1 hour ago, jimwatts said:

On paper the semi draw has not been kind to it - in my past 4 finals I've received 160 points from nations in this semi compared to 257 (60% more) in the opposite one

This is wild. I would have a meltdown if I tracked stats like this



SF1 must be pop-heavy? It's hopefully a benefit, so you should stand out in a semi like that 🖤

19 minutes ago, blacksquare said:

This is wild. I would have a meltdown if I tracked stats like this



SF1 must be pop-heavy? It's hopefully a benefit, so you should stand out in a semi like that 🖤

Think I already have as I've got everyone's votes I received in a spreadsheet, it doesn't take long to sum them and lookup against who's in each semi. First time I've felt compelled to do it though.

Haven't heard any other songs in my semi yet but I hope you're right.

BJSC 182

Binzatina - Implosion

Result: DNQ

 

(SF1: 26th, 29)

In a shocking turn of events, the majority of voters in SF1 who I didn't think would like my entry didn't vote for it, while a number of those in SF2 who I thought might like it said they would have given it points. This created some unwanted milestones - a first DNQ streak, one top 30 finish in the last 8 contests (when I managed 8 in a row not so long ago), and "DNQ" once again becomes my most common finishing position in all Buzzjack song contests with 7 occurrences, moving ahead of 2nd again. Meanwhile, my aforementioned favourite new song of 2026, which I had considered for this contest, took my 18 points and wound up in 3rd place.

Points given

18 | Kluminican Republic | Maya J'an - cul-de-sac

15 | FSR Rontvia | Niteworks - John Riley (feat. Beth Malcolm)

13 | Harmonica | MACE - espansione ✦

12 | Summericia | Kontravoid - Losing Game (feat. Chelsey Crowley)

11 | Freidland | Fright Years - Evil

10 | Pagasa | Mount Palomar - Little Fractures (feat. Pip Blom)

9 | Land of DW | L.A. Suzi - Csak Egy Tánc Volt Katie

8 | Persephonia | Band Of Horses - (Biding Time Is A) Boat To Row

7 | Yehesi | no na - work

6 | Altyr Muunilinst | Haute & Freddy - Dance The Pain Away

5 | Deandria | Project Pitchfork - Timekiller

4 | Juranabaijan | Esther Graf - darüber schlafen

3 | Danæviia | Qrion - Ice Palace

2 | Dalisska | R. Missing - Dear Contests

1 | FARC | A Thousand Mad Things - Wide Awake

BJSC 183

Cult Of Venus - Sinner

So it's come to this: my first self-recycle. As my previous Cult Of Venus entry was the one to start my current run of only one top 30 finish in the last 8 contests, it would be ideal for her also to bring that run to an end, as a redemption for her as well as me. I've had this as a potential since its release last June, and had an inkling it might have a little more appeal than 'Algorithm' had in BJSC...

...and as I'm late typing this up, I can already confirm it has qualified! So my first DNQ streak is over and my first final points of 2026 are on the way - how many, we shall see...

Welcome back to the finals Bronzil, it's where you belong! Great entry too.

BJSC 183

Cult Of Venus - Sinner

Result: 18th

 

Points received: 170 | voters: 24

15 | Zanmatony

13 | Ennea

13 | Hendinia

10 | FSR Rontvia

10 | Lookylion

10 | New Lexico

10 | Taahino

9 | Danæviia

8 | Ojnoj

8 | POPHub

8 | République d'Áskorza

7 | Baleghde

7 | Cheiron

6 | Ajanaeda

6 | Freidland

5 | Aelandor

5 | Jupiterdonia

5 | Juranabaijan

4 | Zephyra Continuum

3 | Cor Lupus

2 | Aeroche

2 | Greenfroze

2 | Mothertopia

2 | Pagasa

(SF1: 2nd, 94)

 

The return to the final was capped off with a top 20 finish, maintaining one of these every 3 contests on average, with 18th being the first such repeat position. For Cult Of Venus, this was an improvement on the 32nd finish for 'Algorithm' 8 contests earlier. Incredibly it had finished in second place in the semi final, my second entry to do so since I last had a top 10 hit in BJSC 174.

Points given

18 | Cumulonimbia | Grace Ives - Stupid Bitches

15 | Aeroche | KREZUS & Surreal_dvd - Skins

13 | Hendinia | Baby Jane - Starry Eyed

12 | The Spodic Empire | HALLOWS - Catalyst

11 | Lentyll | Blood Cultures - Emptylands

10 | Scotland 2 | NEW YORK - think of you

9 | Baleghde | Emilia - La_Playlist.mpeg

8 | FARC | sim0ne - freaky

7 | N DNTN | Art School Girlfriend - L.Y.A.T.T.

6 | Danæviia | Anna Von Hausswolff - Stardust

5 | Terra Avium | The Walkmen - The Rat

4 | POPHub | Emerson Azarian - Lucky Stars

3 | Skall | Two Shell - The Nightmare

2 | Jadakissnia | edeprss & Brinettte - BENGRAMO (feat. Tedzkril)

1 | Persephonia | Searows - Dearly Missed

BJSC 184

LUNA - Heavenly

After passing up a few current songs that already had some presence on Buzzjack, that's what I've gone for this time, as this is my favourite song of the moment - a sparkling synthy pop tune with a huge chorus. There is a music video as well, with a few breaks, if you like some drama to go with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXStzqA90-c

Must admit this song completely passed me by on first listen but it caught me on the second and now I can't get it out of my head. I'm banging the Bronzilian drum this contest!

BJSC 184

LUNA - Heavenly

Result: 7th

 

Points received: 242 | voters: 24

18 | Altyr Muunilinst

18 | Hendinia

18 | Herbilore

15 | New Lexico

15 | Zephyra Continuum

12 | Ajanaeda

12 | Dobago

12 | Harmonica

12 | Kluminican Republic

11 | Fljótavík

11 | Greenfroze

11 | Jupiterdonia

11 | Juranabaijan

10 | Aeroche

10 | Lookylion

9 | Bøtanikkä

8 | Ojnoj

7 | Ennea

6 | Cheiron

5 | Cor Lupus

4 | Skall

4 | Taahino

2 | FSR Rontvia

1 | Yehesi

(SF1: 3rd, 90)

 

A very pleasing return to the top 10 this time! My first entry to pick up more than two 18s since the 4 for MRD in BJSC 155, it's also the first at all to average more than 10 points per voter, and is my top or joint top pointed entry to date from 11 nations, the most of anything currently. A fairly polarising song, but most people who liked it seemed to love it!

Points given

18 | Ennea | KOMPROMAT - I LET MYSELF GO BLIND (feat. Vimala Pons & Sonia DeVille)

15 | Utopia | Brigitte Calls Me Baby - Slumber Party

13 | Persephonia | BRÄLLE - Callous Response

12 | Trifoski | Richard Dawson - Jogging

11 | Neliönoir | Tiffany Day - SAME LA

10 | Fljótavík | Wasia Project - 2515

9 | Land of DW | TEMMIS - Arterien

8 | A-Konohagakure | ZUTOMAYO - lowmotion algae

7 | Skall | Fort Romeau - U R My Love

6 | Freidland | Pegassi - MOAA

5 | Séyetana | miki - ça pik un peu quand même

4 | Altyr Muunilinst | Parade Of Planets - C'est Toi

3 | Zephyra Continuum | Charlotte MacInnes - Struck

2 | Elëdan | Jerobeam Fenderson & Hansi3D - Function

1 | Dobago | VASCHA - maddie ziegler

BJSC 185

Tiffany Day - DOIT4ME

Another artist on a few people's radar, Tiffany finished 8th in the previous contest, but I'd first heard of her beforehand when this song came up randomly on Spotify and I had to find out more. It's still my favourite track on her album HALO where it segues from the opening track, 'EVERYTHING I'VE EVER WANTED', and there is a video combining the two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afhy9n3e-uQ

'DOIT4ME' the smash that you are

Definitely the best track on the album. It was my original choice last month but I stubbornly wanted to send 'EVERYTHING I'VE EVER WANTED' with it for the delicious transition and then 'SAME LA' aged like milk for me within a week oop

BJSC 185

Tiffany Day - DOIT4ME

Result: 23rd

Points received: 151 | voters: 19

18 | Scotland 2

15 | N DNTN

13 | Land of DW

13 | Trifoski

11 | Cheiron

10 | Danæviia

9 | Altyr Muunilinst

9 | Cor Lupus

8 | Ajanaeda

8 | Kathaldazia

8 | République d'Áskorza

5 | Hendinia

5 | Jadakissnia

5 | Sovarasma

4 | Pestolia

4 | Yehesi

3 | Taahino

2 | Herbilore

1 | Aeroche

(SF1: 10th, 66)

 

Whether it was too soon for another Tiffany entry or it just didn't click as much, this doesn't even give me a third top 20 in a row which I've only managed once before. It still qualified comfortably and picked up some pleasing high scores, although less "cheap" pop entries I've considered in the past have fared much better.

Points given

18 | Jadakissnia | Liv Del Estal - CŒUR TITANE

15 | Sovarasma | oktobernatt - Rasa

13 | Aelandor | Close Control - Proximity

12 | Elëdan | Kane Parsons - The Algorithm Loves You

11 | The Spodic Empire | Public Service Broadcasting - Go!

10 | Bøtanikkä | Mike Oldfield & Maggie Reilly - To France

9 | Kathaldazia | horsegiirL - earth is turning

8 | Ennea | Boy Harsher - Pain

7 | Trifoski | Disko Warp - Less Than Three (Ricardo Autobahn Remix) (feat. Becky)

6 | East Rukahavian | Chalk - Longer

5 | Zephyra Continuum | Angie - Signorina

4 | Jupiterdonia | Ellysse Mason - Price You Pay

3 | Dobago | skaviński - addicted

2 | Summericia: Stella Bossi & Auk. - Poetry

1 | Land of DW | ANOTHER COUNTRY $$$$ - MOTH

Halfway through the year, time for an update, and following the World Cup tie-in BJSC Worldvision Spin Off contest whose results were announced last week, it's a big one!

After being randomly assigned the nation of Qatar, I didn't have huge hopes for the entry I later found, Dana Al Fardan - Indigo, but as the results were announced in the style of the cup competition, it progressed through the group stage, and all knockout ties, eventually triumphing in the final to become my only my second song contest victory on Buzzjack, and the first within the BJSC Forum!

This follows another three podium finishes in 2026 so far, after finishing 2nd (again) and 3rd in the year to date's editions of The Best Song Contest In The World... Ever! and 2nd in Bop Idol at the start of this month, completing a top 3 clean sweep in that particular contest. Altogether it takes me to 14 podium finishes, 21 in the top 5, and 31 in the top 10! My most frequent finishes are once again jointly 2nd(!) and DNQ (x) with 7 apiece.

11th | Retro 1 | Alphaville - Forever Young

13th | CB 21 | Tangerine Dream - Love On A Real Train

26th | BJSC 151 | Call Me Loop - Walls

2nd | Retro 2 | Orbital - P.E.T.R.O.L.

23rd | BJSC 152 | LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Time Is Not A Healer It’s A Fuel For Resentment

DNQ | BJSC 153 | Lanterns On The Lake - The Likes Of Us

7th | CB 23 | Freaks & Geeks, Veronica Bravo - Let Me Know

32nd | BJSC 154 | Sølv - Past Life

3rd | BJSC 155 | MRD - Last Dance

6th | Retro 3 | Blondie - X Offender

24th | UP XXXII | Artemas - Sink Or Swim

21st | BJSC 156 | Picture Parlour - Norwegian Wood

24th | CB 24 | VIZE, Leony, Niklas Dee feat. Tokio Hotel - Monsoon

DNQ | BJSC 157 | Samia - Honey

22nd | Spin Off 08/23 | Madame - ARANCIATA

4th | Retro 4 | Joy Division - She's Lost Control

4th | BJSC 158 | ACRAZE & Aviella - In A Dream

21st | Spin Off 10/23 | Subtrax - WFT

26th | PFSC XIV | Silly Boy Blue - Widow Dreams Forever

42nd | BJSC 159 | Mozey - Tell Me

16th | CB 25 | Broosnica - More Energy (More Passion)

17th | BJSC 160 | Chelsea Wolfe - Dusk

14th | Spin Off 12/23 | Fountains Of Wayne - I Want An Alien For Christmas

25th | PFSC Special #2 | ARXX - God Knows

7th | CB 26 | Prayer - Make Me Feel

18th | BJSC 161 | Metric - Days Of Oblivion

16th | Retro 5 | The Jesus & Mary Chain - Upside Down

4th | UP XXXIII | Calva Louise - Over The Threshold

11th | BJSC 162 | INXS - Don't Change

27th | BJSC 163 | Luca Eck - Chaos Reigns

29th | BJSC 164 | Otha - I'm on Top

3rd | Retro 6 | Manic Street Preachers - 4st 7lb

19th | PFSC XV | Gammer feat. RUNN - Roots

21st | BJSC 165 | Vintage Culture - Find A Way

1st | Bop Idol 1 | Phoenix - 1901

16th | BJSC 166 | Echoberyl - Weird Boy

21st | CB 28 | Audio Bullys - As We Step

13th | BJSC 167 | Jain - Nobody Knows

38th | BJSC 168 | Attractive Chaos - Words On A Letter

9th | Retro 7 | Air - Le soleil est près de moi

29th | BJSC 169 | No - Drive Faster

23rd | Nuggets | Swiss Portrait - Paralysed

3rd | Bop Idol 2 | Fleet Foxes - Mykonos

DNQ | BJSC 170 | Anthony McCaffrey - The Dark

19th | CB 29 | Laid Back - White Horse

8th | Retro 8 | Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Into My Arms

16th | PFSC Special #3 | Florrie - Kissing In The Cold

40th | BJSC 171 | Sleater-Kinney - Crusader (Special Interest Remix)

3rd | CB 30 | Oklou (feat. underscores) - harvest sky

2nd | BJSC 172 | GusGus (feat. Högni & Earth) - Breaking Down

6th | Bop Idol 3 | Madonna - Amazing

35th | BJSC 173 | Willow Kayne - Zenosyne

19th | Retro 9 | Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven

5th | BJSC 174 | MØ - Keep Møving

2nd | PFSC XVI | Yndling - As Fast As I Can

15th | UP XXXIIV | Dexndre - 100 wings

12th | CB 31 | Max Dean, Locky, Luke Dean - Curveball

32nd | BJSC 175 | Cult Of Venus - Algorithm

16th | Retro 10 | Young MC - Know How

5th | Bop Idol 4 | Ruti - Racing Cars

4th | Buzzfestivalen | LSR/CITY, Gareth Emery, Annabel - out of the sky

DNQ | BJSC 176 | Mirella - Timanttei

7th | Spin Off | Yndling - Monopoly

21st | PFSC XVII | LALA HAYDEN - beast

34th | BJSC 177 | Fazerdaze - Motorway

2nd | Nuggets XVIII | Just Mustard - POLLYANNA

25th | CB 32 | wokeman - RetroTech

12th | BJSC 178 | Yakima Jera - Dertlı Dolap

2nd | Retro 11 | Dschinghis Khan - Moskau

DNQ | BJSC 179 | Roxy Music - Do The Strand

14th | Bop Idol 5 | Cherry Ghost - Mathematics

11th | PFSC XVIII | Kim Wilde - Trail Of Destruction

38th | BJSC 180 | The Hellp - Live Forever

5th | CB 33 | TS7 & Katie May - Only One

10th | PFSC Special #4 | Haute & Freddy - Shy Girl

DNQ | BJSC 181 | KÄSSY - i-i-i

2nd | Retro 12 | Ministry - Revenge

10th | Bop Idol 6 | The White Stripes - Black Math

DNQ | BJSC 182 | Binzatina - Implosion

12th | UP XXXV | R. Missing - Ola Tremble

18th | CB 34 | Hallan - The Colline Gate

18th | BJSC 183 | Cult Of Venus - Sinner

7th | BJSC 184 | LUNA - Heavenly

3rd | Retro 13 | Mark 'Oh - Tears Don't Lie

23rd | BJSC 185 | Tiffany Day - DOIT4ME

2nd | Bop Idol 7 | Snow Patrol - Hands Open

1st | Spin Off | Dana Al Fardan - Indigo

Number of finishes by position:

1st | 2

2nd | 7

3rd | 5

4th | 4

5th | 3

6th | 2

7th | 4

8th | 1

9th | 1

10th | 2

11th | 3

12th | 3

13th | 2

14th | 2

15th | 1

16th | 5

17th | 1

18th | 3

19th | 3

20th | 0

21st | 5

22nd | 1

23rd | 3

24th | 2

25th | 2

26th | 2

27th | 1

28th | 0

29th | 2

30th | 0

31st | 0

32nd | 2

33rd | 0

34th | 1

35th | 1

36th | 0

37th | 0

38th | 2

39th | 0

40th | 1

41st | 0

42nd | 1

DNQ | 7

Top 5 finishes by contest:

Bop Idol: 1st + 2nd + 3rd + 5th

BJSC Spin Offs: 1st

Retro: 2nd + 2nd + 2nd + 3rd + 3rd + 4th

BJSC: 2nd + 3rd + 4th + 5th

Nuggets: 2nd

PFSC: 2nd

Club Bizarre: 3rd + 5th

Buzzfestivalen: 4th

Unknown Pleasures: 4th

(If the PFSC Specials count separately to PFSC, my highest in one of those is 10th)