Review: “Eurosong 2024” (Ireland)

Ireland will choose its Eurovision 2024 act via a national selection: The Irish “Eurosong 2024“.
6 artists will compete in the national final, which will be held on Friday, the 26th of January 2024

#1.Ailsha – Go Tobann (Eng: Suddenly)

It is a Celtic electronic folk song, with metal influences
The song starts with an instrumental part which sounds like an arcade game theme music. The beat is fast, and the melody gives ethnic and festive vibes.
Ailsha opens the first verse with a mid-tone of voice singing. The interpretation is quite theatrical. The melody is based on bass playing with the electro beat from previously.
Thereafter, comes the chorus with is more quirky. It starts with counting from 1 to 7 in Irish. There are some vocal effects. The digital/metallic sound plays a great role in the production. It is followed by growling (which adds some metal music elements to the theme), The chorus is finalized by an instrumental part which is composed of electric guitar and bagpipe playing.
The second chorus starts with a more childish singing, which is once again accompanied by effects. The melody is based on a uniform distribution.
The chorus brings the bagpipe and electric guitar back to the party. It is more uplifting. We get the instrumental part composed of heavy guitar drift and bagpipe. This time is longer, we can hear composition of different vocals towards this part: from more soft singing which is dedicated to humming, to more psychedelic vocals.
The bridge is the longer part. It repeats the counting element, but this time the melody is richer – we can hear both bass and electric guitar. It is empowered into more intense bagpipe playing and a higher pitch. This part also combines the more childish backing vocals.
Overall, I would classify this one as a really good surprise in the Irish selection. First of all, it features some ethnic elements. Second of all, the sound isn’t standard, and therefore I wasn’t bored for a second. I am curious to see how it will be performed live.

#2. Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue

It is a dark alt pop with metallic and electronic influences.
The song starts with a pre-recorded sampled vocal which is mixed by a constant mid beat.
The first verse is based on a more theatrical singing, which is characterized by almost whispering. The melody is based on drums and soft bass playing
The pre-chorus is more psychedelic, and it features a sound like witchcraft effect. The singing is a bit more “shouty”. The melody is more intense, as it relies on high volume guitar riffs, and the beat is denser.
The chorus takes a number of steps backward, it is more intimate, laid back and calmer. Bambie Thug sings it in quite calm vibes. She sings in a slightly higher tone of voice. The melody is based on acoustic guitar and keyboards, while the pre-recorded processed vocals from the introduction are sampled.
The chorus is followed by psychedelic singing. The second verse follows, with vocal effects, and recorded sound that fits into a horror movie. The pre-chorus continues in the same line.
The second chorus comes after, it is more natural, simpler and with less effects.
The bridge starts mysteriously, she sings in with a mid-high tone of voice. We can hear some percussion and wind instruments. Thereafter, a sampling of alerts is included, and some effects. The melody is dominated by drums and bass
The song ends with a witchy singing.
Overall, this is one of the most complex compositions in this line-up (and in general in this Eurovision season). The song suggests an experimental and futuristic point of view on alt pop, featuring several different genres. The biggest advantage is that it won’t leave the listener indifferent. The song can be considered an “out of the box” entry. It isn’t more of the same average pop song Ireland used to send.
My only concern is how it will be performed live.

#3. Erica Cody – Love Me As I Love Me

It is a dance pop song with influences of the 1980’s music.
The song starts with a keyboard synth retro beat.
Erica opens the first verse, with a quite low tone of voice (In the first time, I wasn’t sure whether it was a male or female vocalist). The melody is based on a constant beat.
Pre-chorus suggests a bolder production. She sings more powerfully and with a higher pitch of voice.
The chorus is based on a drum beat and the dance beat from the beginning. The second half is less melodical, and feels denser lyrics wisely.
The second chorus is based on a lower pitch beat with guitar based melody. She sings this part in a mid-low tone of voice. The pre-chorus follows and it is shorter.
The chorus follows and the dance beat returns with a bigger emphasis on the synth keyboard.
The bridge starts with humming and vocal decorations, while in the background we can hear pre-recoded backing vocals.
Towards the end, we get a modulation and the chorus repeats.
This one felt too safe for me. On one side, it started interestingly, but nothing significant happened afterwards.

#4. Isabella Kearney - Let Me Be The Fire

It is a dance club pop song.
The song starts with an instrumental introduction which is based on keyboards playing, humming and some singing.
The first verse is based on a smooth beat, keyboard playing and slow singing. Isabella conveys emotions through singing.
Pre-chorus is faster as the beat takes control. She sings it with an alt-mid tone of voice.
The chorus is a dance club piece. The beat is more danceable. She is supported by some backing vocalists. Towards the end, we can heat the instrumental part and the humming from the beginning.
The second verse is based on a slower beat and keyboard playing. Her singing is softer.
The second pre-chorus follow, and the electro movits are laid back.
The second chorus is mostly based on the drum beat. Somehow, the energy of the song went down, even though it still sounds fine. The song ends with an echo effect.
It is a very decent song, but I wanted it to go a little bit more to the edge. For example, the second part could take the production to another level.

#5. JyellowL Feat. Toshín – Judas

It is a rap song with RnB elements.
The song starts with piano playing. JyellowL opened the first verse with super fast rap singing. The first verse is quite long, the melody is pushed backwards, and percussion beat is added as well.
The second verse is a bit less fast, we can hear acoustic guitar riffs as well. The featured vocalist Tushin joins as a secondary voice.
The third verse comes after. The rap singing is “softer” somehow and the singing is more of RnB genre.
The chorus is performed by Toshín. This is where the song becomes more of the “soul” genre. She sings with a warm voice. The melody is based on keyboards and percussion tempo
The fourth verse comes after, it is performed a bit slower. There are some tribal music elements in the production, and we can hear some pre-recorded backing vocals.
The second chorus is similar to the first one, but a bit longer. Toshín performs it and sheds some light and warmth to the song. The percussion elements are taking a bigger part. Thereafter, we get the chorus again.
Overall, I think the biggest problem in this song is the balance. We get very long rap parts spanned on very long verses. It takes almost forever until we get to the chorus.
I think that Toshín should appear also on some of the verses, it would elevate the song.

#6. Next in Line – Love Like Us

It is a boy band song.
The song starts with singing by one of the singers whose voice is raspy. The melody is based on a basic keyboard playing. However, there are some studio effects added as well. The other members are supporting the lead vocalist as a backing singers.
The pre-chorus is short and suggests more soulful singing.
The chorus is more of an American pop-rock piece. They sing together, and we can hear guitar riffs in the background.
The second chorus is based on electric keyboards playing. Another member of the band sings this part. He has a higher tone of voice.
Once again we get the chorus, with an airier production. The melody is based on wind instruments and keyboards.
The bridge starts with all of the singing while the melody is based on guitar playing. Thereafter, one of the signs in unplugged production. The rest join him, and the melody is pulled forward.
Towards the end, one of the other vocalists is brought to the front and he sings in a higher pitch.
What can I say? This is the natural continuation of Wild Youth from last year. We have all seen the reduced impact it can have. This is another chapter for sending a safe radio friendly song that won’t move the voters. Sonically, it sounds like another thousand songs.

Personal Ranking

Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue
Ailsha – Go Tobann
Isabella Kearney - Let Me Be The Fire
Erica Cody – Love Me As I Love Me
JyellowL Feat. Toshín – Judas
Next in Line – Love Like Us

Prediction

It is really hard for me to predict the selection this time.
The question is: Will Ireland finally switch strategy and will they pick one of the non-safe entries (Ailsha or Bumbie Thug) or will they stay “faithful” to their nature by picking radio-friendly pop songs (Next in Line, Erica, or Isabella).
I am waiting to see whether the jury will have an impact on the results. I can imagine the jury going in a “new-age” direction. However, I am not sure about the public.
My additional concern here is that for some of the songs, there are some effects which can’t be performed in live performance. It might change the perspective of some of the edgy songs.

As for now, I can see any song of this selection representing Ireland (besides “Judas”).
However, I think it will probably be narrowed down to: Ailsha or Next in Line

Which song is your favorite one?
What’s your prediction for the winner of the selection?

Don’t forget to visit our Eurovision 2024 homepage