Tim: If you saw Melodifestivalen last year, you may remember Linus from Bröder, the interminably dull tribute to his deceased brother; this is vastly, vastly more enjoyable.
Tim: It does still start off slowly, but all the fire on stage is enough to distract me from that until it ALL KICKS OFF, starting with one of my favourite cameras shots of the year, spinning round him to reveal massive drums and people banging them that have appeared from nowhere, much like an Only Connect team about to tackle the connecting wall.
Tom: If you’re wondering if there’s an European Camera Shot Contest: yes, there is, and Eurovision camera shots have won it in the past.
Tim: Those drums and people are quickly put to excellent use, both musically and visually, because the whole pushing them around thing works very well. I’m not quite sure what it works to do, mind, but it does look impressive.
Tom: Particularly because I’m fairly sure the drumming continues even when they’re just rolling the instruments around. But then, that’s how Eurovision works: all vocals live, nearly all the instruments recorded. An arbitrary distinction, but they can hardly use a live orchestra any more.
Tim: Then when everything comes together for the final chorus, fire and banging and great tune – it’s a very good track indeed.
Tom: It is, but from what I’ve seen this week: the right song won.