Yes, it's almost that time of year again
The UK's entry for this year's Eurovision song contest has been released.
The dance track is called Embers, is full of brass, and will be sung by James Newman who was the contestant due to take part last year.
That was of course before the event was cancelled due to the pandemic, and whilst the rules state that each country must submit a new song this year, contestants who would have competed last year are permitted to have a second crack at winning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMDGTsa_Qq0
Unsurprisingly the track isn't anything revolutionary, and will almost certainly not win. But it's upbeat and your standard Eurovision fare. As is often the case with the Brits and Eurovision, if it comes away with more than the dreaded 'nul point' then it can probably be deemed a success.
Newman wrote the track, describing it as a "banger" and that he wanted to create something "full of positivity."
The track has already received a pretty warm reception on social media, with it being described by one person as "the best UK Eurovision entry for quite a few years", and another praising the song for being "reflective of current British pop music."
https://twitter.com/pokemon_paul/status/1369970327091044352
But considering that San Marino have enlisted Flo Rida in their entry, Embers is likely to get lost amongst the more eye-catching and alternative songs on the night.
The Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Rotterdam from 18-22 May, and the organisers have promised that the contest will be going ahead no matter what. Take that news as you wish.
Each act will provide a "live-on-tape" performance of their song which will be used instead if they cannot make it to Rotterdam due to travel restrictions or quarantine measures.
Maybe after the year that we've had the Eurovision Song Contest will be a beautiful tonic of insanity and cheese, in the same way that The Masked Singer gripped many on Saturday evenings in February. Don't fight it. Embrace the Eurovision juggernaut as it lumbers in to view.
