The Ukrainian song was revealed on February 4th, via social media. Earlier in the process, it was announced that the song would be chosen by an internal jury from a final shortlist of 3 songs. GO_A, the band who would have been the Ukrainian representative in 2020, will sing the song "SHUM". (Noise)
The song was released a few weeks earlier as a single by the band before it was revealed to be on the Eurovision shortlist. However as this was a jury led internal selection the video version is the only version we have, so this is the performance I will have to use to make my judgement. In the video the group and some extra dancers are on a hill overlooking a very misty and cold Kyiv. They are all dressed in white plastic protective outfits and transparent face visors. As well as close ups of the band singing and playing their instruments the other people can be seen joining in simplistic dance routines. It is a rather stark, if not memorable, visual.
The song starts with odd calling sounds almost like a squawking birdsong. As the song builds up the backing track slowly layers up too. The singer starts with what you might assume is a verse, but once through you realise the structure is a little more complicated than that. There are two main rhythms and tunes, which could be seen as verses or chorus) but almost work better as a single stand alone unit, or a 'stanza'. The song starts with two stanzas in quick succession, as the beat starts to penetrate the song, followed by a penny whistle led instrumental. There is then another stanza ending in a long high note which stops the beat but it comes back ever so slightly faster. After another 2 stanzas the beat exits again which leads in a long pulsing regrouping. The final 4 (yes - 4!!!) renditions of the stanza are done with a super quick and driving beat. The final stanza finishes with the long high note.
GO_A's style is one many Eurovision fans have become accustomed too. They marry folklore sensibilities with modern production values by using a range of traditional and electronic instruments. The song is based on Ukrainian folk songs and is interspersed with flute-led instrumentals over pulsating electronic beats. The short sharp stanzas have a repetitive structure which makes it really easy to stay in your head. The changes of tempo keep you wondering what is going to happen next and the slightly frantic ending implores you to join in and dance! Their style - vocally, musically and visually - is unique and this entry is no exception.
Once you hear the song, you realise changes will need to be made. The song, as published, is about a minute too long. However in a song where the 'stanzas' run at about 16 seconds each the repetitions at the end could be reduced as could some of the instrumental parts. There are also some questions about the lyrics. According to the band, they are based on folksongs and folklore and many wonder if they adhere to rule about lyrics being "100% original". I guess if the band are up for reviewing the set up of the song, they may also be up for adding new lyrics! I think the band know that this song has been looked at positively by their fans and Eurovision followers and I honestly don't see why this would put a stop to Ukraine's 100% qualification run. On the plus side the links to their previous entry "Solovey" but this song pushes the envelope just a little bit further. Yes there is a lot of work to do but I feel like the finished article will be immense no matter the set up.
SONG - SHUM/ШУМ (Noise)
WRITING CREDITS - Ihor Didenchuk, Kateryna Pavlenko, Taras Shevchenko
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