I get you Herbs. I'm still trying to understand what works and what doesn't, and sometimes stuff I think would resonate with many ends up flopping, and vice versa. :kink: I think what I learnt in the past couple of editions is that just send stuff you really like and has some sort of appeal (e.g. a particular motif or instrumentation that stands out from the rest), but know that you will encounter many outliers. This contest is very diverse in terms of what does well, making a general formula to success rather unpredictable.

I get you Herbs. I'm still trying to understand what works and what doesn't, and sometimes stuff I think would resonate with many ends up flopping, and vice versa. :kink: I think what I learnt in the past couple of editions is that just send stuff you really like and has some sort of appeal (e.g. a particular motif or instrumentation that stands out from the rest), but know that you will encounter many outliers. This contest is very diverse in terms of what does well, making a general formula to success rather unpredictable.

 

Ok dokes

It sounds cliche but just send whatever song you like the most from your own discoveries without trying to second guess what's going to be popular that month because it does change month to month.

 

I think female vocalists have always been more popular but I don't think that's a trait specific to BuzzJack. I think the context of the contest has a lot to answer for as well, you're listening to 28, 41 songs consecutively in most cases so the more uptempo ones are bound to make more of an impact but that's not going to be a universal rule. I suppose running order will play a part too but then it depends on how people listen, sometimes ill shuffle the playlist or I'll listen in parts.

It sounds cliche but just send whatever song you like the most from your own discoveries without trying to second guess what's going to be popular that month because it does change month to month.

 

I think female vocalists have always been more popular but I don't think that's a trait specific to BuzzJack. I think the context of the contest has a lot to answer for as well, you're listening to 28, 41 songs consecutively in most cases so the more uptempo ones are bound to make more of an impact but that's not going to be a universal rule. I suppose running order will play a part too but then it depends on how people listen, sometimes ill shuffle the playlist or I'll listen in parts.

 

I agree with this, especially the first point. Send a song you really love, then either way at least you’re proud of your entry. I was very close to sending a song I didn’t really love but thought would do well in 168, but then thought if it DNQed I’d regret not sending a song I actually rate. :lol: (then I submitted a song I loved and it still DNQed )

I tried myself to send a song that sounded like a qualifier just two years ago on the brink of a DNQ streak and it failed, it's not a recipe for success. You can really never predict BJSC, there's so many genres that get sent and the semis are distributed randomly. There's no magic bullet, it really is best to just send what you love and see what happens. I can't really add anything to what's already been said in this thread, ultimately this is all a bit of a fun, I know very well how frustrating it is to DNQ and have a long streak, but the new music has kept me invested. If that's not a pull and if it is causing genuine upset or stress to anyone, then it is absolutely acceptable to take a step back.