The video is very minimalist and unlike many music videos that accompany the song, I would actually see a very similar set up on stage. The members of Hooverphonic are playing an a black space with lights dotted around and there is also an orchestra to the side of them. All of them are dressed smartly in black and playing their respective instruments, bar Luca who is just tining into her retro styled microphone.
We also have another entry with a rather unusual song structure. There is no verse/chorus divide, it is more like a repetitive structure based around the refrain 'release me' that ends each part. The song starts with 2 of these stanzas followed by an elongated bridge and this gets us to just under half way through the song. We then have a repetition of the first stanza albeit with a slightly different melody followed by the bridge. For the last 40 seconds we find the song winding up to the finish with a slightly more haphazard melody finally ending with the 'release me from this sad and losing game' line.
The minimalist video performance really makes you focus on the melody, words and the singer's voice. The members of the group don't move off the spot so all of the movement is done through the camera. The beginning of the song focuses on Luca's face but then expands out to shots of the bands and swooping shots from high above. Although the orchestra plays a major part in the backing track they obviously won't be allowed to go on stage as there are already 5 in the band and that leaves room for just one more. The band have already addressed the prominence of the orchestra on the track by nudging that they would like their presence acknowledged somehow on stage.
The song is in the 'Bond theme' genre of Eurovision songs something Belgium has tried before, and not done too well on. The tune itself is quite distinctive, although not exactly taxing before going little bit more off kilter at the end so I am expecting to hear an almost flawless performance. The lyrics are repetitive and there is a huge emphasis on the title of the song, which is never a bad thing. There are some interesting musical phrases which keep you on your toes. Melodically it for some reason makes me think of "No surprises" by Radiohead and the fragility of Luca's voice reminds me of No Doubt's slower offerings.
Personally I was a little disappointed at this as I was hoping for something much more immediate as this is definitely a song that grows on you with each listen. For a 'simplistic' track, there is a lot to take in. In Eurovision terms I think that the jury will like this style of song and give it some marks but from a televoting perspective I feel this lack the 'call to vote' message that it needs - especially if they want enough votes for get out of the semi. If it does reach the final I feel this will increase it's vote share the second time round and may get a boot in ranking. It's a classy song but maybe not one to pull in the votes and make a mark.
Artist - Hooverphonic
Song - Release me
Composers - Alex Callier, Luca Chiaravalli
Lyricists - Alex Callier, Luca Chiaravalli
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