Slovenia wins the ESC 2024. True or false? Stay with me to the very end of this article to find out if this is possible.

This time I’m going to show you my honest comment on the song that will represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. This is “Veronika” by Raiven. This song received its premiere on 20th January 2024.

Let’s watch the first snippet.

Well, frist things first. A delicate introduction to this kind of ballad. Some electronic sounds in the background. I like the fact that we can hear the native language in this song (actually it’s the third consecutive year Slovenia sends their entry in Slovenian). Neverthelss, I have to admit I like the Junior Eurovision Song Contest rule – a mixture of English and the native language. Is “Veronika” going to be a banger?

This Slovenian entry was chosen internally by Radiotelevizija Slovenia. The song was revealed in the ‘televised show Misija Malmö. What’s intriguing Raiven came close to representing Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest three times. She came twice second (“Črno bel” in 2016 and “Kaos” in 2019) and once third (“Zažarim” in 2017).

This year’s song was written by Bojan Cvjetićanin (a frontman of Joker Out – Slovenia 2023), Klavdija Kopina, Sara Briški Cirman (that is Raiven’s real name). Raiven stated that the song wasn’t created with the idea of going to Eurovision (eurovision.tv).

For sure this isn’t a soothing lullaby that is more likely to send us to sleep.

I like the fact that Raiven beatifully builds up the stanza towards a stronger part later on until the strong resolution. This composition shows Raiven’s vocal abilities.

The song reaches its climax when Raiven sings, “I am, You are, Veronika, Only she knows your truth”. So, Veronika can be found within each of us, can’t she?

As for the vibes the song resembles Raiven’s previous National Selection songs, from which I prefer: “Črno bel” (EMA 2016) and “Zažarim” (EMA 2017).

And then we have this strong beat introducing the final part of the song after this almost silent moment that builds up emotions and a kind of su’spense. This is my favourite part of this song. What about you guys?

In one fragment it reminds me a bit of Loreen’s “Tattoo”.

As for the music video it reminds me of Duncan Laurence’s “Arcade”.

It was also underwater but with a single figure.

The video clip is sensual and magical. Raiven seems to be a powerful nymph who’s connected with natural elements: air, fire and water.

What’s the song about?

The song was inspired by a real-life person, named Veronika Deseniška, who was the first woman in Slovenia accused of being a witch. According to Raiven herself, it’s a kind of a statement on how women have been targets of persecution.

I’m wondering what staging will be presented in Malmö. Will it be related in any way to the video clip? Raiven is also a harpist, isn’t she? Will she present her abilities in this respect on stage in Sweden like she did in “Črno bel” during Evrovizijska Melodija 2016 and “Zažarim” (during the National Selection EMA 2017)?

Is this going to be a massive hit? Is it going to make it to the Grand Final?

All in all, I’d say this is a very good song with very good vocals.

As each juror is going to rank all the competing songs in each show based on the given criteria, I will assign points in the same categories (eurovision.tv):

– composition and originality of the song, 8 out of 10;

– quality of the performance on stage (it’s hard to say because the national selection was not held this year. I’ll take into consideration both the video clip and previous Raiven’s performances at the National Selection), 8 out of 10;

– vocal ca’pacity of the per’former(s), 10 out of 10;

– over’all impression of the act, 8 out of 10.

So the total is: 34 out of 40 points that is 85%.

Will Raiven’s Veronika lead her to victory? We’ll see if he will get the best result for Slovenia. To do that she would have to finish at least 6th (as the best result for Slovenia so far has been the 7th place; it was in 1995 and 2001).

In the end, I can only say: Well done, Raiven! Congratulations, Slovenia! I assume this song may qualify for the Grand Final. Do you agree, Guys?

What do the bookmakers say about the Slovenian entry? Well, at this moment (21^st January 2024) it’s in 31^st place (out of 37 contestants on eurovisionworld.com). But to be honest, we only know four songs, don’t we?

Let’s hear it for Veronika and the whole team!

Thank you for watching my video and reading my article!

What do you think of the Slovenian entry? Let us know in the comments section!

Source: YouTube