CZECHIA 2022

The Czech act and song was revealed on 16th December via a streamed press conference held at the ČT Headquarters in Prague. An online selection was held called "Eurovision Song CZ 2022" where the winner was determined by the combination of votes from a twelve-member international jury panel (50%), an international public vote (25%) and a Czech public vote (25%). The winners were the group We Are Domi with the song "Lights Off"

We Are Domi (sometimes also known and stylised as DOMI) formed as a group in 2018 after the trio met while studying at the Leeds Conservatoire. The group consists of Czech singer Dominika and Norwegian musicians Casper and Benjamin. They released with first single in 2019. Their music is described as both electropop and scandipop although their Eurovision song includes more trancey and ethereal themes.

The song begins rather minimalistic and mysterious. Dominika's monotone, almost spoken word,  vocal is surrounded by a more melodic underbed. This this then reversed during the bridge when Dominka almost comes across as a little bit country and makes for a transition period towards the rather more memorable chorus ending with a foghorn like 'Where are you now" just in case you hadn't woken up yet. We then have another verse-bridge-chorus roundel followed by a return to a small and monotone middle eight. This leads into the glow up to the last rendition of the chorus ending in a final 'Where are you now".

This song certainly pricks your ears up and has a very engaging and memorable tune. The vocals are varied throughout the song and could come across as a bit frenetic or irrational, especially if any of the parts become out of kilter or worse out of tune/time. Dominika may well be saved or helped by the addition of pre-recorded vocals (BOOOOOOOOO!) One small negative, which may need some clever editing around when if comes to voting recaps, is the fact that the title of the song is rather obscure in the mix unlike the belting out of "WHERE ARE YOU NOW". Although there is no proper video, they did create a performance of the song as part of the results show. For me, this was visually confusing - the choice of Play School-esque outfits whilst surrounded by a dark and ghostly backdrop was rather dissonant. However, the use of a bow to play the electric guitar is a particular highlight. I feel that this needs a very stylised stage show and needs to be visually stunning and could be a glow up with the right stage direction - something some past Czech Eurovision songs have done well.  This is already proving to be a fave with the fans and is certainly something that would no sound out of place on the playlists of Europe.

ARTIST - We Are Domi
SONG - Lights Off
WRITING CREDITS - Dominika Hasek, Casper Hatlestad, Abi F Jones, Einar Eriksen Kvaløy, Benjamin Rekstad