Daniel's Song Race • S02 W11 • Final Judges' Critiques

Your final songs were all at least good, so well done! Definitely appreciating the variety of songs and the clear consideration put into what you chose to perform. Your best song BY FAR was your Europe song: the first movement of Vivaldi's Winter - a daring but exquisitely presented choice. And who doesn't love a good rendition of one of the Four Seasons?

Your run in this contest has definitely been a bit of a journey, but through the way you've clearly discovered yourself and your strengths while doing so. Towards the end you ended up slipping, but that could be expected from anyone in the later stages of the game as the competition grows fierce. Regardless, you have presented yourself as a worthy finalist and I wish you the best of luck!

Your highlights:
"Das Kaputtgehen" (W1) 
"Dunes of Sand" (with Bacalhau Podre, W6)

Your setlist for the final was as expected: consistently good as per usual! If I had to pick out one special song though, it would definitely be your Asian entry. A modern and original take on Chinese folk, this was definitely a song worth discovering at some point. Like Juliapeño, your choices clearly came across as well-devised and considerate. I couldn't imagine this final without you - good luck!

Speaking of consistency, I don't think I've ever used that word more than I ever have in my life. Your run was personally the best there was for me - the only downside you had to face was tough competition towards the end. There wasn't a single song I thought was simply too weak or effortless.

You have too many highlights so I'll just pick out the absolute best:
"Broken Hearts/Bones" (W1)
"Your Best American Girl" (W10)

Definitely an original take by sending only one artist for all three continents - which is very admirable of you - however, I'm very unsure whether you have executed it as well as you'd hoped for. The continental influences seemed purely visual at times while we're looking for that to be detected audibly - after all, this is Daniel's Song Race. Your strongest song of the bunch was your American one. 

There is absolutely no denying that your run is the most iconic in DSR to date. Being alienated by the workroom for sending good songs, followed by your withdrawal and then your dramatic return... what's not to point out? More importantly however, you made some very wise and amazing song choices that propelled you to the final and made you stand out from your (not-so) fellow queens - and that is why you are here in the final, so good luck!

Here are your highlights:
"Comptine d'un autre été, l'après-midi" (W2)
"Strange Weather" (W6)