#zoé clausure

[weaversweek]

Junior Eurovision

Yay! It's Junior Eurovision time again! Wonder which French-language broadcaster will win this year.

"Cœur" was another upbeat bop, with a simple message translating across language barriers. It was top with the jury, top with the public vote, and top of the pile.

I loved the staging from "Loviu", all sorts of Willy Fog.

Really enjoyed the augmented reality from "Back to life", the BBC push the envelope once more.

Plus lots of ballads, what I expect to be the final appearance of EDM until it comes back as a nostalgic throwback in 2037, and some reflection on ten years of watching Junior Eurovision.

And if, for some unaccountable reason, you don't give a flying fig about Junior Eurovision, I also have a look at Netflix's desire to move into shiny floor and game shows.

[anotherescsite]

HEROES: Junior ESC 2023

Personally, Junior Eurovision is an abomination that creeps me out and make my poor ears bleed. That said there are songs in the Senior Eurovision that do that also (yes - I'm looking at Iru who consequentially came from the Juniors and won with Candy).

While there are entries that are travesties and screechy, there is sometimes quality as well. Needlessly you watch and sometimes a song sticks and you have it on your playlist: I still listen to 'Shut up' from Belgium and Antes Muerta Que Sencillas from Spain. And of course what seems great in a film could be a squealing disaster on the night.

So let's see what we have this year:

ALBANIA: Viola Gjyzeli - Bota Ime

Interesting entry from Albania that could be their best entry ever or a crashing mess. It has potential depending on the staging and Viola's vocal. The film is pleasant without going overboard with colourful lighting on trees.

ARMENIA: Yan Girls - Do it my way

The Armenian entry is a pack of girls with a modern hard hitting entry. This could do well; choreography is ready, the outfits will be flashy and it will be attractive to the children voting. May be a bit repetitive.

ESTONIA: Arhanna - Hoiame Kokku

This is the first Estonian song in the Juniors. The film says that it's about friendship, but hidden within is maybe something more Sappho-ic. The song does not sound interesting or memorable for me.

FRANCE: Zoé Clausure - Coeur

Defending champ nation has an interesting peppy entry that will present well, but not win. I think they will place her behind a piano for some of it and I expect there will be a dancer of some sort.

GEORGIA: Anastasia and Ranina - Over the sky

Now this could be interesting. There are three of them and while it is crediting Anastasia as the lead, the other two put in the work too. The harmonies are very nice and the song is a gentle lullaby of a song. The video is more a loopy trip than a film.

GERMANY: Fia - Ohne Worte 

I read Fia's story on the Juniors website and I am a little emotional half way through the song. It was unexpected. I don't know if it will do well, but I was engaged by seeing Fia and her sister, and the signing makes sense. I do hope it does better than expected.

IRELAND: Jessica McKean - Aisling

Gaelic always seems to give a song some whimsy and that's were this has gone. Children will not appreciate the beauty of this ballad. I'm sure that it will be presented nicely on the stage. I'm not sure if last year's Irish entrant will also be appearing, but it worked.

ITALY: Melissa and Ranya - Un Mondo Giusto

I don't know about this one. I'm not getting it. One of them has a better voice than the other and there are points where I expect there will be Italian yelling vocals which I'm not a fan of.

MALTA: Yulan - Stronger

This song is interesting as this could be a major moment of the night or a let down. Yulan seems like someone who can perform and if she can pull it off could go well for them.

NETHERLANDS: Sep & Jasmijn - Holding On To You

Another modern number with synth elements. I guess it will come down to chemistry on stage, if they can sing and dance, but I like it. I think it has good lyrics and a good beat.

NORTH MACEDONIA: Tamara Grujeska - Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj

The introduction goes for almost 30 seconds and I was wondering if she would begin singing at all. For me, it is too much moan-singing and because of that I don't like it. Don't think it will finish highly.

POLAND: Maja Krzyżewska - I Just Need A Friend

Poland has had a good run lately. This could do well depending on styling, performance and choreography etc. Not sure if it will with though.

PORTUGAL: Júlia Machado - Where I Belong

A very quiet song, but maybe a very personal song. It has no sparkle to make it stand out so I don't expect a high place for this one.

SPAIN: Sandra Valero - Loviu

Hmm. It's an upbeat number which has the kind of feeling you expect from a little girl singing. Her voice could be annoying if she sings higher. Simple enough that it could score well.

UKRAINE: Anastasia Dymyd - Kvitka

A very young girl singing an age appropriate song. It's a bit repetitive and simple but it's okay to listen to.

UNITED KINGDOM: STAND UNIQU3 - Back To Life

This one will do well. There is a lot of space for choreography and vocals. The sound of the song is different to everything else sounding almost like a 1930s swing number.

Who will win is anyone's guess. I'd maybe put my money behind Malta, Armenia or Georgia and the UK as a dark horse. I may be completely wrong.