Happy 2024, k-dreamers! I’m still running on a neverending treadmill called university, but I figured that posting to my blog might actually be a welcome reprieve. Let’s take a look at the recent songs released by some 2019 Eurovision participants in anticipation for the contest in May. Today we have “Iggy” by Monaldin and Ester Peony (Romania), “Cocktail d’amore” by Mahmood (Italy), and “Inget är som sommaren” by John Lundvik (Sweden).
Monaldin & Ester Peony – Iggy
As a French speaker, “Iggy” is a fun song to listen to. There’s nothing too deep about it, just a pop song about two lovers. I was wondering if the names Iggy and Louie are referring to anyone in particular. There weren’t many results when I tried to look it up. One of my favourite parts of this song is the drop. I love the sound of the lower octave of vocals doubling under Ester Peony’s vocals. To conclude, nothing offensive about “Iggy” in any way, but it didn’t blow my mind either.
Worth a revisit: YES
Mahmood – Cocktail d’amore
“Cocktail d’amore” had a lot of interesting choices in terms of orchestration. Mahmood makes liberal use of a vocoder in this song as well as a distorted acoustic band. If you listen closely at the very end of the song, there’s even a chipmunk voice singing the lyrics as it fades out. Besides the sonic landscape being strange, the lyrics are very much in line with Mahmood’s music. “Cocktail d’amore” portrays a toxic relationship, with the singer expressing regret for not being emotionally available to their partner. I’m sure we can both agree that Mahmood is a true artist when it comes to his music.
Worth a revisit: YES
John Lundvik – Inget är som sommaren
I realize that this song is completely inappropriate for this time of year, but I can’t deny that “Inget är som sommaren” puts a smile on my face. It’s a synthpop bop that makes you want to drive under the sun with the windows down (which I can’t do because I don’t have a license). John Lundvik has that same unbridled joy in his voice that I heard in “Too Late For Love.” It’s another song you don’t need to think too hard about, but it builds in a nice way that makes you feel good when the song is over. If you want pop music that pays off, no one does it better than Sweden. Also, shout out to the person who helped me translate this song when I asked on Reddit. I couldn’t find the lyrics anywhere!
Worth a revisit: YES