Bulgaria – Dara – Bangaranga.
Jesus we’re only a tiny bit into this year’s Eurovision lot and already I feel like I’ve been suffocated by beige and ballads, and yes, there is more of that to come. Thankfully putting this one on changes all of that because it’s neither of those two things.
We’ve been saying for years that the UK should be putting the Bhangra into the competition and we’ve been going middle of the road so imagine my surprise when someone as conservative as Bulgaria decides to throw their chips on the able and go…. Well.. Eurovision Bhangra.
This is very definitely a cut and Sellotape together kind of sing. The verses are very safe and disco friendly and not really upto much to be honest, and then it takes a sharp left turn when she starts saying “bangaranga” quite a lot and there is actually a good beat drop, as the kids say, with the addition of some Indian-inspired theming in the background it appropriates Bollywood just enough to make it feel like an homage rather than a pastiche, which going back to the beginning is what the UK would probably do.
Thankfully, though, the Bulgarians just about slam the brakes on that train and just when you think you have a handle on it, there is a “normal” middle eight/Bridge before more banging beats. I worry that they will continue to dress the dancers up like a Yeti in Vienna though, and I also worry for the epileptic of our brethren because I suspect anyone who has seen a Eurovision in the last ten years can imagine just how high energy and strobetastic this is going to be.
In this field, at this moment in the countdown, it’s just what is needed.
Phil’s Score – 7 Points.
