I'm hoping Sara comes out on top tomorrow night. But that depends on the staging and visual of her performance managing to grab the same emotions as the song itself does. Hope YLE have been able to make that happen, I think it will give Finland their best chance at another good result. And it would be a nice switch of pace from rock and Cha Cha Cha the last few years 🙂
I prefer Sara Siipola, Sini Sabotage or Cyan Kicks. I have more expectations and excitement about the UMK than Melodifestivalen this year. I watched Vidbir + MGP + Benidorm last week. UMK and San Remo is on my agenda for tomorrow. :)
an excellent video as always, Stuart! i am personally in Jesse's corner, as i have been a fan of his for quite some time, but he probably stands no chance at winning so i'd also be happy to send Sara, Sini or Cyan Kicks. i feel like MG and Nublu and Windows95Man are a little bit too close to what we sent last year and i don't think that's the best choice.
The problem with vox popoli is that while I agree that some are far too quick to "cancel" others for their opinions or actions (like immediately scrolling through a newly announced artists socials to find excuses to dislike the song), by making the song about this debate, Gabriel has made his song integrably tied to his views. With how often the "free speech" argument is appropriated and abused by those acting in bad faith, especially by those from the far right who explicitly seek to widen those divides, I think drawing a closer level of scrutiny over his views is fair. I can completely understand not wanting Finland to be represented by someone singing about how he should be free to express his views when said views reportedly include how dangerous trans people and vaccines are. Anyway, Jesse and Sini are my easy favourites of the selection and I'm sad because I don't think either stand a reasonable chance of winning.
Yeah I agree that no one should be free of scrutiny, even if he has a valid point. As you say, it gives people reasons to examine his political views more closely.
Exactly. A lot is also lost in translation, since the choice of words and expressions are tied to the rhetoric of far right groups in Finland. Right now it looks like Windows95man is going to be better live than this, and because they perform last and share similar target audience, Vox Populi might end up flopping. Which I would be happy about. It would be the worst finnish entry in our eurovision history.
Based on the studio versions, my current favorite to win is Sara - which was a surprise to myself, because I usually listen to heavier rock and metal. But who I’m going to vote for tomorrow will be decided on the live performance. I’ll be there at Nokia Areena in Tampere, so I’ll get to hear and see the ultimate live live version. 😂
This year I don't have a clue who to vote. I'm a rock guy, but I was in my teens in the 90's, so I have a soft spot for that. Many of the songs are hevily autotuned (for effect, but also because the performer isn't the greatest singer) and to my knowledge autotune is prohibited in Eurovision. So how will they turn out live?
For me, the two standouts are Sara Siipola and Windows95Man. I think, that objectively Sara's Paskana is a better song, but I can't stand behind it, because it tells about grief and depression, which is all too familiar to me and to many Finns. I can relate to this song, even too well, because I'm feeling it's sucking me back to a dark abyss. But if it is chosen, it will represent well Finnish melancholy, which has been interpreted for a long time in Finnish music in different forms. If Paskana represents what Finns are, I think No Rules represents what Finns want to be. This cheers me up, this makes me smile, this makes me happy. Silly or not, I'm all for it.
When I listen to MG's song and see the imagery of the music video, I have the feeling that he is saying that facts (like the ones presented in the news, which he seems to mock in the video) are also opinions and those can be wrong. This is something that extremists and negationists defend. But evidence are not opinions.
I don't see it as arguing for alternative facts which is an unfortunate product of our post-truth society. But because of the things he's said in the past, it's hard not to raise an eyebrow at the language that he chooses.
Oh wow, how haven't I come across your videos before? Such quality analysis and great background knowledge! I'm really looking forward to watching your other vids. Thanks for covering UMK and lots of love from Finland
As a Finn I find that there are some really iffy lyrics in Vox populi for example, "if you are lions why is your heard bleating" which sounds like he's calling people that are trying to "cancel" (read criticize) him sheep. In the end though I agree with you the song doesn't have the worst message I've heard, wouldn't want it to represent us though which is going to happen unfortunately.
Great analysis but I think it will be a tough competition between Sara and Cyan Kicks. However, Sexmane's Mania may be a surprise if the staging is great. Käärijä had his green lime colour flavoured phenomenon. Maybe orange is the new green but at the rehearsals they seem to have forgotten the orange :( So it's probably Sara with Paskana, if she performs well this will be it.
I love Jesse and his music and he’s definitely my favorite from this selection! I’m only just now learning about MG and his *interesting* views… I’m not one to quickly dismiss someone on their political views, though seeing some examples I’ve seen in the video and read in the comments. it doesn’t look good… The question is, however, if the song really does reinforce his ideas, which I’m not really sure about. Also where is nublu on all this drama?
It's a good question. There hasn't been as much scrutiny of him and his views as far as I can tell. But maybe some Finns and Estonians would be able to weigh on in that.
Very well spoken about Mikael Gabriel's song message. I completely agree. The receiving of this song is exactly emphasising the problem itself. ALso i agree with all of these songs having their merits. Have to see the live performance in order to decide. Shout out from Finland! o/
I'm hoping Sara comes out on top tomorrow night. But that depends on the staging and visual of her performance managing to grab the same emotions as the song itself does. Hope YLE have been able to make that happen, I think it will give Finland their best chance at another good result. And it would be a nice switch of pace from rock and Cha Cha Cha the last few years 🙂
The snippet looks promising 😊
I prefer Sara Siipola, Sini Sabotage or Cyan Kicks.
I have more expectations and excitement about the UMK than Melodifestivalen this year.
I watched Vidbir + MGP + Benidorm last week. UMK and San Remo is on my agenda for tomorrow. :)
an excellent video as always, Stuart! i am personally in Jesse's corner, as i have been a fan of his for quite some time, but he probably stands no chance at winning so i'd also be happy to send Sara, Sini or Cyan Kicks. i feel like MG and Nublu and Windows95Man are a little bit too close to what we sent last year and i don't think that's the best choice.
Thank you very much! 😁
The problem with vox popoli is that while I agree that some are far too quick to "cancel" others for their opinions or actions (like immediately scrolling through a newly announced artists socials to find excuses to dislike the song), by making the song about this debate, Gabriel has made his song integrably tied to his views. With how often the "free speech" argument is appropriated and abused by those acting in bad faith, especially by those from the far right who explicitly seek to widen those divides, I think drawing a closer level of scrutiny over his views is fair. I can completely understand not wanting Finland to be represented by someone singing about how he should be free to express his views when said views reportedly include how dangerous trans people and vaccines are.
Anyway, Jesse and Sini are my easy favourites of the selection and I'm sad because I don't think either stand a reasonable chance of winning.
Yeah I agree that no one should be free of scrutiny, even if he has a valid point. As you say, it gives people reasons to examine his political views more closely.
Exactly. A lot is also lost in translation, since the choice of words and expressions are tied to the rhetoric of far right groups in Finland. Right now it looks like Windows95man is going to be better live than this, and because they perform last and share similar target audience, Vox Populi might end up flopping. Which I would be happy about. It would be the worst finnish entry in our eurovision history.
Jesse is also my fave.
But among the favourites, Sara is the best.
Based on the studio versions, my current favorite to win is Sara - which was a surprise to myself, because I usually listen to heavier rock and metal. But who I’m going to vote for tomorrow will be decided on the live performance. I’ll be there at Nokia Areena in Tampere, so I’ll get to hear and see the ultimate live live version. 😂
Ahh fun! Hope you enjoy it! 😁
Jesse has stated publicly that he won't participate in ESC even though he happened to win UMK. Because of Gaza situation.
I was never in doubt that you would be a fellow "Glow"-supporter, Stuart!
Thank you for all the well-spoken insight you keep providing us with!
My pleasure! And yes it deserves a lot more love than it gets!
This year I don't have a clue who to vote. I'm a rock guy, but I was in my teens in the 90's, so I have a soft spot for that.
Many of the songs are hevily autotuned (for effect, but also because the performer isn't the greatest singer) and to my knowledge autotune is prohibited in Eurovision. So how will they turn out live?
For me, the two standouts are Sara Siipola and Windows95Man.
I think, that objectively Sara's Paskana is a better song, but I can't stand behind it, because it tells about grief and depression, which is all too familiar to me and to many Finns. I can relate to this song, even too well, because I'm feeling it's sucking me back to a dark abyss. But if it is chosen, it will represent well Finnish melancholy, which has been interpreted for a long time in Finnish music in different forms.
If Paskana represents what Finns are, I think No Rules represents what Finns want to be. This cheers me up, this makes me smile, this makes me happy. Silly or not, I'm all for it.
Fascinating take! Thank you for that!
When I listen to MG's song and see the imagery of the music video, I have the feeling that he is saying that facts (like the ones presented in the news, which he seems to mock in the video) are also opinions and those can be wrong. This is something that extremists and negationists defend. But evidence are not opinions.
I don't see it as arguing for alternative facts which is an unfortunate product of our post-truth society. But because of the things he's said in the past, it's hard not to raise an eyebrow at the language that he chooses.
My favourite is glow, but I'd be happy with the top 2 in the odds
Another glow lover. Hell yeah!
Woo! 🙌
Oh wow, how haven't I come across your videos before? Such quality analysis and great background knowledge! I'm really looking forward to watching your other vids. Thanks for covering UMK and lots of love from Finland
My pleasure! Glad to have you here! 😃
As a Finn I find that there are some really iffy lyrics in Vox populi for example, "if you are lions why is your heard bleating" which sounds like he's calling people that are trying to "cancel" (read criticize) him sheep. In the end though I agree with you the song doesn't have the worst message I've heard, wouldn't want it to represent us though which is going to happen unfortunately.
My favs are Cyan Kicks and Sini , but I am also ok with Sara winning
Vox Populi is good song , but Mikael is big no for me
I really like Sini's song but do struggle a bit with the sexy onion metaphor 😅
It definitely sounds a bit funny 😆
Don't get too hung up on the sexy, the song (and the singer's personality) has several layers... like an onion ;)
Great analysis but I think it will be a tough competition between Sara and Cyan Kicks. However, Sexmane's Mania may be a surprise if the staging is great. Käärijä had his green lime colour flavoured phenomenon. Maybe orange is the new green but at the rehearsals they seem to have forgotten the orange :( So it's probably Sara with Paskana, if she performs well this will be it.
Thank you very much! 😃
I love Jesse and his music and he’s definitely my favorite from this selection! I’m only just now learning about MG and his *interesting* views… I’m not one to quickly dismiss someone on their political views, though seeing some examples I’ve seen in the video and read in the comments. it doesn’t look good…
The question is, however, if the song really does reinforce his ideas, which I’m not really sure about. Also where is nublu on all this drama?
It's a good question. There hasn't been as much scrutiny of him and his views as far as I can tell. But maybe some Finns and Estonians would be able to weigh on in that.
The answer is Kojo😊 70yo
I was expecting the show like no other, I want it back to Turku, if this is the outcome in Tampere.
It is kinda cool position, when there is no comingback, from nowhere
Very well spoken about Mikael Gabriel's song message. I completely agree. The receiving of this song is exactly emphasising the problem itself.
ALso i agree with all of these songs having their merits. Have to see the live performance in order to decide.
Shout out from Finland! o/
I appreciate that! Thanks!
Subscribed! :) @@stu_makes_vids