BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

30/30: Moodshift - What About My Love

(BJSC 130 - Vulkyria - +13)

 

It's difficult ranking the lower realms of this decade as all the songs are still to the taste of music I'm into nowadays and this isn't a bad song at all. I think it just doesn't 'punch' as well as some of the others, the verse is very good but the chorus lets it down just a tiny bit.

 

29/30: SICKOTOY x Elvana Gjata x INNA - Papa

(BJSC 137 - Varake - +13)

 

Our first song from the most recent contest now - SICKOTOY still have another song to come which I still think is superior to this one, or maybe it just sounds too similar to the other one for me to get fully into it. That's not to say it's a bad song (it recieved my +13!), the drop is still very good and I love the Romanian influence into the song. And I promise this isn't an alphabetical ranking of countries as much as it looks it at the moment ;)

 

28/30: Cam - The Otherside

(BJSC 132 - Botanikka - +15)

 

I might have been a bit unfair on this one as it's the only country-pop song I've medalled in this decade, which means it sticks out like a sore thumb. The guitars work really well throughout and the verses really do draw you in (someone said it copied another song but I've already forgotten which song it was!), I think the chorus and drop are again just a tad less good which probably leads to its lower ranking here.

 

27/30: Kid Francescoli - Moon (And It Went Like)

(BJSC 134 - Rolloland - +15)

 

The first (pretty-much) instrumental here, it's very good but also very long, meaning I always enjoy the idea of listening to it a little bit more than actually listening to it. When the 'and it went like' line happens and the whole thing really kicks off is absolutely magical, but the fact we have to wait three minutes for it (a lot of which is just the song repeating itself) unfortunately puts me off a tad, particularly when it came to this ranking!

 

26/30: Casi & The Blind Harpist - Rooted

(BJSC 137 - Caerfyrddia - +15)

 

Another song from the most recent contest now! I'm not sure whether it's the fact that the songs haven't had any time to gain some nostalgia factor that there are two in the bottom 5, but sadly I'm doing the ranking now so they don't get much more time. This grew on me a lot during the contest, it's something different with the whole way the production is done (which I can't really describe other than unique!) and that's why I gave it such a high score, although that may have led a tiny bit to its lower placing here.

Tic Tic Tac :cheer:

 

Looking fwd to the last section of rankings :wub:

And we've already reached another of yours as well! Thanks Addy ^_^

 

Really enjoyed KING and I'm glad you did too :D I think that song is probably my most favourite song in 2020. The dark and unsettling vibe sets the tone well and the drop at the end was truly spectacular. Sad it didn't do well here :(

Yeah it's a real shame it didn't take off in the way I hoped it would, I guess it just isn't Buzzjack's taste! Thanks Jack ^_^

 

still think R U High should have qualified

It really should, such a good song. Thanks Cody ^_^

 

Sad to see that Matt would have scored so high with you but never got the chance :( It's a great song, happy that you like it as much as I do and I agree with everything you wrote about it! <3

 

Excited to see this final batch which is the only 10-contest span in which I participated in all of them since the start of this countdown :lol:

Thanks for the comment, it really is a good song that would have been a welcome addition to the Final. Hope there are some songs you enjoy in this final section as well - thanks Jafet!

BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

25/30: Parov Stelar - Catgroove

(BJSC 134 - Trifoski - +13)

 

Oh I do quite enjoy this one, a fun brass-heavy instrumental that reminds me a bit of the Ratatouille Nintendo game, some very specific nostalgia there *.* The electro bit in the middle is a bit of a shock but still quite nice. And I'm not sure whether this is an actual music video or not but his dancing is certainly interesting!

 

24/30: Madame Monsieur - Coeurs Abimés

(BJSC 135 - Caerfyrddia - +15)

 

It was only after this contest ended that I realised that this song reminded me a bit of Dua Lipa's 'Physical', which is quite ironic as Physical is by ffar my least favourite of Dua's singles and this was my second favourite song in the contest! The title translates as 'Damaged Hearts' and I think I was taken by the Franch in this song to point it so highly (it's not the last song in French here either!)

 

23/30: DVBBS & Quinn XCII - West Coast

(BJSC 129 - Holland-Oats - +13)

 

Ooh this has gained an offician video since it was entered! Again I think the verses are very good in this track, maybe even more so than the chorus, but it's another very good dance-pop track, with a few tin drums as well to give it a bit of flavour!

 

22/30: Florian Bur - Florian Bur - Cry Of Peace / Forever (Feat. IIINO, Luciana Zogbi & Asja Kadric)

(BJSC 133 - Aelandor - +18)

 

My lowest +18 here and one I still have conflicted feelings about. I gave it my top points in the contest as I felt the contest was full of songs that weren't really my cup of tea so I went in search of songs that were completely different and this was one of them. 'Cry of Peace' is such a good opener, the vocals and drums are really something and feel as though they should build into something amazing. 'Forever' is very different, and whilst by it's by no means bad (it's very soothing actually) I would have very happily have listened to six minutes of 'Cry of Peace' to cement my +18 even more (it's managed to fall below both the +13 and +15 of the contest now sadly)

 

21/30: W. H. Lung - Second Death of My Face

(BJSC 132 - Utopia - +13)

 

Why did his face die the first time? Who's Stephanie? What's his vision? Is W. H. Lung in any way related to Francis Lung? Lots of questions I may never know the answer to, but what I do know is that every time I come back to this song I end up enjoying it a lot more than I expect to. A mix of synths, guitars, drums and stellar vocals really bring this track to life and sticks it right back in my head.

Usually I'm 100% lazy to comment, BUT I do love this thread and follow it religiously.

 

Why I do comment now is to say thanks for mentioning LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER's 'Stupid Me' - I loved 'Desperado Vespa' and now I'm in love again, what a fantastic song :wub:

 

Thanks again! :heart:

 

BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

20/30: SICKOTOY x INNA x TAG - VKTM

(BJSC 128 - Botanikka - +15)

 

A second SICKOTOY entry now, this is a smashing dance tune and one I had in my head during a very rainy trip to Bath (probably not the best thing for a song to remind you of!) I think the production of this one is done a lot better than Papa, for me the lyrics are a not really my thing which is the one fault I have with the song.

 

19/30: Hyphen Hyphen - Like Boys

(BJSC 128 - Numayania - +13)

 

The lead singer of this band doesn't like boys, which is a bit of a worry since the rest of her band are male. As for the song itself, she has a fantastic screechy voice like an early Florence and the Machine (or someone else? I'm not completely sure who she reminds me of) with enough of a European feel to make it an interesting enough song to give high points to.

 

18/30: Temples - Paraphernalia

(BJSC 129 - Utopia - +15)

 

I suppose this is a bit more of a 'generic indie' track than most of the other ones I've pointed, which makes me a tad surprised it made the Final! It doesn't have as much of a kick to it which has probably cost it a few places here, but it's still a very good song with good vocals and a good production!

 

17/30: Arwelone - Strange Symmetry (ft. High Fantasy)

(BJSC 137 - Aelandor - +18)

 

Apparently Arwelone is from Ukraine :o I wonder whether I've ever pointed an act from Ukraine before? I just heard synths and assumed 'America' to be honest but yay for diversity *.* This definitely could continue to grow on me over time but with the recency of the contest it's made its appearance here. Definitely the standout of 137 by quite a way, synths can be incredibly bland but this one was done in such a good way. A few too many women in bikinis for my liking though!

 

16/30: Yeah But No - Run Run Run

(BJSC 136 - Rolloland - +15)

 

Some more indie with high-pitched vocals here (why does Buzzjack go for high-pitched vocals so much? I guess we'll never know). This one is a bit more synth-heavy though, although in a completely different way to Arwelone, but the combination of the vocals and the synth backing brings something that is quite terrific.

Usually I'm 100% lazy to comment, BUT I do love this thread and follow it religiously.

 

Why I do comment now is to say thanks for mentioning LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER's 'Stupid Me' - I loved 'Desperado Vespa' and now I'm in love again, what a fantastic song :wub:

 

Thanks again! :heart:

Glad you've been enjoying the thread - Stupid Me really is a gem isn't it :wub: So glad I looked up his new music again as it really is one of the best songs of recent times. Thanks Frank!

Apparently Arwelone is from Ukraine :o I wonder whether I've ever pointed an act from Ukraine before?

 

I can confirm you gave 1 point to my BJSC 112 entry ;)

 

Papa & The Otherside my personal faves from this page!

BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

15/30: Genoux Vener - Grand Coeur de Pierre

(BJSC 133 - Jadakissnia - +13)

 

Grand Coeur de Pierre, in English 'big heart of Peter' :heart: (or 'big heart of stone' according to Google Translate, didn't realise the literal meaning and the name were the same word in French!) Unfortunately I can't find any lyrics anywhere and my GCSE French doesn't go far enough to decode the entire song. What I do know however is that it's a great song, maybe not as punchy as some of the others but definitely a slow-burner as it spent its fair share of time in the lower realms of my Personal Chart.

 

14/30: Ruben - Running

(BJSC 135 - Mosquetania - +13)

 

I did know this song before it was entered but it's a great song so absolutely no problem with giving it lots of points here. Ruben seems to have quite a repertoire of sounds and I think this was the darkest-sounding of the lot but done in a brilliant way. The first part of the chorus in particular where the vocals and the beat seem to weave in and out of each other grabs me every time.

 

13/30: Buffy Sainte-Marie & Tanya Tagaq - You've Got To Run (Spirit Of The Wind)

(BJSC 133 - Singerpurear - +15)

 

Oh we do like a native Canadian and a throat singer collaborating on a song don't we! It does produce such a good sound though, Buffy's vocals are really good, the guitar really works and the throat-singing adds a nice world-music element to it. Definitely an earworm as well and that hasn't changed since the end of the contest!

 

12/30: Samuel & Francesca Michielin - Cinema

(BJSC 136 - Vulkyria - +13)

 

Confusingly Samuel & Francesca Michielin aren't a married couple, Samuel just doesn't seem to want to add a surname to his stage name. This is Euro-pop at its best, a really unique sound, two vocals that contrast each other really well and a drop which just tops the whole thing off perfectly. The music video is a tad weird though!

 

11/30: DREAMDNVR & Boy In Space - PSYCHO

(BJSC 131 - The Actual Republic of Bellamia - +15)

 

This is one of the songs that sounded a lot better going back to it than I'd remembered. Of course I'd really enjoyed Boy In Space's 'Caroline' but this is yet another good entry from him. When I listened to the semi-final I was only half paying attention so didn't really even notice it was the same act, all I really paid attention to was that it was better than the first two songs :P But his voice works just as well on a darker-sounding song as well.

I can confirm you gave 1 point to my BJSC 112 entry ;)

 

Papa & The Otherside my personal faves from this page!

Ah nice - re-familiarising my self, it sounds... vaguely familiar? Doesn't sound like something you'd send but still quite nice! Thanks Dobbo ^_^

It was indeed a bit of a departure from our usual 'style' I suppose but I like throw in the odd curveball from time to time.

BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

10/30: Polo & Pan - Dorothy

(BJSC 134 - Botanikka - +18)

 

It looks like it's spinning round :o This is absolutely wacky and out there, a fun paradise-y song for the first half turning into something which you might expect in a horror film in the second (and don't get me started about the music video :lol:) but I think it's that wackyness that gave it the +18 and kept me attracted beyond the contest (it's a mammoth 15 places higher than anything else from 134!) It's definitely way out there compared to anything else I've pointed.

 

9/30: Mimi Webb - Before I Go

(BJSC 128 - St. Burbia - +18)

 

Who knew Mimi Webb would become a household name merely months after this entry? This, along with I'll Break My Heart Again, are still my two favourites from her by quite a stretch. This is a lovely little ballad, her voice is fantastic as she's not trying to have a generic pop voice and that really adds to her charm. The music video is directed very well as well.

 

8/30: Larkins - TV Dream

(BJSC 132 - Oslol - +18)

 

This grew on me during the contest (partially because my Top 2 in the semi got booted off leaving us with this), as you can tell I love a passionate shouty pop voice and this ticks that box very much so, alongside lots of great synths and a very 1975-sound overall. It's a real earworm and made me very excited to hear more from them, 'This is Gonna Hurt' is in my Personal Chart now which I'm also enjoying!

 

7/30: Perry Farrell - Let's All Pray For This World (UNKLE Reconstruction)

(BJSC 131 - Rolloland - +18)

 

I'm not sure whether Perry Farrell is a Christian or not but I'm perfectly happy ranking this song as it very much respects the power of prayer and is using it for all the right reasons. A second appearance for UNKLE as well on a long track which thankfully had a radio edit I could put on my playlist, I don't know the original for this but the dance beat added to it really puts another dimension in as well! And the harmonies in the chorus are fab as well.

Wow, 'Before I Go' was from 128?? So only a year ago, it feels like much longer ago than that for some reason. I agree it's probably still her best song that I've heard.

BJSC 128-137

 

Medallist Ranking

 

6/30: YDE - BlindLife

(BJSC 131 - Scherzland - +13)

 

One of the songs that grew on me the most following its appearance, this is an incredibly funky indie-pop track with a really chilled out vibe that doesn't get any more shouty than it needs to, good lyrics that link into each other in a way I can't really describe but makes me like it even more, and of course a few cat noises don't go amiss either!

 

5/30: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Intrasport

(BJSC 130 - Trifoski - +15)

 

From one Australian act to another! I'm utterly amazed this made the Final but not complaining in any way, it brings some quirky diversity to the contest with lots of wah-wah sounds and an incredibly creepy music video. I mean I'd rather tham not be singing about killing people but you can't win every battle I guess!

 

4/30: Rat City - Rather Be (ft. Isak Heim)

(BJSC 136 - Bhangra - +18)

 

I loved Kind of Love so was very happy to see Rat City back on the list for another edition! This didn't disappoint either, whilst I wasn't really a fan of the Kiesza song this was back to almost their best, very funky with vocals which really go with this sort of music. Not completely up to the level of Kind of Love for me but I'd still happily listen to this all day long!

So many amazing tracks in here! What About My Love has become one of my top songs of the year, The Otherside is one of the best country songs I've heard in a while, Papa & VKTM are both solid bangers, Before I Go flew past me when it was presented in BJSC but later fell in love with it (and Mimi), obviously Ruben was mine and what an amazing song it is, Cinema became an instant hit for me as well, Rather Be has become one of my songs of the summer and I did not really notice BlindLife during its BJSC but suddenly found it again a few months later and became obsessed!

 

Excited to see who made the top 3!

BJSC 128-137

 

Top 3 - Finalists (alphabetical order)

 

(Commentaries for these songs will come during the final ranking!)

 

grandson - Dirty

(BJSC 130 - Why So Sirius - +18)

 

 

Lucia & The Best Boys - Perfectly Untrue

(BJSC 129 - Singerpurear - +18)

 

 

Self Esteem - I Do This All The Time

(BJSC 135 - FSR Rontvia - +18)

 

Wow, 'Before I Go' was from 128?? So only a year ago, it feels like much longer ago than that for some reason. I agree it's probably still her best song that I've heard.

Yep! I guess the fact she's sort-of become an overnight superstar makes it feel like it's been longer since she was a relatively unknown act. Thanks Jordan!

 

So many amazing tracks in here! What About My Love has become one of my top songs of the year, The Otherside is one of the best country songs I've heard in a while, Papa & VKTM are both solid bangers, Before I Go flew past me when it was presented in BJSC but later fell in love with it (and Mimi), obviously Ruben was mine and what an amazing song it is, Cinema became an instant hit for me as well, Rather Be has become one of my songs of the summer and I did not really notice BlindLife during its BJSC but suddenly found it again a few months later and became obsessed!

 

Excited to see who made the top 3!

That really is a lot of songs we've got crossing over there! Glad you're a fan of all these (even if some of them passed you by on first listen), thanks Jafet ^_^

Dirty!! <3

Final Ranking

 

15: Vigiland - Friday Night

(BJSC 95 - Tinnmark - +13)

 

Now last in the Final is a weird place to be in, it's like saying 'congratulations, you were the worst of the best of the best, take a bow'. Anyway, this remains the only BJSC finalist to top my own Personal Chart as a direct response to its entry here (of course 'Thumbs' and 'Ginger' did before their appearances, and 'Day & Age' did also but as a DNQ :(). This was an anthem for me at the time though, with the whole theme of still being able to be able to be popular despite being 'nerdy' which really resonated with me at the time. Now not so much (it's a little cringy maybe?) but I have to give credit where its due for how much I loved this song at the time, and of course it still sounds great now!

 

14: LP - Girls Go Wild

(BJSC 109 - Flynnonda - +18)

 

Amazingly Girls Go Wild is the only song by an American to make it into my Top 15! Call me diverse or what. LP is one of those artists I've never gone out of my way to listen to but every time I've listened to her music I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I think the guitar taking a lead role in this really gives it its character, plus the chorus is done in a way which is incredibly earworm-y and catchy. And her cool croaky voice is something the rest of us can only dream of!

 

13: Self Esteem - I Do This All The Time

(BJSC 135 - FSR Rontvia - +18)

 

This was only the second time I had heard of Self Esteem - the first time was a feature on Django Django's 'Surface to Air' so I was sort-of expecting something similar when I saw her name pop up here, so for this to come out as a Kate Tempest/George Pringle-esque 'talking over an instrumental background' it shocked me a bit. Thankfully nowadays I listen to all the songs more that once, and by the end of the week it was a clear winner in its contest. The gospel-esque chorus is done in such a good, uplifting way, and the spoken verses have some incredible lyrics ('don't be intimidated by all the babies they have, don't be embarrased that all you've had is fun' is a personal favourite) making a song that I've been so happy to come back to again and again. Her other new songs haven't grabbed me as much but that doesn't take anything away from how much I enjoy this one!

Final Ranking

 

12: My Indigo - My Indigo

(BJSC 101 - Avalonia - +15)

 

After watching this video the first time it's always a struggle watching it through again knowing how it ends! My Indigo was a solo project from a member of Within Temptation (quite a change of style!) but after this single seemed to vanish completely. This is a fantastic song though, I'd known it before BJSC but it reached a new peak following its appearance. The multiple voices in the post-chorus is really what makes it for me, just the sort of indie-pop track I can absolutely get on board with.

 

11: grandson - Dirty

(BJSC 130 - Why So Sirius - +18)

 

Of course grandson won the one contest I hosted many years ago, but I definitely enjoy this one a lot more, it's got a bit more flavour to it than just being a generic rock song with a message. The drop isn't as good as the rest of the song for me although the way the melodies all seem to weave into each other, plus all the bizarre dancing in the music video really makes this one to remember! And I think the guy who goes by the name of grandson plays all the characters as well? A very well-rounded performer!

 

10: Hawa Boussim - Koregore

(BJSC 113 - Lotunia - +18)

 

Who knew an act from Burkina Faso would finish higher in this countdown than any Americans *.* I believe this is the first and only African act I've given my top points to but it's absolutely worth it, when this type of music is done well it's something to die for and this is absolutely an example of this. Of course me giving it my +12 in the Semi-Final kicked my own track out of it but I can't have imagined the final without this track in it so very much worth it ;)

Final Ranking

 

9: Chromeo - Jealous (I Ain't With It)

(BJSC 100 - Trifoski - +18)

 

I knew this song back when it came out - back in early 2014, when I wasn't really into music and the charts at all. I think I heard it on Radio 2 and proceeded to add it to my playlist. It's definitely a lot faster than I remember it but it's one of those songs that is qute timeless, I would have enjoyed it just as much if I'd discovered it from this contest as I do now. Lots of wail-y guitars, synths and his vocals remain great as well! The music video is, as always for Chromeo, a bit strange with him seemingly presiding over a bunch of weddings before running away with one of the bride-to-bes.

 

8: Cerrone - The Impact

(BJSC 119 - Espen - +18)

 

This was the first time ever that an entry I attempted to send was sent by another country, made even more annoying by the fact I'd spent a whole Sunday evening searching for the perfect entry only for it to have been taken already! I was very happy to help it secure its Top 10 placing however with a set of full marks. A nearly-entire instrumental, the key-changing piano chords throughout really are something special and it's topped off perfectly by the haunting spoken word with a very stark warning about the environment. It's not up there with the absolutely best but it still stands up incredibly well (and I still wish I'd sent it!)

 

7: Nemo Schiffman - I Don't Mind

(BJSC 91 - TARO Bellamia - +18)

 

I managed to make this one a success in the YouTube chartster community back in 2016, which I will forever be pleased about ^_^ This is a rare example of a pop song that is done so well that I don't have any qualms whatsoever with being a fan, the puchy beat in the pre-chorus in particular is the section that really makes me sit up and pay attention. I wish he had released more music after this as this was, and still is, fantastic!