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[rosenbraut]

On another note I think I found a good Diptyque combination for me. I’m thinking Fleur de Peau perfume and Eau Rose hair perfume. I have such problems with rose as a fragrance note, it’s a pity. But this might be a good idea. I’m calling it the Galatea combination.

[eurovision-del]

Eurovizija.LT has been going on for several weeks now, but it all comes to an end this Saturday when Lithuania will pick their winner. Here's my ranking of the ten finalists:

Žalvarinis – Gaudė Vėjai

Silvester Belt – Luktelk

Monika Marija – Unlove You Starting Tomorrow

The Roop – Simple Joy

Queens of Roses – Walk through fire

Il Senso – Time

Pluie de Comètes – Be careful

VB Gang – KABOOM!!!

Shower – Impossible

Aistè – We Will Rule the World

I didn't follow the heats as they happened, but I did take the time to listen to all forty competing entries. I was quite glad I did, although there were plenty of unmemorable entries, there were several songs I was glad to have discovered, and a couple, like Paskubėk in particular, which I really wish had made the final. However, looking at what actually qualified, I think this is a reasonable selection.

My favourite by a long shot is Gaudė Vėjai. It’s a good folk rock song, so of course it’s going to do well with me! I love how the two lead vocalists sound together, and extra harmony from the guitarist also sounds great adding some extra texture in the chorus. It’s got a pretty standard structure, but every element works, I like the guitar solo and the melody of the bridge, and the unaccompanied start to the final chorus is really impactful. That said, I do think there’s space for this song to be more powerful than it is, and I also don’t think it’s the most unique song within it’s genre, but I love it for what it is.

I also really like Luktelk and Unlove You Starting Tomorrow, though for both the performances are a big part of it. Luktelk has a great pulse to it, which the staging really emphasised, and I loved how the dancers were used. As for Monika, she has such a good voice, and I love how the song was staged, with the simplistic staging evoking her alone in her room and the soft orange lighting and mist creating this intimate mood. I also really like how it changes as the song progresses, going on a journey. It’s so unlike any of the other stagings in this contest, and is a big part of why the song left such an impression on me.

I will happily take any of these three at Eurovision. I did also very much enjoy The Roop’s entry, I love them and it’s great seeing them back, and I very much appreciate the message of Simple Joy, but I’d like to see someone else get a shot at Eurovision. I’d be thrilled if Lithuania selected Žalvarinis, but looking at the contest as a whole, I think either Silvester Belt or Monika Marija would probably do better at Eurovision. Both also have decent staging concepts ready to go, Monika especially, I feel like that performance would stand out just as much at Eurovision as it does here.