Ireland will select its Eurovision song and artist via a national selection – “Eurosong 2022″. It will be the first time that a national selection will be used since 2015!
6 artists will compete in the national selection that will be held on Friday, the 4th of February 2022.
In this post, I will review the 6 competing songs.
#1. Brendan Murray – “Real Love”
It’s a love ballad, as hinted at in the title.
The song starts with keyboards playing. To begin with, it seems that there’s a sound effect over Brendan’s voice. In the first verse, he sings slowly and it accelerates power and velocity.
In the pre-chorus, we can hear the violin playing as well. He also sings this part with a slightly higher tone of voice. The flow in the chorus is somehow less impressive than the pre-chorus. It relies on basic piano melody, and almost without any production.
The second verse starts and its first half is performed effortlessly, but later on, he continues with his fragile high voice. When the chorus arrives, it is once again very basic and relies only on the piano.
Thereafter, we have a bridge where the singer tries to go even higher and the melody changes a bit.
Towards the end, the chorus includes backing vocalists singing.
The song ends out of the blue.
Brendan‘s unique vocal stamp wraps the song. I’m a ballad lover, really, but this one is so basic and just passes by me. At the very least, it could have a more interesting production. Oh yes, and the lyrics are cliche.
#2. Rachel Goode – I’m Loving Me
It’s a dance-pop song with wide elements from 1980’s music.
The song starts with a classic dance beat that’s built on cyclic keyboards playing.
The first verse is performed alongside 2 beats in the background.
In the first verse, she uses some vocal improvisations.
Later on, the pre-chorus arrives. The rate is faster and Rachel sings it in a higher tone.
The melody changes in the chorus. It is more personal, lyrics wisely. However, the chorus is way too short. The chorus ends with some sound effects. Right after this, we get the second verse which includes this time backing vocals as well. The pre-chorus is memorable and leads us to the chorus. This time the chorus is joined by a post-chorus that is finalized by a solo of electric guitar.
The last part of the song starts with electric keyboards. We have a modulation towards the end that sheds another light on the chorus.
I find the songs similar to a lot of songs from the 1980s. I think Rachel has a warm and stable voice that doesn’t shine enough on this type of song. The song is catchy and can stick to your mind, but I would have suggested some changes. The main required change: having a longer chorus.
#3.Janet Grogan – Ashes of Yesterday
It’s a gospel pop – R&B song.
The song starts with piano playing and the warm and pleasant voice of Janet.
The melody in the first part is quite monotonous. In the pre-chorus, she sings it a little bit faster. The chorus is a gospel hymn, which some cheering lyrics and backing vocals. The chorus ends with guitar playing and a drum beat.
The second verse relies on a richer production. The melody is composed of guitar and keyboards together. We can hear a gentle beat in the background as well. This time, the pre-chorus is faster, but the chorus is slowed down. She gives more place to her powerful voice instead.
After the second verse, there is a short instrumental part that includes guitar playing and a choir singing afterwards. The last part of the song starts with an acoustic production. It ends with the powerful singing of the chorus.
The song is decent and even a radio-friendly, but I think it isn’t impactful enough.
However, at the same time I think the song has potential to be more interesting in a live performance.
#4. Brooke Scullion — “That’s Rich”
It’s a modern pop song.
The song starts with a beat and guitar playing. After a short instrumental part, we finally can hear her singing. She performs the first verse with sassiness and self-confidence. Towards the end of the rows, she uses a special breaking of the words. The pre-chorus keeps the same structure as the first verse, but her voice shines more in this part. The chorus continues the same line, but the guitar is more dominant. After the chorus, we get a short transitions part with synth sound.
The second verse is a little bit more rhythmic. In the second pre-horus, we can hear more elements in the production. The chorus arrives and once again she serves it with tons of charisma.
The bridge has an electronic vibe. Her voice is being digitally processed, and at the same time sounds a little bit childish. The melody has the foundations of an electro dance-pop piece. After this part, we can hear her performing the chorus again. Towards the end, of the 1990’s electronic beat returns.
I find the song catchy and refreshing. It has the potenteial to be a bop.
I hope Brooke won’t be alone on the stage, whie performing it live.
It’s an electro dance pop song, so I have some fears regarding the live performance.
However, the song stands out and can talk to a lot of listeners.
#5. Patrick O’Sullivan – “One Night, One Kiss, One Promise”
It’s a mid-tempo pop song.
The song starts with an instrumental part composed of guitar, keyboards, and drums.
Patrick starts his singing with a powerful and high voice. There’s a mid drum beat that builds the melody, as well as the guitar playing. The pre-chorus is slightly more rhythmic. The chorus opens with backing vocals, Patrick keeps on singing it with a crystal voice. Towards the middle, he gives us some long notes. The second verse is still based on the same beat. In the pre-chorus, we can hear some beautiful moments of his voice. The chorus is catchy and relies on backing vocals. The bridge is based namely on his voice, it is exposed and pure. He outcries at the beginning of the last chorus.
Patrick is wonderful and this is one of the advantages of this package. I even had appreciated it more it would have oncluded more “risky” moments.
It is a maninstream song, and sometimes sounds like a track from the USA.
#6.Miles Graham – Yeah We’re Gonna Get out of It
It’s an urban pop song.
Miles told that the song was written in the lockdown in 2020 when he was with his children at home.
The song opens with childish backing vocals. In the first verse, the melody is based on keyboard playing, that’s later on joined by trumpet playing. The chorus includes 2 rows that just repeat themselves and are nothing else but the title of the song. The chorus includes the same backing vocals as previously. The chilling vibe continues as the song passes by. Thereafter we get the second verse and once again the chorus. This time, the trumpet part is longer.
The bridge is acoustic, we can namely hear the singer’s voice, guitar playing, and clap effect. The song ends with a duplicated chorus. Thereafter, there is a closure of trumpet playing.
What can I say? the song has no progress at all. It is flat and just playing too safe.
The childish backing vocals turn out to be annoying.
The song reminded me a lot of the UK’s entry for Eurovision 2006 – “Teenage Life” by Daz Sampson.
I don’t know, maybe it is just me: but the song seems like it was written so effortleslly.
My Personal Ranking
- Brooke Scullion – That’s Rich
- Patrick O’Sullivan – One Night, One Kiss, One Promise
- Rachel Goode – I’m Loving Me
- Janet Grogan – Ashes (Of Yesterday)
- Brendan Murray – Real Love
- Miles Graham – Yeah, we’re gonna get out of it
My Prediction
Honestly, I consider this selection quite weak.
There isn’t any special song here, so at least we will need a song with charactera , that will be performed by a good singer.
I think there are 3 potential winners: Brooke, Patrick, or Rachel.
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