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