Like Swiss clockwork

We’re staying true to our traditions and open this season’s reviews with Switzerland. Hurrah! And surprise, surprise, the Swiss are being equally predictable by sending off the usual mediocre semi-final filler for yet another year. At least they’re being as consistent as their own clockwork.

We were cautiously optimistic when we heard that Timebelle would compete in the national final again. We liked their first attempt at representing Switzerland two years ago and the quirky pop number Singing About Love would probably saved the Swiss from finishing dead last in Vienna. Unfortunately since then the group has changed direction, lost a couple of band members and gone all serious and gloomy on us. Gone are the playful happy go lucky girl next door, the chirpy accordion and the clunky guitars. It’s been replaced by a slicker, more mature sound, and Apollo is a rather repetitive and pathos filled mid-tempo ballad.

On the plus side we loved Miruna Mănescu’s 90s throwback look in the national final performance. She was really rocking those bushy eyebrows, that velvet spaghetti strapped frock and funky chocker necklace, which reminded us of something we wore back in 94 for our high school proms. Why she chickens out and goes all casino hostess on us in the promo video we cannot understand. The song needs an edgy performance to stand out, but if the promo video is anything to go by on what it will look like in Kyiv, the Swiss are once again heading in the wrong direction.

Given a pimp slot in the second half of the second semi-final and with the supporting votes from Romania where two of the band members hail from, we’re pretty sure it won’t end up last, but still it will struggle to qualify for the Grand Final.

This is how you need to look like when you are singing about the god of music, truth and prophecy, healing, the sun and light, plague, poetry, and more. Photo: SRF

4 comments

  1. They were actually supposed to compete with ‘Yodel It’ in the Swiss final, but they decided to choose this song instead. I’m not even sure if I like it or not. It’s there just to be there if you ask me.

    Regarding the video, for me it’s so funny to watch it because the old lady from the beginning is famous in Romania for appearing in TV parodies (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3oRjw1q3PM) and commercials for a famous pharmacy line here.

  2. Hurrah! Welcome back to business! Swiss consistency was sensibly dealt with. Next 😀

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