The Dutch song was revealed on February 29th - the video and song was first played during a special afternoon broadcast of De Avondshow with Arjen Lubach where the singer was also interviewed about the song. The same video clip premiered on the Eurovision YouTube channel minutes later. In December 2023, AVROTROS revealed that they had internally selected their singer and the chosen song would soon be in production. The Dutch song for Malmö is "Europapa" by Joost Klein.
Klein was born in the Friesland area of the Netherlands in 1993. His early life was rocked by the death of both his mother and father in his early teens and was subsequently was looked after by his older brother and sister. He attended the gymnasium school in Leeuwarden, but did not complete his education. He first came to fame through his YouTube channel under the name EenhoornJoost creating documentaries and sketches. he then branched into music with the release of "Dakloos" in 2016. the next year he set up his own record label, Albino. He also released a book of poems also entitled "Albino" which was inspired by his father's love of writing. Overall, Joost has 8 studio albums, countless singles - many as a featured artist - and has appeared at many of the Netherlands most famous concert halls and festivals.
This is the kind of uptempo high-tempo song we come to expect from Joost but one might suggest this is a lot more welcoming and 'user-friendly' than many of his past hits. As ever, with his work, the majority of the song is in Dutch although there are refereces to people and place names that you will be able to make out. The song starts with a very 90's jingly piano intro with a stereotypical 'dj shouting on the PA' type intro. We then have a quick chorus before entering verse 1 and finally finishing with a chorus and post chorus with the distorted sample of 'Europapa' This loop of verse-chorus- post chorus happens again and this takes up to just over the two minute mark. Here, the happy-hardcore section of the song pipes up with a synthesiser taking the place of the spoken 'Europapa' lyrics. The song then closes down with a spoken word finish reciting a letter written by his late father - although this part is on the video only and not on the streamable track.
The video, like the song, has lots of running themes and lots of European flag themes as well as nods to '90s culture. Joost's blue suit with the really big shoulder pads is very fun and striking although I am not sure this would make the greatest of stage outfits - but might make for a great costume reveal moment... It will be interesting to see if any part of the video, in particular any of the dancing parts, are replicated on the stage by extra bodies or projected on the back walls. The track does end rather abruptly and I feel that either the gabber section could be extended and made more of or there would be more of the chorus to really make a real big finish. Joost's popularity in a lot of of western Europe will stand him in good stead with a sizable chunk of the televoting public. Also I don't think this particular entry will have much trouble creating that rave ambiance given how the age demographic in the crowd will enjoy and appreciate such an authentic throwback having remembered it the first time around!
ARTIST - Joost Klein
SONG - Europapa
WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Donny Ellerström, Paul Elstak, Tim Haars, Joost Klein, Teun de Kruif, Thijmen Melissant
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