The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 39 competing songs in Eurovision 2021. Next we turn to Australia, where Montaigne has “Technicolour”. Did we like her musical rainbow? Read on to find out!
Montaigne – “Technicolour”
“Technicolour” reviews
Antranig: As Montaigne once cleverly put it, there is no middle class in music. Fortunately for us, she has delivered an upper-class offering. I love her artistry, I love her refusal to do anything by the book and I love her personality, both on stage and off. “Technicolour” is absolutely brilliant, with some clever, uplifting lyrics and some tantalising beats. At first I thought the chorus was a bit below par, but upon second listen it is extremely catchy. This is an exceptional package and I’m so proud to have this wonderful artist representing my country.
Score: 9
Erdi: Montaigne has an amazing energy on the stage, and she is not afraid at all to show her personality there. The song is unique in its own way, has its own energy and quite new for the Eurovision stage. It has a very memorable chorus and I am sure eurofans will sing along with her — from home, of course.
Score: 3
Lauren: One thing I said time and time again about Montaigne’s entry last year is that, while a very good song, it is the least compelling track she’s ever released. However, I reckon that last year she had to leave her experimental bubble a bit and get a little poppier in order to win the national final. This year she is being herself, and she does so beautifully. I see why this isn’t that appreciated by most people, but I hope Montaigne can paint her way to the grand final.
Score: 9.5
Luis: Montaigne brings a piece of high-pitched pop fantasy and one of the most demanding songs of the year. “Technicolor” rollercoasters over a palette of electronic sounds, where the ups are a bit too slow. The build-up drags a little bit and that may be a problem when it comes to catching the viewers’ attention. Some might find this histrionic, but Montaigne’s artistry is no place for safe and pleasant music. “Technicolor” is perfect evidence for that, and her braveness is worth remarking.
Score: 8.5
William: Depending on the staging, the live vocal and the time of day, Montaigne’s “Technicolour” could be described as a hot mess, a beautiful mess or a total mess. But there’s excitement in the many paths this may take and potential reward in the very big risk of sending a hyperpop bop. The verses are tender and beautiful, but the chorus seems to come out of nowhere and at various points makes you worry that someone is being electrocuted. And then there’s that questionable key change, which seems to come straight out of Sonic the Hedgehog. To many, this will all feel disjointed and jarring, but to others, it will be a stroke of genius held together by glorious Montaigne. For now, I’ll side with the latter camp.
Score: 7.5
Montaigne – “Technicolour” rankings
In the Wiwi Jury we have 24 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
| Calvin: 9
Deban: 7 Diego: 5.5 Esma: 7.5 Jonathan: 7 Jordi: 8.5 Josh: 7 Julian: 4.5 Kristín: 6.5 Lucy: 6.5 |
Natalie: 5
Oliver: 5.5 Pablo: 4 Renske: 7 Robyn: 7 Ron: 7.5 Sebastian: 8 Tobias: 5.5 Tom: 7 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 9.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.84/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
Wow it’s higher than I expected. I don’t really expect this to appeal to many people. I feel like the instrumental is chaotic and the whole song is sort of a mess. Like they are trying to cook porridge so they threw everything they can into the pot and overcooked the whole thing. I don’t know. Not my type.
This is exactly this type of song “ just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it’s good”
Her last years song wasn’t on the top list neither, but this year it’s whole another level. I don’t usually say this about songs, but this one is incredibly irritating, that live performance was a cringy mess and the whole package is just…. Scratching the chalkboard.
“Don’t Break Me” was one of my favorites last year, among a pool of many great works. This year, “Technicolour” is one of my least favorites among a pool that is mostly mediocre.
I have a problem. I can vote in SF1 and there are entries that predictors have put on the fence that I need in the final. So I have to vote for Australia, Ireland, Ukraine and Russia to give them help to make it through?! Are there some voting strategists that can give me some advice?
I think Russia will go through anyway
Actually there are hints you might be right. So the remaining three will get my votes.
Your comment gives me hope. I need this in the final and all the predictors don’t put it there. Again this strange conception of “mess” and once again I agree that this word is not the right one here. Please give a tutorial to William – he will than spread the knowledge 😉
lyrics are cringy but i like the song! It’s not qualifying though.
I’m afraid I must concur. “Don’t Break Me” was a better song and had a more interesting presentation on stage last year.
I don’t get why Australia receives so much disapproval. Last year it was the same situation. While I prefer “Don’t Break Me”, both are nice additions to the contest and she has a lot of charisma and a unique voice. “Techicolour” isn’t as good as her last attempt but it is still interesting. What I don’t really like is the spoken part. other than that is fine for me. The staging last year was a bit messed up so I hope this year she goign for something more moderate. Is yet to know if her absence on stage will favour… Read more »
this score is sooooo padded…I can’t believe this song is getting this kind of love…that stadium performance was so cringe and nails on the chalkboard
This one has had me sat on the fence. On the one hand I really enjoy elements of it, like the beautiful flow and tempo of the verses. But then the ghastly pre chorus shatters through the serenity with shouts of something along the lines of “we have lasers Yeah!”, which which leads in to an unbearable chorus. It’s like painting a beautiful painting and almost finishing it when you suddenly get the urge to start stabbing the painting with random violence and leaving huge marks all over the place, only to then return back to the calm serene method… Read more »
This looks a bit overrated compared to the other wiwi jury scores. I’m sorry she couldn’t make it to eurovision this year. My hopes were she could qualify because of the staging but it’s harder for her now.
i love it. one of my favorites. hope that she qualifies but not sure whether she would regarding the current response towards. either way , Eurovision at least takes my mind off 400k cases a day lol. go Montaigne !!!
while don’t break me was far too basic for the type of artist montaigne sells herself as, this one is very appropriate for her. i personally really like it
Australia is my second favourite this year, simple as that. I love Montaigne with every fibre of my being, and “Technicolour” is the song she truly deserves to sing. No matter what percent of it is hyper pop, it’s 100% percent insane, in a good way. “Technicolour”’s emotional highs and lows are just incredible – when it hits more vulnerable tones, I’m close to tears, when the dashing chorus kicks in, I feel like I could move mountains with my little finger. Montaigne’s effort is as experimental as you can get without losing its commercial edge, and the vocal Himalayas… Read more »
Also my runner-up and 9.5/10 points???
Silver star.
Love this song. One of my favorites this year. I don’t understand the lack of positive reviews it gets
Some people have questionable taste
I like Technicolor, it’s fresh and unique from the music to the vocals to the lyrics. It’s in my 8th place.
Are you saying a Top 10 is possible? I doubt that but I’m willing to be proven wrong…
I hope so!
I thought the same thing lol
Wiwi Juries’ current TOP 30 San Marino (8.2) Italy (7.7) (=) Ireland (7.7) Cyprus (7.45) Finland (7.34) Ukraine (7.32) Russia (7.18) Sweden (7.14) Australia (6.84) Greece (6.82) (=) United Kingdom (6.82) Croatia (6.75) Azerbaijan (6.57) Israel (6.45) Latvia (6.34) Belgium (6.16) (=) Czech Republic (6.16) Serbia (6.09) Albania (5.89) (=) Norway (5.89) Spain (5.34) Germany (5.14) Estonia (5.07) Austria (4.89) Denmark (4.84) (=) Slovenia (4.84) Poland (4.5) Portugal (4.32) North Macedonia (4.05) Georgia (3.82) My personal TOP 30 San Marino (My 1st) Italy (My 2nd) Greece (My 4th) Ukraine (My 7th) Belgium (My 10th) Finland (My 11th) Estonia (My 12th)… Read more »
I have a feeling that this could be Australia’s first NQ. Semi-final 1 is extremely strong and will struggle big time imo.
29) Australia –
This… isn’t really my type of thing. I can appreciate that Montaigne is doing something different, but for me it’s a bit too in-your-face for my liking. I can’t wait for Twitter to have a meltdown when people think she’s saying “Time to take off your clothes!”, though! It probably will qualify, but I don’t really know if Montaigne will pull it off. 5/10
I’m sort of wondering if they flubbed up the post and accidentally said he gave the song a 3…
Ah, didn’t catch that. Well that’s bizarre.
AHAHAHA I’M DEAD. Yeah he was like: amazing energy, nothing wrong with it but we won’t be seeing Montaigne in Rotterdam so 3/10
Kudos to Montaigne for wanting to do something less typical in ESC but the song is just cringey. Cheap production, puerile lyrics (“yes, all you nasty dudes”, “we’ve got style and lazers, yeah!”), plus the vocals are too demanding that she simply cannot execute it live.
And trust me, it’s not that I don’t understand “hyperpop” — this is just a very poor example of the genre.
Same
This song is full of fun misheard lyrics. My personal favorite is “We’ve got stolen lasers, yeah!”.
No way that Australia is higher than Greece…..They must be joking
It’s higher than Greece in my rankings too (the two are close)
This song in my top 10 and I actually think she will qualify
AUSTRALIA – This is perhaps the least predictable entry when it comes to my personal ranking. It is interesting and different, yet quite linear. It has several tempo shifts, which may come off as highlights of this composition or as awkward. There is definitely a lot of artistic thought poured into this. The message, while not particularly unusual for ESC, is universal and relatable. Montaigne feels genuine and committed to her song. Depending on the staging and her being able to master all these vocal shifts, this may do really well or really poorly in the semi. It’s quirky. It’s… Read more »
This one is probably ahead of Eurovision’s time, so I praise Australia for taking such a risk. I love the flow of the verses and can’t take the chorus out of my head. But the sound effects used there probably alienate a sizable part of the audience. And this is what makes “Technicolour” bravely vulnerable: its twists and turns can be off-putting for those that won’t embrace it as a whole. It’s also a TOUGH song to pull off. Montaigne will need control, breath and power. If she nails it, I hope a reward comes. 7.5/10
For me the song is good. Probably, one of the best this year. I think that calling it genius is too much (ESC never gave world genius songs, let’s be honest), but it’s still OK. It’s not annoying or stupid, it’s pretty clever, actually.
Well Love Incected, I feed you my love, birds, a monster like me, la forza. Just naming a few examples of genuine songs
I didn’t like Montaigne’s entry last year, and I don’t like her entry this year. Yes, there are some innovative and quirky elements, but the totality comes across as messy and nagging. Also, Montaigne’s live performances leave a lot to be desired. For me, this is an obvious non-qualifier. 2/10
Australia 3/10 – this year no final
I knew I could count on you to have taste
well, that’s something at least
Okay, Australia! First of all, it doesn’t feel like hyper pop, though there is elements in there for sure. HOWEVER! I really really like Technicolour! It’s a banger! The hook instantly catches you. Montaigne is also a well seasoned performer and I love her voice on the song. Personally, this is my favourite entry from Australia since they joined us in ESC, unfortunately we won’t truely get to see the heights that this can reach live due to Montaigne not actually being in Rotterdam. I don’t know how it will place, viewers could be sympathetic to it, but then songs… Read more »
as for me, the song is okay or, at least, not bad… however, the prerecorded video, instead of the live performance, plays against Montaigne – even if the video itself is brilliant…
I really like the verses. Draws me in. But the jarring transition between the verses and chorus is a bit too much for me . Her live performances have been a bit non-convincing . She being the only perfomer not live on stage might deduct a few more points in Televote due to audience disconnect. That said , kudos to the lady for bringing a different genre to Eurovision.
6.5/10
this is amazing, and the fact that every positive comment is already downvoted just tells me how toxic this comment section will be
The haters always visit an article with opinions in the comments just to downvote all positive ones and upvote the fellow haters, I’ve seen it happening many times on this site
I love this, the production is amazing and its such a technically difficult song to sing yet she has shown she can sing it in the Spanish pre party. This is in my top 10, I prefer it way more than don’t break me
Totally agree with the vocal ability! Just a shame about the song!
I’ll take the 5.5 from Tobias.
It’s just a coincidence that his scores are quite low so far because all the favourites and better songs haven’t been reviewed yet (except Sweden and Cyprus).
It is not coincidence. It is statistics when all his points are in the lower quartile, except for one being in the highest quartile.
A 5.5 is an average score. He’s given 2 out of 31 songs an above-average score and one of them just happens to be his own country’s. Is that just a coincidence to you? Even if every remaining song gets a stellar score from him, which is unlikely, he’ll be saying that three-quarters of the field will be average or below-average.
That such a complex and multilayered song should find it’s way to Eurovision is a tribute to Montaigne’s talent, I love the way it gently lures you in and then comes that jarring chorus. It all works for me, and is insanely catchy, until the ending, which is where the ‘hot mess’ part comes in, like she doesn’t know how to end it. If in her performance she can end the song well, rather than it sounding like the song us ending her, Montaigne might sneak into the final.
11 Australia – Montaigne – Technicolor – 8.5/10 – there is an anarchic quality to this entry, a quirky urgency and a bi-polar nature which oscillates between a caring too much and couldn’t care less attitude, as well as an eclectic mix of vulnerability and confidence, all of which makes for a heady experience. It is visually and sonically different from most songs this year which instantly makes it stand out. Montaigne is an intriguing character and her energy sucks me and makes me wants more. And I will forever maintain that it should be “clothes” rather than “cloaks”. That… Read more »
This is just a mess. And an overrated score by wiwi. I hate this noisy song. And Montaigne seems to have problems with finding her identity. She tries way to hard to stand out and to be quirky. Australia doesn’t deserve to qualify.
34. Australia: I find this to be the biggest downgrade comparing to 2020. Though I loved “Don’t Break me”, I really can’t listen the full 3 minutes of “Technicolour”. It may be Australia’s first non-qualification.
This entry feels like it is ahead of his time(a bit like Germany 2011) . I find the song cool but I can see why people can’t connect with it.
If the video tape performance was a great one so maybe it can work for their advantage, but if not I can’t see any path for them to the final.
Absolute queen, love her!
The hate towards this entry proves that eurovision is not ready for hyper pop yet!
Want to – but totally unable to get behind this. It feels like nylon – artificial and cold. I’m probably not clever enough for this kind of music!
This is Australia worst entry to date and one of the weakest entries in this years eurovision and it gets 6,84/10. This is a real joke, I’m sorry.
A comment providing you with an elegant self-goal!
woah what’s that about? everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether you like it or not. isn’t that what this fandom is about though? if you can’t see that it would be better for you and everyone to leave
Next time I shall ask your permission to give my opinion!
‘Don’t Come Easy’ has entered the chat
Why is “Erdi” rating this as a 3/10 if she has only positive things to say, lol? Not saying this shouldn’t be a 3, but then the review should be in line with the score.
Yup. No explanation whatsoever of the 3.