escYOUnited
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Switzerland SWITZERLAND 2021 - Gjon's Tears - Tout l’univers
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BorisBubbles
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Abolutely true, bae!! There are a couple of "sad" songs out there that also grip me, because the singer manages to convey their emotions through the song. 'City Lights' is beautful in its inherent sense of helplessness, for instance. 'Silent Storm', while I don't particularly care for its live, is very touching and gripping in studio version as well. Two of Estonia's best entries to the contest, 'Kuula' and 'Goodbye to yesterday' absolutely NAIL their vibes of desperation/loss, and missed opportunity/regret respectively.
For me though, these beautiful melancholic emotions work because they aren't obfuscated by layers of technique, music theory and vocal flexing. These emotions already exist inherently inside the performer and there's no pretentiousness involved in how he or she manages to convey them. They make the emotions stand out without making the whole song boring to sit through.
These are the goals we have to strive for, yes?
Personally, no qualms whatsoever if Switzerland invest in some killer staging to help Gjon getting it across. Likewise, Gjon needs to excel and not just vocally. He needs to nail it *emotionally* too, or else the performance just becomes another instance of a talented singer flexing their ability and little else. Perfection is demonstrably boring.
Gjon wouldn't have won 2020. The crown was between Iceland, Bulgaria and Russia for that, but I suppose we'll never know.
But I don't think 'Tout l'univers' is a carbon copy of 'Répondez-moi' or 'Arcade'. They sound similar but if we go down that paradigm... then Every Minute and Running are "Piece of your Heart clones", Roxen is a Billie impostor, Victoria a Halsey one, etc, etc. Best not to chase these brainworms to down the rabbit holes.
If you compare the two entries: 'Répondez-moi' was much more story-driven and personal than 'Tout l'univers' is, but sacreficed some of its melody for it. The instrumentation on 'Tout l'univers' is more gripping, but it lacks a personal element. I'm a melody-over-message guy, so TLU > RM for me personally.
Either way, they're distinct enough to be seen as two separate entities. There will always be similarities, but that's okay. Gjon has his own style and I didn't expect him to change it, especially not after being a fan fave.
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SwedishFailurez
Banned
Indeed! Some will find both of Gjon's songs very plastic because of several things, the overly controlled composition, the high-pitched falsetto, and both songs have structures that are very predictable. Gjon's style of music-making is in many ways, is the opposite of what you stated how genuine emotion in music should be portrayed, by being organic.
However, there is another side to it. Gjon's songs are cold ballads that make them nocturnal, are gorgeously atmospheric, and have pure excellence in studio execution. Songs like "Silent Storm" are good as audio tracks but are incredibly hard to pull off live. Carl Espen and Sanna Nielsen couldn't nail the emotional atmosphere of their respective songs live. In my opinion, "Répondez Moi" and even "Tout l’Univers" (which I give
points to by the way) are far superior to these Scandinavian offerings. There's still a concern about how Gjon will deliver a very demanding song like "Tout l’Univers" live. Like how the staging will work, and if Gjon can connect with the TV audience while nailing his performance which should come across as genuine. "Kuula" is a great example of how to make the emotional performance organic because it seemed like Ott Lepland almost cried on stage during the peak of his' song. You can easily relate with Ott and his song that way.Judging by Gjon's live performances of "Répondez Moi" so far... I think Gjon is capable to nail it, but only time will tell...
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İ like both songs but what is the difference for me
'Répondez-moi' was surprise for everyone and i guess its unexpected got super good feedback etc and it had that soul.
'Tout l'univers' is a good song too, its in Gjon style for sure but we all know its a work for Eurovision, even camp composers and while making it the singer and composers were pressed to make it at least not worse then last year and reach same success but... its doesnt hit that much because its not that surprise anymore and its a bit more calculated because of situation.
'Répondez-moi' was surprise for everyone and i guess its unexpected got super good feedback etc and it had that soul.
'Tout l'univers' is a good song too, its in Gjon style for sure but we all know its a work for Eurovision, even camp composers and while making it the singer and composers were pressed to make it at least not worse then last year and reach same success but... its doesnt hit that much because its not that surprise anymore and its a bit more calculated because of situation.
BorisBubbles
Veteran
Surprise factor is a good point that I didn't consider either, Trece. I doubt 'Adrenalina' would have been so well-received if anyone other than Senhit had pulled it off. Nobody was expecting it from San Marino. Absolutely no one.
Although, I do believe many were expecting a 'Tout l'univers' from Gjon, and they got exactly what they wanted.
Although, I do believe many were expecting a 'Tout l'univers' from Gjon, and they got exactly what they wanted.
Amanecer????
I'm eager to talk in Bahasa with you but nope this is an international forum
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Good thing you mentioned that, it's easier to mention why can't connect that easy with TLU. Personally it feels like an entry 'formulated to win' or 'formulated to do good' since Repondez-Moi was acclaimed last year and they need to meet expectations. What we got is Gjon going into a Jacob Collier route and giving something technically more advanced, if not more complicated. It feels impersonal.
Shadowfuxcs
Well-known member
Hi everyone! First post here and I found it suitable to make it on the Swiss thread since Gjon is for a second year my very dear favorite, and potentially one my favorite artists to ever discover from the contest.
Gjon's voice has this undeniable quality to my ears that can finely balance between a technically demading vocal and an emotional delivery. Its tone keeps reminding me of Antony and the Johnsons, but dare I say... with better vocal control?!
"Tout l'univers" had a hard task of following an extremely strong entry from last year, and though it does not quite reach the heights of "Repodez moi" it manages to be a strong contender on its own. It maintains core traits that made "Repondez moi" a favorite while still being a very different track. As much as I loved "Repondez moi", listening to it was an emotionally draining experience (which was exactly what it meant to do). "Tout l'univers" is a lighter tune that carries quite a bit of sadness and despair but the eventual feel is one of hope and progression.
To actually see this song topping the odds and being the current favorite feels really weird to me. On one hand it is understandable based on the song's merritts, but on the other I find it hard to grasp that several other people could have had a reaction similar to mine. The feelings that have been evoked in me just seem very personal and it is weird to sense that other people could have felt something equally strong. In any case the amount of appreciation I have for "Tout l'univers" exceeds the point of the competition for me. I will be delighted if this is the winner but the biggest satisfaction will be just to see it perform in the stage.
As for its chances, I believe Gjon will probably land in the top 5. He will be among the contenders to win though I feel the biggest drawback here might be the French language? If memory serves me well, since the introduction of the semis only one song totally in French has ever landed in the top 10 and that was boosted by the name recognition and he stage presence of Patricia Caas (also by the circumstances since it was the year the juries returned and they came back very eager to boost the struggling top 4 countries). For some reason French does not seem to be apreciated by the televoters and juries as much as Italian or Spanish. I hope the staging for this turns out well. It is a much more tricky song to change compared to most Eurovision ballads. As a final note of criticism, I believe Gjon would benefit by singing at least one chorus in head voice and not falsetto. Personally I do not mind it as it is, but it will add some dynamism and make it more palettable to "the masses".
Gjon's voice has this undeniable quality to my ears that can finely balance between a technically demading vocal and an emotional delivery. Its tone keeps reminding me of Antony and the Johnsons, but dare I say... with better vocal control?!
"Tout l'univers" had a hard task of following an extremely strong entry from last year, and though it does not quite reach the heights of "Repodez moi" it manages to be a strong contender on its own. It maintains core traits that made "Repondez moi" a favorite while still being a very different track. As much as I loved "Repondez moi", listening to it was an emotionally draining experience (which was exactly what it meant to do). "Tout l'univers" is a lighter tune that carries quite a bit of sadness and despair but the eventual feel is one of hope and progression.
To actually see this song topping the odds and being the current favorite feels really weird to me. On one hand it is understandable based on the song's merritts, but on the other I find it hard to grasp that several other people could have had a reaction similar to mine. The feelings that have been evoked in me just seem very personal and it is weird to sense that other people could have felt something equally strong. In any case the amount of appreciation I have for "Tout l'univers" exceeds the point of the competition for me. I will be delighted if this is the winner but the biggest satisfaction will be just to see it perform in the stage.
As for its chances, I believe Gjon will probably land in the top 5. He will be among the contenders to win though I feel the biggest drawback here might be the French language? If memory serves me well, since the introduction of the semis only one song totally in French has ever landed in the top 10 and that was boosted by the name recognition and he stage presence of Patricia Caas (also by the circumstances since it was the year the juries returned and they came back very eager to boost the struggling top 4 countries). For some reason French does not seem to be apreciated by the televoters and juries as much as Italian or Spanish. I hope the staging for this turns out well. It is a much more tricky song to change compared to most Eurovision ballads. As a final note of criticism, I believe Gjon would benefit by singing at least one chorus in head voice and not falsetto. Personally I do not mind it as it is, but it will add some dynamism and make it more palettable to "the masses".
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hzalfa
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I get why people get winner vibes from this and I agree that it's most likely going to be in the top 10 in Rotterdam, but somehow I don't think it will win. I've only listened to it once so far, but if I have to pinpoint exactly what doesn't convince me it's the fact that it builds up exactly like I expect a Eurovision song to build up, it's always impactful, but it feels overdone.
MalagaToledo
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You do?? And you are not joking? Ohh, wow... French wannabe duncan laurence, but it's like you order duncan from Amazon, you get it more like from aliexpress. At least duncans vocal was pleasent. I don't get the overhype from last year. Most ppl say comparing his 2 songs he got even worse song now than last year.For me both songs are meh. For me this song lasts for 10 hours, and it seems it will never end which is a bad sign. I got bored, it starts so slow, weak. Didn't have goosebumps which is bad sign cause this Type of ballad made me fall asleep.
I don't know what kind of person could think ohh out of all the song, this one is the best, let me Pick up phone and vote for it. I think odds are way way off regarding suisse and i can't wait to come back reading meltdowns. Also i don't like his nest hairstyle. Im not sure when did he Last time went to hairdresser. Ohh, and right after I've listened to it,i forgot about it. Another big Minus and bed sign.
Ohh, and his falsetto is so annoying. Omg, there is a difference between good falsetto and annoying one. I generally don't like falseto, not my cup of tea. I gave it gladly 0 point.
Ezio
Veteran
It's funny that after 3 days I recall the song without having listened to it a third time.
For me the song would grip me if it was sang by a woman or an angel. Kudos to Gjon for being capable so high. I can go so high as well. But it's not pleasant. A friend of mine tells me I sound like a cat, but so does Gjon. His showing off his vocal cord abilities is just really offputting to me. The chorus is quite pleasant but not an eargasmic event neither.
When they go high, I go too, for example:
www.youtube.com
Maria Nayler's climaxing gives me life and the chills. A shame that Switzerland never sent Robert Miles to Eurovision.
Just because falsetto is so unusual at Eurovision, doesn't mean that Gjon is stunning at doing this
www.youtube.com
Case and point: Sigúr Ros
For me the song would grip me if it was sang by a woman or an angel. Kudos to Gjon for being capable so high. I can go so high as well. But it's not pleasant. A friend of mine tells me I sound like a cat, but so does Gjon. His showing off his vocal cord abilities is just really offputting to me. The chorus is quite pleasant but not an eargasmic event neither.
When they go high, I go too, for example:
Robert Miles - One and One
"In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing" Mignon McLaughlin
www.youtube.com
Maria Nayler's climaxing gives me life and the chills. A shame that Switzerland never sent Robert Miles to Eurovision.
Just because falsetto is so unusual at Eurovision, doesn't mean that Gjon is stunning at doing this
Top 10 Male Falsettos
Top 10 Male Falsetto SingersSubscribe http://goo.gl/Q2kKrDFalsettos are tough to hit for both male and female singers, but these guys sure make it sound easy...
www.youtube.com
Case and point: Sigúr Ros
Here, I feel a strong urge to correct this.
Preuss
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I didn't listen to the song yesterday and now that I'm listening to it again, I know exactly how it goes 
I think they'll need to deliver good staging in Rotterdam to do well... and Sacha Jean-Baptiste was gonna do it last year, dunno whether she's up for the task this year as well? It could be magical
I think they'll need to deliver good staging in Rotterdam to do well... and Sacha Jean-Baptiste was gonna do it last year, dunno whether she's up for the task this year as well? It could be magical
Iker
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I love Sigur Rós actually! My favourite Icelandic artist besides Björk. But sadly none of them have recorded anything close to their best work in 10 years in my opinion. And it's a funny coincidence that the entry for Iceland is called '10 years' with that in my mind.It's funny that after 3 days I recall the song without having listened to it a third time.
For me the song would grip me if it was sang by a woman or an angel. Kudos to Gjon for being capable so high. I can go so high as well. But it's not pleasant. A friend of mine tells me I sound like a cat, but so does Gjon. His showing off his vocal cord abilities is just really offputting to me. The chorus is quite pleasant but not an eargasmic event neither.
When they go high, I go too, for example:
Robert Miles - One and One
"In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, and two minus one equals nothing" Mignon McLaughlin
Maria Nayler's climaxing gives me life and the chills. A shame that Switzerland never sent Robert Miles to Eurovision.
Just because falsetto is so unusual at Eurovision, doesn't mean that Gjon is stunning at doing this
Top 10 Male Falsettos
Top 10 Male Falsetto SingersSubscribe http://goo.gl/Q2kKrDFalsettos are tough to hit for both male and female singers, but these guys sure make it sound easy...
Case and point: Sigúr Ros
Iker
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It is because of the video with a landscape of mountains only. These songs are nothing alike otherwise.
midnightsun
Veteran
It’s exactly what I was afraid of: people had too many expectations. It’s difficult to surpass a masterpiece like Répondez-moi.
I know, there are some who like this year better than last year but they are not the typical Gjon listeners anyway.
I didn’t say Tout l'Univers is a bad song. It’s the opposite, it’s another masterpiece. And it’s clearly written for Eurovision.
I like Repondéz-moi better because it was more him, his roots, cultural references, very minimalistic sound/instruments and a very strong voice. RM had such a strong impact on me. It really flashed me.
TLU on the other side is a song I am listening all the time to, it’s very pleasing and high up in my top 10 but it doesn’t have the same impact on me as RM. Something that gets under your skin.
However I would love to see him winning (like I would to see some others) because to me he deserves it. He is one of the 'real artists' in Eurovision.
I DO admit that his live performances are between absolutely gorgeous and to improve. But then again, Duncan Lawrence had a brilliant song but a very weak live performance imho.
I know, there are some who like this year better than last year but they are not the typical Gjon listeners anyway.
I didn’t say Tout l'Univers is a bad song. It’s the opposite, it’s another masterpiece. And it’s clearly written for Eurovision.
I like Repondéz-moi better because it was more him, his roots, cultural references, very minimalistic sound/instruments and a very strong voice. RM had such a strong impact on me. It really flashed me.
TLU on the other side is a song I am listening all the time to, it’s very pleasing and high up in my top 10 but it doesn’t have the same impact on me as RM. Something that gets under your skin.
However I would love to see him winning (like I would to see some others) because to me he deserves it. He is one of the 'real artists' in Eurovision.
I DO admit that his live performances are between absolutely gorgeous and to improve. But then again, Duncan Lawrence had a brilliant song but a very weak live performance imho.
Gentleman
Well-known member
Go Gjon win for us!
Shadowfuxcs
Well-known member
I am aware of the transition, but I was referring to the band that is not longer active and therefore the name hasn't been adjusted.
