Eden Alene mixes cultures and languages on Israel’s Eurovision entry
Israel had the tough task last year of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, after singer Netta won the whole thing back in 2018 with ‘Toy’. Just like most host countries in recent Eurovision history, Israel failed to make much of an impression in the competition the year after, by finishing 23rd with Kobi Marimi’s ‘Home’. This year, Israel used a talent show once more to select the performer, which was won by singer Eden Alene. The Israeli broadcaster selected four songs for her which she performed during a national final, in which the song ‘Feker Libi’ received by far the most points.
The composers of ‘Feker Libi’, Idan Raichel and Doron Medalie, have definitely earned their stripes in both Eurovision and the Israeli music industry. Raichel is one of Israel’s most well-known songwriters and musicians, while Medalie penned the Israeli Eurovision entries from 2015 and 2016 (which both made it into the final) and 2018’s winning tune ‘Toy’. Together they wrote a song which could best be described as a colorful, cultural melting pot, performed in four languages: English, Amharic (an Ethiopian language), Hebrew and Arabic. The track has a rhythm dictated by African drums most of the time, but serves some 90s house beats in the chorus and middle-eastern strings in the post-chorus. Every single part is as catchy as the other and the whole thing is simply carefree and uplifting.
Sure, there’s some cheesy lyrics to be found, but there is enough going on in ‘Feker Libi’ to distract us. The track fits Eden Alene like a glove. The Israeli singer with Ethiopian roots sells the hell out of it live on stage too. She is a joy to watch and comes across as a warm personality with bucketloads of charisma. Her voice is outstanding and although the choreography could still be improved, something happens when she moves around on stage. This track is unique in this year’s contest, strong within its genre and should therefore have no problem to qualify for the final if you ask me.
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