Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Valentina Monetta "Crisalide (Vola)"

Before I proceed. Here is the drastic comparison between Valentina Monetta last year and this year.

2012:

 

 

2013:

 



Now do you see the difference?

She is back. Valentina Monetta. The same artist who represented San Marino at Baku 2012, will do the same this year at Malmo. But this time a completely different tune than last year.

Her entry for Malmo-preselected by the ESC broadcaster of San Marino-entitled "Crisalide (Vola)," is a ballad, which starts soft, and toward the end gets down hard. Take a listen:

This could be a borderline contender to make the final, but not win it all on May 18. This will be featured in the second semifinal. Her song from Baku, "Facebook" (retitled "The Social Network Song" to meet EBU standards) was in the first semifinal and failed to qualify.

With that in mind, this is heaps better than "Facebook" "The Social Network Song." That song from last year was hideous and I was glad it didn't make the final.

Hope for the best. Now real Eurofans can pull for her, and by the way, like "Facebook/The Social Network Song," Ralph Siegel wrote this one too.

Up next: a review of  Moje 3 "Ljubav je Svuda."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Dina Garipova "What If?"

Dina Garipova is one of the youngest contestants at Malmo 2013 at the age of 22. She will prove that youth is not a factor with her song "What If?"

This is a ballad, but the title would make you think, is this another Iris? Iris, at 17, represented Belgium at Baku 2012 with "Would You?" Similar title form, which asks a question. However, this is a completely different tune from "Would You?" Take a listen.

It is a great song, and will make the final no doubt. On the other hand, it doesn't have the fun the Buranovski Babushki's had at Baku 2012. "Party for Everybody" was one of my favorites at that ESC. But is this a direct contender to win the grand final? Maybe, by a longshot.

Hope for the best.

Up next: a review of Valentina Monetta "Crisalide." Yes folks, she is back.

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Anouk "Birds"

After this, there will be ten more reviews of the participants of Malmo 2013. This is the 29th. Anouk is one of the most popular singers in the Netherlands, and will represent that country at Malmo with "Birds."

"Birds" is a simple ballad. Take a listen:

This is yet another entry with a borderline chance of making the May 18 grand final. It is good, but not as good as "You and Me" by Joan Franka, who represented the Netherlands at Baku 2012.

Up next: a review of Margaret Berger "I Feed You My Love."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Alena Moon "O Mie"

Alena Moon will return to EUROVISION this year as a solo artist representing Moldova at Malmo 2013 with "O Mie." She was a backup vocalist on Pasha Parfeny's "Lautar" which represented Moldova at Baku 2012.

"O Mie" is a simple ballad. Take a listen:

It is a borderline chance in making the finals. Also since she was backup vocals on "Lautar," Pasha Parfeny actually wrote the music himself. I didn't like "Lautar" last year. Too corny. This is heaps better.

Up next: a review of Who See Klapa "Igranka."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Vlatko Lozanoski & Esma Redzepova "Pred da se Razdeni"

Almost into the homestretch in the Malmo 2013 previews. Up next, it's the collaboration of Vlatko Lozanoski and Esma Redzepova on "Pred da se Razdeni."

Not everyone knows about Vlatko Lozanoski, but everyone should know about the one and only Esma Redzepova. She is a humanitarian, a mother of many children and a forefront of the Romani music scene. As the self-proclaimed "Queen of the Gypsies," her song "Caje Sukarije" gained notariety when it was featured on the Borat  soundtrack in 2006. She would later sue Fox and the other makers of the film for copyright issues. Her songs have been covered by other artists, including Sofi Marinova, who represented Bulgaria at Baku 2012 with "Lubov bez Granici."

On "Pred da se Razdeni," it is a moving ballad, with some dubstep elements (I think). Take a listen:

To those complaining about Esma's singing, you are all low life scum. Stick to your illuminati NWO shit, and leave real musicians alone. This is good. Not for the lowest common denominator.

Not as good as Kaliopi Bukle's "Crno i Belo" from Baku 2012. Bukle represented Macedonia the last couple of years in EUROVISION.

I hope this gets to the Grand Final on May 18. Also this isn't the worst song this year at Malmo 2013 (listen to Finland's), and is heaps better than a lot others, such as Spain 2006 and Ireland 2011 and 2012 just to name a few.

Up next: a review of Gianluca Bezzina "Tomorrow."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Marco Mengoni "L'essenziale"

Back with a grand final 'big six,' with a review of "L'essenziale" by Marco Mengoni.

Mengoni is a product of manufactured pop. In 2009, he won season three of some Italian show based upon the UK show of the same name. In "L'essenziale," he demonstrates that this is not the typical manufactured pop that is heard on those types of television shows. This is a simple ballad. Take a listen:

It is a good song, but I don't think it's a winner. He won't have to go through the semifinal phase since he is guaranteed only for the grand final May 18.

I also don't think this is a better tune than "L'amore e Femmina" by Nina Zilli, which represented Italy last year in Baku. 'L'amore' was a better tune, but this is good. Hope for the best.

Up next, a reveiw of PeR "Here We Go."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Moran Mazor "Rak Bishvilo"

Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' is officially in the second half, which means 19 more reviews. The first of which is that of "Rak Bishvilo" by Moran Mazor.

This is yet another soft ballad that is qualified for Malmo. Take a listen:

Since this is the Israeli effort this year, I really feel that this is not as good as "Time" by Tel Aviv-based Izabo, which didn't made the final at Baku 2012. "Time" rocked, but not this. However I really think this is a 'bubble' song considering it to me is on the bubble regarding reaching the final on May 18.

Up next: a review of Marco Mengoni "L'essenziale."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Ryan Dolan "Only Love Survives"

Guess what! It is the halfway point of the Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' series!

Now it is the 20th of the 39 participants this year in Malmo at LVIII EUROVISION Song Contest. This is "Only Love Survives" by Ryan Dolan, representing Ireland.

This is a good ballad, with some house elements. Take a listen:

This could be a finalist on May 18, but who knows. This is good, and a brilliant effort that heaps more than what Ireland had in 2011 and 2012 with JEDWARD. Hope for the best.

Up next: A review of Moran Mazor "Rak Bishvillo."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Eypor Ingi Gunlaugsson "Eg a Lif"

Almost halfway in the Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' series, as the focus shifts to the Icelandic entry this year-"Eg a Lif" by Eypor Ingi Gunlaugsson.

"Eg a Lif" is a nice ballad, that is very moving. Take a listen:

I really think it should make the final. It is strong enough to show up on May 18 in the Grand Final.

Also I wouldn't say it is better than "Never Forget," by Jonsi and Greta Salome Stefansdottir, which represented Iceland at Baku 2012. I found in comparison that "Never Forget" is the supreme track, but I hope Eypor the best at Malmo.

Up next: a review of Ryan Dolan "Only Love Survives."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: ByeAlex "Kedvesem"

Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' is approaching halfway, as this is the 18th of 39 reviews for Malmo 2013.

ByeAlex (aka Alex Marta) is the Hungarian representative this year in Malmo with a soft, flowing ballad called "Kedvesem." Take a listen:

This one should make the final definitely. Free flowing ballad, not too soft.

Compare this to Compact Disco's "Sound of Our Hearts" from Baku last year, it is just as awesome as this. No need to compare. The end.

Up next: a review of Eypor Ingi Gunnlaugsson "Eg a Lif."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani "Waterfall"

Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' continues now with the duet of Nodiko Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani with "Waterfall."

The duo, representing Georgia, has one of the strongest ballads I've ever heard in ESC in a long time. Take a listen:

I admit, this one will definitely make the final. Why? This song is co-written by Thomas 'G:Son' Gustafsson, who wrote last year's winner, "Euphoria" by Loreen Talhaoui.

This song is no joker, unlike Anri Jokhardze's from last year. Heaps better than "I'm a Joker."

Up next: A review of Cascada "Glorious."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Birgit Oigemeel "Et Uus Saaks Alguse"

Birgit Oigemeel will represent Estonia this year at EUROVISION LVIII next month with "Et Uus Saaks Alguse."

"Et Uus Saaks Alguse" is a piano fused tune, almost similar to Ott Lepland's "Kuula" from last year. Take a listen:

My jury on this: Like "Kuula" at Baku 2012, this one will make the final. It is good and fills your soul up right. If you like your EUROVISION song with elements of the piano, then you've headed to the right place. It is just as good as "Kuula" as well.

Up next: a review of Krista Siegfrieds "Marry Me!"

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Despina Olympiou "An Me Thimase"

Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' continues with "An Me Thimase" by Despina Olympiou.

Despina Olympiou is one of the most popular singers in the Mediterranean region and will represent Cyprus in Malmo next month.

"An Me Thimase" is a soft ballad with some soft guitar riffs. Take a listen:

My jury on this: it is good, yet better than the trashy slutwave bullshit known as "La La Love" by Ivi Adamou last year, which should've never made the final, and was one of the acts last year that deserves nul points in the first place.

Also, I really think this song, despite the banking crises on the island nation, will not make it to the final. That's my two cents.

Up next: a review of Emmelie de Forest "Only Teardrops."

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: Klapa s Mora "Mizerja"

Malmo 2013 '39 For 39' continues with "Mizerja" by the Croatian sextet Klapa s Mora.

Klapa s Mora sounds like the typical barbershop singing group. However, they are not really a barbershop singer group. These guys have some soft, melodic sounds to accompany their EUROVISION song:

To me it is an okay song, and it should get to the Grand Final.

On the other hand, head to head with Nina Badric's "Nebo" from last year, "Nebo" was better. Hope for the best for these guys.

Up next: a preview of Despina Olympiou "An Me Thymasai."