Who could have predicted that after 5 years of blogging about the Eurovision Song Contest, my country would one day compete? I’m sure a lot of Canadians have mixed feelings about our participation, and so do I. But I’m all for highlighting the exceptional talent we have at home. So let’s see who’s in the running to be Canada’s first representative in the contest.
William Cloutier
William Cloutier possesses a star power comparable to Benjamin Ingrosso and Claude. He can sing a versatile range of music, from heartfelt ballads to upbeat pop tracks. That might be enough to secure a spot in the finals, but can he make it to the left side of the leaderboard? He might close the gap by having tasteful staging for whatever song he sings. So I wouldn’t count him out so easily.
Josiane
My first impression of Josiane was that she fits the job description exactly: she seamlessly switches between French and English in her songs and she has gained an audience in Europe. I have no doubt she’ll handle whatever song they throw her way. The only aspect where I’m a bit nervous is what she would do in terms of staging. She certainly could do something simple and understated like Victoria. I suppose it would depend on what song she ends up competing with.
Rêve
Ever since Canada announced its participation in the contest, Rêve has been the most vocal about wanting to compete. Or if she isn’t chosen, she at least hopes that we choose the right candidate for the job. Out of the music I listened to from each artist, I think her song “Devour” suits the Eurovision stage the best. It’s propulsive and catchy, much like Miriana Conte’s entry from Malta. We would just need to keep our fingers crossed that next year’s contest won’t be like 2024: solo female artists and dance breaks galore. That is a real concern considering DARA won last year.
TALK
TALK is known for his haunting vocals and his lyrics that explore the loneliness of mental health struggles like in his hit song “Run Away to Mars.” This man understands spectacle. He visually fits right in with Eurovision, but what about his music? I can see him having appeal with fans of ISAAK or Dons. If he were chosen, I think he has a shot at being the dark horse of the competition.
Tyler Shaw
I’ve been following Tyler Shaw since he debuted with “Kiss Goodnight.” Whenever I think of his music, I imagine a guy whipping out a guitar and telling you that he wrote you a song. While his music is pleasant, I don’t know if it’s competitive enough for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, if he can pull off the same success that Rosa Linn had or get similar results to Michael Schulte back in 2018, he just might have a chance.