EUROVISION 2019 REVIEW: ARMENIA - Srbuk - Walking Out

On to a new review!

Today, we turn to Armenia, who internally selected Srbuk right at the beginning of this year's Eurovision season with the song 'Walking Out'.

Here are my thoughts:

What I Like: Srbuk has been on my wishlist for Armenia for a few years now, so I'm glad to see her at the contest because she has a great vocal and visual identity. Although 'Walking Out' isn't her typical sound it allows for her to show off her vocal power and ability and its a well-written track. I said in my shade-filled North Macedonia review that Srbuk is doing that powerful feminist message in a more powerful and unique way and I like the fact the video coincides with that and keeps me hooked. I also actually admire how they've created a production that switches up many times throughout but still remains linear and not jarring. The piano intro that slows down into the dramatic verse is really intriguing and great opener to the song as we're hooked in within 10 seconds. There are lots of elements I love here, the powerful chorus that fades out into the gentle but atmospheric middle 8 then back into the chorus but with a key change, its very Eurovision by numbers but it still manages to feel undone.

What I Don't Like: Srbuk has some bangers, including Half A Goddess that she dropped just before she got announced for this year's contest, and considering the lack of bops this year I was holding out hope for Srbuk to give us the Armenian banger I craved, but what we got was... a mid-tempo ballad, which left me feeling... meh. I also think that although there are a lot of objectively good elements to 'Walking Out' there's nothing that's really great? It's just a good vocalist singing a good song and nothing more, and I'm worried that semi-final 2 has a lot more favourites that people would rather vote for by the end of the show. The pronunciation here is also a slight concern, I think that the wordy verses expose the viewers to Srbuk's not so fluent English because they are quite difficult to understand, and that could lose the grip of the viewers when sang live. I will say though that Armenia have managed to elevate from studio cut to Eurovision stage a lot over the years though so I'll continue to wait and see if they can do that again.

Prediction: Okay, you're going to hate me but... I think this could not qualify. I do think its borderline but it just gives me a Tijana Bogicevic vibe, and that song was from a country that usually qualify. Its the safe song that opens the show in a strong semi-final and gets washed away by everything else that follows it. I will say its definitely not a no hoper but I just see it falling on the wrong side of the border and it didn't make it into my top 10 prediction.

Final Score: 7.5/10

Summary: A solid well-produced and well-performed song that switches up its sound whilst remaining contemporary, an overall safe product, but is it too safe?

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