Black Atlass "Do For Love"

136

 

Discovered: on SiriusXM Poplandia, June 2021

Semifinal Result: 22nd

 

This entry was a month ahead of schedule (as is our next one), due to our planned entry 'Red Button' being taken by Summericia - turns out they'd been saving it up even longer than we had, so no hard feelings! Black Atlass becomes our second artist to have two DNQs, the first being Sizzy Rocket. Wholly undeserved, needless to say! Thanks to those who gave it a chance!

Neon Dreams feat. Kardinal Offishall "Marching Bands"

137

 

Discovered: on SiriusXM Poplandia, May 2021

Semifinal Result: 27th

 

Another Poplandia discovery! This Canadian pop earworm is fairly similar to our entry Ocean Park Standoff - If You Were Mine from a few years ago, and that exceeded expectations; this one, however, did not </3

Moyka "Stay"

138

 

Discovered: YouTube

 

Moyka has been long overdue to be sent by Harmonica, in fact we tried to send 'Spaces' in the contest that it finished 2nd but obviously were beaten to it. This is our first Norwegian entry since the heartbreaking DNQ of Ary - Already There, still the biggest shocker in Harmonican history. So, it still feels like a risk, but justice will finally be achieved!

Moyka "Stay"

138

 

Semifinal Result: 5th

Final Result: 6th - 227 points

 

Voters

18 points: Aquafina, D'yermak'er

15 points: Bhangra

13 points: Caerfyrddia, St. Burbia, Tartford

12 points: Lotunia

11 points: Altyr Muunilinst, Republique d'Askorza, Sergeistan

10 points: Mulgracia, Sovarasma

9 points: Mosquetania

8 points: Hendinia, Hushkanukia

7 points: Jupiterdonia, The Actual Republic of Bellamia

5 points: Cor Lupus, Greenfroze, New Lexico

4 points: Singerpurear, Thelonia

2 points: Danaeviia, Flynnonda

1 point: Lookylion

 

The drought is over! Harmonica has a top-10 song for the first time in 3 years/30 contests! 'Stay' becomes only the fourth top-10 in Harmonican history (that's 74 contests), and better yet, it's Harmonica's second-biggest hit of all time, behind only the 4th-place 'Joy'! It also keeps up Moyka's top-10 streak, as all three of her entries have finished in single-digits; this one beats her debut 'Colder' by one place. It's been a rough few years of little to no success in this contest, but finally scoring another hit was worth the wait. Thank you! :heart:

 

Jocelyn Alice "Still Wondering"

139

 

Discovered: on SiriusXM Poplandia, June 2021

 

Does anyone remember Jocelyn Alice? We've sent her once before all the way back in 2015 with 'Jackpot', it was involved in one of our longest Q streaks to date IIRC. Since then she's kept a presence on Canadian radio and even competed on Songland in the US! 'Still Wondering' is a perfect late-summer song, so hopefully we haven't left it too late. Can this avoid the fate of our previous two Canadian entries? Fingers crossed!

Jocelyn Alice "Still Wondering"

139

 

Semifinal Result: 18th

Final Result: 28th - 135 points

 

Voters

15 points: Hushkanukia

13 points: Greenfroze, Land of DW, Singerpurear, The Actual Republic of Bellamia

11 points: Lotunia

9 points: Mulgracia, Republique d'Askorza

8 points: Mosquetania, St. Burbia

6 points: Aelandor

5 points: Suedeonia

4 points: Chestoria

3 points: Niceland

2 points: Aesthetica, Altyr Muunilinst

1 point: Tartford

 

Wow, turns out this did way better than Jocelyn's previous entry 6 years ago! 'Jackpot' had a bottom-5 finish at 37th (although it was 10th in its semi), meanwhile 'Still Wondering' improved considerably on its 18th-place semi performance. Absolutely exceeded our expectations, and personally I think the timing was perfect as opposed to the previous months we almost sent it. This one means a lot so thanks to those who loved it :heart:

 

Ladyhawke "Mixed Emotions"

140

 

Discovered: ZM, August 2021

 

Our trilogy of Canadian entries is finally over, so back to New Zealand we go! :lol: Ladyhawke has been a fave ever since 'My Delirium' and 'Magic' on her debut; her other releases have been hit-and-miss, but our source liked this one enough to pass it on - and so did we! It'll be interesting to see if the voters remember Ladyhawke from way back when and how they respond to a current song of hers. That said, we need another qualifier to maintain our streak of 5+ qualifiers a year, so give this one a chance!

Ladyhawke "Mixed Emotions"

140

 

Semifinal Result: 20th

Final Result: 35th - 109 points

 

Voters

18 points: FARC

12 points: Altyr Muunilinst

11 points: Flynnonda, The Actual Republic Of Bellamia

9 points: Taahino

8 points: Hushkanukia, Pestolia, Tartford

7 points: Aesthetica

5 points: Yehesi

4 points: Kathaldazia

3 points: New Lexico, Pukarnia

2 points: Republique d'Askorza

 

Well, by the mere skin of its teeth - or actually thanks to one song getting a deduction and a 0.12-point difference between 20th and 21st - Ladyhawke made the final, giving Harmonica 5 Qs for the year once again *.* Then we technically improved on the semi result by avoiding the bottom 6, and the 18 was a big surprise too. Thanks voters! Stay tuned for an update on our points given and points received.

 

Black Atlass - Do For Love is currently in the first round of TBO...vote for it! Then vote for Moyka later on in TBO :funky:

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2021

 

 

1. Wholune - Greta Van Fleet "Heat Above"

2. St. Burbia - Beren Olivia "Read My Mind"

3. Aquafina - Zara Larsson "Funeral"

4. New Lexico - Emmi "Drum"

5. Zanmatony - Mint Royale feat. Lauren Laverne "Don't Falter"

6. Numayania - Captain Jack "Dream A Dream"

7. Aeroche - Deekline "Be Happy"

8. Jupiterdonia - Soccer Mommy "Rom Com 2004"

9. Hendinia - Ayesha Erotica "Literal Legend"

10. FSR Rontvia - Alba August "Lights"

 

Well, this was going to wait until after TBO results, but I couldn't wait any longer! Wholune was in my top 10 last year with Majestica, and this year they have my #1 of 2021. These 10 were especially hard to rank, there's just nothing separating them in my affections!

 

Eight of these 10 were 18-pointers from Harmonica, the other two are 'Don't Falter' which got 15 from us and 'Rom Com 2004' which got only 13, in our favorite/strongest contest of the year tbf! One of my favorite +18s is missing here, AJA 'Red Button', since it was a potential of mine, I don't associate it with BJSC and it's appearing in my main EOY.

 

Stay tuned for #11 through #50, to be posted tomorrow, after TBO results x. Hopefully one of your entries will appear!

HARMONICA'S FAVORITE ENTRIES OF 2021 (CONTINUED)

 

11. Tartford - Middle Kids "Stacking Chairs"

12. Jadakissnia - Genesis Owusu "The Other Black Dog"

13. Numayania - Max Barskih & Zivert "Bestseller"

14. Terra Avium - Rein "Off The Grid"

15. Oslol - Boys World "Something In The Water"

16. Land Of DW - Maduk feat. Gid Sedgwick "Poison"

17. Dobago - John 00 Fleming "Colourful Kites In The Sky"

18. Kylienips - Fletcher "Healing"

19. Holland-Oats - Kinder "Bus Stop"

20. Mulgracia - Ariana And The Rose "Every Body"

21. Jupiterdonia - Palaye Royale "Punching Bag"

22. Lotunia - Girls' Generation "All Night"

23. Persephonia - Gupi "What's Known Now"

24. Hushkanukia - King "Only U"

25. Quintessa - Gohary "High (Remix)"

26. The Actual Republic Of Bellamia - Eben "Ghost Town"

27. Mulgracia - Shaed "Colorful"

28. Botanikka - Camille "Vuurwerk"

29. Cor Lupus - Bexx "Hard To Love"

30. Republique d'Askorza - Tiscore "Where The Roses Grow"

31. Sergeistan - Charli Adams "Didn't Make It"

32. Botanikka - Charlotte Cardin "Meaningless"

33. Botanikka - Cam "The Otherside"

34. Kylienips - Yonaka "Call Me A Saint"

35. Greenfroze - Todrick Hall "Rainin' Fellas"

36. Mosquetania - Byrta "Minnist Tu"

37. Taahino - Choriza May "My Pussy Is Like A Peach"

38. Singerpurear - Buffy Sainte-Marie & Tanya Tacaq "You've Got To Run (Spirit Of The Wind)"

39. D'yermak'er - Raja Kumari "Bindis And Bangles"

40. Mosquetania - Au/Ra "Screw Feelings"

41. St. Burbia - Bow Anderson "New Wave"

42. Cor Lupus - Avira & Diana Miro "The Worship (Mark Knight Remix)"

43. Seyetana - Ado "Odo"

44. Thelonia - Futuristic Polar Bears feat. Franky "No Tears Allowed"

45. Sovarasma - Matisse & Sadko feat. Alex Aris "Heal Me"

46. Niceland - Declan McKenna "Humongous"

47. Kingdom Of Horanius - Lum!x, KSHMR & Gabry Ponte feat. Karra "Scare Me"

48. Kathaldazia - Ryan Murgatroyd feat. Sobantwana "Wooma"

49. Land Of DW - Aspyer "Symphony"

50. Yehesi - Lady Bee feat. Rochelle "Lightning"

 

Looks like Botanikka has the most entries here with three, but Numayania also does great with two of our 18-pointers (IIRC)! Really happy with the overall quality in 2021 and hope it continues into 2022.

I was today years old when I found out that Jadagrace was a vocalist on that grouptherapy song :o I just remember her name popping up on AllAccess 9 years ago and that was it, lol random

Heal Me :cheer:

Michigander "Better"

141

 

Discovered: YouTube

Semifinal Result: 24th

 

After sending Michigander to Nuggets a year or so ago, I kept tabs on them and ended up liking this one even more. The video is just adorable :wub: I was hoping not to leave it too late for people to recall them, but that may have happened. Even being in a rock-heavy semi didn't work to our advantage, and thus, our Q streak ends at 3. </3

Yay so happy to see three songs of Bøtanikkä included in your YEC! Thanks Jordan :wub:

The Rocket Summer "Same Air"

142

 

Discovered: Soundcloud, late 2015

 

We previously sent The Rocket Summer in Harmonica's very first year of competing, back in 2014, and didn't qualify, so he's already redeemed himself from 7+ years ago which is great! Fun fact, 'So Much Love' was 7 years old by the time we entered it, and similarly, 'Same Air' is over 6 years old now.

 

This is the eighth artist recycle in Harmonica history and a record-breaking biggest gap between the artist's first and second entry, at 74 contests (68 to 142)! That record gap had just been broken 3 contests ago by Jocelyn Alice, with a 62-contest gap between her entries in 77 & 139. Our other previous artist recycles, listed by gap between entries, include Holychild (73 & 110), Joseph (89 & 118), Black Atlass (117 & 136), Sizzy Rocket (65 & 83), Ary (93 & 104), and Overcoats (126 & 129).

The Rocket Summer "Same Air"

142

 

Semifinal Result: 16th

Final Result: 36th - 91 points

 

Voters

18 points: Singerpurear

12 points: Niceland

11 points: Dobago, Flynnonda

10 points: Sovarasma, The Actual Republic of Bellamia

7 points: Aelandor

4 points: East Rukahavian

3 points: Eastovka, Yehesi

2 points: Tartford

 

Well, The Rocket Summer got his revenge, so in that sense it was a success. The points were few and far between with only 11 countries voting for 'Same Air', so maybe we were justified in not sending it back in 2015-2016, but it sure has aged well and we appreciate the support nonetheless, especially the 18 from Singerpurear!

 

For King & Country "Relate"

143

 

Discovered: YouTube, March 2022

 

Even though For King & Country gave Harmonica the biggest hit of its BJSC career ('Joy', #4 at BJSC 108 in 2018), they had never been on our radar to send a second time, until just this past confirmation week when we still really had no other strong entries to send. We can thank our favorite country of Desbuanda for bringing this song to our attention - their impact on BJSC continues!

 

Might as well update and re-post this paragraph from last month. :lol: This is the ninth artist recycle in Harmonica history and a gap of 35 contests between their first and second entry. That's the fourth-longest in Harmonican history, longer than Joseph (89 & 118), Black Atlass (117 & 136), Sizzy Rocket (65 & 83), Ary (93 & 104), and Overcoats (126 & 129), but shorter than The Rocket Summer (68 & 142), Jocelyn Alice (77 & 139), and Holychild (73 & 110). Harmonica's population is small at only 638, so we can blame that for all of the recent recycles :magic:

For King & Country "Relate"

143

 

Semifinal Result: 19th

Final Result: 39th - 88 points

 

Voters

18 points: Niceland

15 points: Hushkanukia

9 points: Scherzland

8 points: Jupiterdonia

7 points: Quintessa

6 points: East Rukahavian, Taahino

5 points: Cor Lupus, Flynnonda

3 points: Lookylion, Suedeonia

2 points: Thelonia

1 points: Mosquetania

 

Well, this FK&C entry didn't quite spark as much joy as 'Joy' did, but they're 2 for 2 with qualifying entries, and we reclaimed our Q streak! Something we hope to continue next month when we send our 80th entry :o Will we extend our self-recycling streak as well? :thinking:

TELYKast & Teddy Swims "Loveless"

144

 

Discovered: TuneIn, April 2022

 

Fashionably late as always - here is Harmonica's 80th BJSC entry! We've been wanting to send Teddy Swims to BJSC and waiting patiently for the right song to appear, and it felt right to do so now on our milestone 80th contest. Voters, please don't leave me loveless :music:

TELYKast & Teddy Swims "Loveless"

144

 

Semifinal Result: 7th

Final Result: 26th - 146 points

 

Voters

15 points: Jupiterdonia, Lotunia, Yehesi

13 points: Hendinia

9 points: Oslol, St. Burbia

8 points: Quintessa

7 points: Botanikka, Dobago, Scherzland

6 points: Cor Lupus, Greenfroze

5 points: Aquafina, New Lexico

4 points: Lookylion, POPHub, Wholune

3 points: Zanmatony

1 point: Niceland, Republique d'Askorza, Summericia, Tartford

 

Yesss, Teddy Swims came through! Not only was this our best result since Moyka 'Stay' in 138, but it actually breaks our long-running anniversary curse. Believe it or not, our 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th BJSC entries all DNQ'd, so this is our first anniversary entry to qualify since our 10th, Holychild 'Running Behind' all the way back in 2015! Top 7 in the semifinal is pretty rad too. Thanks to the above countries for your points!

 

Genevieve "My Real Name"

BJSC Masquerade 3

 

Final result: 32nd - 62 points

 

Yes, it was us masquerading as Summericia! We took this opportunity to send a long-time potential, but considering it hasn't been good enough to send to the main contest in the past 4-5 years, that doesn't exactly bode well for it in a spinoff either. It was just an excuse to share a song I really, really like. Still a shame to finish close to last place, but I did make sure to dive into other Summerician artists during confirmations, so as to not let the rest of their exciting catalog go to waste.

Meanwhile, Jupiterdonia (I think?? can't remember) masqueraded as Harmonica and made the very inspired choice of Ben Hazlewood, with the insanely beautiful 'Paint Me Black'. Despite trying not to give our top points to ourselves, it simply had to happen this time. :wub:

Bob Moses "Love Brand New"

145

 

Discovered: Car radio, April 2022

 

Trying to extend our (relatively) hot streak! 81 entries into our BJSC career and this is the very first one to be a #1 on my personal chart. Obviously I'm late posting again and semi voting has already closed, so fingers crossed to get this announced into the finals!

Bob Moses "Love Brand New"

145

 

Semifinal Result: 14th

Final Result: 30th - 138 points

 

Voters

13 points: Kyriatine

12 points: Republique d'Askorza

11 points: East Rukahavian

10 points: Singerpurear, Sovarasma, Wholune

9 points: Flynnonda, POPHub

7 points: Niceland

6 points: Aelandor, Suedeonia, Trifoski

5 points: Aquafina, Yobnedorica

4 points: Lotunia, Oslol, Scherzland

3 points: Tartford

2 points: Hushkanukia

1 point: Jupiterdonia, St. Burbia

 

We just snuck into the top 30 on a tiebreak! That's two top 30s in a row after our previous finalists went 35th, 36th and 39th. That said, the struggle to get back in the top 20 is real! Thankful for the points from 21 of you, admittedly it's the least this entry deserves :clap:

Ripe "Settling"

146

 

Discovered: The Summit FM, June 2022

Semifinal result: 23rd

 

All of Harmonica's entries so far this year have been male artists, not intentional by any means but it's served us well with 4 out of 5 qualifying. This one's incredibly instant, especially that brass in the chorus *.*, which we thought would bode well for it to easily qualify, but it was a very strong semifinal, too strong for this entry. :( (We do have a female-led group lined up for the next contest!)