Austria AUSTRIA 2025 - JJ - Wasted Love

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Romeo]

I seriously see no musical merit in this song. It’s a million songs turned into one song. I assume this will win in May but I really don’t like it or think it should.

It’s literally a song begging for jury votes in hope of winning. It’s just basic and craving attention. If this wins it will be the jury winner that causes it and will bring the juries into the firing line again because the people no longer have a say

 

[hijirio]

If an opera song was ever meant to win Eurovision, it should have been Estonia 2018 or Australia 2019, both of which were far superior to this one imho.
Even if Wasted Love does win, I can't picture this song making its way onto mainstream radio stations. It doesn't have that broad, universal appeal. Instead, it'll likely fade into obscurity, much like Nemo did. And well, The Code was way more radio accessible.
But then again, maybe that doesn't matter anymore. Perhaps Eurovision is evolving into a competition where the most striking, "wow"-worthy act of the night takes the crown for that day. It's all about the spectacle, the moment, and the excitement of the performance right here and now. And I’m absolutely fine with that.
Congratulations Austria!

 

[cassio]

China in Eurovision my number one hate song this year I hate sceaming girls 2 points because im nice

 

[Lindon]

Not making it into Shane's top 10

 

[Sammy]

(4:13)

(3:23)

just a small comparison at the indicated time....

 

[Lindon]

I saw that movie many years ago. Nuts ;-)
JJ sings much higher than a counter tenor.
Funny, how many people doubt he can pull that off live on stage. What do they think he's doing on stage at the Vienna State opera? Without a mic there

 

[Lindon]

I read some of the comments on "ESC-kompakt" today. Our dear neighbors never disappoint. As expected, they're spewing venom and bile.

 

[Lindon]

Eurovision Hub EXTRA video after the review. This seems taken them by surprise

 

[Lindon]

Best reaction so far. Look at his face. It speaks more than thousand words.

 

[freerider]

Best reaction so far. Look at his face. It speaks more than thousand words.

What do you think about this poptechnoversion of Nessun Dorma?

Fredrik Kempe from the beginning of this century. I think combining opera with some techno or pop is great. I will probably vote for Austria if he perform as good live as in the video.

 

[freerider]

Is a conspiracy theories countdown going on here?

The probably true conspiracy theory is that the irish jury in Melodifestivalen tanked Måns Revolution so that they wont loose their record. But surprisingly KAJ took the first place in the odds to.

But I do agree that Heroes from 2015 was a bit overrated. It was the technical show that won and his charisma. Revolution was better.

 

[Sammy]

What do you think about this poptechnoversion of Nessun Dorma?

Fredrik Kempe from the beginning of this century. I think combining opera with some techno or pop is great. I will probably vote for Austria if he perform as good live as in the video.

I like if operatic elements and pop is combined, like with "La forza" or "La voix", but if an actual opera tune is used, I find it rather off-putting. Your example is one of the latter ones unfortunately. Don't like that at all. Because opera arias always have a context in which they are sung and for instance this one gets completely stripped out of it. If you know Turandot, the person that sings this aria is on the evening before a great challenge that could cost his life or bring him the love of his life. The aria has so many different layers: despair, fear, uncertainty, hope, growing confidence and lastly the will to prevail. What Kempe made out of it is just a silly anthem that looses all those layers.
If just a tiny bit of an existing aria is used (as in "La voix", where also one small part of Nessun Dorma is used) that can also work for me, but if the whole aria is put in a blender and turned into a sticky over sugared milkshake then I rather take the original rich red italian vine with offers so much more.

 

[freerider]

I like if operatic elements and pop is combined, like with "La forza" or "La voix", but if an actual opera tune is used, I find it rather off-putting. Your example is one of the latter ones unfortunately. Don't like that at all. Because opera arias always have a context in which they are sung and for instance this one gets completely stripped out of it. If you know Turandot, the person that sings this aria is on the evening before a great challenge that could cost his life or bring him the love of his life. The aria has so many different layers: despair, fear, uncertainty, hope, growing confidence and lastly the will to prevail. What Kempe made out of it is just a silly anthem that looses all those layers.
If just a tiny bit of an existing aria is used (as in "La voix", where also one small part of Nessun Dorma is used) that can also work for me, but if the whole aria is put in a blender and turned into a sticky over sugared milkshake then I rather take the original rich red italian vine with offers so much more.

I can see your point but I think making technopop of opera is a nice alternation and will probably bring in more fans to the operatic world. Just as the ending of Austrias song this year. Wasted Love begins with bondesque sound then opera and ends with techno. If Austria wins it will be the second time with a bondesque sound. And that is good i love bondmusic. Here is a possible inspiration.

Fredrik Kempes VIncero was an homage to Nessun Dorma and Puccini.

 

[Paco Roca]

Many talk about the similarities with Nemo. I also see a vague similarity with one of their previous songs where they performed with Gregorian chants. At least Austria believes in a precise vocal concept and I appreciate it. The beginning of the song to my ears sounds a bit like Chinese or Japanese chants. In the video I was just waiting for the arrival of Inuyasha and the monk Miroku. However, a great job was done because you can feel a modern touch. "Wasted Love" is honestly not to my taste. Listening to it gives me a bit of anxiety. I don't understand the fuss it causes in many listeners. It could be, as always for Austrian songs, too pumped up at the beginning and deflate later. Also the choice to trace Nemo, because that's what the listener with reduced memory will think, is not smart. A reheated soup will never convince. The vocal strength can perhaps help to elevate the song like the Australian with the silver mask did some time ago. Nothing more.

 

[gingerale]

This is the easiest of the season.

It's griping, emotional, classy but also very current. I think it's different to prior popera stuff, because of its score like quality.

It's actually funny, that Austria never tried a classical approach (or did they?) because for many it's the home of classical music.

 

[Lindon]

Oh, we tried. 1962. Zero points.

 

[Kruto]

The good thing about this pop-opera song is that it has emotion, which previous popera entries in ESC lacked, probably why those never connected with me. This one does, the melody is stuck in my head, love the melancholy, so 10pts.

 

[han-g]

China in Eurovision my number one hate song this year I hate sceaming girls 2 points because im nice

China? He's half philipino

 

[gingerale]

China? He's half philipino

He's also a boy.

 

[Sammy]

I can see your point but I think making technopop of opera is a nice alternation and will probably bring in more fans to the operatic world. (1) Just as the ending of Austrias song this year.
(…)
Fredrik Kempes VIncero was an homage to Nessun Dorma and Puccini. (2)

(1) I doubt that strongly

and

(2) rather a massacre…