JUNIOR EUROVISION 2019 - MY TOP 19

Hello everybody and welcome back to ESC4U, here to begin the ESC season with my top 19 of Junior Eurovision 2019! This year I'm hoping to be more active than ever, posting internal, national final and artist reviews, as well as throwbacks, reactions and all sorts of fun and games to lead us up to the big night. Without further ado, here is my list, as always all opinions expressed are my own, and something to note is that I'm judging the official video release, including the music video. Please feel free to let me know what you think!

19) Portugal: Joana Almeida - Vem Conmigo (Come With Me) 4/10

Sadly, I'm just not too sure what the Portuguese delegation were thinking with the lyrics of this song, especially the English translation, which both fails to rhyme and does not fit the tune of the song. As well as this, the instrumental sounds like a demo, with what sounds like factory synth pads being used with little mastering. Despite this, the song does provide a clear message about looking after planet earth, a very popular topic for contestants this year. Vocally, I'm intrigued to see whether she is able to support her song without a back track running in the background.

18) North Macedonia: Mila Moskov - Fire 4.5/10

Yeah yeah, I already know that I'm going to get hate for putting this so low, but lyrically I see this as nothing special. To me Mila looks as if she is trying to force aggression in the video, which for such a powerful song is set in a library, one of the most peaceful places on earth and somewhere completely unrelated to the topic of the song. Vocally she is strong, but I'm just not sure she is suited to a song like this - perhaps when we see the staging, which I hope will be full of pyrotechnics and FIRE, I will change my mind, but for now, this is just a hit and miss I'm afraid.

17) Kazakhstan: Yerzhan Maxim - Armanyńnan Qualma (Don't Waste Your Dreams)

Disney, meet Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan, Disney. As well with last year, the quality of this tune can not be critizised and ignoring the whole greenscreen the production value is again through the roof. An interesting choice was made with regards to the inclusion of adults in one scene, whether it be a concious or logistical decision, as at the end of the day, this is a kids contest, and it would have been just as easy to have kids in the particular scene. One big issue with this song is the severe English pronunciation issues in the first verse. Not every song has to have English in it for a wide audience to understand the message, and if you have a performer who is unfamiliar with the language, it's probably best to just leave it out.

16) Malta: Eliana Gomez Blanco - We Are More 5/10

A mature song, but with a more rustic sound. Visually, I see similarities with the vibes of Katerine Duska, utilising nature as a symbol of who we are as a civilisation. Vocally, Eliana's voice is very unique, putting a small crack on the "We are more" refrain to emphasise it but if I'm being honest, I just don't find the song very interesting, and I don't feel motivated to listen to it past the first chorus.

15) Spain: Melani Garcia - Marte (Mars) 5/10

Spanish is such a beautiful language and it is not wasted on a song as powerful as this. I do think Melani, through no fault of her own is very over dramatic in this video, and the whistle note seems to come out of nowhere, not really adding much to the song apart from a free dog deterrent. Overall, this just ins't for me, though because of the vocal capabilities and strong social change message, I do understand why this is so popular and I'm confident that this will do well in Gliwice. 

14) Ireland: Anna Kearney - Banshee 5.5/10

For me, Irish is a language that really fits with the typical Junior Eurovision ballad, however in recent years, Ireland have just not been able to find the perfect formula for a successful entry. They've tried a few different tactics, from Irish folk to retro pop, none of which have had a lot of success. Despite this, Ireland have again gone with a folk ballad again. I am thankful for the English lyrics on screen, because the visuals in the video don't really explain a lot about what is going on, and I struggle to see the message of the song. Nevertheless, Anna's voice is very strong, and with decent staging this could be a dark horse (get it?).

13) Serbia: Darija Vračević - Podigni Glas (Raise Your Voice)

One must respect Serbia for consistently sending songs with an ethnic undertone, and this year is no different, with a tune not too dissimilar to the Water of Life project. The video helps to emphasise the message of the song, which is to speak out and raise your voice in order to save the earth of the future. I do have a feeling however that a number of countries thought they were going to be unique in sending a song about the planet and looking after it, and once everyone started to do it they may scramble to find alternate meanings to their songs.

12) Ukraine: Sophia Ivanko - The Spirit Of Music 6/10

Initially, this begins as a breathy 3/4 waltz timing, with questionable english pronunciation, which then builds to a 4/4 pre chorus of "oohs", before then reverting back to the 3/4 timing which has now been jazzed up slightly with a arpeggiated bass and drums, and then goes back to 4/4. The point I'm making here is that the song jumps about a lot and does not appear to have a chorus until the very end. Whilst an interesting structure like this would likely get you points in adult ESC, kids want an easy, catchy song to listen to, which I'm afraid is not this song.

11) Italy: Marta Viola - La Voce Della Terra (The Voice Of The Earth) 6.5/10

Italy sure loves a ballad, this time singing about yep, you guessed it, planet earth and how we should all feel bad about ourselves for not looking after it. Of course I'm kidding, and in my opinion, this is one of the strongest ballads in the contest. The most memorable part of this song is the chorus unsurprisingly as it is just one word, which I think will stick in the viewers head. This is another one that I am looking forward to seeing live, due to the stunning vocals of Marta being done dirty by poor production and mastering in my opinion.

10) Poland: Viki Gabor - Superhero 6.5/10

Hello Cyprus, is that you in disguise? This is very fresh and modern with high production value, rebounding off of the success of "Anyone I Want To Be" this should be a hit in Gliwice, currently sitting on the highest number of views - whether this be due to diaspora or musical quality is up to you. There is little to critique vocally, as Viki's voice is perfectly matured and capable of the song, but there does seem to be a bit of hypocrisy in a song about saving the planet featuring a number of fireworks and pyrotechnics being launched into the atmosphere. 

9) Belarus: Liza Misnikova - Pepelny (Ashen)

First of all, kudos for using a word in your title that I've never even heard of before, which apparently means ash-like, or a pale face due to shock, illness or fear, which definitely makes sense because ash is black (not). Immediately I'm bopping along to this song, although to me it doesn't seem too kid friendly with the police sirens and urban setting in the video. Despite this, I'm liking the whole upbeat Billie Eilish vibe this song has and Liza really sells this as an overall package.

8) Wales: Erin Mai - Calon yn Curo (Heart Beating)

Wales made their debut last year with a slightly rushed folky tune "Perta" which sadly came last, however instead of withdrawing, Wales have rebounded with another folk song, this time a little more upbeat, and featuring a dance break, what's not to like? The production of this is low budget, which is unsurprising from the San Marino of this contest, but the symbolism of the heart as a sign of courage and resilience is clear, and as mentioned before, the dancing could help Wales to pick up some points on the night.

7) Australia: Jordan Anthony - We Will Rise 7.5/10

Australia has consistently sent strong songs to both big and little Eurovision event and this year is no exception. Instrumentally the song is bass weak in the chorus, which would have made it even more powerful but this song has really empowering lyrics which are uplifted by Jordans voice. Although this song sounds a lot like "Rewrite The Stars", it is definitely unique in context to the rest of the competition, and one that has stuck in my head.

6) Armenia: Karina Ignatyan - Colours of Your Dream 7.5/10

We can always rely on something colourful and exciting from Armenia, with this song being in the same upbeat and modern category genre as Poland, appealing to a younger audience with its modern yet ethnic sound, also cleverly using the colours of the Armenian flag in the music video. Again there does seem to be issues with the English pronunciation, but once this is fixed I can see this coming deservidly high on the night. 

5) Albania: Isea Çili - Mikja Ime Fëmijëri 7.5/10

Never before has death been so prominent in a Eurovision song, and I am shocked to see it in a Junior Eurovision entry. the video illustrates the song well, without overdoing the sadness, as at the end of the day, this is a children's contest, and the kids don't deserve to have their childhoods crushed just yet. I definitely see this as being a dark horse this year, and with such a powerful song, I wish Isea all the best.

4) Russia: Tatyana Mechentseva & Denberel Oorzhak - A Time For Us 8/10

Wowey, I feel like I'm watching a film trailer for the first minute or so of this, although I feel somehow that this won't be allowed in Gliwice as it pushes the entry well over the 3 minute mark. I've read many comments about Denberel's marmite voice but I have to say in the context of this song it does work, especially with Tatyana's voice. Overall this for me is one of the stronger ballads, and will stand out as the only duo in the contest this year.

3) The Netherlands: Matheu - Dans Met Jou (Dance With You) 8/10

The Netherlands are at it again with their "golden boy" entry, this time entering a harmless pop tune about a boy hung up on a girl, dreaming of partying and dancing with her. I reckon kids will really go for this, and fruit shoot swill be flying on the 25th, as it has no serious political or social undertone to it. The music video is clean with minimal cringeworthy shots, and Matheu really does sell the vibrancy of the tune, without overdoing it.

2) Georgia: Giorgi Rostiashvili - We Need Love 8.5/10

This is truly the song that has stuck with me the most these past few days with a really fun and engaging intro, followed by a bass heavy instrumental almost in a gypsy jazz style, one not usually explored in Eurovision. The Georgian language flows really well in this song, really accentuating the various key changes of the song. The visuals are minimalistic, featuring different kids singing along to the song, as well as small idents of the sun and stars when appropriate in order to keep it interesting, as well as a small cameo from last years entrant Tamar Edilashvili.

1) France: Carla - Bim Bam Toi (Bim Bam You) 9.5/10

Easily the most unique entry this year, Bam Bam Toi is an upbeat electro swing song centred around onomatopoeias, which is words that sound like what they are describing (such as bang, shush, or whoosh). This aspect really makes Carla stand out as a performer amongst the competition. I believe this is almost garuenteed top 3 with the song alone, and if they can nail the staging as well as they did last year, France really have a good chance of winning the whole contest. I would give this a perfect 10 if "Bim Bam Toi" actually meant something.

So there you have it, love or hate my opinions, please be respectful when commenting about my choices and again please feel free to let me know what your top is. In the coming week, we can expect rehearsals, interviews and the big show Sunday 24th November 4PM CET.