Norway - Paul McCartney - I dislike this less than one might expect but it definitely has the feel of an established artist itching to use new technology and maybe seem Out in a way. ends up verging on novelty music. It's funny that a Paul McCartney track got submitted when I submitted a track that namedropped him.
Ireland - Jazz Party - It's okay? I'm kind of allergic to this sort of throwback jazz/soul. Like I don't care for Postmodern Jukebox and its ilk and that's kind of the vibe I get here, like the audience is supposed to be like faux nostalgic for an era they didn't live in. the drums are cool.
Uganda - Nihiloxica - cool atmospheric beginning. when the song kicks in, it's definitely cool. Ideally this would be a bit more active/faster. the pads that come in at 3:50ish round things out nicely. This reminds me a little of an artist I was considering submitting and probably will in the future. This is definitely my shit though.
Russia - Tori Amos - great, I love Tori's piano work and she's a talented lyricist
Masada - The Airborne Toxic Event - I actually enjoyed this, it's not normally my thing but it's fun, energetic, the lyrics are good
Hinamizawa - fhána - I'm always in for a high energy high production track, this isn't bad at all. A whole lot of fun.
Denmark - Snail's House - it's fun enough until 1:40. I don't feel like people using the "future bass" descriptor actually like or appreciate or even understand bass
Cyprus - Cloudier - Aspects of this are similar to music I like but it doesn't work for me? I really don't care for the little girl vocal tone, and the "drops" seem unnecessary and they're unpleasant. I could see a Carly Rae Jepsen or Little Boots interpretation of this being pretty fun
Colombia - Hoodie Allen - Every time I see this guy brought up I just don't understand why you would choose a rap name that's a pun on a child molester's name? Was Flowin Polanski taken? Like I get it, he probably picked it before #metoo or whatever but jesus christ just change your name, fuck. The verses are like, Standard Issue White Rapper, the hook is better.
Switzerland - Grey Daze - It's funny, I looked at the 2020 upload date and was like "wow someone's maklng music that sounds like it would fit in on 90s alt rock radio in 2020?" and no, that's just the upload date. Linkin Park was a little bit after my time but this is very true to form for the style that just predated them
Burkina Faso - Antti Paalanen - the accordion intro made me think this was going to be gypsy punk, the four on the floor beat changed that perception, but then nothing actually happened? The whole track felt like an intro
Canada - mouse on the keys - okay great start. this is really good. I realize I commented earlier about not being into jazz revival but this feels much more modern while still retaining some appreciation of earlier jazz improvisation. I think the drumming gives it a very dnb kind of vibe, even if it's obviously live and not sampled
Greece - Noname - I'm very into it, the MC is very talented, I think she has a good sense of her own voice and how it fits into the music, and the lyrics are smart, flow well, and work great
Anguilla - Deltron 3030 - not my favorite Deltron track but I'm here for it, classic album and Del's always a fun MC.
Poland - Younger Hunger - not bad, I enjoy the lyrics, the music is fine, the vocals are fine. Is "you ask me when" supposed to melodically evoke Gotye? There was a moment when I thought we'd get a guitar solo which actually would have improved it a lot with some effort but it was sort of a false start
Runeterra - WaqWaq Kingdom - okay promising beginnning, but transforms into something less so.
