THE NETHERLANDS

The Dutch entry was unveiled on March 3^rd at a special press conference in Amsterdam. The presentation was hosted by Cornald Maas and Jan Smit, who are also the official Eurovision commentators for AVROTROS. Way back in October, it was announced that OG3NE (pronounced O-gene) would be representing The Netherlands. The sisters previously represented their home country at Junior Eurovision 10 years ago. They will be singing a song co-written by their father called “Lights and Shadows”

The video is set at night in a clearing in a forest. The three sisters - Lisa, Amy & Shelly – are stood together in dark clothing and large coats. Lines from the song are projected into the banks of the clearing, the trees and the girls themselves at different parts of the song. Although there is no choreography, they spend a lot of time turning their heads left a right depending on the camera. The overall effect is quite classy although very minimalistic. Something akin to thins could possibly work for the girls on stage.

The song is a quite stereotypical female empowerment ballad and from that end the lyrics are quite cheesy however it has stayed away from the bog standard rhyming couplets that might be involved. In parts, it makes me think of Bee Gees ballads and the way they would harmonise together, which dates it slightly but does make it feel familiar. It starts with a short a cappella introduction which immediately pricks up your ears. The verses are less dynamic because most of each line is sung individually but this provides growth for the chorus. Although the chorus is in the same vein, there is much more power and the phrasing of the lines make the rhymes really noticeable, as does the final line of ‘lights and shadows’ which stand on its own. I am not quite so keen on the odd guitar into to the second chorus and I think the ending needs to be more powerful – but this might be achievable when sung live.

As a ballad goes, this grows properly and the hand clap part near the end works really well and is placed just at the right part of the song to gain momentum. Although this was not a live performance, their singing ability cannot questioned at all. They are top notch at their close harmonies which this song shows off. However, this version is slightly over produced and I wonder if the true power of their vocals will strengthen the song or over-power it.

I am pleasantly surprised by this and I think it will do well. The fact they can sing AND one of the few groups this year will make them stand out, only a poor draw could be their down fall. I can’t see this winning but should obtain a single digit placing.

ARTIST – OG3NE

SONG - Lights and Shadows

MUSIC - J Rory de Kievit, Rick Vol

LYRICS - Rory de Kievit, Rick Vol