Eurodrama when there are still six months left for the festival?
Maybe yes.
The songs that will compete to represent Spain in Eurovision next May (appointment to be held in Liverpool) are here and the first listen could not be more devastating: except for three proposals (Alice Wonder, Blanca Paloma and Karmento), the rest is At best, expendable.
From there down.
In total there are 18 songs that will compete from January 31 to February 4 at Benidorm Fest.
One of them will go to Eurovision.
More information
Who is who at Benidorm Fest 2023
There was some disappointment when the names of the participants were known.
Last year's precedent was hopeful, with relevant
indie
names (Javiera Mena, Rigoberta Bandini...), very popular old glories (Azúcar Moreno) or groups very made of the emerging modern folk (Tanxugueiras).
None of this appeared in the 2023 selection. But the worst thing has been listening to the songs.
It is true that the famous
staging
is basic at this festival and it is possible that some pieces could improve, but, for now, judging by the audio, one cannot be very optimistic.
- Agoney, 'I want to burn'
One of the favorites, especially due to his popularity, since this 27-year-old canary has participated in television programs such as
Operación Triunfo 2017,
Tu cara me suena
or more recently in
Incredible Duos
.
I want to burn
is a jumbled song where many things happen and almost none of them are good.
Pounding electronics and lyrics that pretend to be bold, but turn out to be innocent.
Listen
I want to burn
by clicking here.
- Alfred García, 'Since you are here'
Another of the most popular.
Does anyone not remember his duet with Amaia at that Eurovision 2018?
It was in a disappointing position number 23. García insists with the ballad.
A song without surprises and bland.
Listen
Since you are
clicking here.
- Alice Wonder, 'I wish'
Fantastic topic, but, except for surprises, with little chance of winning.
It's the complete opposite of something like
SloMo.
The moving voice of this 24-year-old from Madrid begins naked (pay attention to the lyrics: “what does it matter what they say if they don't know anything about what I carry inside”) and then expands with a piano and a daring electronic base.
Like one of those piercing Billie Eilish songs.
Listen
I would like to
by clicking here.
Alice Wonder, in a concert in Madrid, in July 2022. Ballesteros (EFE)
- Aritz Aren, 'Flamenco'
Nothing to do with what the title suggests.
They say that this 30-year-old Valencian stood out on the TikTok social network as a dancer.
Since we can't judge his dancing skills at the moment, we can say that the song is infamous.
All the clichés of what a Spanish song is supposed to be gathered in three minutes.
Listen to
Flamenco
by clicking here.
- White Dove, 'Eaea'
The only artist on this list who repeats last year.
The singer from Elche brings the most flamenco song of the festival.
She approaches the sounds of a María José Llergo, with all prudent distances.
An interesting piece that brings cante jondo closer to electronic sound, creating an atmosphere with Lorca connotations.
And she sings wonderfully.
Listen
to Eaea
by clicking here.
Blanca Paloma, during a performance of the past Benidorm Fest.
RTVE
- E'Femme, 'Ugh!'
This one sure looks like
SloMo,
so this female foursome could very well take the win.
They are supposed to dance very well.
The fact is that the subject is quite coarse.
Listen
Ugh!
clicking here.
- Famous, 'La Lola'
“Why breathe, with that rhythm it will kill me.
/ She has a walk that seduces anyone who sees her go by ”.
This is how things are in
La Lola,
a song with a Latin rhythm, embarrassing lyrics and absolutely dispensable.
This was already done by Ricky Martin and Chayanne in the nineties, and much better, of course.
But we are in 2023.
Listen to
La Lola
by clicking here.
Famous, with the award that accredits him as the winner of 'OT 2018'.José Irún (EFE)
- Fusa Nocta, 'My family'
This singer born in Gandía 28 years ago could be integrated into that conglomerate of styles that is urban music.
My family
concentrates hip hop, some flamenco, resounding electronic bases, autotune?
and nerve.
A song tied to her time.
Listen to
My family
by clicking here.
- José Otero, 'Winters on Mars'
His biography says that this 32-year-old canary has been trained in British academies and won
The Mexican Voice
.
A globetrotter who has decided to bet on some very Coldplay choirs ("ooooo"), a goofy voice and a dramatic sound.
Despite the effort, it turns out a piece without a spark.
Listen
to Winters on Mars
by clicking here.
- Karmento, 'I want and mourn'
This time the folk proposal does not come from Galicia (Tanxugueiras), but from Albacete.
That's where Carmen Toledo is from, Karmento's real name.
She has such a good voice as little chance of winning at a festival that she is looking for something more conventional.
The best news for Karmento is that she will make a career as a professional singer.
Listen
I want and duel
by clicking here.
-Megara, 'Arcadia'
Wow,
this does sound harsh.
A (more or less) metal
quartet from Madrid
that, according to the photos on display, will go out to perform dressed in chains and muzzles à la Hannibal Lecter.
But, alas, the song is harmless enough.
Listen to Arcadia by clicking here.
- Meler, 'They won't move us'
Surely this trio has listened to Alizzz a lot.
They will not move us
appeals to that festive rhythm of the producer of C. Tangana, although he also takes little things from some... Stool.
No, this song is definitely not going to have a place in the history of Spanish pop.
Listen
They will not move us
by clicking here.
- Rakky Ripper, 'Traction'
It is possible that the organizers of Benidorm Fest have seen in this 27-year-old from Granada certain similarities with Rosalía, Bad Gyal or Lola Índigo.
A naive intention.
Traction
is repetitive and nothing suggestive.
Listen
Traction
by clicking here.
- Sharonne, 'Air'
The winner of the second edition of the Spanish version of the
RuPaul's Drag Race
program proposes a song that could work as the main theme of a cowardly Disney movie.
Is this bad?
No. What is questionable is that the theme is so unoriginal.
Listen to
Air
by clicking here.
Sharonne, after being proclaimed the winner of the second season of 'Drag Race Spain'.
- Siderland, 'Que esclati tot'
A Catalan trio that sings in their language.
A euphoric pop song that sounds correct and where absolutely nothing happens.
Listen
to Que esclati tot
by clicking here.
- Sofia Martin, 'Tuki'
Another artist who has listened to
Motomami
two million times .
If we add a little bit of
SloMo oomph to that,
this little robo named
Tuki appears.
Soulless and with a lot of algorithm.
Listen
to Tuki
by clicking here.
-Twin Melody, 'Sayonara'
This Basque female duo has become popular for their choreographies on the TikTok social network.
And a little more to add:
Sayonara
surely exhibits a very funny dance, but the musical level is nil.
Listen
to Sayonara
by clicking here.
- Vicco, 'Nightkeeper'
Real name Victoria Riba, born in Catalonia 26 years ago and sponsored by Alejandro Sanz.
Ella nocturna
is naive and danceable.
A song in a similar line to that of Aitana that girls and boys will enjoy.
Listen
to Nonchentera
by clicking here.
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