Herbs

I am actually surprised Vengaboys struggled this round. Based on how people voted in the other categories, I’d have thought they’d survive with the out and out pop lovers vote…. I’m not surprised about Mackenzie, although I liked that song and it’s always nice to see an underdog do well. I did think HRVY and Damien Rice were appearing near the bottom a lot, but both had multiple votes near the top which has probably saved them Female category - I’m shocked that Jessie has done so well (thought she may have been at risk with a less obvious entry). I do not understand how Dido can win a spin off contest and then be at risk of elimination against 10 other songs but here we are….maybe this emphasises the power of the alternative vote in non-pop centric competitions?

Yeah genuinely think a former bop idol winner is in trouble - although think it will be Milica to go Not even sure Leona or Zara are safe either

Tragedy Justice for Heartbeat!

Also a question for the masses - why is Darin preferable to HRVY? At the moment I’m not seeing it - and the latter really seems to be struggling

Damien Rice - Woman Like A Man - knew this song from before. Have always enjoyed it, especially the ending section Lewis Capaldi - Forget Me - glad this was a hit for him. HRVY - 1 Day 2 Nights - great pop song. Don’t understand the hate (Calvin Harris) & Sam Smith - Promises - bit of an understated chorus but always enjoyed this Calvin Harris - Summer - good choice. His voice sounds great on it Mackenzy Mackay - I enjoyed this as a new discovery. Good to hear versatility from him - shame it looks like he’s going out (I defo feel like an alt voter in this competition sometimes!) Tom Grennan - love his voice on this, although it is a good album track at best for me Darin - liked this, although I really need more substance to his lyrics with future songs Sam Fender - another one that I liked but found largely forgettable Gary Numan - I Die You Die - an example of how I struggle with 80’s songs with heavy production Roosevelt - Take Me Back - I liked it when the lyrics kicked in but it took too long to get going

Found this one harder to rate as there's a batch of songs that give me similar vibes Sade - Your Love Is King - actually first came across this song because of Will Young's version for Bridge Jones: Edge of Reason soundtrack. Soulful, beautiful, just a great song for me Texas - I Don't Want A Lover - solid choice. Sharlene's voice sounds great on it and it's a bop Years & Years - All For You - a good pop song, the verse and bridge build nicely into the chorus, which feels elevated Vengaboys - 1999 (I Wanna Go Back) - is it a cheesy, unnecessary cover? Yes. Do I like it anyway? Yes Bananarama - Look On The Floor - liked this when it was first release, although found it didn't go past a few listens. That thought hasn't really changed for me Fontaines D.C - Jackie Down The Line - massively preferred this to their first entry. If the songs keep building like this they could become a fave of mine iamamiwhoami - Chasing Kites - Liked, especially the vocals, but found it slightly forgettable New Order - Age of Consent - don't think I'd ever heard this song before this week. Prefer to a lot of their songs that I know of. Nice build as the song progresses. Again though, wasn't bowled over by it Ultravox - The Voice - same as the last two songs. M83 - Kim & Jessie - same as the last three songs Depeche Mode - Ghosts Again - same as the last four songs, but more forgettable for me

Adele - Rolling In The Deep - absolute tune. Take me back to the time when this and 'Someone Like You' were released and she took over the world! Marina - Froot - actually not my fave song from this album, but a great slice of pop from Marina Agnes - Ego - superb chorus and great song all round Sophie Ellis Bextor - Me And My Imagination - Was nice listening to this again. I don't think it has as much re-playability as my top 3 but solid choice Leona Lewis - her voice soars and tbh I'd forgotten this song existed. Good choices to keep some of her big hitters for later Robyn - Hang With Me - good but I get bored of this song after a few listens Jessie Ware - If You're Never Gonna Move - interesting choice. can see it has a lot of fans. I like it but dont love it. Glad she has some big songs still to come Zara Larsson - Ain't My Fault - great verses and bridge. Chorus is just okay for me Kate Bush - The Man With The Child In His Eyes - her voice sounds amazing. The song I find so-so Dido - Take My Hand - it pains me to put Dido this low. I think I gave it 1pt in the previous contest it appeared in, but I prefer most of the other songs from the album. Milica Pavlovic - Crna Jutra - preferred this to her previous entry, but it is still last for me. Like that this artist is here to put a cat among the pigeons though

Misteeq

Duffy

Really hope my choice resonates this month It’s pop meets alt-lite (I think!)

Statement of intent from George. He won’t do what Norris did last year but would be nice to see him dominate the race and win tomorrow

I am tempted by this but cant justify the cost this month!

Wtaf Audi - take that many upgrades and go backwards..... both out in Q1

Personally I base it entirely on the song. It would feel like a hollow survival otherwise

You were robbed!

Yeah for me that’s a risk too much - there a lot of artists still with a killer song or two left and I’d be surprised if Vengaboys could beat those

Alpine: Gasly (Q, R) v Colapinto Aston Martin: Alonso (Q, R) v Stroll Audi: Bortoleto (Q) v Hulkenberg (R) Cadillac: Perez (Q, R) v Bottas Ferrari: Leclerc v Hamilton (Q, R) Haas: Ocon (Q, R) v Bearman McLaren: Norris (Q, R) v Piastri Mercedes: Antonelli v Russell (Q, R) Racing Bulls: Lawson (Q, R) v Lindblad Red Bull: Verstappen (Q, R) v Hadjar Williams: Albon v Sainz Jr (Q, R) Pole Position: Russell Winner: Russell Fastest Lap: Verstappen

wow at these low scores for a recent bop idol winner - although I’m not totally surprised as a lot of ‘pop’ voters have voted so far and Take My Hand is more alt than a lot of her stuff

Paffendorf voters unite!

This is making me think - if I ever host something I’m coming to Nelly for Keith Haring inspired artwork!

If Appleton goes let’s all throw our weight behind Duffy!

Oooooh early hype to Sade

Good HRVY choice tbf - think that’ll appear near top of my ranking

What’s crazy to me is I didn’t qualify by much! I think both my top 20 finishes have now come from songs that struggled to qualify from their semi final!

Is Robyn going to walk this?