What are you gonna tell him now...
at your quarterly review?
He's gonna fire you, oh how
unfortunate for you-u-u-u

bjsc 168
Sponsored by





emlyn - the devil called

"Call me when the world ends again. I'd hate to miss it."

So we prayed and that didn't work, so we're going the opposite way and calling the devil! The funeral is still on. We're back in another less than favorable semi, will we cheat death again? Are we doomed into flop limbo or will Lucifer pull a few strings to give us our first hit since 161?

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC168

BJSC 168 | emlyn - The Devil Called | 14th (199 points)

This year has been very, very, VERY HARD. From the semi makeup to our track record up to that point, things were not looking good. We thought it was over.

And then we scraped through. Somehow... we made it. And it led us to the end of the flop streak. We suffered, we fought, but we made it out. The devil does indeed work hard.

This year is a flop year. This year belongs in the trash. It's been an extremely tough 2024... but we at least got to get out with something.

Next contest: Spooky season is around the corner and our Halloween spin-off entry has been set. The spoopy track we have planned might not be as dark as people think. Maybe this video will give us a few clues...

(skip to 27:40)



#CorLupusXceed #BJSC168

Take me to the wake...
Cemetery date...
Kiss as the groundskeeper
Locks up the gate

bjsc 169
Sponsored by





Baby Jane – Cemetery Date

"There's truth in every dream, if you dig deep enough. Let's find out what they buried."

Back to Fade again? Huh... guess old habits do die hard.

From Genius:

Up and coming alternative rock artist Baby Jane got her start on Soundcloud, gaining traction for her dark electric pop sound. She came out with her first single under prim8 management in early 2022, and hasn’t stopped since with songs like “Heaven’s Gate” (a dark anthem reminiscent of the 80s post punk scene) and “Make Me Wanna” (a fast paced escapist hymn). Baby Jane’s haunting voice and distinct lyricism sets her apart from the competition, making her someone to keep an eye out for in the new rock scene.

Well since that intro was made she's kinda transitioned into this indie dance sound that's equal parts light and equal parts spoopy. Perfect for this time of year. Another Baby Blank for the Halloween season.

We got robbed of our first choice and had to panic reconfirm, so we're toasting to a DNQ this month. Or it probably won't bc I can't predict these things for shit but I wouldn't be surprised if it does 😅

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC169

BJSC 169 | Baby Jane – Cemetery Date | 10th (178 points)

Well this did... surprisingly well!

I wasn't sure what I could have gotten with this - I mean it wasn't my first choice so I was pessimistic about my chances and I was expecting another *dies of mid* result after it qualified. A warm reception at listenthroughs leading up to not only outperforming our original choice but getting a SECOND TOP 10 THIS YEAR was certainly not something I called for this entry! Ngl the funeral concept has been paying off more than I would have thought a couple months ago... are we setting up 2025 to be a redemption year?

Next contest: is it time to go back to our EDM era or give a little taste of K-pop?

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC169

When our fingers touch the screen, it gets physical...
You've got everything I need, it's medicinal...
If I didn't have you now, I'd be miserable...
Is this typical for friends that are digital?

bjsc 170
Sponsored by





No Mana & SOFI - Digital Friends

"I wonder if they have any parts I can salvage. Hmm, implants? I need those!"

Back to Fade again? Huh... guess old habits do die hard.

From The Music Essentials:

No Mana shares, “The “Digital Friends” dynamic is one of those concepts/themes that I felt should have already been condensed into a commonly used term or word given today’s culture, but I’m glad it’s now done in the form of this fun little song. The concept/theme brings up a massive unassuming combination of feelings, particularly nostalgia, melancholy and whimsy; and I wanted the production to resonate that by getting it to sound fun and danceable.”

SOFI adds, “The lyrics were written during the Covid lockdown, actually. I found myself being more active on social media, checking messages and connecting with people online I didn’t know in real life, way more than I normally do. At some point during one of those text conversations, the term “Digital Friends” came up, so I leaned into it, heightening the stakes and started playing with lyrics around the topic. Jordan (No Mana) and I have been friends for a few years now, so it was kind of inevitable that we’d collaborate on a song sooner than later. He is such a creative in all facets and just a great dude. I sent him my vocal idea and he produced the track. We went back and forth a bit on the arrangement and overall sound – it all just flowed easily!”

The funeral concept proved to be a bit more lucrative than we expected, and it helped us salvage a little bit of this year. So now the plan is rebirth: make sure 2025 goes a little bit better than this year did and to build some momentum going into the 100th. Maybe some crunchy 2010's styled EDM is the answer?

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC170

BJSC 170 | No Mana & SOFI - Digital Friends | 16th (165 points)

Well this second half has certainly been much better than the first half!

Most of the year has seen us slip back to pretty much square one in terms of momentum, reputation, and overall success, so it’s nice to see a string of hits in what has been otherwise been a weak and forgettable year. It’s weird how our worst years can be considered some countries’ best years, but that’s how high the standard has been. We’ve reached a point where we’ve done well enough to dispel the flop allegations* but haven’t been big enough or hit the general public hard enough to be considered a powerhouse like before. How will we define ourselves in 2025?

(*saying this just in case Bray tries to censor me like I’m Donald Trump)

The year in review:
161 | 05 | safesp8ce - quiet, I can’t think
162 | 24 | Zorza - Memory U
163 | 24 | LEXXE - Santa Sangre
164 | xx | Crimson Sun - Neon Lights
165 | 37 | Maggie Lindemann - you hold my love
166 | 22 | CHROMEBODIES/Centre Court - 2 Many Lies
167 | 23 | Ditonellapiaga - Mary
168 | 14 | emlyn - The Devil Called
169 | 10 | Baby Jane - Cemetery Date
170 | 16 | No Mana/SOFI - Digital Friends

Yeah, this year was rough. But maybe I’m wrong. Did other countries make worthwhile discoveries from us this year? Share your thoughts.

Next contest: The aim is to make 2025 a comeback year. These past two entries have convinced us to trawl through the archives - could we strike gold leading up to the 100th?

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC170

Need your love, I'll hunt you down...

bjsc 171
Sponsored by





ALT BLK ERA – Hunt You Down

“Every fight I say to myself I might go down, but I’ll go down swingin’.”

Yep, it's official: we're teaming up with Marvel Rivals to provide the mascots for each entry this year!

From Kerrang!:

ALT BLK ERA have unleashed an infectious new single, Hunt You Down.

The track is taken from the duo’s anticipated debut album Rave Immortal, which is due out on January 24, 2025 via Earache Records.

Says vocalist Nyrobi: “We often explore uncomfortable topics in our music in the hope that they raise awareness and become conversation starters.

“Hunt You Down was written on the back of developing a chronic illness during the pandemic, which led to me being bed-ridden and years of isolation.

“I wanted to explore human interaction of those who have been shut off over a period of time, and how through a need for connection, behaviours can become inappropriate and obsessive.”

So how do we start off this year knowing we've become practically invisible? By going batshit insane, of course. I guess you can say we've entered our Reputation era. Maybe the road to redemption is built on sulfur and spite.



#CorLupusXceed #BJSC171

9 months ago..........

Entry? Flopped.

Comeback? Failed.

Reputation? In the dumpster.

Confidence? What is that?

Hope that any entry will do well in the future? Decreasing by the minute.

 

One major flop you can maaaaaaaybe survive from. But two in a row? I don't know what we can possibly do to get back into BJSC's good graces. Safe to say that it's over for us. Guess we'll have to traverse the landscape of being a legacy act/country past its expiration date.

 

-

 

 

BJSC 171 | ALT BLK ERA – Hunt You Down | WINNER (275 points)

 

 

 

We thought it was impossible. 2024 was a dumpster fire and we had to redeem ourselves. Zero momentum, a shoddy reputation, a synthy rock song, and a dream.

 

And through the grace of God and a tiebreaker, we ended up winning. The genre that gave us our worst placing entry ever ended up winning the whole thing. This immediately destroys all of last year bar a few entries. Redemption is truly underway.

 

Next contest: It's a bit hard to choose from the AQ choices. Do we press our luck with K-pop or do we stick to the original schedule and go with something more Sabrina/Gracie Abrams coded?

 

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC171

Turn on the lights…
Curtains have closed…
My final act...

bjsc 172
Sponsored by





Debbii Dawson - The Great Magician

“Magic is not to be owned, but to be felt. Experienced. Lived.”

First Hawkeye now Doctor Strange? We’re getting an all star group together huh?

From Ones To Watch:

“The Great Magician” enters with a quality straight from a 70’s dance floor, with full glittering production that demands immediate attention. Enter Dawson’s powerful vocal performance, always striking no matter how many times you’ve heard it. From a lyricist who explores isolation often, this track presents the topic in a whole new light.

On the inspiration behind the track, Dawson shares, “This song centers around a magician that pulled off the greatest feat ever performed but no one was around to witness it. My first two projects detailed the life of a recluse, in my latest single I wanted to capture the very moment the vanishing act occurred.” From the underlying darkness portrayed sonically in this track paired with Dawson’s dramatic delivery, she conjures this magical quality with ease and intrigue. With epic vocal layering and an echo effect, listeners can clearly picture a lone performer on an empty stage – demanding the attention of everyone and no one simultaneously.

Pouring your heart into your art and sharing it can be a lonely road. Pair that with the lifelong feeling of misunderstanding that Dawson has opened up about, and it can become overwhelming. Luckily for us (and for the future listeners who are bound to fall under Dawson’s spell), this special songwriter turned those feelings into an impactful track with diving timing. “The Great Magician” is a retrospective piece, but also looks forward by declaring the power of standing alone with your art separate from the amount of people who are praising it.

The 99th entry, folks. Only one contest away from the big 100.

So we won last time. Very unprecedented. Nevertheless we trek on with a more folk like Sabrina Carpenter-esque type of sound that would have fit the narrative had we not just won a gold. Oh well. Sometimes you just have to go with your heart, and the heart is saying Doctor Strange. And with “Abracadabra” ruling the nation, can Indian-American Debbii Dawson spark up some magic?

She’s heading straight for the final, but who will join her and Lucio? Stay tuned.

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC172

BJSC 172 | Debbii Dawson - The Great Magician | 7th (199 points)

...

…

…

THIS YEAR IS INSANE!

Interesting how leading up to the 50th we were coming off of a really bad track record, a first DNQ streak and a return that wasn’t really a return bc it didn’t set the contest alight, and now we’re coming into the 100th with a significant amount of momentum! The difference between this and 2020 are night and day. I cannot thank you guys ENOUGH. Three top 10’s in 4 contests is more than what we got in the two years before this 🤯

 

Next contest: This is it, we’re at the big 100, and who knows what it could be. After Alisa Xayalith DNQ’d thoughts of this happening to us plagued our fears, but rest assured, it will be on brand. Stay tuned.

 

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC172

Remember 2022? Goooood times…

…are you ready for it?

#CorLupus100

Right, wrong, I don't care, I live strong...

Play, pause, press me your favorite song...

Fast, slow, vibin' now with the flow...

Love or hate...?

...are you ready for it?

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Sponsored by

CHUNG HA - STRESS

“When all this is over, I'm gonna drop the dopest album any timeline has ever heard!”

Getting in Luna Snow just in time for the 100th! Fitting that just after our Overwatch themed contest, this entry's Marvel Rivals representative is basically female Lucío.

From Vulture Magazine:

Quote

Chung Ha would love to experience ballroom culture in its birthplace, to attend a ball in the city where the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ community pioneered the modern ballroom scene: New York. “That’s literally on my bucket list,” she told Vulture. “I don’t know if I would go and be all like” — she paused to flip her hair over her shoulder — “Look at me, look at me, look at me. But I’d definitely love to see what they’re giving out to the audience and just join the moment.” The 29-year-old K-pop singer is no stranger to South Korea’s burgeoning ballroom scene, which she has helped highlight through her music videos and performances. Chung Ha also “goes way far back” with Love Ran, who organized the country’s first-ever ball in 2017 and is the mother of Korea’s largest kiki house, the House of Love. Love Ran has collaborated with Chung Ha multiple times, most recently as one of the contributors to the vogue-heavy choreography for the soloist’s latest house track, “Stress,” which features vocals soaring over a thumping four-on-the-floor beat.

“Stress” joins “Thanks for the Memories,” a pop-rock song that demands to be scream-sung, as one of two title tracks off her new eight-track EP, Alivio. It’s been a journey to get to this release. Chung Ha has previously shared that she felt burnt out and considered quitting the industry during her hiatus after leaving MNH Entertainment in April 2023. But fellow Korean American artist and More Vision CEO Jay Park kept reaching out for meetings, and Chung Ha ultimately signed with his label that October. More than a year of singles (and several collabs) later, she’s finally ready to return with a lengthier project. And this time around, she’ll understand her celebratory comments section a little better, thanks in part to the realization that being called “mother” has ballroom roots. Tied to the queer history of leaders of chosen families known as houses, the term is now used more loosely online to convey respect and admiration for female celebrities. “This is so funny, ’cause when I joined More Vision, there were a lot of comments like, ‘Mother is back,’” Chung Ha recalled. “I’m like, Why am I their mother? I don’t know what I did! Now I see.”

Mother is back indeed. And she's here to give us a deep house yas mama track a la "yes, and?" for our 100th.

K-pop has always been one of our favorite genres, even if we've only sent the one before this, and not only is this the perfect way to cap off a tumultuous second half of 10 years into BJSC, but this is a nice tribute to the genre that gave us a win during one of our lowest points. It's also a cheeky reference to our Fortnite "No Sweat" themed contest from 2022. It's gonna be a lot of pressure to qualify for the 100th since idk any other countries that didn't so far, but hopefully things remain care free and the celebrations go as planned.

Time to bring some Red Ranger magic to Klum Rep! Take it easy no stress! Kim Chungha fighting!

#CorLupusXceed #BJSC173

BJSC 173 | CHUNG HA - STRESS | 13th (168 points)

It's very interesting to think about where we were back in September to where we are now. Losing hope, losing confidence, and then BOOM - our biggest hit streak so far. It was not the best performing 100th anniversary entry, unfortunately. So...... where does this leave us?

The past 100 contests we've been trying to prove that out of our debuting class that we weren't expendable, that our discography did excite people. Part of me thinks we failed the mission, but it was a mission failed successfully.

We're not leaving! This just the end of another volume! Something will probably happen to commemorate 100 contests with you animals but until then here's a Spotify link to celebrate with us!

Next contest: We'll be starting off this next era with an indie entry that's probably a risk since we don't really do well with this genre, but stranger things have happened! We've thought long and hard about what we could possibly name it and with a bit of inspiration from the Final Fantasy franchise (yes I know another gamer thing how on brand), it's time to present...

Vol. 1: OG (2015-2018)
Vol. 2: Evolved (2018-2020)

Vol. 3: Rising (2020-2022)

Vol. 4: Xceed (2022-2025)

Vol. 5: #CorLupusZodiacAge

#BJSC174

 

Really can't believe you didn't tell her

Do you think she knows we're back together?

Everyone can see what this is all about...

We're the talk of the town...

bjsc 174
Sponsored by

Momma - I Want You (Fever)

“When you have been powerless, having power means something.”

Mother Storm has come to wreak havoc at Ajanaeda! Will we catch lightning in a bottle?

From FLOOD Magazine:

Quote

I got a fever and the only prescription is...more Momma! No, not my actual mother, but the Brooklyn-based trio who are gearing up to release their new album Welcome to My Blue Sky on April 4 via Polyvinyl. Here’s where my joke really lands, though: the first single is titled “I Want You (Fever)” (get it?). The new track is an alt-rock jump into a refreshingly cold body of water, built around shredding guitars and repeated vocal lines. “We’re the talk of the town” is sung before the chorus—and if “the town” is my apartment, then hell yeah it is.

“‘I Want You (Fever)’ is a song we wrote about wanting to be with someone who has a girlfriend, or someone who isn’t over their ex,” the band shared. “It’s pining after someone, but there’s also some confidence knowing that that person wants to be with you. The second we wrote that song we felt like we were entering a new era—we scrapped everything we had written for the album up to that point because it felt so fresh and so exciting.”

After sending mother, we send Momma. The Zodiac Age begins today!

Going indie in what has been one of our best runs is a HUGE risk as this is a genre that doesn't do well for us save for one or two occasions. Things could surprise though. Are the BJSC public sick of us or will we infect the contest with our charm? We'll see what this mission entails

#CorLupusZodiacAge #BJSC174

Cor Lupus reheating Persephonia nachos!

(IIRC I have heard a bit of this song on the radio before but not the whole thing, sounded good though so looking forward to hearing it in full x I feel like 'Medicine' is one of my more underrated entries (although it was one I sent kind of expecting to DNQ and it didn't x), happy to see Momma getting a second outing!)

21 hours ago, Brer said:

Cor Lupus reheating Persephonia nachos!

(IIRC I have heard a bit of this song on the radio before but not the whole thing, sounded good though so looking forward to hearing it in full x I feel like 'Medicine' is one of my more underrated entries (although it was one I sent kind of expecting to DNQ and it didn't x), happy to see Momma getting a second outing!)

We’ll just have to see if I can get away with it 😅

BJSC 174 | Momma - I Want You (Fever) | 20th (168 points)

Well we just about survived! Four contests into the year and we haven't exited the top 20 yet! People being surprised and delighted at the experimentation and concept change was great to see (even if it doesn't happen often and it probably won't last, we'll have to see what the second half cooks up), but the confidence just wasn't there. Seeing this defy the negative expectations? Priceless.

Next contest: We've got a dancey group of potentials in our utility belt, do we continue with our scheduled programming or switch it up a bit and risk what has been our best year to date? Or do we just stick to what we're good at? Idk... lemme ask the audience...

I'm sick and tired

Life's been pulling me apart

Don't need a doctor to come and fix my broken heart

I need you...

bjsc 175
Sponsored by and

Jodie Harsh - Kiss It Better

“It's a nice place to land a ship. It's just too bad mine crashed on Klyntar!”

It might be a little problematic to call on Star-Lord to help represent a return to house... especially after he crash landed that ship. But hopefully his rockets will help us fly higher than before.

From GAYDIO:

Quote

‘Kiss It Better’ is a euphoric, club-ready anthem primed for the Summer season. Jodie serves
her signature blend of bold house beats and irresistible hooks with her latest offering.
Armed with vocals from Swedish singer/songwriter Maia Wright, Jodie produced her new
single with UK production duo Punctual (RAYE, Sammy Virji, Chris Lake) and co-wrote the
track with Connor Blake (Meduza, Sonny Fodera, Becky Hill).

“This one is for the sunshine! I wanted to revisit my disco roots and bring back those strings
for Summer ‘25.” says Jodie. “‘Kiss It Better’ is a hands-in-the-air anthem. It’s the bast*rd
lovechild of ‘My House’ and ‘Good Time’, and I drew inspiration from my heroes Daft Punk
and Armand Van Helden. It’s a song about yearning for a lover, that moment when the only
thing that’ll heal you is a kiss in the right place.”

A third entry in a row indirectly referencing No Sweat Summer. It's like we never left. And with a new joint sponsor and the newest premier airline CL-AlphaWings taking to Botanikka airways, it's time to show what true alphas are really about. We're coming in hot hot hot!

Jodie Harsh has been in the game for a while, and I'm surprised that she hasn't shown her face on here despite being too cheap for a 2022 debut. This changes now. Has she missed her flight? Or will a disco house banger for the summertime continue this hot streak? Hopefully we won't tell the juries to "kiss it better"!

#CorLupusZodiacAge #BJSC175