Review: “The Luxembourg Song Contest 2025”

Luxembourg will select its Eurovision 2025 entry via “The Luxembourg Song Contest”.
The national final will be held on the 25th of January 2025.
The results will be based on the jury and a public vote.

In this article, I will review the 7 competing songs in the national selection.
The songs will be covered in alphabetical order (of the artists):

#1. Laura Thorn – “La poupée monte le sonmonte le son“ (Eng: The doll turns up the volume)

• It’s a cabaret pop song, performed in the French language.
• The song opens with orchestral string elements and piano playing. The first verse is quite long. The rate is precise: Starting with longer musical boxes and ending with shorter ones. Laura is also supported by backing vocals.
• The pre-chorus is faster and has a more modern production. The chorus continues in the same way. It is more memorable (probably due to the “Na Na Na”), and the interpretation is a bit sweeter and younger. It ends out of the blue.
• The second chorus is more classical but features an electric guitar as well. The violin plays the main role, and the same applies to the second pre-chorus. The second chorus is similar to the first one. However, the production features light electronic elements. The chorus transforms into a short synth instrumental part. Bridge is more modern and based on fast singing, backed up by drums and bass. A long note leads us to the last chorus: Some parts of it are perfomred by backing singers, while Laura sings the high notes.
• Overall, the song fits the idea of what Luxembourg should send to the contest. It is a classic French music throwback (especially from around the 1960’s and 1980’s). The song’s title is a reference to Luxembourg’s entry in Eurovision 1965. The fusion of modern and classic is an interesting one. Good effort.

#2. Luzac – “Je Danse“ (Eng: I Dance)

• It is a pop song with synth-electro elements.
• The song opens with keyboards playing. Later on, the song transforms into a more synth-based melody. Luzac’s singing fits well with the beat, which is considerably fast. From time to time, we can hear pre-recorded processed vocals. The pre-chorus starts with a high tone of voice and more gently. The melody is based on keyboards playing.
• The chorus is a bit aggressive, Luzac sings it powerfully (and maybe too powerfully). The arrangement is of 2-3 short phrases and a longer musical box. The composition also features a drum beat. The second verse remains in the same line of electro beat and sparse melody. He performs it with some anger.
• The second pre-chorus showcases fragility. The melody is based on piano playing. The second chorus kicks in with electronic production and drums. The outro is based on drums and bass, with choir singing. Later on, we hear pre-recorded vocals, leading us to the last chorus with more digital elements.
• One of the songwriters is Linda Dale, and maybe that is the reason why the song reminds me of “The Code” by Nemo.
• Overall, the song structure is quite complex. But I feel that sometimes too much effort is put in. On the other hand, it might stand out among other songs.

#3. MÄNA – “Human Eyes”

• It is a mid-tempo pop ballad.
• The song starts directly with the singing, while MÄNA is supported by backing vocals. The melody is based on keyboards and drums. She serves this part with a warm tone of voice. While the backing vocals give a soul-gospel touch.
• The chorus follows. It is quite simple and based on gentle drumming. MÄNA sings it in a higher tone of voice. Towards the end of this part, she sings quite fast, and the flow is different.
• The second chorus is based on keyboards playing and drum beat. The backing vocals are fading.
• The chorus comes after, and it is quite similar to the first one. The bridge is based on rich backing vocals and piano playing. The song ends with one last chorus, with a greater presence of drums playing. The last chorus ends with a raw singing (without any melody)
• On the one hand, the song has the potential to be staged properly. MÄNA is indeed a talented singer. However, something about the song’s flow is questionable: The chorus and verses aren’t related. I expected some changes towards the end.

#4. One Last Time – “Gambler’s Song“

• It is a pop-rock song.
• The song opens with processed vocals. The melody is based on drums and bass. The lead singer sings in a mid-tone, smokey voice. The first pre-chorus is quite short and also based on digital keyboards and powerful singing. The chorus is more electronic, it doesn’t bring a lot on the lyrical level, and we mainly can hear backing vocals singing “La La La”.
• The second chorus continues the rock vibe of the song, The pre-chorus is based on dense digital keyboards. A short transition part leads to another chorus. The bridge is performed as a hymn: The melody barely exists. and the focus is on the lead singer’s voice. It continues with a more classic melody (based on piano) and high-note singing. From there, we get one last chorus.
• Overall. the production is well-planned. The arrangement brings some diversity. I’m not sure I’m a fan of the backing vocals. The staging will be crucial here.

#5. Rafa Ela – “No, Thank You“

• It is a Latin dance-pop song.
• The song starts with a bass loop and pre-recorded backing vocals. The beat continues to the first verse, Rafa Ela‘s singing is combined with the melody. The first chorus is pretty short.
• The chorus follows the phrase “No, thank you” repeats. The melody is based on electro-dance beats and drums. The chorus sounds a bit ethnic (Latin ethnic) and it is danceable.
• The second verse is quite similar to the first one but with more backing vocals. In addition, Rafa Ela gives us more vocally. The second chorus follows with a longer instrumental part. The beat blends into a danceable tempo.
• The bridge is a bit faster and features fewer effects. Longer notes lead us to the last chorus.
• Overall, the song is catchy but, at the same time, repetitive. Some of the lyrics are a bit cheap. However, it is a song that tends to be elevated via a live performance.

#6. Rhythmic Soulwave – “Stronger“

• It is a soul-RnB song.
• The song opens with keyboards playing. The lead singer suggests warm, soulful singing in a velvet voice. More layers are added gradually: The melody is still based on piano playing but also features bass, strings and wind instruments. The chorus continues in the same line, but the production is richer. The lead singer is a bit lower and the wind instruments take over the melody.
• The bridge is more orchestral and served in a slightly more laid-back and theatrical way. The last chorus starts in modulation and later on develops to humming to the background of trumpet playing. The song ends with outcry and raw singing.
• There’s something wintery and heart-warming about this song.
• It is one of the few times that a song of this genre has been selected for a national selection. I am not sure about how the general audience will react to this song. However, I do recognize the quality and the jury’s appeal.

#7.Zero Point Five – “Ride“

• It is a country-pop song.
• The song opens with clapping. The first verse melody is based on acoustic guitar playing. The lead singer simply and effortlessly. The chorus starts almost unplugged, and later on, it features a mid-tempo and backing vocals. After the chorus, we get a short instrumental part composed of string elements. The second verse follows. It’s a bit rockier, but overall, the country genre is the most dominant. The second chorus is finalized by more festive string elements playing, and the melody fits the horse rising.
• It reminds me of the hopeless country songs that usually compete in the “Melodi Grand Prix” and never qualify for the final.
• Overall, I wasn’t impressed by this song. It sounds like thousands of songs I’ve heard before.

Prediction

In general, I feel like the selection is weaker compared to last year. I think the competition for first place will be between 2 artists:

• Laura Thorn – “La poupée monte le sonmonte le son“  
• Luzac – “Je Danse“

My Personal Ranking

1. Laura Thorn – “La poupée monte le son“ (Eng: The doll turns up the volume)
2. Rhythmic Soulwave – “Stronger“
3. MÄNA – “Human Eyes”
4. One Last Time – “Gambler’s Song“
5. Luzac – “Je Danse“ (Eng: I Dance)
6. Rafa Ela – “No, Thank You“
7. Zero Point Five – “Ride“

Who is your “Luxembourg Song Contest 2025″ winner?
Who will win the selection?

Eurovision 2025 will be held in Basel, Switzerland on the 13th, 15th and 17th of May 2025