TEL AVIV, Israel — The Wiwi Jury, our team of music experts, is currently reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Today, we take a closer look at Israel’s entry, performed by Eden Golan and titled “Hurricane.”
Upon listening to “Hurricane,” our team had mixed reactions. One juror felt that while the verses were decent, the overall song felt calculated and dated, resembling X-Factor winner singles. The drum machine and the predictable chorus didn’t help matters, and the abrupt ending further added to the disappointment. This juror concluded that the song was ultimately a dud.
On the other hand, another juror praised Eden Golan’s powerful vocals and the precision with which “Hurricane” was written and performed. This juror appreciated the fact that amidst a field dominated by comedy acts and pop divas, Israel presented a compelling female ballad. However, it was noted that hitting the high notes during the live performance would be crucial for the success of this entry.
A different juror admitted that “Hurricane” followed a familiar and somewhat predictable formula. However, they commended the smart production choices that added subtle changes in the second minute, making the song more interesting. The final minute, with its operatic flourish, was seen as potentially powerful if Eden delivered an outstanding vocal performance. In essence, this juror believed that the live performance would make or break the song.
Lastly, one juror compared “Hurricane” to Russia’s entries from 2013 to 2015, highlighting the blend of powerful vocals, predictable ballad structure, and broad-meaning lyrics. While this approach might cater to a wide range of demographics, it was viewed as relying on tired and old tropes. Despite Eden’s talent as a singer, this juror didn’t find anything particularly inspiring about the song. They also noted that previous similar entries might have achieved short-term success, but they had not become enduring Eurovision classics.
As for the Wiwi Jury’s verdict, all scores were averaged after removing the highest and lowest scores to eliminate outliers and potential bias. The final rating for Israel’s Eurovision 2024 entry “Hurricane” was 5.90/10.
With the stakes high in the Eurovision competition, Israel’s choice of “Hurricane” by Eden Golan has received a range of opinions from our expert jury. The upcoming live performance will ultimately determine whether this entry will make a lasting impression or simply be lost in the whirlwind of other entries.
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