Vår andre gjesteskribent til å vurdere årets MGP-heat, kommer fra landet ingen ventet kunne delta i Eurovision. Men det gjør de altså i år: Australia!
For å finne en erfaren og velvillig ESC-ekspert derfra, henvendte vi oss til vår søsterside som er basert nettopp down under: ESCDaily.
Her er deres skribent Renee Pozzis egen presentasjon av både siden og årets 11 MGP-låter. Vi har valgt å beholde vurderingene på engelsk:
ESCDaily.com is dedicated to bring Eurovision news to Europe, Australia and the rest of the world.
For many years, we have been one of the largest fan media websites based in Australia, where the readers are able to follow our website from all over the world. Last year we especially enjoyed covering the news surrounding the interval act of semifinal two, where Jessica Mauboy performed for Australia on stage, and we are already excited to give our best in Vienna, when «our» country will participate for real this time, with our local talent Guy Sebastian!
We also follow every other preselection in Europe, including the Norwegian final where we have very own special reporter on the scene. It’s time for one of the website creators, Renee Pozzi from Australia, to review the participating songs in Norway for this year, from her personal perspective.
Norway in my opinion, of late, has had some very strong songs in contention each year for their annual Melodi Grand Prix. A dynamic and genre-rich contest, MGP has evolved over time making it one of my favourite preselections in Eurovision. In 2015, MGP once again has a strong lineup which wouldn’t disappoint many fans, with various different songs on offer this year. Let’s get straight into it;
Alexandra Joner – Cinderella
A modern pop / R&B song which could do well at the contest. The song begins with the main hook and strings, which builds up to a strong pre-verse and back down into the verse. I imagine this song will be popular within the online ‘Eurofan’ community, but I feel this song needs something stronger to contend the Norwegian final. The ‘Cinderella’ theme seems a little outdated and is quite cheesy, and the main ‘hook’ is quite repetitive, however there is a lot of potential in Alexandra Joner who delivers a strong vocal in the track. I don’t mind the song, but feel her competitors have far stronger songs.
Contrazt – Heaven
Well, this song feels like a trip down memory lane, since it is taking us back quite a few years. It might fit the Norwegian final with the live orchestra well, but would this be strong enough to make the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna? I certainly don’t think so.
Erlend Bratland – Thunderstruck
A really strong song this year is from Erlend Bratland, who gives us a very strong and versatile vocal on the studio track. The song ‘Thunderstruck’ has a very nice build-up, and is catchy from the start – certainly something a song needs to contend the victory of the Norwegian final. Looking to Eurovision, this type of song will work out well on the Eurovision-stage with the lights, strobes and special effects on hand. I feel this song will be contender if Erlend’s vocal and performance is strong on the big night.
Ira Konstantinidis – We don’t worry
At start it sounds like a nice mellow guitar, but as ‘We Don’t Worry’ continues, Ira has some very catchy material to get the crowd moving. We should expect a nice small performance, similar to what we have seen in recent years for the delivery of these type of songs. It’s easy listening music, but plain and a little boring, this type of song that won’t stand up to some of the bigger songs in the Norwegian final.
Jenny Langlo – Next to you
Jenny’s track ‘Next To You’ is certainly a stand-out song in the Norwegian final. When we close our eyes, we can certainly imagine how this song could have some perfect and intense shots to give it maximum effect and impact on stage. Is Jenny’s personality big enough to carry the weight of a flawless three minute performance? Can’t see this winning the final, but who knows…
Karin Park – Human beings
My ‘dark horse’ in the Norwegian final comes from the incredible Karin Park. This song reminds me of typical ‘Synthpop’ track (like Robyn from Sweden) and I’m curious to see if Karin Park will utilise the live orchestra for her act, as this is a kind of song that doesn’t need a orchestra. However, live strings could really bring this song to life. It’s a very modern and uptempo song, which would be welcomed in Eurovision 2015at this stage… It’s a song I’d definitely pick my phone up for if it makes the contest.
Marie Klåpbakken – Ta meg tilbake
This song takes quite long to actually begin, a very long build-up to the chorus. Perhaps people who understand the Norwegian language will have something to look out for in this song, but I’m not sure how it will stack up to the favourites of the final. I like Marie’s voice, but that’s about it. I’m just not sure the song has what it takes to be a ‘real’ contender in the final.
Mørland feat. Debrah Scarlett – A monster like me
It’s no secret that ‘A Monster Like Me’ is the reason why Norway is currently 5th in the betting to win Eurovision 2015. It seems to be the big favourite between Europeans as well. We already have some male-female duets for the contest in 2015, following the Dutch success of last year. However, the other strong male-female duet, Estonia, is another favourite to win the Eurovision final next May. For me, the winner, and what a great Norwegian entry it will be in Vienna – and I’m sure Australians would vote for it. I expect the orchestra to be used and have full effect in the delivery of this song.
Raylee – Louder
If Norway wants to go for an R&B pop song this year, Raylee would be a great choice. I have the feeling that this song would’ve been better for the contest a couple of years back, when the genre was still booming. I can imagine it having a strong direction, with tight choreography on stage using maximum effect of the lighting available. Even though it’s a good and catchy song, it’s going to be difficult for Raylee to win the Norwegian final. Such songs are still popular in Australia and it’s certainly another great track on offer in Norway, just against some very strong competitors.
Staysman Lazz – En godt stekt pizza
For the record, I must say I think this song is awesome! Yes, I know plenty of preselections have cheesy novelty entries, no pun intended, but ‘En Godt Stekt Pizza’ is very wacky and catchy. I only have one request; keep the shirts on lads. Depending on the performance and on stage wackiness, people should look deeper and think if they really want a song like this to represent their nation. I still like it, just am unsure how this would go down in Vienna.
Tor & Bettan – All over the world
First of all, it’s great that these Eurovision-veterans are wiling to give it a go again. We have to remember however Eurovision has vastly changed since the 80’s and 90’s. Obviously, Tor and Bettan have gone for a style of song they feel comfortable with and to be honest it’s a dated composition. Although they deliver a great message, I can’t see Norway sending such an out-dated and borderline boring song to Viennawith what else is on offer in the final.
In conclusion, it should be said Norway has once again a very dynamic lineup with plenty of strong songs on offer. The likes of Erlend Bratland, Raylee, Karin Park and Statesman Lazz deliver catchy and uptempo tracks, whilst Mørland and Debrah Scarlettwill and deserve to remain the favourite with their theatrical ballad ‘A Monster In Me’. Can it be beaten? I think it can’t, especially with a live orchestra on offer, which could propel this song into a new dimension. Good luck Norway, no doubt, whatever you choose you will have an entry to once again be proud of.
Vi takker Renee og EscDaily for tankene rundt årets MGP-låter. I morgen kommer en ny gjesteskribent, og etter Island i går og Australia i går tar vi da turen tilbake til ett av våre naboland.
Tilrettelagt av Eivind Charlie M. Sætre
