CYPRUS 2021

The Cypriot song was revealed on February 24h, via is premier play on CyBC’s show “Happy Hour”. Back in November, CyBC announced that they would not be reselecting their 2020 artist and Elena Tsagrinou would be representing Cyprus. Her song is called "El diablo" (The Devil)

During the video clip Eleni is  in a very simple black room which is very dimly lit. There is a fair bit of strobing and spotlights but nothing too obvious. She is wearing a long-sleeved silver top and a kind of spangly loin cloth. She sings along with the track while doing a very full on and intense dance routine. During the last minute she is joined by some body painted men who join in their Elena's routine as well as lifting her up at the end. There are also some shots of her in a flesh coloured outfit but appears to be trapped inside some cling film as well as some crudely inserted advertising spots.

The song starts very serene and flat with a very subdued shortened chorus. The backing track starts pulsating and becomes more electronic through the verse. The tune here is very monotone, almost spoken apart from one line in the middle. The prechorus is almost acappella and has melodic and quiet feel before the track bursts in with the power of the chorus where the tune is very simple and repetitive. This pattern is then repeated which gets to 3/4 of the way through the song. Next we have a short bridge which is a choir of children singing "I love el diablo" which turns the mood of the song a little bit sinister and then we have one more turn of the chorus before the name of the song is whispered at the very end.

Elena first came into the public eye as a contestant on the Greek "Got Talent" show as a teenager. She started her music career as the singer with the group OtherView before she went solo in 2016.  Most of her back catalogue is Greek language music however she has had some English material. She has also balanced her music career with TV presenting and coaching with "The two of us" and "The Voice Greece".

It is very obvious that Cyprus has found a bit of a groove concerning Greek female performers singing Latino inspired bangers. But sometimes that groove can feel more like a trench and at some point you are not going to get out of it. Although the song is not as identical as the Fuego/Replay comparison you certainly feel some kind of similarity - possibly to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". On a positive note the fact that this has become a bit of the "Cyprus at Eurovision" identity now, this might make it more memorable- not to mention standing out compared to some of the more synthy songs out there. What concerns me is that the song sounds highly processed and that a live version may sound rather weak. That said I am sure they will be using the pre-recorded vocals to their advantage and balancing the dance routine a little more. Personally I am not quite sure what this brings to the table as I think I am ready for Cyprus to do something different. I need them to surprise me now.

ARTIST - Elena Tsagrinou
SONG - El Diablo (The devel)
WRITING CREDITS - Laurell Barker, OXA, Thomas Stengaard, Jimmy "Joker" Thornfeldt