Post by uhsting on Jan 14, 2023 2:56:21 GMT 1
 | 14 January 2023 |
Xoculd Yumngokzit #4
Xoculd Yumngokzit #4 features 10 entries of a diverse range of genres. In this round, 3 entries will qualify to the gold final. There are 2 categories in Xoculd Yumngokzit, Topio and Hamus. In short, Topio entries utilise the entirety of the length of the song to depict a breathtaking soundscape through different sounds, which are best to be enjoyed in full. Meanwhile, Hamus entries capture the listener's attention through a memorable hook of a few seconds using a creative combination of lyrics, instrumentation and vocals. You may read the wiki page to understand the functionality of the national selection here.
Voting
In this round, voters are invited to rate each individual entry from 1 to 10 in whichever format they prefer, hence they can assign unique ratings to each entry or rate more than one song the same score. They are advised to listen to all entries in full. To access the voting, please refer to the big red box below.The entry highest average rating in each category will advance to the gold final. The third entry will be decided by the second or third highest average rating amongst all entries depending on the pre-qualified entries.
Deadline: 28 January 2022, 23:59 HKT (UTC+8)
About the songs
Warning: The introduction of entries uses absolute formatting, hence it may not work properly on mobile or small screens. Please adjust where necessary.
Topio #1 Metric "Doomscroller" "Doomscroller" is the longest entry of the national selection. It stands at a whopping 10:29. It starts off with heavy synths that features 2 verses and 2 choruses. You can feel the impending doom with the instrumentation in the chorus as the phrase "Don't give up yet" is consistently repeated and the semitone clash with D and E flat remains unresolved for a prolonged period of time. After the second chorus passes, it proceeds to a change of pace as it features mostly the piano and the lead vocal. Finally, it transcends into an F major ending which uses little synths but a rock band setup and timbre. |
Hamus #1 AGA "CityPop" "CityPop" is the first time we see the newly approved language Siuzaatan being used in a Sovarasman national selection. AGA is a popular figure in Sovarasma as she has sold a lot of copies with singles like 3AM. CityPop peaked at #1 in 3 local radio stations and received accolades. "CityPop" takes inspiration from the 80s retro style with the music direction. The music video is heavily inspired too. |
Topio #2 Ragnar Olafsson, Sólveig Ásgeirsdóttir "Urðarþráður" "Urðarþráður" is an evoking song that is beautiful. The instrumentation is somewhat traditional with the extensive use of strings and piano, and some synths towards the climax. The singer Sólveig Ásgeirsdóttir has a soft and tender voice which illustrates the tone of the song well. I love the melody throughout and the climax at the end is epic. The RV uses ZAAR's "Invisible" music video. |
Hamus #2 JessB "Can't Fake It" "Can't Fake It" changes up the somber mood from the previous entry. This is a lightweight entry which is fun and entertaining. JessB raps through the song with a lot of confidence, and the quirky instrumentation has captured my attention. It is quite a catchy tune to be honest! |
Topio #3 Sea Island & Ferry "Way Home" "Way Home" makes me feel home in Hong Kong. The lush instrumentation with the violin, the clarinet and the cello is beautiful. There are two major themes here and they are connected naturally. The variation in rhythm signifies the daily rhythm of the hustle and bustle of the lives of ordinary people in Hong Kong. The RV uses their MV of "Walk at Dawn", which I think fits the music well, as it also has a similar theme. |
Hamus #3 Oona Kapari "Elämä täysin levällään (..ttu aina)" "Elämä täysin levällään (..ttu aina)" is an adventure by Finnish artist Oona Kapari. She is a sound engineer and producer and this song is a testament to her mixing capabiltiies. I love her experimentation with the synths and other instruments. It gives the song life. I especially love the part in the drop at the end, where the myriad of sounds is satisfying and mesmerising. The RV uses Hanan Ben Ari's latest single. |
| Topio #4 Worakls "Pipeline" "Pipeline" is a techno track with an important message. The ominous timbre depicts the message well, as it is based on a protest of TotatEnergies, one of the largest gas suppliers in France. It talks about the issue of gas companies in contributing to climate change and urgent actions need to be taken to greatly reduce their footprint. I really like the flow of the track, and it is quite rare you will find a techno track that has two verses and two drops. The orchestra is a great touch to this techno track. |
Hamus #4 LEONE "You Should Know" "You Should Know" is a heartfelt ballad by LEONE. It talks about his breakup with his boyfriend but more importantly he realises how important friendship is as his friends helped him through the heartbreak through bonding activities. The instrumentation is beautiful but his vocals stand out a lot for me. |
Hamus #5 Saucy Santana ft. Latto "Booty" "Booty" is a fun and catchy song. It is meant to be light-hearted and the instrumental sampling of "Crazy in Love" gives this song a boost in the leadup to the drop. The music video is supposed to use 360 surround sound but for ordinary headphone users the sound quality may be degraded, so there is a video with only the audio that has a similar quality to that on streaming services. |
Topio #5 Florian Christl, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Ben Palmer "Choral" "Choral" is a beautiful orchestral piece. This is a slow piece that takes time to craft an exquisite soundscape and it moves me a lot. The harmony in the strings is impressive. It has ups and downs, but it ends on a loud climax which is perhaps the most beautiful part of the piece. The RV uses "Ouverture" from Florian Christl and co. |
Playlist
(Callum ), 
(Lars ), 
(Aliya ), 
(тнєяσиттi95 ) 
(αndreas ), 
(fuerte (inactive) ), 
(Dylan ), 
(Apostolis ), 
(Eke ), 
(kev ), 
(ᴛᴏᴍ ᴋʟᴏsᴇʀ ), 
(@garameaning ), 
(Jacob ), 
(Lᴇꜰ ), 
(Lux ), 
(Syr ), 
(Matt ), 
(agni ), 
(Ste ), 
(Argüello ), 
(jhr0953 ), 
(Anesović ), 
(TitleTheNon ), 
(Luiri ), 
(Julian ), 
(Matilda ), 
(MaRtIn ), 
(Kinoshita! ), 
(Wysteria ), 
(alexeh ), 
(justin05 ), 
(Wys ), 
(Logan ), 
(Chante™ ), 
(alex(a)bg ), 
(hayashi 🇺🇦🇵🇸 ), 
(Daniel ), 
(Oisín ), 
(Ｊａｋｕｂ ), 
(uhsting ), 
(kepanoo ), 
(CHAE WITH A C ), 
(Llemian ), 
(Alper ), 
(eurovisionfan23 ), 
(Fat Nepal ), 
(jara ), 
(suyana ), 
(Sel ), 
(Alex Memphis ), 
(George J. ), 
(Kyron ), 
(Jmain ), 
(мιɴтιѕѕe ), 
(inactivo (nq era) ), 
(basil )
(Aless ), 
((inactive) ), 
(Tobbz ), 
(~Rethnas~ ), 
(Bow ), 
(Jens ), 
(How Bogs How Blue ), 
(Levi21 ), 
(Dimitris ), 
(domas), 
(H U M A N ), 
(maxim), 
(ClassifiedCat ), flagfyjland (lucariocz ), 
(joshua ), 
(manos ), 
(kacper ), 
(✨💃 ), 
(Euu ), 
(Francisco ), 
(InazumAddict23 ), 
(MG ), 
(Jeffry ), 
(ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋ ), 
(holidayyyyyyy ), 
(𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋 ), 
(hannahannah ), 
(konrαd ), 
(anto9lee ), 
(Coco (Inactive) ), 
(Queen of Mean (Inactive) ), 
(yakbhumi ), 
(Josh's Tattoo (Inactive) ), 
(Holland ), 
(𝐴𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑎̀ ), 
(Christian NO (inactive) ), 
(Jericho (Super inactive) ), 
(Anton ), 
(escjessicauk), 
(Blandine ), 
(Kenajabam ), 
(ROBERT 💙 ), 
(✨ Forrest ✨ ), 
(nick ), 
(Aglan ), 
(SBINNALA ), 
(Niklas ), 
(sebber), 
(xescfr3akx), 
(Ｂ３ＳＴＢＥＡＴＳ ), 
(Percy Yates ), 
(ukraineofcourse ), 
(Lewis ), 
(Grace ), 
(ough ), 
(Sylwia )
, FC 
, OAmSC 
, OASC 
, OESC 
, OUSC 
, SSC 
, BMF (
Walelia), FMC, EOF 
, Yoshi 
