Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has come, and all of the 37 competing songs of Eurovision 2024 have been revealed.
Therefore, we are ready for an extended review of them and a ranking of the songs.
Each post in the series will focus on 5-6 songs.

The 4th post will focus on 6 countries that will compete in semi-final 3: Albania, Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Norway and Switzerland.

You can check the previous episodes here:

• Part 1 (Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland and Ukraine)
• Part 2 (Croatia, Ireland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia)
• Part 3 (Australia, Cyprus, Finland, Iceland and Luxembourg)

Besa – Titan

Besa Kokëdhima is 37 year old Albanian singer and songwriter. At the age of 15, she moved to the UK in order to get a higher education.
In 2003, she released her debut single “Më Beso” (Eng: believe me). The song was awarded in the “Golden Microphone Music Awards“.
In 2006, she released her debut album “Besa“.
In 2006, she represented Albania at MTV Exit Concert.
In 2009, the singer entered the “Selecţia Naţională 2009” – Romania’s national selection for Eurovision 209 with the song “Nothin’ Gonna Change“. She reached the semi-finals of the contest.

Besa participated in the music festival “Notafest” where she was awarded the first prize for the R&B single “Lëshoje Hapin” (Eng: release the step).
In 2011, she released her 2nd album “Evolution”.
In 2013, she won the music festival “Kënga Magjike” with the song “Tatuazh në zemër” (Eng: heart tattoo). In 2012-2014, she gained popularity as she released several singles that were a success in Albania.
In 2013, she released a special holiday album – “Besa për festa“, while in 2014 she released her 4th album “Ti je festa ime“.
In 2016, she joined the 6th season of “The Voice of Albania” as one of the coaches. Later on, she was selected as favorite judge in all the history of “The Voice of Albania“.

Besa will perform the song “Titan“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Albania will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Albania was allocated to perform in the 2nd position, after Malta (1st) and before Greece (3rd)

Musical Review

• It is a mid-tempo ballad
• The song starts with humming and backing singing. The first verse is based on keyboards playing. Besa sings is a mid-tone of voice, while we can hear sound of ticking clock. Her singing relies on some soul elements.
• The tickling clock element continues to the first pre-chorus, which is a bit faster. The backing vocals have a greater presence.
• The first chorus is based on keyboards playing, and a warmer color of voice. She lengthens some of the words. The singing is more powerful and something about the production feels more epic. This part is finalized with a guitar/bass riff.
• The second verse relies on a higher tempo and more of an urban pop singing. The melody is based on percussion instruments, electronic keyboards and drums beat.
• The second verse follows the same pattern, as the beats are part of the melody. However, the singing is more harmonic, and she is supported by the backing vocals.
• The bridge allows Besa to showcase her vocal abilities, where we can hear higher and longer notes with some vocal trilling.
• The final chorus starts more acoustically, with clap beats backing vocals. Later on, it continues to be a drum beat melody and cyclic vocal improvisations.
• Overall, on the vocal level it is a pleasant song. However, I can’t say the same about the progress of the song, which felt a bit flat. That’s why it might be less bold than expected.
• I must confess I prefer the original Albanian version way more, where Besa gave us more diversity and some sassiness.

Lyrics

We stand eye to eye
You try and set a fire
Just to watch me burn
It’s like you don’t know
That I will survive
Learned how to stay alive
Come and throw your flames
‘Cause it’s all in vain, oh

Even if I fall, I’m gon’ get up
I’ll be standing tall, proud, with my head up
Go ahead and give your best shot

I won’t go down, I’ll never break
Like a titan, I’ll be brave
Toni-i-i-ight, I’ll ri-i-i-ise
I won’t give up, fight ’til the end
Every tear’s gonna ricochet
I ri-i-i-ise, rise
I’m a titan in disguise

I bet you thought that I would crumble, but I won’t
You thought I wouldn’t make it out hеre on my own
You thought you’d see me broken, I’m goin’ strong
Still goin’ strong, mm
Got an armor ’round my hеart, it’s unbreakable
Got my feet on the ground, I’m unshakable
And if you think I won’t survive, then you’re so wrong
You’re so wrong

I won’t go down, I’ll never break
Like a titan, I’ll be brave
Toni-i-i-ight, I’ll ri-i-i-ise
I won’t give up, fight ’til the end
Every tear’s gonna ricochet
I ri-i-i-ise, rise
I’m a titan in disguise

I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I-I

I won’t go down, I’ll never break
Like a titan, I’ll be brave
Toni-i-i-ight, I’ll ri-i-ise
I won’t give up, fight ’til the end
Every tear’s gonna ricochet
I ri-i-i-ise, rise
I’m a titan in disguise

I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I-I (Ohh, like a titan in disguise)
I-I-I-I, I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I-I (I’m a titan in disguise)

Poetry Analysis

The song talks about self empowerment, resilience and strength.
In the first verse, the spokesperson hints that someone close to her wanted to hurt her.
However, she is experienced in such cases, and therefore determined to survive.
She is ready to face failures, but promises to recover quickly.
The chorus emphasized the strength, power and endurance of the spokesperson by using the metaphor of “Titan”. She is ready to fight and overcome any challenge.
In the second verse, the spokesperson is determined and is looking back at the past. She feels like she has proved herself the one who wanted to hurt her wrong. The spokesperson learned how to protect herself (“Got armor around my hеart, it’s unbreakable”).
The song also calls on people to believe in themselves and fight to defeat any difficulty. We will all have people around us who will enjoy our failures, Our strength should be to prove them wrong.

Initial Personal Ranking

12th in semi-final 2, 28th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Albania, 6 countries will vote in semi-final 2: Greece, Switzerland, Italy, San Marino, Austria, and Belgium.

Betting Odds

The song (in his original version) was selected to represent Albania at Eurovision 2024 on the 22nd of December 2023.
By the 5th of March 2024, Albania has been in the bottom 4 on the betting odds.
On the 6th of March 2024, Albania went up to the 29th place.
Later on, Albania has been ranked in the 23-28 place with the bookies between the 7th of March and 25th of March 2024.
Thereafter, Albania’s chances have started decreasing, from 29th to 30th and 31th place.
In the recent days, Albania is stable around 32-34 place.

Early Prediction

Sadly, I am almost convinced that Albania won’t qualify for the final.
Semi-final 2 is a tough one, and there are not a few sure qualifiers.
Having been allocated to the 2nd position and revamping the song this way, won’t help.

Kaleen – We Will Rave

Kaleen is a 29 year-old professional Austrian dancer and pop star.
The singer released her debut single in 2021, while her debut album “Stripping Feelings” was released in September 2023.

Since 2018, Kaleen her been involved in the Eurovision Song Contest in different roles: from a stand-in singer for rehearsals, to a choreographer and dancer in Eurovision 2018.
Kaleen also has an impressive history of supporting The Junior Eurovision acts: She was the creative director for Bulgaria and Spain in Junior Eurovision 2021,and production for the Spanish junior Eurovision act in 2022.
On the 16th of January 2024, Kaleen was revealed as the winner of the Austrian internal selection for Eurovision 2024.

She will perform the song “We Will Rave”:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Austria will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Austria was allocated to perform in the 6th position, after Czechia (5th) and France (Automatic qualifier) and before Denmark (7th)

Musical Review

• It is a techno-EDM pop song, with influences from the 1990’s music.
• The song starts with keyboards playing and humming, the melody is backed up by some studio effects.
• The first verse is considerably slow (compared to the rest of the song). Kaleen sings it with some vibrato and reverb effect. The melody is still based on keyboards playing.
• The first pre-chorus is faster. The techno dance beats take over the melody, and therefore this part is more up-tempo. Kaleen sings this part in a mid-low tone of voice.
• The first chorus feels more festive. She is supported by backing vocals. The melody is based on techno-electronic instrumental part which explodes towards the end. This part is followed by a short instrumental drop with some backing singers.
• The second verse is more energetic than the first one. She sings it sensually, with a mid-high tone of voice. The melody is based on keyboards playing, but this time it is wrapped by electronic beats.
• The second pre-chorus is similar to the first one, the singing is more like speaking. The electronic beats are bit different and sounds more like popular techno-trans music from the 1990’s.
• The second chorus starts a bit more calmer, but later on is empowered to a danceable piece. This time, she is also supported by backing vocalists.
• The post-chorus is an instrumental transition which is based on faster EDM beats, including rich studio effects.
• This part is followed by an additional chorus with even faster beats. She sings this part with some manners.
• Overall, Austria brought a very uplifting EDM-techno pop track. The production is polished and I can already see it being played non-stop in Euro clubs for years.
• However, it is a kind of a song which is hard to transit from the studio to the liver performances. In general, it isn’t easy to sing. Adding the attached choreography it might be even harder. It is also isn’t trivial to stage such a song.

Lyrics

Ice running through my veins
You just did it again
Go, ’cause I can’t be your friend
I’m cold, but this is not the end

So I go, go, go where them broken-hearted go
No one knows a thing about my heart and soul
I go, oh, oh, wanna dance it off alone
I won’t let it show, they will never know

When the darkness hits and we can’t be saved
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave
When our hearts are burning, we feel no pain
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave

We ram-dee-dum-dum-da
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da (We will rave)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da (We will rave)
(We will rave)
(Rave, rave, ra-a-a-a-a…)

I see only silhouettes
I just wanna forget
About everything we said
And the demons in my head

So I go, go, go where them broken-hearted go
No one knows a thing about my heart and soul
I go, oh, oh, wanna dance it off alone
I won’t let it show, they will never know

When the darkness hits and we can’t be saved
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave
When our hearts are burning, we feel no pain
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave
(We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave)

We will rave
We will rave

(Rave, rave, rave)
We will rave
(Rave, rave, rave)
We will rave

When the darkness hits and we can’t be saved (We can’t be saved)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave
When our hearts are burning, we feel no pain (Yeah)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave (We)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave (We)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave (Ooh)
We ram-dee-dum-dum-da, we will rave

Poetry Analysis

The song talks about escapism and recovering by finding the power in music and celebration.
The spokesperson starts by describing an emotional coldness and reluctance of someone who disappointed her (at least once).
She acknowledges her broken heart and is determined to recover. However, she keeps her story private to herself. It is also possible she believes no one will understand her.
In the chorus, the wishful solution comes: When we feel down and when darkness takes control, we can dance and rave to forget about everything. We can freedom, liberation and comfort by raving. The “ram-dee-dum-dum-da” part tells about the liveliness that comes from this action, and also the energy and derived freedom.
In the second verse, we learn that the spokesperson is haunted by inner thoughts, demons and fears.
By raving, celebrating and dancing, she can forget from the everyday problems and find escapism.

Initial Personal Ranking

7th in semi-final 2, 15th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Austria, 5 countries will vote in semi-final 2:Belgium, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Denmark.

Betting Odds

The song was released on the 1st of March 2024.
Austria has been quite stable around 10-12 place with the bookies, even since then.

Early Prediction

I believe that Austria leans more towards qualifying.
However, it is a kind of a song that works perfectly in the studio, but can be challenging to stage and to perform live.
Kaleen will have to focus on singing, while keeping dancing and moving.
I want to believe that the physical effort will be mostly on the dancers.
My prediction is around 13-18 in the final, in the performance goes right.

Saba – Sand

Anna Saba Lykke Oehlenschlæger (better known as Saba) is a 26 year-old Danish singer, musical theatre actress and model.
Saba and her twin sister Andrea Sara were born in Ethiopia and were adopted at the age of 8 months by a family from Ringkøbing, Denmark.
After dropping out of high-school, the twins moved to Copenhagen. Saba started off as a model and entrepreneur in teeth whitening products, while her sister focused on acting and singing.
Saba made her debut in acting by replacing her pregnant sister in the musical “Hair”.
In February 2024 she won the “Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2024”, where 8 artists competed to represent Denmark at Eurovision 2024.

She will perform the song “Sand“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Denmark will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Denmark was allocated to perform in the 7th position, after Austria (6th) and before Armenia (8th)

Musical Review

• It is a pop song with influences of the 1990’s music.
• The song starts with keyboard playing, while we can hear the backing vocalists humming.
• The first verse is based on slower keyboards playing. The production is minimal, and the emphasis is on Saba’s voice.
• Later on, we get a short transition part which sounds like the one from the intro, but this time the singer performs in parallel.
• The pre-chorus is more energetic and powerful. Vocally, she gives much more, and the melody is also based on drum playing.
• The first chorus follows, and features the “Ooh ooh” part from the intro. She sings this part with a slightly lower tone of voice.
• The second verse goes in a different direction, where the atmosphere is a bit more mysterious. The melody is based on drum beat, soft electro beat and electric guitar playing.
• The second pre-chorus continues along the same line. Vocally, we get a bold singing with some manners, while she is accompanied by backing vocalists.
• The humming is brought back and we are getting the 2nd chorus. The rate is higher, as the beat is more intense. We can hear some effects over her singing.
• The bridge brings a dramatic atmosphere to the composition. The production is held back. She sings in a lower tone of voice, while the melody is based on orchestral string elements (like violin), and the electronic are added back slowly.
• The song ends with one last chorus, where we can heat the backing vocalists as well.
• Overall, the song is quite catchy. There’s something uplifting about the message of the song. The “ooh ohh” humming creates a continuous framing along the song.
• Saba’s voice adds to the general appeal of the song and makes it a very nice song. However, I still feel it is another radio-friendly song by Denmark.

Lyrics

(Ooh, ooh)

Yesterday is eatin’ up my mind
You and me, we couldn’t get it right
We were throwing memories in the air
Bits and pieces lyin’ everywhere

(Ooh, ooh)
Bits and pieces lyin’ everywhere
(Ooh, ooh)
Bits and pieces like we didn’t care

Shouldn’t be so hard like breathin’ underwater
Baby, we’ve been in the blue
Didn’t see it comin’, fallin’ into nothin’
Ain’t there somethin’ we can do?

(Ooh, ooh)
I can feel you slipping through my hands
(Ooh, ooh)
Guеss we built a castle out of sand

Yestеrday, I had you by my side
Now we’re just like strangers in the night
Pictures of us lyin’ on the floor
No, I can’t do this fightin’ anymore

But it shouldn’t be so hard like breathin’ underwater
Baby, we’ve been in the blue
Didn’t see it comin’, fallin’ into nothin’
Ain’t there somethin’ we can do?

(Ooh, ooh)
I can feel you slipping through my hands
(Ooh, ooh)
Guess we built a castle out of sand
Sand, sand
I can feel you slipping through my hands
Sand, sand
Guess we built a castle out of sand

Shouldn’t be so hard like breathing underwater
Shouldn’t be so hard like breathing underwater
Ooh, yeah

Sand, sand (Oh)
I can feel you slipping through my hands
Sand, sand, yeah
Guess we built a castle out of sand

Poetry Analysis

The song talks about dealing with breakups and/or conflicts that arise during a relationship.
The song starts off with a regret of what happened the day before. The spokesperson described a disagreement with her partner that led to a fight. She feels sorry for not being able to set things in their place. She described the situation as “bits and pieces lying everywhere” which demonstrated the end of the relationship, and how it broke like glass.
We understand that they have been in a similar sad situation before (“We have been in this blue”). However, it caught her by surprise this time. She wonders if there is something they can do to save this relationship.
“Shouldn’t be so hard like breathing underwater” represents the daily activity that is required to save this relationship, you have to be careful and learn to survive, but it is possible if you “practice” enough.
They managed to build something together (“A castle out of sand”). However the sand here is elusive, and this is the fate of this relationship, which slips through the hands.
The day before, she felt like her lover is on her side, but now she realizes that it has no future. She reminisces memories and images, in the aim to sum it up. She has no power to another fight.

Initial Personal Ranking

11th in semi-final 1, 20th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Denmark, 4 countries will vote in semi-final 2:Norway, Estonia, The Netherlands, and Latvia.

Betting Odds

The song was selected to represent Denmark at Eurovision 2024 on the 17th of February 2024.
Between the 17th of February and the 28th of March, Denmark has been ranked in the 26-29 place with the bookies.
Later on, Denmark went up to 22-25 place.

Early Prediction

Predicting Denmark’s fate is difficult.
At the moment, it sounds like Saba’s voice isn’t that stable in the chorus. In such kind of a song, the vocal performance is crucial.
In addition, Denmark is allocated between 2 songs that might stand out (based on their sound).
Therefore, I believe Denmark will most likely not qualify for the final.
If Denmark qualified, I think they win end around 19-26 in the final.

5MIINUST, Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi

5miinust is an Estonian hip-hop group, formed in 2015. The members of the group are Kristjan Jakobson (Kohver), Mihkel Tamm (Päevakoer), Karl Kivastik (Põhja-Korea), and Priit Tomson (Lancelot). Previously, they had a 5th member who left the group for a solo-career.
They released their first 2 studio albums in 2016 and 2017, while earning local recognition in 2018.
The band won the Best Artist of The Year in the Estonian music awards in 2 occasions.
Some of their singles conquered the local charts.

Puuluup is an Estonian psychedelic folk duo, composed of Ramo Teder (a.k.a. Pastacas) and Marko Veisson. They are mainly known due to their extensive use of looper and Talharpa.
The duo released 2 albums, in 2018 and 2021.

The bands collaborated and applied for “Eesti Laul 2024” and went to win the selection.
A total of 20 artists competed to represent Estonia at Eurovision 2024.

They will perform the song “(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Estonia will perform in the 2nd half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Estonia was allocated to perform in the 13th position, after Belgium(12th) and Italy Automatic qualifier) and before Israel (14th)

Musical Review

• It is a techo song with rap and hip-hop elements.
• The song opens with some vocal improvisiations and humming.
• The first verse is quite speedy, the lead singer sings it with a mid tone of voice. He is accompanied by backing vocals with lower tones.
• The chorus is a short instrumental part, composed of strings and electronic elements. Not much is going on singing wisely in this part. We can hear some reciting in a bass voice.
• Thereafter, we get a short transition part, which I find too messy. The song is finalized by humming and reiciting again.
• Overall, I see it as an effort to showcase creativity, but I was left confused at the end of listening. Not one of the songs that impresses me.

Translated Lyrics

We aren’t junkies we haven’t done anything
the dresses we are wearing are a finding from garbage bin
police chronicles and raid in the summer cottage
the only bag on the table is green Lay’s

we aren’t junkies we haven’t done anything
the dresses we are wearing are a finding from garbage bin
police chronicles and raid in the summer cottage
men in uniform are visiting I am really okay

uuuu
listen to this now
we can go howling
we will be heard today
but take this bag away

I don’t know drugs, I know lemonade and cider
I couldn’t tell vitamin and speed apart

uuuu
listen to this now
we can go howling
we will be heard today
but take this bag away

brittlegills and champignons – where is your mycelium?
you activate my body like a kitchen stove

duckies are small but poppies are so tall
we avoid pleasure substances, let the rich do it
present early in the morning and crowing like roosters
these sad faced girls took my candies away

we avoid pleasure substances because we ain’t rich
in the back room of the cottage only IPA-beers are on the table
glasses are for pupils… no, for shits and giggles
the ones who have made the front row can see through everything

shut up and I haven’t done it
although this dance has been going on only around me yeah
shut up and I haven’t seen it
although this dance has been going on only around me yeah

uuuu
listen to this now
we can go howling
we will be heard today
but take this bag away

I don’t know drugs, I know lemonade and cider
I couldn’t tell vitamin and speed apart

uuuu
listen to this now
we can go howling
we will be heard today
but take this bag away

brittlegills and champignons – where is your mycelium?
you activate my body like a kitchen stove.

Poetry Analysis

The song sheds a humoristic point of view at the use of drugs, by suggesting other options.
In other words, the song conveys a message of rejecting drug use.
In the first verse, the spokesperson separated himself and his close friends from drugs, by saying they aren’t junkies. However, they might classified as ones, due to their outfits.
Their cloths also hint about anti-materialistic stance.
The chorus reinforces the idea of focusing on simple joys in life (like cider), rather than falling into drugs. Later on, they also reject drugs use, due to financial reason.

Initial Personal Ranking

16th in semi-final 1, 37th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Estonia, 3 countries will vote in semi-final 2:Latvia, Georgia, and Denmark

Betting Odds

Estonia chose the song for Eurovision 2024 on the 17th of February 2024.
During all this time period, Estonia has been ranked in the 21-25 place by the bookies, mostly around 22nd-23rd place.

Early Prediction

When the Estonian song for Eurovision 2024 was selected, it seemed like it has the ability to secure a spot in the final.
However, ad time goes bye, I felt like much stronger songs were released.
The live performance was quite messy, even on the level of camera angles.
It is a song that will work better for the public (and we are in televote semi-final).
I can see Estonia ending around 8th-12th in the semi-final.
So for me it is really a 50/50 case.
If Estonia qualifies for the final, I think they will end around 17-23 in the final.

Gåte – Ulveham

Gåte (Eng: Riddle) is a Norwegian folk-progressive rock electronic band, which was formed in 2000.
Many of Gåte’s songs are rearranged versions of traditional Norwegian folk tunes.
The current line-up includes 5 members: Gunnhild Sundli (lead vocalist) , Magnus Børmark (Guitarist) , Jon Even Schärer (drummer), Mats Paulsen (bassist) and John Stenersen (ancient Nordic instruments such as the nyckelharpa, moraharpa, and hurdy-gurdy).
The band has released 5 studio albums and 6 EPs.

They will perform the song “Ulveham“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Norway will perform in the second half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Norway was allocated to perform in the 15th position, after Israel (14th) and before The Netherlands (16th)

Musical Review

• It is a folk rock song.
• The song starts with howling and wind instruments.
• The first verse is based on a gentle beat, keyboards, violion and wind instruments. The lead singer sings in a mid-tone thin voice. There are several different layers in the melody, and we can hear some male backing vocals.
• The chorus is catahy and rocky. There are no clear lyrics to this part. This part is based on howling and vocal improvisations. Some of the sung vocals sound like a “tribal witchcraft” (and this is goof thing!). The chorus features guitar as well.
• The second verse is also based on electric guitar and bass. The singing is powerful, as wind instruments play a great role. The second verse ends with outcry.
• The second chorus follows immediately after, the lead singer impressing with her vocal abilities. Backing vocals include light-growling and whispers.
• This must be one of the most original songs in the line-up. Finally, Norway shows the great way they create ethnic music. In general, the combination of folk and rock is one thay pays off in Eurovision.

Translated Lyrics

I was a very young girl
My mother would die in birth
My stepmother turned me to a grey steed
Then sent me to the king’s court

She turned me into a little sword
Under the hill
She bid me go to the world of men
As the sun shone so far
My stepmother thought it best
Under the hill
That all the richest would use me best

So she turned me into a grey wolf
Under the hill
She said late I would go to the forest
As the sun shone so far
She said that I would have no penance
before I had drunk my brother’s blood

Then I tore out her heart
So her blood poured forth
Then I tore out her heart’s root
So I could drink my brother’s blood

Nine women rode in a ring
My stepmother rode innermost
And I took her blue cape
And I pulled her from her horse
Then I tore out her heart
So her blood poured forth
So I could drink my brother’s blood

So her blood poured forth
Then I tore out her heart’s root
Then I tore out her heart’s root
Then I tore out her heart
So her blood poured forth
Then I tore out her heart’s root
So I could drink my brother’s blood
So I could drink my brother’s blood

Poetry Analysis

The song presents a story from the Norwegian tales, where in some of the cases the main characters are hybrid animal-human.
The main character is a young girl whose mother died shortly after the girl’s birth.
The spokesperson tells about her fate, causes by her stop mother.
Her step mother turned her to a gray wolf, and she told to go serve the king. The stop mother’s intentions sound like they are not pure at all. The song also mentions “That all the richest would use me best” and this might be interpreted as sexual abuse or even slavery.
The young girl wants to be free and to be released from this bad situation.
Her step mother puts the young girl’s freedom under a condition: She would have to sacrifice her bother – “She said that I would have no penance / before I had drunk my brother’s blood”.
The young girl refuses to deal with her fate and that’s why she decides to take a revenge.
The song ends with the young girl tearing the step mother’s heart.
By this, the spokesperson fulfills the twisted condition set out by their stepmother, consuming their brother’s blood (an the brother’s blood is related to the mother’s blood).

Initial Personal Ranking

5th in semi-final 2, 10th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Norway, MM countries will vote in semi-final 2:Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and The Netherland

Betting Odds

Norway selected the song as their Eurovision 2024 entry on the 3rd of February 2024.
Between the 3rd of February and the 29th of February, Norway has been ranked in the 8-13 place, mostly around 11th or 12th place.
Later on and even since then, Norway went down to 13-15 place.

Early Prediction

Norway has got an excellent allocation draw, towards the end of the semi-final.
As long as we have seen in the national selection, the staging is promising and the show is one to remember.
Folk-rock songs usually get the love of the public (see Ukraine 2021 as an example), and I believe it won’t differ this year.
My prediction is around 9-15 in the final.

Nemo – The Code

Nemo Mettler (better known as Nemo) is a 24 year old Swiss rapper, singer and musician who plays the drums, piano and violin.
Nemo released their debut EP in 2015. In 2017, Nemo gained more popularity by releasing the single “Du” which reached 4th place in the local charts.
Nemo participated in the 2nd season of “The Masked Singer Switzerland”, where he ended in 5th place.
So far, they have released 5 EPs.
In 2023, Nemo came out as a non-binary, and therefore Nemo identified as they.
In 2024, they were internally selected to represent Switzerland at Eurovision 2024.

They will perform the song “The Code“:

Allocation in Semi-Final

Switzerland will perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at Eurovision 2024.
Switzerland was allocated to perform in the 4th position, after Greece (3rd) and before Czechia (5th)

Musical Review

• It is a multi-genres song, which combines hip-hop, rap, pop, opera and more
• The song opens with a simple keyboard playing and humming. Nemo open the first verse with a high-tone of voice. The melody is based on fast keyboard playing and percussion beat.
• The pre-chorus is based on heavy breathing, backing vocals and opera singing. The drum beat from the first verse accompanies this part. The end is quite intense and dramatic.
• The chorus starts off with classic piano playing, and singing in a fragile high tone of voice. The emotions can be easily delivered through his singing. A tiny part of the singing is performed as falsetto. As this part progresses, the mid-tempo drum beat is brought back.
• The second verse is performed as hip-hop/rap piece. Nemo sing faster, and the beats are more intense. This is the part where they sing in a lower-tone of voice.
• The second pre-chorus is performed as rap, while the backing vocals supply the opera part.
• The second chorus is based on a more modern production. The beats take over the melody, but the basis of the melody is still the keyboards.
• This part is followed by a short transition part, composed of opera vocals.
• The bridge is more laid-back, and the melody is based on piano and some orchestral string elements. Nemo sing this part more calmly and in a lower tone of voice. However this part exploded into a siren and an impressively long and high note. The melody is based on strong elements in this part.
• The final chorus starts similarly to the second one, and it is served more up-tempo.
• The chorus ends with vocalization.
• Listening to this song feels like an unexpected journey, we are been taken through a wild road, with many surprises. Nemo showcases a wide range of vocal abilities which are transformed via numerous genres. On the positive side, it is a song that created a log of engagement. However, for some people it might be too complicated to digest.

Lyrics

[Intro]
Wo-o-oah

Welcome to the show, let everybody know
I’m done playin’ the game, I’ll break out of the chains
You better buckle up, I’ll pour another cup
This is my bohème, so drink it up, my friend

Oh
Oh
This story is my tru-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-uth

I, I went to hell and back
To find myself on track
I broke the code, wo-o-oah
Like ammonites, I just gave it some time
Now I found paradise
I broke the code, wo-o-oah
Yeah

Let me tell you a tale about life
‘Bout the good and the bad, better hold on tight
Who dеcides what’s wrong, what’s right?
Everything is balance, еverything’s light
I got so much on my mind
And I been awake all night
I’m so pumped, I’m so psyched
It’s bigger than me, I’m gettin’ so hyped, like

I, I went to hell and back
To find myself on track
I broke the code, wo-o-oah
Like ammonites, I just gave it some time
Now I found paradise (Ohh)
I broke the code, wo-o-oah (Ohh)

Somewhere between the 0s and 1s
That’s where I found my kingdom come
My heart beats like a
Somewhere between the 0s and 1s
That’s where I found my kingdom come
My heart beats like a dru-u-u-u—

I, I went to hell and back
To find myself on track
I broke the code, wo-o-oah
Like ammonites, I just gave it some time
Now I found paradise (Ohh)
I broke the code, wo-o-oah, wo-o-oah

Poetry Analysis

The song spans the story of self recognition and personal growth.
The spokesperson feels like he felt in lie, and therefore he won’t play the game anymore.
Continue with the show metaphor, the spokesperson prepares the audience to take a seat and be ready.
The spokesperson describe the life as nightmare or hell, when had to hide their identity.
It took some time to find the right track, the balance between being faithful to learn how to fit to the environment. The metaphor or breaking the code demonstrates the runaway from social norms.
ammonites, with their spiral shape, are symbols of change and positive motion. This helps us to understand the outcome of this journey: The spokesperson feels better with their identity and have finally reached the point of living life freely.
They begun the journey in hell and ending it in paradise.
In the second verse, the main message is that there is no wrong or right, as long as we keep the balance between our desired and the society.
Living the life while ignoring our true identity and desired might result even in struggling to sleep.
As s non-binary person, the spokesperson doesn’t identify as 0 or 1 (the binary system), but as something in between. This middle is dynamic and can change. When finding the right “number”, or when reaching the destiny, this is when their heart beats.

Initial Personal Ranking

4th in semi-final 1, 8th overall

The impact of the allocation in semi-final 2

Among the countries that usually vote for Switzerland, 6 countries will vote in semi-final 2:Austria, The Netherlands, Albania, Denmark, Malta and Belgium.

Betting Odds

The song was released on the 29th of February 2024.
On the first 4 days, Switzerland was 10th, 9th, 7th and the 5th place with the bookies.
Between the 4th of March and the 27th of March, Switzerland has been 3rd/4th with the bookies.
Later on it spent 4 days on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th place. Even since the 1st of April, Switzerland is leading the odds.

Early Prediction

Nemo has brought a very unique package to Eurovision 2024.
His wide range of vocals, together with catchy beats and emotional singing might convince many people and the jury as well,
Switzerland will sail through the final easily.
My prediction is 1-5 place in the final

In the next episode, we will discuss additional 5 countries competing in semi-final 2.

Don’t forget to visit our Eurovision 2024 homepage