Congrats Jade! You were just outside my points and the best of the top 3 in my opinion.

While it's a shame Harmonica faded somewhar who I was rooting for as I don't often send points their way, I'm glad that Aeroche and N DNTN did eventually climb up to OK spots as they were both unexplainably at the bottom. I was also down there which didn't surpise me - 13th is far better than I expected!

okay time to review this now that i'm back from work

I was predicting that East Rukh would finally see the top 5 and I'm really glad that this came true, it sounded like something that would grab those who don't usually partake in the side quest contests like PFSC, etc. ❤️ also a lot of my big favorites ended up managing top half if not top 10 despite slow starts, it was pretty agonizing seeing N DNTN and Taahino lounge around the bottom slots before taking off at the end 😮‍💨 Aeroche and Klum Rep disappointingly low even if they're top half, Rontvia was dune dirty, and I wasn't expecting Isabella to get hit by the AQ curse, I definitely thought that it was gonna do randomly well like most other Nelionoir entries this year 😔

I had a feeling I was being overhyped so I lowered expectations to just being in the top 10 so glad I got that, 4 top 10's this year is as much as I had gotten in the two years before this so really working through the redemption tour 😝 it was gonna be a position that I hadn't seen in years but y'all robbed me of that so I expect reparations in the next few contests x

thanks to blacksquare for the fantastic hosting and thanks to everyone who voted for Zanias! now I need to plan for the next two contests so I can wrap the year up with 100 career qualifiers 🤔

also I wanna say that these past few contests have really been rejuvenating my love for BJSC, maybe it's bc I've been traveling a lot more often this year on specific weekends but I've been really getting into the songs more and making a lot of good discoveries. had a plane ride during 176, road trip during 177, and this contest I was on a cruise...

moral of the story: vacation time helps with the song listening process, especially when you need something to help tune out the plane or car rides 😝

now watch me dnq next contest and all of this will get erased

Well done Jade. Great entry. Also really pleased for East Rukahavian for getting a top 5, had actually checked that song prior the contest in some playlist. Glad to see this pay off massively and thanks for the 18 *.

I voted for 7 of the top 10 so very in sync this month with my voting but aw at my 18 missing out, that's a shame, nonetheless fab entry Dan! Would have liked Mothetopia up a little higher.

Thanks for hosting blackquare. Fantastic presenting which included the creative touch with those video reveals for the semis!

Congrats Jade! Time will tell whether this one becomes my favorite Jadakissnia winner over 'A Never-Ending Dream'.

Also congrats to New Lexico with a fabulous runner-up, I swapped it from my 18 to my 15 at the last minute so I'm relieved that didn't end up changing the outcome. And congrats East Rukahavian, so happy for you getting your first top 5!

Thanks Cheiron for sending 'Pink Champagne', loved giving Sophie an 18 six or seven years after sending her myself

Justice for Mothertopia, Flynnonda, Persephonia, and especially Aelandor who I can't believe was anywhere near bottom 2 😵

I dropped quite a bit from 2nd place on an early scoreboard but am still proud to be 19th. I went on hiatus because most of my entries last year were very half-hearted and that took a lot of fun out of it for me. As soon as I heard 'Another Day' I knew it was exactly the song I needed to come back with; I knew it would stand out in the best way and the high points from so many countries fulfilled that completely. Thanks everyone for embracing my comeback and I'm excited to switch it up again next month!

I thanked you already but thanks again blacksquare, everything was terrific and I'm sorry to hear you didn't enjoy hosting 😧

So I did go through a phase of deluding myself that I had a big hit on my hands and then quickly tempering that as the contest went on with little fanfare as I quite often do but even after that I am feeling a little bit baffled at AKRIILA coming last oops - like with my last couple of entries the genre switchup did have some limited success in picking up points from some countries that don't often vote for me (getting a medal from République d'Áskorza is a nice thing to tick off the bucket list after 16 years of co-participation, and these were my first points from both them and Hendinia for at least 3 years!) but again clearly losing too much from the people who usually support me to make it worth it, I honestly did not anticipate that being so much of a problem with this entry but I clearly massively overestimated its appeal, it didn't even make it onto many commiseration lists oops. I suppose I am just more grateful now that it didn't give me a DNQ streak as it had an extremely lucky draw - 9 of the 13 people who voted for it in the final were also voting in my semi (and all 9 also voted for it there along with Cumulonimbia), and of the remaining 4, 3 of them were only 2 or 3 points, République d'Áskorza were literally the only country from semi 1 to give more than 3 points to it eek!

Ah well, silver linings... 42 is a favourite number for me (Douglas Adams' impakt) so it's fun to have been 42nd in both the running order and the results I suppose and I am zipping up the list of countries with the most final wooden spoons, this is my 3rd in the last 12 contests and my 5th overall which ties me with Greenfroze, East Rukahavian are the only country who have more (7). Coming for your flop weave Mack x Also kind of iconic to be have #jadaphonia bookending the final scoreboard. Thanks again to the few who did throw some points my way anyways, particularly Pestolia who have been continuing to be a heavy donor to our struggling charity cause the last few months, giving a silver medal to all of our last 3 finalists (and double figure points to all of our last 6...!)

I had a couple of other songs from AKRIILA's album on repeat for a while when deliberating on my entry for this contest so I do wonder if either of these might have done a bit better. They are both longer which might have helped, I did kind of feel during the listenthroughs that listening to my song just the once doesn't quite deliver the same impact as putting it on loop as I had been doing it after first finding it! (I have sent the first of these two over on PopJustice so will keep my fingers crossed to not have a double wooden spoon on my hands this month :'))

Rambling/sulking about my own result aside... this is a third winner in a row that I've ranked in the mid teens (4/8 winners this year in all so far have ranked between 16th and 18th for me), I can definitely see why it won even if I can't see it ever being one I'd consider a Jadakissnia essential by their high standards, certainly hyped for another Jadakissnia hosted contest anyhoo *.* I had been thinking POPHub would pip them to the post and I guess that prediction wasn't far off, very happy to see that grabbing a medal as well as of course East Rukahavian FINALLY getting a well deserved top 5 hit - they did indeed have the record for most entries without a top 5 by a very long way (this is their 125th entry, the next most is N-Lazone with only 45 entries!) They still continue to have the record for most entries without a top 3 finish, ahead of Bignia-Zaragovina and Rolloland on 71 entries each. But baby steps x The only other one in the top 10 I voted for was Cor Lupus who finished pretty much around where I expected them to, was thinking it was a likely top 10 but probably not quite a winner contender. Hendinia and Kathaldazia are both gooduns as well though.

Was hoping Bronzil might be able to follow FSR's double top 10 success with the dark Turkish entries but not quite, still happy to see them get a better result than their last few entries at least, and it's a 3rd 18 in the space of 4 contests from me to Turkish entries! Also a nice result for Skall and not too bad for Pestolia (even if they did slip a bit from being top 10 at one point). Unfortunately a lot of my other favourites found themselves quite low down the scoreboard - Terra Avium, Séyetana, Jupiterdonia, Elëdan and Flynnonda all robbed, as well as Pagasa but that of course being mostly self-inflicted (:'( dhwe pulling a dhwe with one of his best entries). At least that low result for Elëdan is telling me I'd probably have been flopping this month regardless of if I switched my entry from my original techno instrumental or not oop. Will still hold it in the reserves for a future contest so I hope y'all will be more in the mood for it by then x

Final fun observations - I notice New Lexico were the semi winner and projected final winner even after a 15% deduction... and N DNTN's return entry (152chris for those who haven't memorised the usernames of each country x) getting exactly 152 points

Thanks blacksquare for the hosting again, it was fabulous once again. I'm sad to hear that you were still struggling with it, I did remember you having a bit of a mare with it the first time around but I was under the impression you were getting along better this time as it all looked pretty seamless as an observer but I guess you had just been directing your complaints to uhsting instead of me this time oop x Will be sad to be without Neliönoir if you are going to be taking a break now, don't be gone for too long pls :'(

And here's a late night YTD update for you all to wake up to x

Neliönoir stay in the lead by a reduced margin of 90 points for now, but if they do indeed take a break now the door is wide open for Danæviia to overtake. Jadakissnia's win moves them up to the podium 85 points behind, swapping places with Kluminican Republic. Cor Lupus tumble down 0 places to 5th. Hendinia and Fljótavík both move up within the top 10 while Kathaldazia and Greenfroze jump into it, as Bøtanikkä and Ajanaeda's DNQs both prove costly (though the former are still in touching distance of the top 10 despite this being a second DNQ in a row).

I continue my march downwards another 5 places and the dream of a return to the EOY top 20 slips further out of reach, sadge x

1 1 1686 Neliönoir

2 2 1596 Danæviia

3 4 1511 Jadakissnia

4 3 1437 Kluminican Republic

5 5 1421 Cor Lupus

6 8 1372 Hendinia

7 7 1356 Aeroche

8 9 1336 Fljótavík

9 14 1253 Kathaldazia

10 12 1239 Greenfroze

11 13 1238 Skall

12 11 1231 FSR Rontvia

13 15 1221 Altyr Muunilinst

14 6 1211 Bøtanikkä

15 18 1170 FARC

16 10 1168 Ajanaeda

17 19 1135 République d'Áskorza

18 21 1127 Land of DW

19 25 1097 POPHub

20 22 1087 Bronzil

21 16 1030 Cumulonimbia

22 17 1026 Aesthetica

23 26 1006 Lotunia

24 33 1002 New Lexico

25 27 985 Terra Avium

26 20 982 Why So Sirius

27 28 976 Pestolia

28 23 968 Persephonia

29 32 945 Zanmatony

30 29 920 Séyetana

31 24 881 Trifoski

32 34 841 Mothertopia

33 37 810 Taahino

34 36 769 Elëdan

35 30 763 Baleghde

36 31 759 Macromia

37 35 732 Lookylion

38 41 649 Cheiron

39 39 623 Aelandor

40 40 601 Scotland 2

41 42 558 Herbilore

42 44 556 Dobago

43 38 536 Thelonia

44 46 512 Jupiterdonia

45 47 508 The Spodic Empire

46 50 473 Summericia

47 43 436 A-Konohagakure

48 45 418 Hinterlandia

49 48 387 Ben's Sanctuary

50 52 357 Flynnonda

51 49 351 Yehesi

52 63 299 East Rukahavian

53 51 288 Hushkanukia

54 53 229 Singerpurear

55 54 190 Utopia

56 55 164 Beaverdonia

57 56 157 Kylienips

58 ** 152 N DNTN

59 ** 148 Harmonica

60 57 141 Oslol

61 58 121 Ojnoj

62 59 120 Sandénia

63 ** 117 Deandria

64 60 114 Niceland

65 61 106 Ultraviolenceland

66 62 97 Palmyra

67 ** 94 Pagasa

68 64 83 Conoria

69 65 63 Suedeonia

And #triplepost... another quick snapshot of the rolling YTD top 30 (BJSCs 169-178) as, for the second time in the last 3 contests, we have another first time #1!

1 2002 Neliönoir

2 1974 Danæviia

3 1882 Aeroche

4 1820 Kluminican Republic

5 1794 Hendinia

6 1764 Cor Lupus

7 1710 Altyr Muunilinst

8 1705 Jadakissnia

9 1700 Fljótavík

10 1694 Kathaldazia

11 1601 Bøtanikkä

12 1580 Skall

13 1570 Greenfroze

14 1557 Ajanaeda

15 1463 Land of DW

16 1463 FSR Rontvia

17 1444 République d'Áskorza

18 1424 POPHub

19 1381 Terra Avium

20 1330 Why So Sirius

21 1322 FARC

22 1314 Cumulonimbia

23 1305 Trifoski

24 1222 Bronzil

25 1218 New Lexico

26 1130 Mothertopia

27 1104 Lotunia

28 1092 Séyetana

29 1085 Taahino

30 1075 Persephonia

Neliönoir rose to a new peak of #2 last month and now rise to #1, two months after Bøtanikkä hit #1 for the first time (though they've now fallen 1-5-11 since then whoops). Danæviia have also yet to be #1 on this (returning to their peak of #2 this month) so we could very well have a third new leader in quick succession very soon. Kluminican Republic, Cor Lupus and Jadakissnia perhaps also all in contention to hit the top spot for the first time in the near future. Neliönoir are the 21st different country to hit #1, 18th excluding a few that were only leading in updates prior to BJSC 10 (i.e. without a full 10 contests of data).

(also I've re-entered the top 30 after being outside in the last 3 updates, yay xo)

Well done Jade! When there were only 3 entries sat in the confirmation spreadsheet, I immediately messaged Jade to tell her she was on to a good one with 808 HYMN and sure enough, I was right! An immediately obvious hit to my ears and a deserved winner. My 18 too ❤️ I guess I could feel a little miffed at myself for not confirming it as I strongly considered but I definitely went with my unknown favourite song of the moment and its success feels rewarding all the same.

Thrilled to have got my first top 5 of the year and that the odds were pretty much bang on! And the top 10 as a whole is a huge reminder that you could study BJSC for your whole life and you simply cannot predict the outcome. It felt like dance/alt was becoming dominant and then this contest, it’s completely pop heavy. I’d ruled Cheiron and Altyr out because similar entries had missed top 20 recently but here they are smashing and I’m delighted to see it.

Loved the hosting as ever Mr Square, sorry that it’s taken such a toll on you though and I hope you can detox now and not have to think about it. Would be a shame for you to pull out completely though given how you’ve dominated 2025.

There’s probably a lot more I could comment on but I’ve just finished the shift from hell so I’m feeling selfish, thank you for anyone who sent votes to samxemma!!!

8 hours ago, uhsting said:

y'all doing herbilore and pagasa dirty

Tbh did myself dirty by not voting in a timely manner knowing I had a wedding to prepare for/go to today (and I can’t even use THAT as an excuse seeing as herbs literally was also at a wedding today)

Huge congrats to Jade! And a massive thanks and congrats to Blacksquare for a wonderful hosting job. It’s never easy to sit and tally up all the votes, and you go a bit crazy on week two. But the payoff is a smooth and immaculate final show.

Thanks especially for those who medaled 6,90€. We love you.

Persephonia were robbed x

Congrats Jade! <3 Just like 'A Neverending Dream', '808 HYMN' was one that I already knew and liked but never really considered sending to BJSC - you definitely have better ears for picking a winner!

I'm very happy with 17th, thanks Everyone for the points (especially the 18s 😍)! While 'RIPAHEART' isn't necessarily something I'd usually send, it clicked with me straight away and I'm glad that it found its fans!

Great hosting, Blacksquare, as always!

Oops fell to 9th in the end but I’ll take it! My second top 10 placing ever.

I fell down a rabbit hole last night listening to songs by a certain artist when looking for ideas for next month… I did a search this morning to see if they’d been sent before as I felt I recognised the artist, only to get the result that it would be a Jadakissnia recycle from years ago so maybe it’s an omen!

I think that’s a unique finish position for me - now I need to find what will hopefully be my record breaking third consecutive qualifier!

Early spoilers lol but I will be sending a psychedelic folk song from the 1970s, which will surely be my oldest entry. It captures a side of my taste that I haven't really documented in BJSC.

And since I'm such a decisive and ambitious person, I also know what I'll be sending to the one after that. I just want to get these two entries sent and then after that it's more open. 😊

Congrats Jade! It definitely sounded like something that would appeal widely and had a great dose of drama and atmosphere that always elevates pop songs. I'm pleased I was able to vote for it this time after two rare snubs to Jadakissnia in a row. Hooray as well for this breaking the winner with a previous top 10 stranglehold we seem to have (still a recycle but halfway there x)

Fantastic to see East Rukahavian in the top 5, that's my favourite discovery from this month in one where there was a lot of them. POPHub, Kathaldazia and Cor Lupus are also good additions, though I'd have liked to have seen Bronzil and Danaeviia there too. Harmonica doing that well is a pleasant surprise, a really beautiful song I was unsure would even qualify! Pagasa that low is sad, but to be expected with the deduction :'(

Like last month, I was pleasantly surprised to have qualified at all here so around the same placing feels right, I'm more annoyed I've again just missed 25th, what do I have to do to get a full set of 10 finishing positions! I always try to be diverse in BJSC, but hip hop/rap has always evaded me so I'm pleased I can finally put that right as I think Kids of the Apocalypse way back in 2016 was the last time I sent anything vaguely in that genre. I'm pleased it got several high marks as well, many thanks to Kath, Mack, Bre, Iz, Lex and anyone else I missed! I will take being the highest rap entry too B-) (sorry for not returning the votes to either of you though, strong contest x). Pleased I seem to be making up ground in the EOY too after a poor start, I'm hoping I can leave this year with just the two DNQs, would still be one of my better ones and I do have a few (slightly cheap, sorry) potentials for next time so hopefully not.

Thank you for the excellent hosting blacksquare, although how dare you expose my image faux-pas ruining my otherwise perfectly formed Twin Peaks not at all ChatGPT assisted votes! 😬 (what is up with this PM system where it doesn't delete an image from a PM after you remove it, is there a workaround? Grr x)

I honestly don’t know why that happens to you Chez, I swear it doesn’t happen to everyone! I laughed at blacksquare posting it several times after I knew the same thing had happened last month as well with your overload of images 😂

just catching up ! have to say i expected better for Marged coming into this, but 16th on a first try after so long out of the game isn’t too bad i guess hehe.

and yes sorry jade! i kinda rushed my semi voted and Erin was an instant hit but really slid down my ranking during the final :( was only just outside my votes tho lol

Congrats Jade! First winner of yours I wasn't a fan of though this time.

Not complaining at the results in general though with 5 of my top 6 all finishing in the top 10.

A very different outcome for us than the norm with many low point votes, was nice to see a few countries that seldom vote for us do so!