This Mortal Coil "Another Day"

178

 

Semifinal result: 12th

Final result: 19th - 148 points

 

Voters

18 points: Danaeviia

13 points: Deandria, Summericia

12 points: Lookylion

11 points: Fljotavik, Seyetana, Skall

10 points: Terra Avium

9 points: Bronzil

8 points: Zanmatony

7 points: Cumulonimbia, Herbilore, Jadakissnia

5 points: The Spodic Empire

4 points: N DNTN

2 points: Kathaldazia

 

This was by all measures a successful comeback entry for us, matching our 19th-place finish from 10 contests ago! The beginning of the final results were even more fun, with 'Another Day' as high as 2nd place at one point! As mentioned previously, this song was picked as our comeback entry several months ago, with a lot of confidence that it would grab people's attention and get high points. It really feels like this lived up to its potential and like it was really worth going on hiatus, as now we're back with more excitement for BJSC than we've had for years

There's a remarkable lack of overlap between countries we voted for and countries that voted for us - only four! This was to be expected, though, as this is certainly an indie-leaning entry while our faves were almost entirely pop. Thanks and hopefully Harmonica will return the favor to the rest of you soon.

 

Avery Anna "Mr. Predictable"

179

 

Discovered: Beyond Juicery, April 2025

Semifinal result: 24th

 

If the name seems familiar, Avery Anna was featured on Sam Barber's 'Indigo' which made the UK top 40 earlier this year. She's primarily a country artist, as that song would suggest, but this one's more of a 'Drivers License' meets 'Happier Than Ever'. It honestly stunned me on first listen and should've made for a curious entry, would've been a definite smash 10 years ago but the voters are back to their regular BS, our comeback was fun while it lasted. (JK we ain't leaving again yet x)

ARY "Running In A Dream"

180

 

Discovered: uhsting's chart, early 2025

 

This one's been a looooong time coming. Ary's last appearance in BJSC was one of our country's biggest disappointments, as 'Already There' is still probably our most shocking DNQ in over 10 years of participating. It took several years to recover from that, but now it is time to avenge that result in hopes of a better one this time. At any rate, out of all the times we've recycled ourselves, Ary is now the first artist Harmonica has sent to THREE contests. She is truly a defining artist of Harmonica now, as are a few others. There will probably be more three-peat artists in our future!

(Thanks uhsting for charting this song and bringing it to my attention!)

ARY "Running In A Dream"

180

 

Semifinal result: 3rd

Final result: 14th - 201 points

 

Voters

18 points: Dalisska

15 points: Kluminican Republic, POPHub, Sovarasma, Thelonia, Utopia

12 points: Aeroche

11 points: Danaeviia, Zephyra Continuum

10 points: Bronzil

9 points: FSR Rontvia, The Spodic Empire

8 points: Herbilore, Jupiterdonia

7 points: Kathaldazia, Land Of DW

4 points: Eledan, Fljotavik, Macromia

2 points: East Rukahavian, Lookylion

 

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This entry was strategically saved for the last contest of the year, with a bit of confidence that it could do something big. And that it did, with a 14th-place finish being our best result since our victory 20 contests ago, and 3rd in the semifinal! But more importantly, several years after the unthinkable happened to 'Already There', Ary now has the BJSC hit to her name that she's deserved all along. You see, it's been in the back of the minds of the Harmonican selection team to give her another shot, as long as she was willing to represent us again. It took many years of patience for her to record just the right song to command the attention of the voters, in the way that 'Already There' should have done.

Anywho, this was the best early Christmas gift! (Well, maybe winning two years ago was the best, but this is basically just as good.) Look at all those 15s, and even an 18 from a loooong-awaited returning nation in Dalisska! To all countries who supported this entry, whether you understood the context or not, thank you! 🥰

As is tradition, our BJSC EOY is in the works and will be posted soon. Yes, it will cover all 10 contests even though we only participated in the last three. Stay tuned!

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2025

 

 

1. Ajanaeda - Nuovo Testamento "Dream On"

2. Kathaldazia - Clouds "Come With Me (On A Trip)"

3. Cheiron - Sophie And The Giants "Pink Champagne"

4. FARC - Sumner "Stranded"

5. Thelonia - Deep Thrills "Truth Before Dare"

6. New Lexico - Maude Latour "XOXO"

7. The Spodic Empire - Marc Moon "Dubai"

8. Yehesi - Evangelía "Vále"

9. Hendinia - Jessica Winter "L.O.V.E."

10. Macromia - Arc De Soleil "Dunes Of Djoser"

 

Argh, this was very tough to rank, the top 4 was essentially a tie! 'Dream On' just seems like it'll hold up the best over time, in fact I still can't believe it's not an actual 90s song. I personally have known and loved 'Stranded' for a few years and it was one of those "why did I never think to send that!?!?" moments. And of course, a former Harmonican artist on this list in Sophie And The Giants, yes I will continue to claim credit for their success as compensation for 'Space Girl' DNQing.

Eventually #11-50 will be posted although there are tough decisions to be made there too...

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2025 (CONTINUED)

 

11. Cor Lupus - Debbii Dawson "The Great Magician"

12. FARC - Bea And Her Business "Rich"

13. Taahino - Sophie Powers "Move With Me"

14. Fljótavík - Balu Brigada "Backseat"

15. Jupiterdonia - John Summit feat. Cloves "Focus"

16. POPHub - YEJI "Air"

17. Aesthetica - Bini "Cherry On Top"

18. Taahino - Em Beihold "Hot Goblin"

19. Hendinia - Catty "Joyride"

20. The Spodic Empire - ROYA "Cruise"

21. Taahino - Ashnikko "Trinkets"

22. Cor Lupus - Momma "I Want You (Fever)"

23. The Spodic Empire - Lydia Ainsworth "Parade"

24. Taahino - Lew "Wait On Me"

25. Neliönoir - Night Tapes "storm"

26. Lotunia - Luca Vasta "Santa Maria"

27. Lotunia - Bianca "Loop"

28. Altyr Muunilinst - Beks "Dangerous"

29. Altyr Muunilinst - Maris "Mary + I"

30. Mothertopia - Lexie Liu "X"

31. Ajanaeda - Keke Palmer "Dreamcatcher"

32. FSR Rontvia - Lozeak "Nada"

33. Hendinia - Felicia "Sugar High"

34. FARC - Snow Wife "YoYo"

35. N DNTN - XG "Gala"

36. Hendinia - Say Now "Brick By Brick"

37. République d'Áskorza - VTSS "Can't Catch Me"

38. Hushkanukia - Sorana "Don't Send Me Flowers"

39. Aesthetica - Sola Guinto & Faffi "Armageddon"

40. FARC - Orkid "Steep Hills"

41. Skall - Blanck Mass "You"

42. Ben's Sanctuary - Alle Farben feat. Sofiloud "Call My Name"

43. Lookylion - Lauren Mayberry "Crocodile Tears"

44. Kyriatine - Matoma & SKAAR "You Found Me"

45. Mothertopia - JT "Girls Gone Wild"

46. Altyr Muunilinst - flowerovlove "I've Seen Ur Ex"

47. Land Of DW - Carson Coma "Daddy Said No"

48. Bronzil - Cult Of Venus "Algorithm"

49. Pestolia - After "Deep Diving"

50. Thelonia - Mojave Grey "Mayday"

Taahino appears to lead this list with four (four!!) entries, and all of them in the top 25! The Spodic Empire not far behind with three entries in the top 25. Plenty of countries have two or more entries in the top 50, but just having one is worthy of congratulations.

If none of your entries are above, you may have one or two in the full top 150, available for a limited time on this Spotify playlist.

Brent De La Cruz and AKRIILA mentioned as top 107 and top 139 $ma$hes

Ooh Erin LeCount wasn't too far off your top 50, then *.*

BJSC 178 a strong one for our relations as This Mortal Coil definitely provided my favourite Harmonica entry of last year. ❤️

Dan Black "Wonder"

181

 

Discovered: Raider Radio, January 2026

Semifinal result: 31st

This is Harmonica's 110th BJSC entry! As usual I went through my most recently Shazamed songs and this one stood out. I remember Dan from 'Symphonies' (off the same album as this), a song that seemed like it should've been a bit bigger at the time. Well, justice for Ary worked well last month, but justice didn't strike twice in a row.

MACE "Espansione"

182

 

Discovered: Winter Olympics opening ceremony, February 2026

Did nobody else watch the opening ceremony?? Actually, I only watched about 60 seconds, and it was during the performance of this song, which wowed me enough to Shazam it as a reminder to listen to it later, then I switched back to the show I was already watching. Anyway, I thought more people would've watched, and that there would be others sending this artist to BJSC, but seemingly not. No one even mentioned in the semifinal thread that they recognized the artist or the song from the Olympics. So did none of us watch it?? If not, then you get to enjoy this discovery, you're welcome! I believe this is Harmonica's first proper instrumental - even our Doop entry had the word "tequila" sung a couple of times!

I forget Winter Olympics is a thing.

(Hope the song makes it to the final. 🤞)

I always get very into the Summer Olympics but never watch the Winter ones oop x (I did see when I was researching that this was used in the opening ceremony though)

Was thinking it seemed unusual for you to send an instrumental - this is great anyway *.*

Have ALL My hype, this is a stunner!

MACE "Espansione"

182

Semifinal result: 5th

Final result: 6th - 236 points

 

Voters

18 points: Dalisska, Dobago, Lentyll, Pagasa

15 points: Danaeviia, Flynnonda, Persephonia

13 points: Bronzil

11 points: Terra Avium

10 points: Deandria, N DNTN

9 points: East Rukahavian, Eledan, Skall

8 points: Botanikka

7 points: Cumulonimbia, Scotland 2

6 points: Cheiron, Seyetana

5 points: Zephyra Continuum

4 points: Freidland

3 points: Zanmatony

1 point: Republique d'Askorza, Trifoski

 

This was one of the most last-minute entries Harmonica has ever sent, having known the song for a couple weeks but not considering it for here until the night before the deadline. Now it's tied for our third-biggest hit ever! I believe the tie is with Moyka - Stay but will double check. It's also our biggest hit and first top 10 since we won with Misterwives over two years ago. It's very rare to feel confident in an entry, given our track record, but the early hype made it clear that this Italian electronic instrumental was a risk worth taking. Thanks for the hype and especially the points!

Harmonica has not submitted an entry for 183, unfortunately due to a death and upcoming funeral in the family. We will return but have not announced when we will do so. Good luck to everyone who is participating!

Well, we decided on just a one-month break this time, with an exciting entry to come back with...only to find out another country submitted it first! Sounds like what happened to Cor Lupus, but Harmonica's certainly not going to DNQ, right? Fortunately, another song presented itself just before the deadline, so our comeback was not cancelled.

In Color "Headlights"

184

 

Discovered: 107.3 ALT CLE, April 2026

Never heard of this group before! But the song made an incredibly strong first impression, so hopefully it can do the same for folks in Semi 2. At the very least, it will make the actual first impression in the semifinal as it's first in the running order! That worked well one other time in a final, and we ended up winning that contest, so... Anyway, getting all the feels from this song, but it is waayyy too short! Don't mind me replaying it 3 or 4 times before moving on to the rest of the semifinal!

While we're here, let's announce what we would have voted for in 183

18 // Neliönoir // frutiger dillon // big chemistry ♡

15 // Ojnoj // Charlotte Cardin // The Way We Touch

13 // POPHub // Emerson Azarian // Lucky Stars

12 // FARC // sim0ne // freaky

11 // Freidland // ili // Tears Ago

10 // Baleghde // Emilia // La_Playlist.mpeg

9 // Bøtanikkä // Yseult // FREAK

8 // Juranabaijan // Ally Salort // I've Never Met Her

7 // République d'Áskorza // Ditonellapiaga // Che Fastidio!

6 // Skall // Two Shell // The Nightmare

5 // Cheiron // TOMORA // RING THE ALARM

4 // Terra Avium // The Walkmen // The Rat

3 // Trifoski // Crippling Alcoholism // LADIES' NIGHT (feat. Luxury Skin)

2 // Ajanaeda // Eden's Crush // Get Over Yourself

1 // Fljótavík // Joshua Idehen // Mum Does The Washing

xx // Cor Lupus // ena mori // 19 Underground

xx // FSR Rontvia // Ziyad Al-Samman // Ya Habibi

xx // Altyr Muunilinst // Natalie Jane // sabotage

xx // Summericia // Izzy Camina & Angrybaby // Seven Seas

xx // Séyetana // The Warning // Kerosene

xx // Dalisska // NoGood Boyo // Just A G.O.A.T