Zanmatony's first ever trip to the land of Skall was one to savour. It was the perfect chance to showcase some old electronic chillout music from the turn of the century and get back to qualifying ways once again.

Here are our votes from the Semi Final stage of the contest;

+12 HENGE – Mushroom One {FSR Rontvia} [QUALIFIED]

+10 Collide – Freak Like Me {Deandria} [QUALIFIED]

+8 Chayla Hope – Love In Lo-Fi {East Rukahavian} [QUALIFIED]

+7 Isabel LaRosa – Her Face {Bronzil} [QUALIFIED]

+6 Shye – Smoke {Sovarasma} [QUALIFIED]

+5 RMB – Experience (Follow Me) {Land of DW} [QUALIFIED]

+4 Stand Atlantic – Lucid {Taahino} [QUALIFIED]

+3 Lena Leon – Chemical {Freidland} [QUALIFIED]

+2 waist – Bravado {The Spodic Empire} [QUALIFIED]

+1 almost monday – No More Regrets {Ben's Sanctuary} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

Here are our votes from the Final stage of the contest;

+18 Shye – Smoke {Sovarasma} [13th]

+15 HENGE – Mushroom One {FSR Rontvia} [4th]

+13 Collide – Freak Like Me {Deandria} [41st]

+12 Chayla Hope – Love In Lo-Fi {East Rukahavian} [14th]

+11 Domenique Dumont – Visages Visages {Skall} [15th]

+10 RMB – Experience (Follow Me) {Land of DW} [35th]

+9 waist – bravado {The Spodic Empire} [28th]

+8 tlen – patnik {Jadakissnia} [12th]

+7 RAY – MOD {Lentyll} [6th]

+6 Sophia Stel – Molly In The Club {Neliönoir} [7th]

+5 Lena Leon – Chemical {Freidland} [27th]

+4 Liminal – The Crop {Danæviia} [20th]

+3 Ellee Duke – Adrenaline {Lookylion} [23rd]

+2 Roly Porter – An Open Door {Elëdan} [18th]

+1 Boys Go To Jupiter – Lovers Always Lose {Herbilore} [40th]

It seems that on this rare occasion, none of the three podium finishers were in our points for this month, but we did help support some of the nations further down in getting their points on the board! It will also go down as one of the longest semi finals Zanmatony appeared in, featuring a non-qualifying 37 minute entry by Dobago (which Sovarasma delegates bestowed a certificate of completion for listening to the full length!).

BJSC 188 Entry (August 2026)

Host Country: Séyetana

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Artist: Petrojvic Blasting Company

Song: Princess Andy

 

Origin: 🇺🇸 USA

Petrojvic Blasting Company, later known as The Blasting Company, are an American nouveau-folk band based in Los Angeles, California. The band was founded in 2008 by half-brothers Justin Rubenstein and Josh Kaufman, and originally started as a street band called Albania Mania, with music inspired by Serbian folk songs. The band's music is inspired by the music of Eastern Europe, particularly the music of the Balkans, and New Orleans dixie. The band has also been noted for its folk influences and Bohemian style. The band uses a variety of more orthodox instruments including an accordion, as well as a Bulgarian tapan. The band wrote the soundtrack for the television miniseries Over the Garden Wall, for which it was critically acclaimed.

Princess Andy is a wonderfully eccentric blend of Balkan-inspired jazz, gypsy brass and dark storytelling. Released in 2010, the track follows a bizarre tale of a shark-fighting fisherman called Andy, who wears a "crown of shark teeth on his head." With its chaotic energy, sinister humour and almost cinematic sense of adventure, Princess Andy feels like a drunken sea shanty colliding with a cabaret band. It is strange, infectious and completely unconventional.

Original Release Date: 24th April, 2010

Grouping: Semi Final 2 (26/31)

Result: 30th (DNQ)

Points: 20

Votes: 8 (1x8)

Votes Given:

Semi Final:

+12 Cibo Matto – Sugar Water {Herbilore} [QUALIFIED]

+10 Ane Brun feat. ARY – Hold Me {Aeroche} [QUALIFIED]

+8 paris jackson feat. Manchester Orchestra – adagio {Vaskla} [QUALIFIED]

+7 DJ Shadow – Stem / Long Stem (Medley) {The Spodic Empire} [QUALIFIED]

+6 anamē & Lydmor – Hopeful {Danæviia} [QUALIFIED]

+5 SUPERSTRINGS – Balearic Temptation {Thelonia} [QUALIFIED]

+4 INFINITE – The Chaser {Lotunia} [QUALIFIED]

+3 Francesca E Luigi – Italopils Mi Amor {Lookylion} [QUALIFIED]

+2 Dan English – Across My Jaw {Trifoski} [QUALIFIED]

+1 Elley Duhé – Body Talk {Jupiterdonia} [QUALIFIED]

Final:

+18 Cibo Matto – Sugar Water {Herbilore} [11th]

+15 Chanpan – i got a gun {Dalisska} [24th]

+13 paris jackson feat. Manchester Orchestra – adagio {Vaskla} [30th]

+12 Lankum – Ghost Town {New Helvetica} [36th]

+11 DJ Shadow – Stem / Long Stem (Medley) {The Spodic Empire} [6th]

+10 Ane Brun feat. ARY – Hold Me {Aeroche} [5th]

+9 Francesca E Luigi – Italopils Mi Amor {Lookylion} [19th]

+8 Juno Reactor – Return Of The Pistolero {Fljótavík} [20th]

+7 Pandora – Trust Me {FSR Rontvia} [16th]

+6 anamē & Lydmor – Hopeful {Danæviia} [35th]

+5 SUPERSTRINGS – Balearic Temptation {Thelonia} [34th]

+4 BALTHAZARD & Dyana – FADE {Ennea} [21st]

+3 Kidskin – HEAVEN {Jadakissnia} [33rd]

+2 INFINITE – The Chaser {Lotunia} [17th]

+1 Marina Herlop – Jaque {Sovarasma} [32nd]

Another failed experiment in one of Zanmatony's laboratories caused a low scoring entry to be submitted for the last contest, resulting in the joint third-lowest scoring entry to date, finishing in second-last place.

Presenting the Semi Final votes for BJSC 188;

+12 Cibo Matto – Sugar Water {Herbilore} [QUALIFIED]

+10 Ane Brun feat. ARY – Hold Me {Aeroche} [QUALIFIED]

+8 paris jackson feat. Manchester Orchestra – adagio {Vaskla} [QUALIFIED]

+7 DJ Shadow – Stem / Long Stem (Medley) {The Spodic Empire} [QUALIFIED]

+6 anamē & Lydmor – Hopeful {Danæviia} [QUALIFIED]

+5 SUPERSTRINGS – Balearic Temptation {Thelonia} [QUALIFIED]

+4 INFINITE – The Chaser {Lotunia} [QUALIFIED]

+3 Francesca E Luigi – Italopils Mi Amor {Lookylion} [QUALIFIED]

+2 Dan English – Across My Jaw {Trifoski} [QUALIFIED]

+1 Elley Duhé – Body Talk {Jupiterdonia} [QUALIFIED]

Presenting the Final votes for BJSC 188;

+18 Cibo Matto – Sugar Water {Herbilore} [11th]

+15 Chanpan – i got a gun {Dalisska} [24th]

+13 paris jackson feat. Manchester Orchestra – adagio {Vaskla} [30th]

+12 Lankum – Ghost Town {New Helvetica} [36th]

+11 DJ Shadow – Stem / Long Stem (Medley) {The Spodic Empire} [6th]

+10 Ane Brun feat. ARY – Hold Me {Aeroche} [5th]

+9 Francesca E Luigi – Italopils Mi Amor {Lookylion} [19th]

+8 Juno Reactor – Return Of The Pistolero {Fljótavík} [20th]

+7 Pandora – Trust Me {FSR Rontvia} [16th]

+6 anamē & Lydmor – Hopeful {Danæviia} [35th]

+5 SUPERSTRINGS – Balearic Temptation {Thelonia} [34th]

+4 BALTHAZARD & Dyana – FADE {Ennea} [21st]

+3 Kidskin – HEAVEN {Jadakissnia} [33rd]

+2 INFINITE – The Chaser {Lotunia} [17th]

+1 Marina Herlop – Jaque {Sovarasma} [32nd]

All our pointed semi-finalists qualified for this edition, but none of the three podium finishers made it into our Top 15 in the final. Neliönoir is where we plan to take our Zanmatony wings next time, so see you there!

BJSC 189 Entry (October 2026)

Host Country: Neliönoir

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Artist: Rollergirl

Song: Close To You [AC-Koma Mix]

 

Origin: 🇩🇪 Germany

Rollergirl is the name of German singer Nicole Safft. Her love for rollerskates developed early when working at a rollerskating rink. She was discovered in 1999 and released the hit Dear Jessie which became a hit across Europe, including a UK Top 40 hit to her name. Rollergirl’s career was relatively brief compared with some of her contemporaries, but her best-known singles have developed a strong nostalgic following. Her combination of bubblegum hooks, Eurodance rhythms and unmistakable late-90s production gives her music a distinctly time-capsule quality — energetic, colourful and unapologetically fun.

Close To You was released as a single in 2001, following her debut album, but never made it onto a second album at the time. It is a wonderfully nostalgic slice of late-90s/early-2000s Eurodance, combining a sweet, instantly accessible pop melody with glossy electronic production. It may not have the impact of Rollergirl’s biggest hits, but Close to You is arguably one of those tracks that captures the fun, colourful and uncomplicated spirit of turn-of-the-millennium dance-pop.

Original Release Date: 1st January, 2001

Grouping: Semi Final 1 (5/29)

Result: 21st (DNQ)

Points: 40

Votes: 7 (3x8)

Votes Given:

Semi Final:

+12 Ellie Goulding – Animal (100th Anniversary Entry) {Flynnonda} [QUALIFIED]

+10 Tara Macri – Grace {Ojnoj} [QUALIFIED]

+8 Elliot Minor – Parallel Worlds {Juranabaijan} [QUALIFIED]

+7 Modern English – I Melt With You {FSR Rontvia} [QUALIFIED]

+6 IVE – BANG BANG {N DNTN} [QUALIFIED]

+5 CHINCHILLA – Viper {Mulgracia} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

+4 Levante – SONO BLU {Herbilore} [QUALIFIED]

+3 Anyma & Adam Sellouk feat. Carly Gibert – Girls MIA {Taahino} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

+2 Indra – Jokes On Me {FARC} [QUALIFIED]

+1 Astrality feat. Marlo Rex – Deep Of You {Harmonica} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

Final:

+18 O'flynn – Kelsier {Skall} [40th]

+15 Levante – SONO BLU {Herbilore} [6th]

+13 ENHYPEN – Brought The Heat Back {Lotunia} [25th]

+12 Elliot Minor – Parallel Worlds {Juranabaijan} [31st]

+11 Ellie Goulding – Animal (100th Anniversary Entry) {Flynnonda} [36th]

+10 Wednesday – Fine {Sovarasma} [18th]

+9 The Algorithm – Graceful Degradation {Danæviia} [7th]

+8 Squarepusher – Welcome To Europe {The Spodic Empire} [14th]

+7 Grouper – Alien Observer {New Helvetica} [32nd]

+6 Adult DVD – Rolling Face {Terra Avium} [2nd]

+5 Sarah Kinsley – Truth Of Pursuit {East Rukahavian} [17th]

+4 Arlissa – Memory Of You {Jupiterdonia} [38th]

+3 IVE – BANG BANG {N DNTN} [4th]

+2 SKYND – Johnny Kitagawa {Greenfroze} [1st]

+1 KiiiKiii – Pop Off Pop Off {Daehun} [34th]

Hope to see this rolllllllllllllllllllllllllling into the final!

On 12/10/2026 at 16:57, Dobbo said:

Hope to see this rolllllllllllllllllllllllllling into the final!

It was not to be on another occasion in 2026 for Zanmatony, as Rollergirl failed to skate her way into the final of BJSC 189, missing out by a single point. It becomes the second 21st place finish in a semi-final this year alone for Zanmatony, and their worst qualifying year on record, missing out on five occasions so far.

Here's the Semi Final votes Zanmatony submitted;

+12 Ellie Goulding – Animal (100th Anniversary Entry) {Flynnonda} [QUALIFIED]

+10 Tara Macri – Grace {Ojnoj} [QUALIFIED]

+8 Elliot Minor – Parallel Worlds {Juranabaijan} [QUALIFIED]

+7 Modern English – I Melt With You {FSR Rontvia} [QUALIFIED]

+6 IVE – BANG BANG {N DNTN} [QUALIFIED]

+5 CHINCHILLA – Viper {Mulgracia} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

+4 Levante – SONO BLU {Herbilore} [QUALIFIED]

+3 Anyma & Adam Sellouk feat. Carly Gibert – Girls MIA {Taahino} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

+2 Indra – Jokes On Me {FARC} [QUALIFIED]

+1 Astrality feat. Marlo Rex – Deep Of You {Harmonica} [DID NOT QUALIFY]

Here's the Final votes Zanmatony submitted;

+18 O'flynn – Kelsier {Skall} [40th]

+15 Levante – SONO BLU {Herbilore} [6th]

+13 ENHYPEN – Brought The Heat Back {Lotunia} [25th]

+12 Elliot Minor – Parallel Worlds {Juranabaijan} [31st]

+11 Ellie Goulding – Animal (100th Anniversary Entry) {Flynnonda} [36th]

+10 Wednesday – Fine {Sovarasma} [18th]

+9 The Algorithm – Graceful Degradation {Danæviia} [7th]

+8 Squarepusher – Welcome To Europe {The Spodic Empire} [14th]

+7 Grouper – Alien Observer {New Helvetica} [32nd]

+6 Adult DVD – Rolling Face {Terra Avium} [2nd]

+5 Sarah Kinsley – Truth Of Pursuit {East Rukahavian} [17th]

+4 Arlissa – Memory Of You {Jupiterdonia} [38th]

+3 IVE – BANG BANG {N DNTN} [4th]

+2 SKYND – Johnny Kitagawa {Greenfroze} [1st]

+1 KiiiKiii – Pop Off Pop Off {Daehun} [34th]

We just about managed to give points to the eventual winners from Greenfroze, having snubbed them in the semi-finals. One last chance of redemption in 2026 for Zanmatony...

Halloween VI Entry (October 2026)

Host Country: POPHub

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Artist: MYSTERIOUS ART

Song: Das Omen

 

Origin: 🇩🇪 Germany

Mysterious Art are a German electronic dance group who emerged in the late 1980s, blending synth-pop, pulsating dance beats and dramatic, almost theatrical atmospheres. Although their commercial heyday was relatively brief, Mysterious Art left a memorable mark on late-80s European dance music, offering a dramatic alternative to the era’s more conventional club sounds.

Das Omen is widely reviewed as one of the spookiest, most atmospheric synth-pop and New Beat tracks of the late 1980s. Released in 1989, the track was a massive commercial success, staying at #1 on the German charts for nine weeks and selling nearly 500,000 copies. It blends dark synth-pop hooks with the emerging New Beat and early techno club sound.

Original Release Date: May 13th, 1989

 

Grouping: 7/33

Result: TBC

Points: TBC

Votes: TBC