LITHUANIA 2025

The Lithuanian act and song were selected on February 15th through "Eurovizija.LT 2025" Before the final there were 5 heats. Two songs qualified automatically from each and 2 songs were awarded wildcards  In the final, a top 3 was chosen by a 50-50 mix of televote and jury then teletoving only chose the winner. Going to Basel is the band Katarsis with the song "Tavo akys" (Your Eyes)

Katarsis are a band whose music is in the alternative, shoegaze and post-punk genre with an emphasis on melody and emotional lyrics which are all in Lithuanian. Their songs are generally quite moody and dark, and not necessarily what one might except from a Eurovision entry. The four-piece consists of Andrius Gruodis, Emilija Kandratavičiūtė, Eivin Laukhammer and Lukas Radzevičius and have been together as a band since 2020. They have a number of song releases to their name but no album to date.

The song has a rather odd structure and I feel like the 'bigger picture' is what needs to be brought to mind. After the first verse there is a sparse, building pre-chorus before the repetitive chorus. There is then a short break as the music really builds tension and the gradually creeping beat intensifies. Then there is an oddly-paced bridge before the one word 'tavo' (your) is repeated for almost all of the final 50 seconds. The band members are scattered around the back on the dimly lit stage all dressed int eh same muted blue outfits a kin to what a dentist or clinician might wear.. The singer comes forward, maintaining eye contact with the camera. His pacing around is emphasised by the close up (not-so) Steadicam work with is intersperses with odd angles and flashes of the backing band. As the background clears we see a silhouette of fields and a house. This background turns blue and the landscape fragments and breaks apart almost like a blue tinted volcano or earthquake. During the repetitive outro, the back drop is full of rocks which starts turning the blue background into white.

The performance doesn't work without the song and the song doesn't work without the performance. The song is OK but nothing special; it isn't particularly catchy or sing-along-able. There are no gimmicks or dance routines; key changes or vocal gymnastics. But this isn't that kind of stereotypical modern Eurovision performance. This is much more nuanced and much more about the entry being greater than the sum of its parts. For such a minimalistic show, the band really pulls you in; the incessant gaze of the lead singer could be seen as intriguing or menacing. This less about the song, more about creating a memorable moment on stage. This all said, if this doesn't enrapture you within the first few seconds, or by the time the chorus come round, you are going to get up and see this as a break to have a cup of tea. I feel like this will have a following with those who like this 90s indie chart, shoegazy almost goth sound but many might just see this as noise and a bit too odd for a show like this. You either get it or you don't. Personally I am glad this is here and opens a channel for other similar acts to realise Eurovision could be an opening for the too.

ARTIST - Katarsis 

SONG - Tavo Akys

WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Jurgis Masilionis, Lukas Radzevičius