POLAND 2025

The Polish act and song was selected on February 14th via the show "Wielki Finał Polskich Kwalifikacji". Initially 10 acts and songs were announced as being in the final but an extra entry was later added as a wildcard. Going to Basel, and returning to Eurovision, is Justyna Steczkowska with the song "Gaja".

Justyna is from a musical family and played violin in a family band before singing in rock and jazz bands. In 1994, she  came to fame by winning the first edition of the program "Szansa na sukces". In 1995, she won the Baltic Countries Song Festival and also represented Poland in the 40th Eurovision Song Contest with the iconic "Sama" in Dublin. Her following in Poland is substantial; her channel has over 41 million views on youtube, has over 15 million streams on Spotify and the winner of many cultural and singing awards. In addition to singing she acts on film and stage, presents and has been a coach on The Voice Poland.

The backdrop is dynamic and features aspects of the four elements. It is mainly shades of black and white meaning any brightly coloured parts really pop on the screen. During the chorus, 'GAJA' is clearly projected. Justina is in a tight-fitting black outfit with a feathery top which gives her a bird-like quality. She is with four dancers in similarly themed outfits. The choreography is dynamic and Justyna involves herself fully into the visual. Also on stage is a lone violinist who is dressed rather casually and chants the bridge near the end of the song. The song starts with an intro which is effectively the first part of the chorus. The structure goes verse - pre chorus - chorus and this repeats twice, There is then a bridge and an outro. About halfway Justyna, too, joins in by playing a violin herself and later on she is hoisted up high over the stage by her arms to be moved to the front of the stage.

This is a remarkably catchy song; the verses have a lovely traction to them while the beat underneath keeps running - akin to a calm rider atop a galloping horse (to keep the pastoral vibe). The performance is very full on and Justyna has the tenacity and athleticism to keep on top of such a expansive routine. I like the visual identity - which I hope is kept - and I particularly enjoy the different camera angles the show employs although it is very close to going over the top. The show is well put together and Justyna's professionalism is evident. She is engaging and proficient without coming across superior or show-offy. However part of me wonders if this being so non-stop is such a good thing to take to Eurovision. Justyna's vocal seemed very strong on the night, possibly aided by backing vocals in the chorus, and my fear is that if her vocals are not as strong as this at Eurovision, the whole show will collapse. Such a full on show may have been required to win the NF and perhaps some tweaks could be made before Eurovision. This is a ready-to-go entry in a pair of safe hands and I hope this is enough to get Poland back into the final.

ARTIST - Justyna Steczkowska

SONG - Gaja

WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - D Buczkowski-Wojtaszek, P Kumór, Hotel Torino, J Steczkowska, E Waluchowski