EDITORIAL – The annual oikotimes review for the 2020 Junior Eurovision Song Contest is finally here. We have decided to sit down and listen to all the songs from scratch along with watching the backstage videos provided by the organisers. So let’s see what we think about the 12 participating entries., as the general sentiment is that we have great songs this year.

VOTE IN JUNIOR EUROPREDICTION

BELARUS ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Arina is giving indeed a powerful performance and from the recap of the recorded presentation, we can believe that she delivers the song perfectly. We also know that Belarus can win this contest easily with the support of the CIS countries. Somehow although it reaches perfection, I doubt ALIENS can win(especially with the current voting system).

FRANCE ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Valentina is a clear Frenc representative. We have a modern RnB happy pop song from France giving a true substance of what Junior Eurovision Song Contest should really be. She is cheerful and she enjoys her performance Valentina is so cute and with those sparkling eyes, she definitely conquers our hearts. I would definitely cast a vote for her.

GEORGIA ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Sandra is rightfully considered one of the favourites. The song is powerful, the performance is amazing and reminds us of the 2016 Georgian surprise when the country won out of nowhere the JESC trophy. No matter the song Sandra is clearly having potentials to be a huge music star in her country (and – why not – beyond). I guess this one will get the jury votes as a snap.

GERMANY ⭐️ ⭐️

Susan is the first-ever German representative in the history of Junior Eurovision. The song is a simple powerful ballad although the language is not heling us adapt and adjust with the song. Her English version sounds better. You can easily ignore this one due to low tempo and style. I doubt this one will score well.

KAZAKHSTAN ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Karakat is giving one of the best JESC performances ever seen in the history of the contest not only as a stage presence but also vocally. It is clear that Kazakh national broadcaster is investing a lot in the country’s image to the West and they will soon fight hard to get a senior Eurovision ticket. FOREVER is a song that you cannot miss, cannot ignore and her performance is simply powerful (despite some unstable vocal moments in the high notes). I can see it definitely in the top three.

MALTA ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

If the voting system blocked countries voting for their own entries, I would say Malta can bid for another trophy in Junior Eurovision. Chanel is that cute girl we all love to see singing to us. With the combination of a powerful ambient ballad, it is a song which I personally love. I also noticed that PBS did also a great job with the official preview video. I also love Chanel’s high notes.

POLAND ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Ala is performing one of the same we already have heard in Junior Eurovision. Unfortunately, high TV rates and love for JESC in Poland can lead Poland to win again this contest. I’LL BE STANDING is not a bad song but honestly, we had enough of Polish trophies. If you watch Ala’s official preview you could say that the idea was highly inspired by Greece’s 2020 entry video for SUPERGIRL. Great vocals but somehow I don’t wanna bother more because it’s the already two-time winner, Poland. But then again, why not Poland become the JESC “Ireland”?

RUSSIA ⭐️

MY NEW DAY is definitely not a bad song. Sofia is giving definitely good performance. But it’s a song that we would have heard in a Russian festival or Eurovision of the 90s. Reminds me somehow the 1994 Russian debut entry. I easily forget the song. The tune is nice for anyone loving the good all-time classic music in the past Eurovision editions, but not today!

SERBIA ⭐️

The Serbian entry is not bad. But it’s not a song which I would vote for. First, because I don’t understand the outfit in the performance. Second, because his stage presentation is a version of Duncan Laurence’s one (from Eurovision 2019, especially with the lighting ball). Third the song, although OK, it has a tune and a structure which can make me sleep. Fourth, Petar and his team did a big promo effort by releasing various versions of the songs in other languages, which is pointless and show desperation (for me).

SPAIN ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Excellence. First, we have a singer the voice of which reminds us of the meaning of Junior Eurovision. Second, Soleá is the 2020 version of Maria Isabel. Modern, fresh and with a radio hit. If that was a song of ELENI FOUREIRA it would have been already a smashing hit in the charts and a Eurovision winner song. Keeping in mind that the Spanish public can unite under this event, I can see Spain achieving a tip three rank and why not, the trophy. After all, Spain is indeed a favourite in many polls.

THE NETHERLANDS ⭐️

Boring and gives me as much as nothing to comment, feel. A song with a typical stereotyped music recipe and pointless structure/development.

UKRAINE ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

How does this country do it every time they send a song to the Eurovision events? Initially, you say, it’s an OK song but whenever the event comes, you say Ukrainian entry is once again superb. Deep and alternative structure, sound, performance with a talented kid, Oleksandr proving to be a promising star for his country. I doubt it can win the event but surely it’s a great entry for which Ukraine should be proud. It’s a song which cannot kids easily understand it would be much better for this song to participate in a senior edition.