07/03/12 SLOVAKIA

On 7^th March, Slovakia TV announced that their entry for Eurovision this year would be “Don’t close your eyes” sung by Max Jason Mai. It has been known since Slovakia confirmed its participation in December that their song and entry would be decided internally.

On the plus side this song is very different to anything else that has been put forward this year. It is a song that does catch your ear and the chorus is not too bad. The song is very much hard rock and I expect a performance to match it. The song has lots of rhythm changes and goes from quick to slow very quickly. This on the positive side keeps you on your toes but on the negative side means it is very difficult to get in your head or sing along to.

Of course as this news was released generally, there was no live performance to go on. From what has been written about him, he is an energetic performer so it will be interesting to see what kind of show he comes to Baku with. Also, the song is very OTT and although he seems to reach everything on the recorded version one wonders if he can work the magic live.

Hard rock generally does not do well at Eurovision, although I guess acts such as Lordi and Wig Wam may disagree, that said it is not a genre that is often sent. I don’t think the song will qualify but I don’t think it is a bad song. The style is too narrow and will not appeal to the general ordinary viewers or voter, nay the juries. Will get Eastern Europe and Scandinavian votes though.

SONG – Don’t close your eyes

ARTIST – Max Jason Mai

COMPOSER – Max Jason Mai

LANGUAGE – English