have been better, but it was okay anyway. And then the gear really kicked up. Crywolf being completely tear-inducing, quite appropriate given its performance in the contest ( :( ), Ferrari being one of the happiest 'mostly-instrumentals' that I've come across + that anime girl on the youtube still really kept me coming back for more - of course the song is good without it but anime girls improve EVERYTHING. There were a few entries then where I didn't give you points, and then finally you got your dues with the wondrous I've Been Secretly Falling Apart, beautiful and slow and chilled and absolutely worthy of a top 3. However, there was one entry that didn't only deserve a top 3, but deserved to win anything and everything, and that of course is your BJSC 76 entry, Miracles from Two Steps From Hell. As such I really hope it does well in TBO. It's probably been the most important discovery of the contest for me this year, as in discovering it I've both purchased one of the best albums of the year, the album which it's the title track of, I've been hearing more Two Steps From Hell, both of my own volition and hearing them through gaming streams I frequent, and every time I hear a new song from their catalogue, it is just about as amazing as the last. So not just a great song discovery, but a great artist discovery. Many, many thanks for that and everything from you this year.

Entry Rank: Two Steps From Hell - Miracles > Owsey, Jernalism and Resotone > Crywolf > Coyote Kisses > Power Glove > Dia > Milk & Bone > MOWE > Slow Magic > OOFJ

 

Terra Di Campioni

I'm not that often on board with di Campioni, but I must commend you for Sleeping With Sirens, I know they don't normally sound like that so it was nice to hear a new side to them that I wasn't really aware of with my limited experience of them. Pull Me Under and Ghost were also pretty cool entries and I loved the video for Ghost, it would have been nice to see that go somewhere.

Entry Rank: Sleeping With Sirens - If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn > Mystery Skulls > Dimension > Troye Sivan

The Actual Republic Of Bellamia

So, I was going to do this under 'B' Joseph, but halfway through the first post I forgot about you in the list because in the alphabetical order you're listed under A. So, because I forgot you, I respect your name change and have moved you to the 'T' section because I can do that. No, for real though, sorry, Mr Actual Republic, you're actually getting an entry now. And it has been the BEST year for Bellamia. Like, I suppose I don't expect to normally like your entries because it's all pop and often the kind of pop that's way too... not cutesy because I like cutesy but generic for me. Fortunately, there have been a number of entries from you that I've liked a whole LOAD from you and that's incredibly pleasing because I don't want to be insulting your taste all of the time. One good thing is the rather large number of males. That's not sexist, it's just that there seem to be more generic females than there are generic males in Joseph's music taste, although given the existence of the likes of Benjamin, segregating by gender isn't a foolproof method to avoid generica. Though that wasn't even Joseph's entry. ANYWAY, that's enough about the generica, I'll mention the good stuff. Jakob Karlberg especially because of that wonderful upbeat pop-ness that belied his boring James Bay impersonator appearance, and The Ready Set symbolising Joseph's brief acceptance to the #rockbloc. Or #poppunkbloc, but close enough. It was good. Another Reed Deming entry was also good, and that Ulrik song you entered was the best Ulrik song I've ever heard, way better than his two Melfest entries. Also Conrad was really good. You're so good with sending boys Joseph, keep doing that. Even if they do all have to have long hair, they're better than all the girl entries. Somehow.

Entry Rank: The Ready Set - Freakin' Me Out > Jakob Karlberg > Ulrik Munther > Conrad Sewell > Reed Deming > Eaves > Niykee Heaton > Lia Maria Johnson > Olivia Somerlyn > Wolffe

 

Thelonia

A somewhat intriguing new nation that seems ready to enter any style of dance. Even hardstyle. Which I appreciate because that's one of the few styles of dance I unashamedly love. It's a shame I was in the opposite semi to Fired Up. I also like really.. clever dance which was exactly what Marian Hill was, so brilliant debut entry too. And even though not all of your entries were to my taste, indeed, not all of them were dance, it's just that you're so into the dance block that I started out like that, there were a few others, I liked Karate a little for it being chilled, I really liked Chicago because it was so Bakermat and I love Bakermat, only narrowly missing out on my points. Zac Samuel was also enjoyable. Perhaps the less said about The Durden Theory the better but decent country.

Entry Rank: Marian Hill - Got It > Aprés > LNY TNZ & Ruthless > Zac Samuel > Anne-Marie > E^ST > Etherwood > The Durden Theory

 

Tinnmark

Really stepping up their game this year, presumably to avoid being left behind in the semis all the time, I enjoyed a lot of Tinnmark this year. Even some of the no-hoper ones, like Freddy Kalas' attempt at trashy sax dance resonated with me quite well, and the rap entry from Patrick Jørgensen was enjoyable also. But then, with the dance, the entries from the typically Norwegian country really came into their own this year and I enjoyed a whole bunch of them. Obviously Play My Drum (should have finally been your winner in my humble opinion, everything was there and coming right after Kylienips it would have been wonderful to tick two long-suffering countries off in the space of two contests) because that was pretty awesome. And also the autoqualifier in Lemaitre, while the previous Lemaitre entry was good, Closer was far much more of a bop. And then some pretty great longing dance from Hellberg to cap off a wonderful year for Tinnmark. Really good. I guess Sonny Alven and Broiler were good dance too. But it's nice to see you back among the final a lot more often, it's been a hard couple of decades for Tinnmark up to now so it's great to see some success back.

Entry Rank: Hellberg - The Girl (feat. Cori Zuelhsdorff) > Sandra Lyng > Lemaitre > Broiler > Freddy Kalas > Patrick Jørgensen > Sonny Alven > Arcane Station > Raske Penge > Daniel Kvammen

 

Triangledonia

The three-sided country and foremost proponent of the Illuminati in BJSC. Hmm, what to say about you. Well, you do my guilty dance pleasures well. There is definitely that. And your non-dance entries tend to be pop in the style of Lights. So actually, I foresee no problems in the future Spadam, you have been a positive influence on my BJSC experience. That said I do have a few preferences. Preference one: Squirrel was the perfect entry to introduce yourself with, and it's a lot better than Shivers. It just has that little longing sound that distinguishes it as an instrumental and projects your personality through the song. Preference two: I really like CERTAIN generic dance entries. If they emulate Swedish House Mafia sure (yay Spotlight, should have done better), if they emulate Kygo sure, Diviners has really grown on me actually, and it seems apt that your first qualifier has a voice that reminds me a bit of Adam Young, if they don't, then that's less good, as such my least favourite of your qualifiers is Venom One, which never really hit me in the same way. Preference three: don't send Sinead Harnett, she's boring. Obviously Spirals was brilliant and a highlight of the year, and even Halsey wasn't that bad. A good debut year, I enjoyed most of the songs.

Entry Rank: Sound Remedy & Illenium - Spirals > Diviners > Every Last Chance > LarsM (Squirrel) > Nungwi > LarsM (Shivers) > Halsey > Venom One > Snakehips

 

Trifoski

All the best countries start with T, don't they. That's why I've set a whole section aside for them. And Trifoski, who have gained the most points from me this year, are probably among the best. In the 7 finals they've made it into this year, I've given points for six of those finalists, I just wasn't so much of a fan of Major Happy. And then with the three non-qualifiers, I really liked Running Scared and (best pop entry of the year and continuation of the pony phenomenon) Babs Seed, just Jilted was only 'kay'. So the rest were all brilliant right? Well of course they were. I hadn't heard of Yeasayer before so that was a great discovery. And then, Trifoski really got good, as the agenda came down hard, at times it felt like I was the only one who was supporting them all the way. Because all of the entries in the latter half of the year DID deserve better. You may have thought it was comedy, but it was actually crying out against the poor taste and anti-Trifoski bias that is inherent in many BJSC nations (but not Séyetana, where we now, after not pointing Trifoski for ages when they first started, seem to point them now as a matter of course). If Seven stops sending good entries, I'll stop pointing him, but until then. So, loved Django Django's cool indie-rock effort, Deadwater was BEAUTIFUL + kitties, Jackrabbit saw a rare Séyetana recycle and a less rare use of a former potential of ours, we were very appreciative of that getting San Fermin's brilliance to the final, Sicko Mobb was officially the second swaggiest entry to hit BJSC this year and was pretty wonderful for some autotuned rap, and then of course, the perfect pop-ness of Picture This. After Sick Beat got a top 10 last year, and given that Picture This was actually even better than Sick Beat, I thought it would be no trouble at all for KKB to slay a top 5. That contest seemed doomed to disappoint me though, but I still got one of my entries of the year out of it. IN SHORT, stop the Agenda.

Entry Rank: Kero Kero Bonito - Picture This > Sicko Mobb > San Fermin > Yeasayer > Wet > Django Django > Daniel Ingram > Duett > Moxxiie > Fred V & Grafix

 

U-Z tomorrow, and then I'll post my top 100 to finish this off.

I still can't fathom why in the hell "Picture This" only managed to scrape top 20 when it really should have been challenging for the win. It's like I wanna root for Trifoski but some kind of celestial presence is preventing me to do so.

Ultraviolenceland

At the start of the year, I really wanted you to get some good qualifications Ultra, your entries before the start of this year had been the sort of pop I'd actually expect to qualify. Qualify and not do very well, but still qualify. As we get to the end, it seems that you've turned those expectations back to where I expect them to be as that's what most of your entries do now. I guess as far as I'm concerned, it's now not the sort of pop I'd really want to give points to, occasionally there's a diamond in the rough but otherwise it's very much 'heard it all before'. However, a few exceptions. Firstly, your first qualifier, Black Roses. That had to be a make or break entry really and I'm glad we saw it through, a bit of presumed no-hoper balladry in the final, not too far away from the Christina Perri things I often like, that's very good. And then Frankie. Didn't hit me the way it hit Bré but it stood out among the pack and I can remember it a bit more than say, Molly the girl who hilariously failed in Melodifestivalen. Emma Stevens was also rather enjoyable. As was Hayden Panettiere, I didn't even know she made music and with a cool song title, appropriate for your situation at the time, that was a good exercise. Alexa Goddard surprised me too because that may just now be the best thing she's done, remarkably subdued for her. The very best of Ultraviolenceland though, and the one I really wish did better, was the venture into French language pop from Kinnie Lane. That really stood out and also really solidified your country in the BJSC books, I'd love more of that.

Entry Rank: Kinnie Lane - Je Te Suivra > Clare Bowen > Emma Stevens > FRANKIE > Alexa Goddard > Hayden Panettiere > Sammi Sanchez > Blaise > Molly Petersson Hammar > Kelsea Ballerini

 

Unovia

As I keep saying, BJSC 74 was my favourite contest this year. It had so many highlights, from 4Minute to Last Lynx, and I loved them all. So then the song that got my 18 in that contest must be among the best of the year, right? Absolutely correct, Courtney Barnett's stormer of a rock track in Pedestrian At Best my favourite entry from Unovia this year, I'm not sure how well it measures up to Billy The Kid but it's certainly in that top two of yours across the whole of your BJSC career Liam. I guess the only regret at this point is that I STILL haven't got around to listening to her album when I'd likely love it. Pedestrian At Best is everything I want in a rock track, full of hard guitar chords, full of personality and great lyrics, and it represents a high point for guitar-based awesomeness in BJSC this year. I could spend the whole of this entry talking about how much I love it but there were other entries from Liam this year. Obviously the main other highlight was the 'now hit' You Don't Own Me, I haven't really heard it in a hit context so it's still a BJSC song to me, Drew, Maisy Kay, Emilie Esther and CeCe were pretty passable and Roniit had a nice entry that it would have been cool to see qualify. Oh and you sent a K-Pop song, that deserves some props especially given how badly that has done on average lately. Basically, year made for sending Courtney Barnett alone. One entry like that every year is all I can ask of a country because let's face it, it's quite hard to please me with everything.

Entry Rank: Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian At Best > Grace > CeCe > Maisy Kay > Emilie Esther > Roniit > SISTAR19 > Drew > Reigan > Lola Blanc

 

 

Usfland

Oh man, where to start with Usfland. Unfortunately I can see where all these failures have come from for the most part, they're often the antithesis of what you'd expect to make it through the semis, and most of them, not my thing, too much slow dance or slow balladry or David Jordan's album tracks, but we're really overdue another qualification from you so I'm always hoping this will be the one to get you back to the final. Like with all the other nations who've suffered this sort of DNQ drama in the past I commend you on your persistence and wish you the best of luck for next year. You may get a Quintessa/Singerpurear like renaissance, I'd be happy to see that. The one entry that stands out is Sunrise Avenue because Finns and also because I like the band but that was unfortunately sent in the strongest contest of the year and it's still one of their weaker songs. Also Funkin Matt for being one of the few Gecko-esque songs that I actually liked upon hearing it for the first time, so you do have that. Best of luck in 2016, I mean it.

Entry Rank: Sunrise Avenue - You Can Never Be Ready > Funkin Matt > Hakan Kabil > Arro > Flume & Chet Faker > DIIV > David Jordan > Francis Mercier > Saje

 

Utopia

Brenmar was a complete moment of its contest, it is the little laugh that does it for me personally, but a big stomper and something I wouldn't always expect to see from Utopia, like, I appreciate the normal Utopian sound but when you go a bit quirky (like those wonderful early entries in Reloaded that seem to appear every contest back then), it's fantastic, that was a good top 10. I didn't get on board with MrFijiWiji as some others but I had no problem with it and yeah, it was good to see you getting a couple of top 10s in a row, I'm just glad I could fully support one of them. For the other three DNQs, I sorta liked Love Again's instrumental, Cuushe was pretty nice and chilled, but the best of your DNQs was Ravyn Lenae, very Kitty, with that airy spoken word vibe, I really like that now I've heard it from the other BJSC 80 semi, it's a pretty interesting entry.

Entry Rank: Brenmar - Hula Hoop (feat. UNiiQU3) > Ravyn Lenae > MrFijiWiji > Slander > Cuushe

 

Varakë

I want to end Varakë racism. I do. And I hoped you would get more than one qualifier this year because I gave plenty of points to Friction and yet that still didn't make it, it has a wonderful longing sound that would have been perfect to get you back in the final. The one you did get in the final was your second best this year though, Luxury is cool, also pretty longing and perfect for a rare Varake success, and at least something happened for you. Unfortunately I can see why the others didn't make it but I did like Wicked Son at least a little, at least, to have it narrowly miss out on my votes, it definitely sounded like one of yours if not the best from that sound. Vybloom too. So mostly it seemed that your entries just missed out

Entry Rank: Friction - Freak (feat. Josh Barry) > pr0files > Vybloom > Lincoln Jesser > Jake Miller > Nicholson

 

Vülkyria

Like Yehesi below, I'm often not on board with Vulkyria unfortunately, our tastes are quite different Vulker and this hopping between the dance blog and maybe a few pop entries doesn't stand out for me, and that's why I haven't given out many (if any) points this year. It could turn around, we could have another Lushington, but it hasn't happened yet. However, I did like Nhyx to an extent, I adore inspirational sampled vocals and although those had already been sampled by Paolo, in a dance song and in French made it rather interesting. Didn't really get what JOYRYDE, KYFRA or Grandtheft & Sleepy Tom were about, nor Stalking Gia or WILLA really, I did actually find RU.BE rather sweet and almost got that voted for in Reject nominations, so that's something. Jax Jones was fairly catchy too. So I guess there's things that I've enjoyed, so that's not too bad, eh?

Entry Rank: Nhyx - Machines > RU.BE > Jax Jones > JOYRYDE > WILLA > Stalking Gia > KYFRA > Grandtheft & Sleepy Tom > DBN vs Jordan Ferrer

 

 

What

PLEASE come back Blake. I need you. Diablo Swing Orchestra was the most incredible debut entry, it just wasn't right I wasn't able to point it until the Rejects as it's firmly in my top 20 of the whole year, it's superb from start to finish, and exactly the sort of thing I want to discover from this contest. I hope it can win the Rejects (if Flutterwonder can't)

Entry Rank: Diablo Swing Orchestra - Justice For Saint Entry

 

Yehesi

Tim shouldn't have to endure my constant shade of his entries. It doesn't feel right for me to pick on a country quite the way I do Yehesi and my lack of points to them at the start of this year was beginning to get quite conspicuous. The thing is, Tim and I share very little in our tastes aside from Rihanna so it has to be hard for us to connect, I'm not one for the 'yass pop' genre. Which makes me completely in the wrong, right Tim? Obviously you should know which entry changed it around, if for one contest only, but first the other entries. Devour was pretty decent for being fairly swaggy, I didn't hate Sweet Suspense or Yellow Claw as much as I thought I would (and eh, Til It Hurts isn't shit, it's just.. not something I'd choose to listen to) and even Holy Molly wasn't that bad. If you want shade, all the others were a bit... But no, Windfall. That was a moment of utter genius. It's so catchy, it's addictive, it is everything I want in a dance instrumental and it's become one of the highlights of my year. Ever since then I've been looking out for TheFatRat and I'm really enjoying 'Monody' at the moment too. So many thanks for that discovery.

Entry Rank: TheFatRat - Windfall > Little Simz > Sweet Suspense > DJ Chuckie > Yellow Claw > Holy Molly > Gabriella > Niia > SIROJ > Don Diablo

 

Zechonia

Oh, Zechonia. The old Taahino. If a bit more indie-focused. I do miss them because at one point it was near guaranteed I would be exchanging high points with them, especially that time when they sent Tuomas, my man, my hero, the mastermind of Nightwish, who really should have stormed that contest. If ever you want to return Zechhh, if indeed, you ever see this, know that I would be so happy for that to happen. But your two entries. GoldRush wasn't exactly vintage Zechonia unfortunately, but thankfully the entry you went out on was. Rufus Wainwright being a tortured, haunting ballad was a pretty perfect entry for the swan song of one of the most underrated countries in BJSC's history. Heartwrenching, and beautiful. Thank you for your service to this contest.

Entry Rank: Andrew M Pisanu - Rufus Wainwright > Jane Doe

 

Top 100 coming next. It was killer to decide all of this order and especially the top 5, but I think it's a good representation of what has been another great year for discovering new songs in BJSC.

1 - Terra Avium - Two Steps From Hell - Miracles

2 - Kluminican Republic - Caravan Palace - Lone Digger

3 - Daehun - R-Chord - Love Doesn’t Need To Pretend (feat. Diana Wang)

4 - Unovia - Courtney Barnett - Pedestrian At Best

5 - Hushkanukia - PVRIS - St. Patrick

6 - Sandeborg - Lo-Fi-Fnk - Nightclub Nirvana

7 - New Lexico - Kesh You - Riyzamin

8 - FSR Rontvia - Andy Duguid - 7even (feat. Jaren)

9 - Singerpurear - Reol - LUVORATORRRRRY! (feat. Nqrse)

10 - Land Of DW - Art Vs Science - In This Together

 

11 - Singerpurear - Kishi Bashi - I Am The Antichrist To You

12 - Trifoski - Kero Kero Bonito - Picture This

13 - What - Diablo Swing Orchestra - Justice For Saint Mary

14 - Taahino - Set It Off - Forever Stuck In Our Youth

15 - Kluminican Republic - Hendersin - All I Got

16 - Altyr Muunlinst - OMFG - Ice Cream

17 - Cor Lupus - New Politics - West-End Kids

18 - Greenfroze - Robert DeLong - Don't Wait Up

19 - Bignia-Zaragovina - Daniel Ingram - Love Is In Bloom (Archie First Remix)

20 - Kylienips - Meg Myers - Sorry

 

21 - Daehun - Sanni - 2080-luvulla

22 - N DNTN - 4minute - Crazy

23 - Yehesi - TheFatRat - Windfall

24 - Ojnoj - Life Of Dillon - Overload

25 - Aeroche - Shaun Frank & KSHMR - Heaven (feat. Delaney Jane)

26 - Kylienips - The Hardkiss - Organ

27 - Taahino - Oh No Fiasco - All Systems Go

28 - Persephonia - Suiyoubi No Campanella - Shakushain

29 - Taahino - Courage My Love - Skin And Bone (L3 Remix)

30 - Land Of DW - Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman - ID2

 

31 - N DNTN - Hannah Diamond - Every Night

32 - PRoJ - Everything Everything - Distant Past

33 - Tinnmark - Hellberg - The Girl (feat. Cozi Zuehlsdorff)

34 - Cor Lupus - Five Knives - Savages

35 - Singerpurear - Chinese Man - Get Up

36 - Persephonia - Dawn Richard - Tide: The Paradox Effect

37 - Kluminican Republic - Truls - Circles

38 - #00274E - machineheart - snow (Myles Travitz Remix)

39 - Aeroche - Ponibbi - Heartskip

40 - The Actual Republic Of Bellamia - The Ready Set - Freakin' Me Out

 

41 - Jayrusalem - COIN - Run

42 - Land Of DW - Wibi Soerjadi - Undaunted

43 - FARC - Katelyn Tarver - Weekend Millionaires (Young Bombs Remix)

44 - Hendinia - GFOTY - Friday Night

45 - FSR Rontvia - Ulf Nilsson - Little By Little (Lulleaux & George Whyman Remix)

46 - Jadakissnia - Last Lynx - Curtains

47 - FSR Rontvia - One More Time - Highland

48 - Terra Avium - Owsey, Jernalism and Resotone - I've Been Secretly Falling Apart

49 - Desbuanda - MONAKR - Calling Out

50 - Joedonia - Lost Kings - Bad (feat. Jessame)

 

51 - Ojnoj - Kuana Torres Kahele, Napua Greig & James Ford Murphy - Lava

52 - Trifoski - Sicko Mobb - Kool-Aid

53 - Triangledonia - Sound Remedy & Illenium - Spirals (feat. King Deco)

54 - Fljótavík - Lao Ra - Jesus Made Me Bad

55 - Daehun - AOA - Heart Attack

56 - Greenfroze - Delta Rae - Scared

57 - Desbuanda - Eves The Behaviour - TV

58 - Cor Lupus - Thomas Jack - Rivers

59 - Tinnmark - Sandra Lyng - Play My Drum

60 - Kluminican Republic - BORNS - Electric Love

 

61 - Utopia - Brenmar - Hula Hoop (feat. UNiiQU3)

62 - The Actual Republic Of Bellamia - Jakob Karlberg - Fan Va Bra

63 - Taahino - We The Kings - I Like It

64 - Fljótavík - Kolsch - Bloodline (Fljótavík Edit) (feat. Tomas Hoffding)

65 - Trifoski - San Fermin - Jackrabbit

66 - N DNTN - 18+ - Dry

67 - Kluminican Republic - LCMDF - Fooled

68 - Aeroche - Kryder - Fiji

69 - Tinnmark - Lemaitre - Closer (feat. Jennie A)

70 - Ultraviolenceland - Kinnie Lane - Je Te Suivrai

 

71 - Oslol - Clairity - Velcro

72 - Federal Republic Of Ashton - The Boom Boom - Creature

73 - Taahino - The Summer Set - Lightning In A Bottle

74 - Quintessa - Woolf & The Wondershow - Cloaked

75 - FKA Π - Namie Amuro - B Who I Want 2 B (feat. Hatsune Miku)

76 - Greenfroze - Bear Mountain - Hopeful

77 - Terra Avium - Crywolf - The Home We Made Pt II (Skrux Remix)

78 - Hendinia - Allie X - Tumor

79 - Triangledonia - Diviners - Tropic Love (feat. Contacreast)

80 - Harmonica - Morgan Page - Open Heart (feat. Lissie)

 

81 - Mulgracia - Rationale - Fuel To The Fire

82 - Thelonia - Marian Hill - Got It

83 - Dobago - Koo - Sail Away

84 - Cadelicia - Perfume - Spending All My Time

85 - Botanikka - Storm - Huri-Khan

86 - Jadakissnia - AK & LYNX - Virtual Paradise

87 - Espen - Etienne De Crecy & Madeline Follin - You

88 - PRoJ - Cold War Kids - First

89 - Jadakissnia - ONUKA - Time

90 - Taahino - Big Data - Dangerous (feat. Joywave)

 

91 - FKA Π - Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Won't Back Down (Boehm Remix)

92 - Botanikka - IAMX - Happiness

93 - N-Lazone - Julie Bergan - All Hours

94 - Florina - Osca - Blood

95 - Zechonia - Andrew M Pisanu - Rufus Wainwright

96 - Cadelicia - Cosmo's Midnight - Walk With Me (feat. Kucka)

97 - Deandria - LOLAWOLF - Calm Down

98 - Ojnoj - Tink - Ratchet Commandments

99 - Trifoski - Yeasayer - O.N.E

100 - Jayrusalem - Bonnie Anderson - Unbroken

 

Well done everyone, thanks for the discoveries, thank you for the beauty. Again, so close between all of that top 5, I edged it to Miracles because of stirring epic emotions but Lone Digger so nearly got there, R-Chord, Courtney Barnett and PVRIS weren't far behind either. Guess it's a vindication of my taste that three of those finished in the top 3 of their respective contests, and surprisingly, since I rail against the BJSC machine at what seems like an alarming rate, that you only got R-Chord (and a few places further down, Diablo Swing Orchestra) seriously wrong.

 

Country with most entries I believe is Taahino with 6, then Kluminican Republic with 5, but otherwise I think it's quite evenly spaced.

 

Fini. See you in January (and vote for us in the Christmas comp and TBO if you like my entries enough, I might make a summary post for those in a few days but not now)

That commentary made me smile Iz, thanks for the kind words! My taste in general does seem to be more male dominated these days, and I promise the hair length is just a coincidence :lol: I'm sure it'll continue into next year too!

OMG :o :heart: Number 1 on two different people's EOYs with two different songs is some achievement, thanks so much <3 I initially just found Miracles on a Youtube sprawl and it really caught my attention, I found the rest of their stuff is quite different - more epic, bombastic kinda stuff used in films so this was somewhat a misleading introduction, but I was more captivated by the Miracles style. You were one of the people I thought might like it, so I'm very glad to have given you that discovery <3

 

I was anticipating that paragraph and it didn't disappoint, lovely words, I enjoy this niche I've settled into, really though. I don't have a particular ~formula for these left field instrumentals, they were pretty much all the product of deep Youtube/Soundcloud trawls (in fact, a lot of them were over a year old :lol:), try it and you could find the same!

Federal Republic Of Ashton

The bit of Ashton I most look forward to is always, ALWAYS the trashiest entries, because they are good at doing that. Something about trashy entries makes you want to listen to them over and over again. That and the odd pop entry. So therefore, I enjoyed The Boom Boom and Midnight Red especially ^_^ Something just feels right about them. Moriah Peters was pretty slick as an entry too, it's a shame that couldn't quite make it. Gabrielle was a cool entry too. The other stuff is nice, I think, if I'm honest it doesn't really stick in the memory that well.

Entry Rank: The Boom Boom - Creature > Midnight Red > Moriah Peters > Gabrielle > Daphne & Celeste > Kato & Safri Duo > ROMANS > Iris > IDA > Emil Berg

I love breaking out the trash! Takes me back to my roots and some of the earlier days of the contest where we smashed with some great trash.

 

Thanks for the favourable write up! I was a little gutted Moriah crashed out like that, it's such a bloody good song. Totally not overly jesus for a Christian Pop track too!!

You're all very welcome.

 

That commentary made me smile Iz, thanks for the kind words! My taste in general does seem to be more male dominated these days, and I promise the hair length is just a coincidence :lol: I'm sure it'll continue into next year too!

 

Oh I know it's a coincidence but it's so amusing to keep pointing out.

 

OMG :o :heart: Number 1 on two different people's EOYs with two different songs is some achievement, thanks so much

 

I was anticipating that paragraph and it didn't disappoint, lovely words, I enjoy this niche I've settled into, really though. I don't have a particular ~formula for these left field instrumentals, they were pretty much all the product of deep Youtube/Soundcloud trawls (in fact, a lot of them were over a year old :lol:), try it and you could find the same!

 

I need to do more of these trawls, I'm sure I'll find something soon. The thing is I'm gravitated to certain long mixes because that seems like a better way, so I can go play games or something like that while they play in the background and sink in, but then I don't listen properly enough, I'm just impatient with searching. I will definitely try and reserve one of my contest slots to send one of them next year because I love listening to that sort of music and it would be lovely to find the right song to introduce to people.

 

I love the film-style music, it's why I need to get all their albums now, I'd probably heard some of them before, but never connected them to the name. But then Miracles, indeed all of that album, is perhaps even better than all the rest of that, because of the laid-back, atmospheric style. It's so evocative and exquisite, can't get enough.

 

I love breaking out the trash! Takes me back to my roots and some of the earlier days of the contest where we smashed with some great trash.

 

Thanks for the favourable write up! I was a little gutted Moriah crashed out like that, it's such a bloody good song. Totally not overly jesus for a Christian Pop track too!!

 

Trash is essential to the contest. Too much is 'perfect blogpop' so trash stands out and I have a reason to go back and listen to trash because it's so addictive. And yes, Moriah, big shame to see it out. There are some great Christian pop tracks on the scene that aren't too overt, I was glad to discover another one.

Brilliant choice of EOY #1 there :heart: And happy to have 2 songs in the top 40! I didn't think Dawn was that close to SNC for you ;o

 

I've read every one of these paragraphs, excellent effort and v enjoyable insights and stuffz. Lol at you getting it all finished before me though. Eek.

OMG at the amount of Taahinian entries that made your chart! :o :heart:

 

Thank you for your lovely paragraph, really makes me feel like it was all worth while knowing you enjoyed my entries and made some discoveries through them!

 

I think you're going to really like my entry next month ;) :lol:

I've always liked Dawn a lot more than probably most people think, it isn't much my sort of song but it's so brilliant and a great discovery. I'm so glad someone is reading them all too, makes it feel worth it.

 

You're welcome Lindsey, it's really been a pleasure having you in the contest this year, and I've really enjoyed how different to many of the new countries Taahino are. And yes, so many beautiful discoveries. Also excited for next month then :o