Representing Czechia At Eurovision: Is It A Shockingly ESCZ Decision?

After last year’s rather disappointing results for the Czech Republic, who will be the artist chosen to revive their fortunes? Well, you can have your say on that. Over at the Czech delegations website (click here) you can listen to all seven of the shortlisted songs and vote for your favourite. It is worth noting you have until the 16th and you will need a valid e-mail address. You can only pick one song though and that may be harder than it seems.

Here at ESC Essence, I quite like to talk about how I found the national finals and I’d quite like to hear what you thought too. Yes, it is time for me to lay out my feelings on the songs and see if any of you agree with me whatsoever. AND SPOILERS: it was not a shockingly easy decision at all.

We Are Domi – Lights Off

What starts off quite a mystical track, emerges into a full EDM dance number by the first chorus and I have to say the blend is seamless. I like this an awful lot and it is no understatement to say this song would work perfectly in Eurovision. If I was to change anything I might want the title of the song changed to ‘Where Are You Now?’ just for ease of televoters but the song itself is really, really good. And if this does end up the song representing Czechia, let’s just all pray the delegation doesn’t get her dancing so much the vocals suffer or go the extreme opposite direction and have a club banger which feels static.

Guidi – Jezinky

I’m quite surprised this song is in English, it’s very much going for that bewitching folkpop sound and considering the title I expected a song in Czech (moreso than the background chants). The advantage of this is it is an awful lot more accessible than it could be and does create a strong and eerie contrast between lead and backing vocals. This will very much be a love it or hate it track though and I can picture a world where international juries love this and another where they despise it. It’s a risk this track.

Annabelle – Running Out Of F* Time

Whilst her vocal isn’t the truest (at least in these studio cuts) so far, it does fit the pop/rock style of this song well. Saying that being that bit more rocky than most pop songs I’d like a bit more edge overall to the production. And yeah, we have to mention the elephant in the room, the song would flow so much better and pack so much more of a punch could she actually swear. As it stands… ehh, you can just tell every chorus is censored moreso than in I Can’t Go On. And am I supposed to pronounce the title ‘Running Out Of Freaking Time’? I assume so but written like this (to hint at alternative lyrics) won’t exactly do the song favours with say more conservative parents, haha!

Elis Mraz – Imma Be

You got me Elis, I wasn’t expecting that direction for the song at all! And I love that. Is it going to be rock, or opera, or jazz, or salsa or rap? Somehow so many ‘conflicting’ elements just blend into this track so well and I’m ready to dance. Of course this could theoretically turn into Lost And Found 2.0 but despite everything going on the track doesn’t feel bitty. And ‘I’m feeling good in my skin’ is such a great lyric to conclude the track and wedge into people’s brains. This song won’t be for everyone but I love it, haha!

The Valentines – Stay Or Go

This is definitely what I think of when I think of Czechia’s NF in recent years. A contemporary indie band singing a catchy dancey song. Personally, his voice isn’t really my cuppa tea and the song really isn’t doing anything ground-breaking but it is certainly an enjoyable track. It’s not what I myself would choose but I just know the Czech delegation could polish this track up well and it would probably be a safer option for them to take to Turin.

Jordan Haj & Emma Smetanna – By Now

A duo I have been aware of for a while now, I do generally really like their music. This song really exposes their vocals individually and something is not quite working with the blend as a result. Jordan’s voice is coming over very harsh compared to Emma’s softer vocal. Judging by their other songs (which is obviously cheating lol) they probably can get this to be a fuller more polished sound by the time of Eurovision but ultimately I would prefer to see them eventually do Eurovision with a different song, where quite frankly less work and extreme risk were involved.

Skywalker – Way Down

The purer rock song now, it is a national final staple after all. Obviously being fair to the track though that isn’t a problem if it is a good enough song to outsell the others! It certainly isn’t a bad song either. It feels authentic and it packs enough punch to get me alongside. I would love to see how Eurovision jurors reacted to some of the more screamo elements of this song lol. Overall I would imagine this is a pretty safe qualifier at Eurovision but not one that would be battling for the win.

My Ranking

Ranking Czechia is always hard for me because I love the real mix they always exhibit in their national final. Add on top of that my vote actually counts here! I did have to reach a decision though:

1. Elis Mraz – Imma Be

2. We Are Domi – Lights Off

3. Guidi – Jezinky

4. Jordan Haj & Emma Smetanna – By Now

5. Skywalker – Way Down

6. The Valentines – Stay Or Go

7. Annabelle – Running Out Of F* Time

Defeat My Votes!

My voice though is just one of many and who knows maybe your vote will be the deciding vote of the selection. Be sure to check out the ESCZ website and cast your vote but also comment or share with me here what you thought of the songs. And shameless plug for the blog… I need your shares! See you soon for some Junior Eurovision content, as promised!