Belgium BELGIUM 2020 - Hooverphonic - Release Me

[escYOUnited]

 

[DursunZaman]

It's one of the rare times when a group I already stanned hard joined Eurovision instead of me stanning hard a group I found from Eurovision. So I know who to fanatically stan this year.

 

[gingerale]

The song is like a mantra.

 

[ayzelto]

It’s an okay song, but that’s it.

 

[Brandt]

My favourite so far. Well done.

 

[Uto]

Might not be impossible do to the 'Calm after the storm route'. It's a song without a big bang, and therefore it has to grow a bit on people. A good performance en staging will be needed to make sure this song comes across.

Agree, but there's quite a big difference though in the answers that they need to come up with. CATS had a very nice and recognizable melody in both the verses and the chorus. The question there was how to get people to focus on those melodies and this was done by very focused intimate staging and an instrumental track that just doesn't do much beyond giving a pulse and an atmosphere. I'm not positive this route is going to work for Hooverphonic, the melody isn't something you can really draw on for a similar effect and the instrumentals at times are expansive which almost automatically requires bigger shots. They have to do something different, go for some storytelling in a film noir setting perhaps. There's a lot of potential, that much is certain.

 

[Etanna]

I found it a bit too repetitive and low impact on the first listen but it has grown on me very quickly and I love it now. I hope people will take to it immediately in May because this absolutely belongs in the GF.

 

[Kaz]

I gave it an 8, it’s very pleasant and I can see myself listening to this in the car a lot. I would have been disappointed if this were the song from Australia or Bulgaria, but it’s Belgium - this is exactly the entry which I expected from Belgium. And I’m not complaining - it feels like a suitable final chapter to Belgium’s very distinctive sound throughout the latter half of the 2010s. It feels like a safe jury qualifier, perhaps the televote will be less convinced. Really rides on staging and running order, as well as the quality of the remaining entries in semi 1.

 

[Mrm]

It is nice, nth special…
I guess 7/10 will be maximum for now from me, which is a sort of a let down…
7 in the poll..

 

[crashworld]

I know Belgium has been sending songs that have the signature Belgium sounds. One listen and you can tell this is a Belgium entry. But it is so underwhelming. If Eliot didn't manage to qualify last year, I doubt this will because Belgium pretty much suck in their staging since 2017.

 

[Nemo89]

I like so much this song. It is fascinating and gives a lot of tranquility. For me it is points. Bravo Belgium!

 

[Citelis]

Good but i guess its an

 

[NikolaiMoller]

10 points for Belgium!

I really enjoy the song and it's already growing on me after my third listen.

 

[Franzilein]

Waaaaay too repetitive, it's getting annoying after the first listening. ReLeAsE mE...

 

[EscUKFan]

This feels more like a Hooverphonic album track than a single, feels similar to On and On from the Looking For Stars album.

Still an from me, Top 10 may be achievable dependant on staging.

 

[Charly]

I dont know but I get a James Bond feeling woth this but I like it

 

[Miloutchi]

I am glad that I didn't get my hopes up, because I don't hear a winner. It is the best song so far though. I just think the lyrics are everything but great and that bothers me a lot when listening to this song.

 

[Ana Raquel]

calling a song release me should be a crime because i'll remember agnes' song and she is unbothered

 

[Gera11]

So Belgium goes back to the nocturnal mood I enjoyed with Sennek's entry as well. Fab. A lot more stripped than "A Matter Of Time" actually, but I still enjoy it. The James Bond vibes are basically dripping out of this.

I keep reading comments under the song that this is not "Eurovision-y enough". What exactly did people expect from Hooverphonic? To lose their authenticity and buy a Swedish ballad, like some other country? No thanks, been there done that. I really appreciate that "Release Me" could've been clearly one of their singles and not just one of those over polished songs specially made for Eurovision.

This is pretty much what I was expecting from them. For once this year a big name doesn't disappoint me. Not a winner, but a good song nonetheless. With a better staging than Sennek had, this could shine bright. 10 points for now.

 

[onlybasic]

As Franzilain already mentioned - it's too repetitive. Didn't like the song; I would give it a .

 

[Ana Raquel]

Hmmm I'm unsure. I don't dislike it, but it seems that comparing with Sennek is inevitable. And I liked A Matter Of Time waaaaaay more - it was in my top 10 all season until whatever happened in Lisbon happened.

for now, with the potential of growing or fading.