ESC Etc.

Twelve more countries! Part 1 of the Smackdown ended with the 2024 roster comfortably leading 8 to 4. Is this lead going to extend? Will the 2023 entries be able to catch up? Let’s find out:

France: Évidemment vs Mon amour
This is a really solid back-to-back showing for France. I liked their 2023 track just fine, and I think it ended up more or less where it deserved to in the grand final, whereas I have much more of an appreciation for Slimane’s song – it’s the best ballad of this ESC lineup, and it has withstood the test of time after that surprisingly early release.
2023: 4 – 2024: 9

Georgia: Echo vs Firefighter
I’m still unsure whether Firefighter is going to be enough to break Georgia’s NQ streak, but I do think it’s an overall more competitive package than Echo (which basically had no meaningful lyrics or a real staging concept behind it). Vocal is solid, and it’s a fairly approachable and straighforward pop girlie bop.
2023: 4 – 2024: 10

Germany: Blood and Glitter vs Always on the Run
I’m still a big fan of Blood and Glitter and still really bitter that we let Germany flop like that last year. 2023 gets this one even though Always on the Run is not a bad song – it’s just not very competitive and not nearly as special.
2023: 5 – 2024: 10

Greece: What They Say vs Zari
Not overly enamored with either track, but I do expect Zari to come together a bit more effortlessly than whatever we ended up getting last year (not blaming Victor – he was massively let down by his delegation). Not sure how the fandom will respond this time around, but 2024 gets this one because it’s at least different and a bit more daring.
2023: 5 – 2024: 11

Iceland: Power vs Scared of Heights
Iceland is in a bit of a rut in this post-Daði era, and even after putting together a phenomenal national final, I feel like their 2024 selection is letting them down somewhat. I would still prefer it over Power from last year, but I find both essentially inoffensive bordering on boring.
2023: 5 – 2024: 12

Ireland: We Are One vs Doomsday Blue
I haven’t seen a country do such a 180 since Iceland went from this in 2018 (finishing last in their semi) to this in 2019 (nabbing a Top 10 finish in the final). I hope Bambie Thug (and Ireland) is rewarded just as handsomely for taking such a huge swing. Absolutely love this track, and this one’s a no-brainer.
2023: 5 – 2024: 13

Israel: How to help civilians impacted by the Israel-Gaza conflict

Italy: Due Vite vs La Noia
The strongest Sanremo to my recollection gave us one of Italy’s most competitive entries ever this year, a song I appreciate much, much more than the sleepy stylings of Marco Mengoni from 2023 (it was quality, just personally not for me). I am really starting to occupy a space where it’s between Croatia and Italy for the win in 2024.
2023: 5 – 2024: 14

Latvia: Aijā vs Hollow
Latvia failing to advance last year is unto itself proof that we need to find a way to incorporate juries back into the semis somehow (EBU: I have some ideas, hit me up and cut me a check). I find Hollow, well…a bit hollow, and this one’s a pretty easy call in favor of 2023.
2023: 6 – 2024: 14

Lithuania: Čiūto tūt…I mean, Stay vs Luktelk
Love both these songs. Two completely different soundscapes, which makes it a bit hard to compare/contrast, but I have to give it to 2024 because it’s just a bit more different and riskier, and much more in line with the kind of music I tend to be drawn to.
2023: 6 – 2024: 15

Malta: Dance (Our Own Party) vs Loop
I never came around to Malta’s entry from last year – I thought The Busker were adorable and I appreciated the effort they put into staging it, but it was just never for me musically. I don’t particularly like Loop, either, but if I had to choose which one to listen to right now, it would be this one.
2023: 6 – 2024: 16

Moldova: Soarele și luna vs In the Middle
Again, two completely different songs I kind of love equally. This is really the only situation where I wouldn’t want to break a tie, but the rules say no ties, so I will give the slightest of edges to 2023 (love you Natalia, I will vote for you).
2023: 7 – 2024: 16