Review: Ireland’s “Eurosong 2025”

Ireland will select its Eurovision 2025 entry via “Ireland’s Eurosong 2025″.
The national final will be held on Friday, the 7th of February 2025.
The results will be based on the jury and a public vote.

In this article, I will review the 6 competing songs in the national selection.
The songs will be covered in alphabetical order (of the artists):

#1. Adgy – Run Into The Night

• It’s a folk-pop song.
• The song opens with the oriental sound of the violin and keyboards playing. The first verse relies on constant keyboard playing while Adgy sings in a smokey voice. He sings in considerably long music boxes. The pre-chorus has a different arrangement, he pronounces some of the words uniquely, almost in Yodel style. The violin creates a frame of the melody. The first chorus continues in the same line, his singing is fragile. The first post-chorus relies on soft electronic beat and cyclic violin playing, The emphasis is on the instrumwntal part.
• The second verse is shorter but more upbeat, as the electro beat wraps the melody. This part sounds more contemporary. His singing is breathy, with some fragmented words. The second pre-chorus continues in the same way, but it is faster. The second chorus is similar to the first one, with the folk element partly held back. The second post-chorus includes backing singing, while Adgy sings more powerfully. Thereafter, we get the out chorus which is half of the chorus. The melody slowly decays.
• Overall, I would describe this song as an interesting one, mainly due to the fact it combines modern and traditional music. However, I feel like it lacks the “X-Factor” or any twist towards the middle/end. From a certain point and on roads, it is too expected. It will need a staging that will tell the atory and make it bolder.

#2. Bobbi Arlo – Powerplay

• It is an alt-dark electro-pop song with techno elements
• The song opens with pre-recorded speaking that shifts into growling. The production is metallic and based on synth elements. The first verse is based on synth and electro-bass sound, Bobbi sings in a mid-tone voice. The first refrain (and pre-chorus) is more intense. Her singing is somehow lighter but more mysterious. Bobbi lengthens some of the syllables while her singing is wrapped by some effects. The first chorus is based on a more laid-back production, the melody is based on sparse drums beat. It features fading backing vocals and then we get the electro beat back.
• The second verse is similar to the first one. This time, the beats are less powerful. The pre-chorus and refrain are the same as the first ones. It shifts into a “stylish” spoken word (with some broken syllables), which combines into the melody. The second chorus suggests a darker interpretation, which resembles house music. The post-chorus combines fading backing vocals as well as longer notes. The outro is a pure electro piece, as the techno elements are away.
• Overall, the song is super catchy and has tons of potential. It is edgy and yet accessible. If the vocal are on point, Ireland has an easy way to grand final with a honorable score.

#3. EMMY – Laika Party

• It is a techno-electro dance-pop song, with wide influences of the 1990s music. The song is a tribute to Laika, the Soviet dog that was sent on a mission in space.
• The song starts with an electronic keyboard loop and a pre-recorded male voice. The first verse is based on a constant electronic beat, Emmy sings softly with her unique voice. The first pre-chorus doesn’t feature the tempo from previously. In this part, the melody is based on synth elements and electronic keyboards. She sings in this more powerfully and meaningfully. The first chorus is similar to the first verse; it brings back the electro beat, but this time, it is closer to techno. It ends with resonating dense electro drop. The chorus ends with humming and continuation of this electro beat until it explodes.
• The second verse is quite similar to the first one. The second pre-chorus is more emotional (and sad). It relies on electronic keyboards and sampled strings. She sings this part with slightly longer notes. The chorus is upbeat, bringing the electro drop and the techno loop. Towards the end, we get a modulation, which takes Emmy’s voice to an almost unnatural height. This is another typical “trick” of the 1990s music. The song ends with one last chorus.
• Emmy is a great singer with a musical stamp. But I feel like the song doesn’t do good with her. It sounds like an attempt to ride the wave of the “1990s music”. The modulation, in the end, isn’t essential at all. Finally, the song has a cyclic structure, with barely any changes between its two halves.

#4. NIYL – Growth

• It is an indie-pop song.
• The song opens with acoustic guitar playing. The first verse is based on guitar playing and mid-tone singing. NIYL sings accurately with a special voice. Before the first pre-chorus. we can hear a sampled electronic loop that was created from backing singing. The first pre-chorus goes in a more interesting direction. It relies on some electronic elements, while the singing is spread on a wide range of vocal pitch and note length. We can also hear female backing vocals in the background. The chorus has a more dramatic character. He sings short phrases of words (one word each time) with a highet tone of voice. The melody is based on guitar and keyboards playing. Towards the end, he repeats the word “growth” emotionally and intentionally. The melody also features percussion eleemtns, and towards the end some digital processed vocals.
• The second verse is based on a slightly “tougher” singing. The melody is based on keyboard playing and soft electronic beats. Backing vocals and synthesized singing led us to the second pre-chorus, which is based on more electronic sound. The second chorus starts more dramatically, with a very specific keyboard playing. The bridge starts with long notes which are performed as humming and vocal decorations. They are tied in the main singing. The tempo is built towards the end and taked contol the melody.
• What I liked about that entry is that you can hear it comes from a singer-songwriter. There’s something authentic and honest about it. I think the production is cool and well-constructed. However, I am not sure about how competitive it is for the big Eurovision stage. I can see the jury going beyond it, but for the song has to qualify for the final.

#5. Reylta – Fire

• It is an alternative folk with traditional Irish music elements.
• The song opens with bowed string elements, which create a thick and noticeable sound. Reylta opens the first verse by singing in an angelic voice. The notes are long, and the sound is resonating. Later on. the melody is mostly based on acoustic instruments. The first pre-chorus is served with faster singing. The melody is based on violin and cello. The first chorus follows, mostly based on the word “fire”. She lengthened the pronunciation of this word, singing in a mid-high tone of voice, while we hear male backing vocals in the background. The melody of the chorus is based on drums, bagpipe and string elements.
• The second verse is performed more simply, the production isn’t as big as previously, and the melody is mostly based on acoustic composition. The second pre-chorus continues similarly, but this time, we hear a deeper sound of orchestral string elements. Her voice explodes into the second chorus. The second chorus is based on bagpipe, drums, and string elements, while the singing part is quite short. Thereafter, we get a beautiful instrumental part, which is based on bowed string elements and falsetto humming. The last chorus is simpler, and the melody slowly decays into raw singing.
• Even though the song is quite good, I think it should have been performed in Gaelic. There’s something sincere and magical about this song. The arrangement was planned professionally. However, I’d like to get a richer chorus (lyrics-wise).

#6. Samantha Mumba – My Way

• It is a soul-pop power ballad.
• The song opens with piano and flute playing. Samantha opens the song with a deep and mysterious voice. Later on, some orchestral string elements are added. The first verse keeps on going with more layers. She is supported by backing singing, part of it is pre-recorded singing by her. However, we also hear a male voice in the background. As the first verse progresses, we get more effects wrapping her singing (like reverb and vocal duplication). She sings this part is a mid-low to tone of voice.
• After the long verse. we get the refrain. The production puts the instruments in the center, especially the violin and the piano. Her singing is sped up, sometimes shortening some word’s pronunciation. The violin playing becomes more dominant and takes control over the melody. The chorus is more “rhythmic”. She sings it with more passion, and we get another color of her voice.
• The post-chorus is served with more manners and rich violin playing while backing vocals appear from time to time. The bridge is similar to the refrain. The song ends with another chorus. Towards the end, we geta an outro which is similar to the bridge, but more laid back.
• My connection with the song wasn’t immediate. It feels a bit overdramatic. I hoped it to be developed into a James Bond anthem. Maybe this a song that will be elevated via a live performance.

Prediction

In general, Ireland gave us a diverse line-up. I consider it the strongest of Ireland’s “Eurosong” line-up. Based on the audio version, it seems like Bobbi Arlo has the highest potential to do well in Eurovision and to win the selection.

My Personal Ranking

1. Bobbi Arlo – Powerplay
2. EMMY – Laika Party
3. NIYL – Growth
4. Samantha Mumba – My Way
5. Reylta – Fire
6. Adgy – Run Into The Night

Who is your Ireland’s “Eursosong 2025″ winner?
Who will win the selection?

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