Preface:
As I mentioned in a previous post (Random Thoughts Thursday: Eurovision), I’m going to start reviewing and making my predictions for ESC2022 as countries begin to name their artists and release their songs. While these songs will be performed at Eurovision, countries have some time to revamp the song (mainly to fit it into the 3-minute window) and staging.
In addition to making comments about the current entry, I’ll provide information about the country’s entry from last year’s Eurovision just as a comparison.
Monika Liu – Sentimentai
Vocal:
I have said this plenty of times (and I’ll say it again), but I love when female singers use their deep/low registers. For me, it makes a song more sentimental (no pun to the title of this song). I gotta say that I absolutely ADORE Monika’s voice; I’ve already started listening to some of her other music. While some might see this as a bad thing, her voice makes me want to light a cigarette and pour myself a nice glass of Bourbon.
Musical Arrangement:
First, I love the fact that this song is in Lithuanian because many ESC contestants from Lithuania tend to sing in English since more people clearly speak English than Lithuanian. To be perfectly honest, I think this is the first time hearing the language. Unfortunately, while ESC is an international contest, most performers will perform in English rather than one of their country’s official languages. I’m not saying that all performers have to/should sing in a language other than English, but it is nice to switch it up a bit. Ok, I went off on a slight tangent. For me, this song is an entire low-key vibe that I can grove to in many situations.
Staging:
Although she is the only person on the stage, I think the LED effects really elevate the song. While the staging fits the song, I think that I would prefer the staging to be a bit darker. You know, something to remind me of sitting in a smoky jazz club.
Final Thoughts:
While I love this song, I’m not sure how well it will perform in ESC22. Based on her assigned semifinal heat, I think it will qualify, but her placement in the final might be in the high teens/low twenties. One other thing about ESC. I’m not a fan when folks say that this performer is another performer 2.0. A lot of folks are saying that she is a Barbara Pravi 2.0 (France’s ESC21 contestant who finished in second place), which I disagree with. Ok, there are some elements that are similar between the two singers in the performance (eg a sole woman with dark and short hair on the stage), but overall I don’t get it. If anything, Monika mostly gives me Liza Maneli vibes, especially with some of her hand and arm movements.
Another case of this performer is a _ 2.0 is the comparison between Spain’s representative, Chanel (ESC22), and Cyprus’s representative, Eleni Foureira (ESC18). The only similarity really is that both singers clearly have very nice bodies and a decent background in dancing/performing. To be perfectly honest, I think Chanel dancing is way stronger than Eleni’s. I mean, most of Eleni’s dance moves were flipping her long hair around. Not that hair flipping is a bad thing, because she came in second place in ESC18. To be perfectly honest, I think she should have won that year’s contest.
Lithuania in last year’s Eurovision:
The Roop – Discoteque
We have the rehearsal video because the final is not available on YouTube.
- Semi-final results: 4th place out of 17 performances (203 – 66 national juries and 137 public votes
- Final results: 8th place out of 26 performances (220 total points – 55 national juries and 165 public votes).
This song/performance is one of the reasons why I think all ESC contestants should perform in the semifinal rounds. Remember that the Big 5 + the hosting country do not have to compete in the semifinal rounds. When I first saw a clip of The Roop’s rehearsal video, I was like PASS. However, while watching the full version during the first semifinal, I was grooving to the song. As ESC week progressed the song really grew on me and actually became one of my top songs. I think the song was the perfect theme for ESC21. Let’s discoteque right in my home; it’s ok to dance alone, dance alone, dance alone. Since everything was pretty much shut down during 2020 (including ESC) because of the pandemic, we pretty much were dancing alone, eating alone, drinking alone, insert whatever you were doing alone in our homes. While the lead singer was not the strongest vocalist of the competition, he is an engaging character. Although the dance break was a LOL moment for me, I absolutely loved it.
Social Media Plug:
Run There, Drink That 