Our next reviewer has participated 2 times in Söngvakeppnin (the Icelandic NF) and both times she had fantastic songs and that is the reason why I wanted to know her thoughts on some of these songs.
HILDUR, I CAN'T WAIT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE 2020 NF SONGS
KaYra - Alligator
I think the melody is catchy but the lyrics are kind of confusing; I don’t really get them with first listen and I think the production is not really my cup of tea.
Anett x Fredi - Write about me
I like the vocal production, low key production but good feeling in the song. It’s missing a strong chorus I think.
Erika Vikman - Cicciolina
Not my cup of tea at all. I feel like it sounds very old production wise, like a bad re-do of an Abba song.
Barbara Tinoco - Passe-Partout
Interesting instruments used but the song didn’t really get me and I would probably never listen to it.
Didirri - Raw stuff
Absolutely love his voice. I think this song is beautiful, the concept is good, production is simple but effective and goes well with his voice and melody.
Eden Alene - Roots
I really don’t like the production or lyrics. The instrumental is all over the place - maybe that’s supposed to go with the idea of the song but I just really don’t like it and think it sounds like 2 very different songs.
Pinguini Tattici Nucleari - Ringo Starr
Didn’t catch me. The melody is a little bit too busy and then the synth sound in the chorus is not cool in my opinion.
Dotter - Bulletproof
Very catchy and good popsong. Reminds me of Sia. She also has an interesting voice. Wouldn’t really play it at home but still I think it’s one of the best ones.
Rancore - Eden
I was very surprise when he started rapping! This song is of course hard to vibe along with as its’ not in English and I feel like in rap songs it’s harder to vibe with them if you don’t get the lyrics at all. Even if I’d read a translation of the lyrics I don’t really connect with the song.
Levante - Tikibombom
I love her voice. The song is very dramatic and nice. I like the emotion and melody - and the tikibombom reminds me a little bit of Bammbaramm actually!
I'm sure you all remember Laila from her brilliant MGP 2016 entry "Afterglow" but the reason I thought of her for this new thing I'm doing is because she was one of the songwriters of "Jealous cause I love you", one of my favorite 2010 NF songs, so I sent her a DM and she kindly accepted doing this review thing.
LAILA, I CAN'T WAIT TO KNOW WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE 2020 NF SONGS!
KaYra - Alligator
This song is a bit on the cliché side for me, and is lacking originality and something real. Fun and colourful video is the upside.
Anett x Fredi - Write about me
I like the emotional character and soulful melodies in this song. It sounds sincere and it’s beautiful.
Erika Vikman - Cicciolina
This one has a catchy melody, gives me Abba feels. I am not really getting drawn into this as it’s in finnish, and I feel like I heard the melodies before. Not bad though.
Barbara Tinoco - Passe-Partout
Beautifully naive song with real old school vibes. Feel like I am in a French romantic comedy movie from the 50’s. Sweet.
Didirri - Raw stuff
I like this one. Nice melodies, downplayed, gives authentic vibes and a sore sense. He has a great voice for acoustic music.
Eden Alene - Roots
This song is such a mash up of vibes, the chorus is my favourite part. Plus for originality.
Pinguini Tattici Nucleari - Ringo Starr
Not catching me so much, it’s a bit silly but I don’t think the joke is funny. Well produced, though.
Dotter - Bulletproof
Generously “borrowing” from both Aviici and Sia. Lacking originality.
Rancore - Eden
Great feeling, thoughtful lyrics, this artist has a message, whether you agree with it or not, it’s a good song.
Levante - Tikibombom
I like this one a lot. Cool voice. This is a song one can listen to without understanding the lyrics, too. Nicely done
I think in a million things when I'm trying to sleep and one night I came up with the idea of getting musicians to comment on my favorite NF songs from this year and that was very appealing to me so the next morning I woke up and I DMed Erik and asked him if he would be up for it and he said yes!
Erik Dalhqvist is one of the songwriters of Dotter's Bulletproof and he is also part of the team that wrote Queen by Samra.
Now it's time for me to say: Erik, I can't wait to know what do you think about these 2020 NF songs!
Elvana Gjata - Me tana
This ethno pop-song is quite mysterious and I really like her voice, but that’s also it. I’ve heard the same song many times before in Eurovision. I’m sure there could be a club remix of this that would gain a lot of attention on the dance floors all across Europe.
Erika Vikman - Cicciolina
I’ve read a lot about this song, but this is the first time hearing it. The song reminds me of a mixture of a bunch of Swedish acts like ABBA, BWO and Little Jinder. If you want to send a traditional Eurovision-song, you should send this. Good or bad? I don’t know.
It is an ok pop-song, but to be honest I think it is a bit dated.
KaYra - Alligator
At a first listen I found myself singing along to the song, which is always a really good sign. The song has a lot of potential to be a hit as it has both good melodies and lyrics topped with nice vocals. I’ve read all the buzz about The Roop, but I think this is a much better song. I’ll add it to my Sunday afternoon-playlist for sure.
Didirri - Raw stuff
If you’re into classic piano ballads from the likes of Elton John, this will be right down your alley for sure. The artist sure can sing and has a very pleasant voice to listen to, but what stands out a little extra here are the lyrics! ”Life has some raw stuff” is very relatable. The production of the song feels 100% on point as well and it leaves a lot of space for his voice. Will this be featured in a big movie anytime soon? It should.
Barbara Tinoco - Passe-Partout
Who resurrected Edith Piaf? I mean that in the best way possible!. I love this 30’s jazz-swing-waltz-what ever it is-song. Even though there’s quite a lot going on (with different time signatures and such) in the song, It’s very easy to like and listen to. Her voice is very smooth and sits in the song like a charm. I’m sure this would’ve done really well in Rotterdam, even though it’s not as radio friendly as most of the competitors are these days.
Looking forward to my next trip to Paris.
Pinguini Tattici Nucleari - Ringo Starr
I like this happy pop/rock banger from the band that must have the best band name in the history of band names!. The song makes you wanna dance and I sing along to every word, even though I have no idea what they are. If I should be a tiny bit on the negative side I could point out that the production could’ve gained from a couple of more turns in the studio as it feels a bit dated, but that’s not a big issue so I’ll stay positive.
Eden Alene - Roots
What stands out here is the chorus (or is it pre-chorus??) that comes before the drop. Really nice melodies combined with an ethno-feel. The song is good overall, but just as said about Me tana: I’ve heard the same song many times before. It’s not at all bad, but it lacks an edge that makes it stand out.
Rancore - Eden
I’ve got a problem with this, and it is that for me rap is all about the lyrics and when I don’t understand any of it, it’ll be hard for me to say anything fair about it. What I can say about is that the track is nice, the piano-hook and the chorus is beautiful. I like that there’s a lot going on within the production and that it’s not just a simple loop that goes over and over again. I’m sure I’d be more enthusiastic if I understood the lyrics.
When all the names of the Australia Decides participants were announced the one I was looking forward the most was the protagonist of this interview and I wasn't wrong for being excited about him cause he delivered one of the best songs in the competition and without a doubt one of the best lyrics of the 2020 NF season. To get to know more about a him and his ESC entry, I'll leave you all with Didirri's answers:
Name: Didirri
Birthday: October 23rd
Height: 5’11
When you were younger, who did you idolize and why? Bernie Taupin and Bob Dylan. From the very beginning, I have been absolutely obsessed with good storytelling. I can’t think of two people that are more suited to telling a story in assistant poetic some writing format. I felt like I had lived full and chaotic lives just listening to their songs over and over again.
What is the most interesting thing you have in your room? 1949 singer sewing machine, I have been very much into quilting and fixing my own clothes.
What is something you consider a strength, that you are good at and what is something you want to work on? I think I have a strength in communication. I find it easy to talk to a crowd and tell them exactly how I am feeling at the moment. I could definitely work on my posture.
Do you have a celebrity crush? Not necessarily romantic, someone in the public eye who inspires you, captivates you or brings you joy!: It has been Stephen Fry for a very long time, I think the man is measured and well thought out with a good outlook on the world. Optimistic but realistic at the same time. Poetic yet crass as well.
Would you recommend us a film & TV show? I am very obsessed with ‘Marvellous Mrs Maisel’ and ‘Three billboards outside Epping Missouri’
If we visit Australia, what Candy / Snack / Beverage should we try? Everyone should try Vegemite. But make sure that you do it properly. Plenty of butter/margarine and a scraping a Vegemite.
Tell us a song by an Australian artist we should listen to: Check out ‘See Yourself’ by Moreton and James Vincent Mcmorrow
Before getting into the Eurovision zone, can I ask you about your name, where does it come from? My parents were inspired to name me after an indigenous Australian word and meditation practice, ‘Dadirri’, it is pronounced a bit differently, but very simply it means ‘deep and quiet listening’. There is much more info about it on the Miriam Rose website. I highly recommend reading her writing on the topic.
You are performing at Australia Decides 2020, how did it all begin and what do we have to look forward too? It began with this song. I started over two years ago and completely gave up on it. I don’t know how it found its way back to me but once it did I realised how important the song was to me. I hope you can look forward to a moment of quiet in the chaos that is Eurovision.
Describe for us, about the day you started writing ‘Raw stuff’: I was on tour, sitting on a piano. I have just received a phone call from a loved one and it was very apparent that we weren’t opening up to each other. It spilled out of me at the piano and I didn’t think much of it. How wrong I was.
What can you tell us about the music video of "Raw stuff"? The raw stuff music video needed to be honest. It needed to be nothing more than an accurate representation of how that makes me feel. We decided to go back to the place where I recorded and wrote half of the song. We needed to include Australia in it as much we could. I wanted to represent that beautiful land that we share and brings so much peace in moments like writing that song.
Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Socks: Fun whilst not ruining a good outfit
Rose: Tinted glasses
Oven: Lots of pressure in a small confined space.
Rare: quiet calm
Voice: Expressive, find it
What an exciting start to 2020, have you any upcoming plans you can share with us? More music! I can’t wait to get out on the road and play this song to all of you.
Thanks to Didirri and his manager Larissa Ryan for the interview!I
