BELGIUM EUROVISION 2024 - REACTING TO ‘BEFORE THE PARTY’S OVER’ BY MUSTII (FIRST LISTEN)

[@JordanHurts]

Deserves the 1st place, clearly the most breathtaking song of the year, absolutely magical!

[@miguellupi8709]

My winner and I will vote for Belgium.❤

[@rosamariavenegastoledo6328]

This song is epic........winner winner,winner....from spain 12 points....❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hippopotamusbosch]

The dark mood has Belgium’s DNA all over it.

[@eoinon]

belgium absolutely delivered this year. ever since first listen this stood out and i can’t imagine this not getting top 10 and i genuinely believe this could win too

[@ThePeaceAround]

This could definitely be top three jury

[@SerjantChamp]

Here after this didn’t qualify 😭😭

[@TheHorrorsPersistButSoDoI]

Belgium for the win! ❤ from Croatia

[@OlivierSteinier]

And Croatia for the win from Belgium

[@OlivierSteinier]

Ooo merci

[@mrjohnny56io]

🇭🇷❤🇧🇪

[@yanvat3258]

This song is a masterpiece to me in terms of songwriting. It flows effortlessly to a powerful, emotional climax that is totally haunting. Not to mention Mustii’s excellent voice and video performance too. Since the first day of its release, this song has jumped at the top of my Eurovision playlist this year and has stayed there as the best possible opener to set the mood. I was sure of course you would love it too and I was longing for your reaction. Well done! 😊

[@krisfruyt8616]

Just 1 word... Goosebumps

[@Martinmiki]

me tooo

[@ThePeaceAround]

It’s actually stunning! The more I listen to it the more I discover from it

[@levab5074]

Thanks dear to listen finally to Belgium. I think 9,5 out of 10 is a pretty awesome score. You know the Dm structure with only four chords and only using two times a septime from Bbmajor for colouring is a simple structure. It is all about the power of simplicity and defining very clearly the roles of all instruments including the amazing vocals that create this awesome deep mood you get dragged into. Even the build up in the end where all the power gathers the chord structure remains the same. Just an amazing song that sticks out by creating a deep mood that culminates into perfection……. Thank you dear for your professional comments as always.❤

[@ThePeaceAround]

Yes!! Well said - and they really took a simple idea and used different instruments and timbres to take it into something brilliant I think. That outro is fantastic ♥️

[@escjacob541]

I love this song so damn much, it’s my 2nd place. I think it’s really cool that he held public auditions to be in the backing choir at the end

[@davidw8481]

same! also my second. was my winner for a while, but switzerland knocked it out

[@freemangriffin4953]

It's my #3, with Norway and France my 1 and 2!

[@totygamer2548]

Hey, what's your first place?

[@escjacob541]

@@totygamer2548 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@alexger85]

Seems to be made for a second place 😂 I’ve got it in second place just behind Italy

[@turtellok4964]

Belgium is definitely keeping their qualification streak up with this and I think it will probably also be another top 10 result, I really like this

[@alexger85]

Yes! Even though thats a bit odd when you keep in mind that they have yearly alternating broadcasters (the flemish and the french one) organising the whole thing and picking the artist etc. Both are doing well right now!

[@turtellok4964]

@@alexger85 Belgium really is pretty good at eurovision considering they keep their results up despite having this system

[@ariearys9649]

This song is carefully built up to an epic climax. He has a good voice and the vocals complete him. If he can bring this act well live onstage then it is a potential winner!

[@sabonny313]

It's a 10 out of 10 for me. This song just deeply moves me in a way. I love it!! ❤

[@brunop7977]

In my top 5 and no chance to move down ❤

[@zlatkoamericanoNYC]

I know someone who was moved to tears in that final crescendo. And that someone was me. Well done Belgium! Good luck in Malmö!

[@scsc33]

...me also....❤️

[@tommeier7587]

My favourite 🤩

[@brigittebovee8600]

Mustii is an amazing wonderful singer! He has a nice voice and he can win. It’s top, it’s the best!🖤💛❤️🇧🇪

[@panagiotisroditis6880]

Soo amazing powerful..12 points from Greece! I love it ..what ethnic and stupids ..this is the real music of Belgium! So many instruments..❤

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

Definitely a contender to win! This guy's like a mixture of David Bowie and Iggy Pop! Really nervous for your future reactions. Got my fingers crossed hoping you'll appreciate Croatia!

[@GianniDN]

Hi Rachael, greetings from 🇮🇹 This song is my favorite. I love how intimate it starts, keeps on building and grows to something really spectacular. This one gave me goosebumps. If you listen well you can clearly hear the hand of Pierre Dumoulin who was also behind city lights. I wouldn’t be surprised if Belgium wins this year.

[@idraote]

The song is in my top three, right now. One thing that struck me and that I hope they will be able to make pass in Malmo is the sheer physicality of Mustii. He seems to be a big guy with a big, powerful voice and there's a sexiness in his performance (despite or perhaps because of the somber theme) that makes me shiver.

[@Martinmiki]

my winner is belgiun from spain ❤

[@Geekofriendly]

My #1 this year. Deserves at least TOP 5.

[@meagans-hx3hv]

This is another song I loved from first listen. The vocals, mood, build, and crecendo are all wonderful. The only thing that detracts from spectacular is the repetitive vocal at the end. However, just when I've nearly had enough of the party being over, it is over and finishes beautifully. Norway, Belgium & Switzerland are my top 3 so far. Each one brings their own unique vibe. Looking forward to what they all will come up with stage wise.

[@silkeh.6213]

Amazing! 12 points from Germany!

[@michielsteurbaut9930]

I am so excited with this Belgian entry!

[@benjaminvandijck8016]

Thank you so much for your wonderful reaction I'm so proud to be belgian 🇧🇪

[@gabrielgreenwoodschannel]

I knew you’d like this! Easily the best instrumental production this year.

[@sourale]

I LOVE this. If Belgium wins I would be the happiest on earth despite still wanting Italy to win too. It's just so good. And I have to say, in your first reaction you already gave the song a higher score than I did in my head the first time I listened to it, and it has grown on me so much, so I expect you to completely fall in love with it too! But I'm so happy Italy is still your only 10/10 so far 👀 though I have the feeling at least one more will come

[@scsc33]

🖤💛❤Mustii💯%🎉

[@PolinaaSugarr]

The chorus was what all people that send him those lyrics recorded was🎉❤

[@michelledehaen8997]

Thank you very much !!! Hugs from Belgium ❤❤❤

[@l.t.6180]

Phenomenal songwriting and singing, and an epic finale. This song - yes, this is what a song's supposed to be - deserves to be the winner! Thanks for this very interesting and detailed review 😊

[@SimonHjelm-pf1pt]

You can really see how much care was put into this. Eventhoug the song contains elements like that typical, shorter second verse that A LOT of Eurovision songs have, they really did a lot to elevate it and make it play it s role to the fullest and not just be there to fill a void between choruses.

[@ThePeaceAround]

Yessss! I mentioned this in another video when talking about Belgium re: second verse :) glad you noticed it too

[@Doivid297]

Yay, I'm so glad you and so many others are behind this one! I was excited the moment Mustii (which you pronounced pretty correctly - at least it wasn't "musty"... poor guy) was announced. He's a big name here and he's done everything from acting in serious thriller roles (including one of BE's finest, "The Break"/"La Treve") to Drag Race to a very promising music career. This is a very solid track, combines the best of acoustic and electronic music, has a distinctly dark feeling that is easy to associate with Belgium, and has a great build. Plus, it was all produced in-house. I have a good feeling that a 2nd consecutive top 10 could be in the works 😀

[@ThePeaceAround]

Oh yes! Top ten is on the cards, maybe top 3 Jury

[@ESCVerso]

Exquisite musical world building. Really draws you in and holds you there.

[@ionutgudula3363]

My Winner !👍

[@alessiograssi13]

I agree with you, I like it very much, it stands out for being epic, with a pleasant melody, with an attractive crescendo, so it does not sound a bit repetitive like the other epic one of Norway. It is a potential winner.

[@farlafframa3100]

Really? Interesting. this is indeed one of my favorites, but the fact he repeats "before the party is over" so many times throws me off a bit, and that does not happen in Ulveham, since she varies the chorus and its pacing.

[@neconeconeco]

@@farlafframa3100 i never considered comparing them, to me i think that being repetitive isn't a bad thing so long as it has meaning? here it feels like a mantra to himself being called over and over, and in Ulveham it sort of feels rather more like howling which suits the theme of the song perfectly. i like both!

[@juansantamariaramiro8223]

Mustii ganador Eurovision 2024 🎉

[@brisaborunda3466]

Even if Belgium doesn't win it'll be my winner

[@richieloppens6082]

beautiful and EPIC song ! the voice is stunning ! if this is well staged in Sweden, it might be a winner ! well done Mustii and Belgium 🎉🎉🎉

[@Lambertv]

I did not expect such a good song 😳 Glad they didn't keep that last extended chorus in just one chord, which I feel many songwriters still do in that kinda songs.

[@littlejohnuk]

I liked this song but now love it. I had an epiphany with it when I was listening to a Spotify Eurovision playlist and I'd forgot who it was and then looked at the artist and thought `ah yeh one of the best`.

[@bono1401]

Mustii est une bête de scène. Impatient de voir sa prestation. Et ce final, quelle puissance ! J’adore.

[@ninab9969]

Vulnerable but POWERFUL! God, I love this song!

[@shanemorgan9784]

Loved this❤

[@ooost1970]

You've done it again. Taken a song I wasn't so taken with and with your words elevated it to a place of greatness. ♥Looking forward to the rest of your reviews.

[@SH-kz2kv]

I find it really haunting. Would be my favourite, if not for Croatia (can't wait for you to do that one either! :)).

[@kamilak.1248]

Same here!

[@filmattos20002000]

My favorite so far. 10.

[@ReeceChambers99]

I had a feeling you'd like this one; it's a top quality effort. I hope it's not shafted in the final (because he almost certainly will make it to the Saturday). Perhaps the Swiss entry will get a full 10/10.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

A 10/10 headache afterwards is what I got from that overload sadly :(

[@M.T.44]

I'm from Belgium. Let me tell you that this year the song comes from the French part of Belgium. And I love it very, very much. It's my favorite song this year.

[@TheDersertAir]

Still my favourite. Bloody fantastic song, so stirring.

[@davidalvarezgarcia3784]

one of my favs my kind of music

[@aimafa]

Belgium is my number 2 this year, such an amazing song! Since you like Belgium, I’m also really excited to see what you have to say about Switzerland, I hope you‘ll do that one next😊

[@Sieg-bx4lc]

Cette chanson est à la fois d’une tristesse infinie 😢et sublime ! 12 points de la France 💙🤍❤️

[@ari5333]

My top 5 this year: 1. Belgium 2. Italy 3. Switzerland 4. Greece 5. Croatia

[@alexger85]

Wasn’t sure about this one after the first listen, liked it after the second and put it as my number two after the third listen. I hope this does really well.

[@ulrichbeckers5101]

Love Belgium ❤

[@wimve4719]

Cheers from BE. I've loved your reviews for some time now and was actually waiting for it 🙂I love how you single out the little intricacies (I had to look this one up 😅). I always love it when a musician gives an opinion and recognises the beautiful things in a piece of music looking through the 'hype' stuff. Kudos to you!

[@cheesyfeetgeoguessr4651]

also, he put on his instagram before it came out that we can be a part of the choir bit at the end which is great!

[@moekeark]

Belgium 12 points!!!!❤❤

[@Jeremy_YT1]

I knew you would like this one! And i dont know if you knew it but the choir at the end are actual esc fans, a few weeks ago fans could send a recording of them singing this part to the belgium broadcaster.

[@liesbethvandenbosch7245]

It's 1000 people whome are singing "before the party is over". On his request on social. Media

[@guadalupegarciaruiz3751]

Belgium 12 points from Spain ❤

[@freemangriffin4953]

This is one of my very favorites - I give this one a 9.5. It's my #3!!!! (: (: (: Norway remains my #1!

[@farlafframa3100]

We have similar tastes! Belgium is now my number 4, behind, in order of preference, Norway, Croatia and Italy. Plus, we know that Norway's performance is spectacular, so bonus points for not having to guess it against Belgium.

[@jeez0r]

the choir bit on the end will be special for belgians , a radio station here asked its listeners to send in audio of those 2 lines sung by listeners , and they will create a new choir bit out of that for the performance at eurovision . Thankyou for your reaction . you sound pro . I like it too , hopefully on stage it can be just as good , cos that's always the thing really

[@bc9357]

Nice comments!

[@johndelmotte1760]

Thank you for your comments

[@JariMix]

W i n n e r 💪

[@Paffi135]

The "push needed" might of been you not pausing it right at the top of the build lol.

[@randomname9949]

Is it time for Switzerland now? Let's hope so :D

[@damgful]

Ever since that song dropped I thought it was way too good for what Eurovision usually provides. It might be one of my favorite entries ever!

[@keldeori3059]

She said at the end that she's going to react to Poland next.

[@cendrapolsner8438]

@@damgful My ESC bestie said the same, instantly, about Switzerland: "Fantastic but it might be far too good for Eurovision, eh?!" And, ngl, she might be right. There's been quite a lot of high quality songs (compared to the usual pop-bop stuff in ESC) over the years that probably didn't click with the main audiences because they demanded a bit more substantial listening?!

[@damgful]

@@cendrapolsner8438 I'm quite surprised by the overall quality of the songs this year. Feels like a big shift, taking more risks.

[@cendrapolsner8438]

@@damgful Absolutely, yeah! There's been a slow but steady uptick in quality since about 2015 onwards, starting to come into fruition these last two years imho. When the selection season started, I was a bit on the fence about the first entries being less to my taste & idea of quality (exception: Norway) but, Oh Boy!, now I´m really excited about this years entries. Very surprised to see myself struggling to get my top 10 sorted doing justice to the excellent entries on offer...

[@ayoubmextress65]

I’ll say it now Rachel you’re gonna LOVE Switzerland !

[@farlafframa3100]

Agreed, but probably not as much as she liked this one, or Norway, ot Italy.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

I'm not so sure of that, Switzerland is like the most massive overload you can possibly cram into a song and I don't know if that's 100% Rachel's style.

[@ayoubmextress65]

@@ThaGamingMisfit she loved cha cha cha and Switzerland is like yeah a mix of genres but it does it very seamlessly and I really think she will appreciate that , we’ll see tho !!

[@jonckheerebart9002]

Its a great song and think you go out too and listen to the song…

[@thomasharteveld9614]

Really curious if the live performance will lift it towards a potential winner / top 10 song

[@ThomasVos-f7x]

Thomas🇧🇪👋

[@XivSara]

9 May 2024 Then we will know more whether Belgium will be the winner

[@maitev.2629]

I love this song a lot! Right now I have it at my number 4 I really wanna know your opinion on Europapa for the Netherlands. It's such a fun song and I wanna hear your thoughts

[@ThomasVos-f7x]

Thomas🇧🇪

[@cendrapolsner8438]

Anyone else, or you, Rachel, getting a whole lot of political commentary from the lyrics here? Of course, one could easily read them as a tormented soul in conversation with itself but I can't help myself in seeing the "conversation" being directed outwards (as Rachel so rightfully remarked how that is implied in the production) and, eventually I read it as sort of sociocultural adress to Europe, a society feeling exhausted by multicrisis, torn by the edges from years of polarization, struggling with a war and immense generational and societal challenges. "are we sure the kids are alright, or just playing it cool?" And then Mustii, literally cornered into a cage of greedy microphones (I love that imagery!), like captizalising on the millions of opinions amplified into an almost culture war along the divisional lines of Social Media. "Face to face, they told us, "It was paradise" But I'll barely make it through the night Do you think about it too?" Yeah, they told us Europa was the paradise. Maybe capitalism was the paradise. And now, folks everywhere are struggling through cost-of-living crisis, the refugee discourse is gone haywire in any direction, corporations commodifying everything and the list goes on. And now, we're just barely hanging on, hoping to make it through this night before the party that was the vision of Europe is over. I can´ t help but feeling immensely moved not only by the brilliant song itself because this subtext is so apparent to me. And, poignantly enough, we also have Joost Klein´s "Europapa", which may sound like a fun piece bringing the party, but also conveys strong political subtext in his Gabber hymn to a free and united Europe. Thanks if you read this far and yes, I might be reaching but wanted to share my thoughts, Sincerely, a passionate European and ESC-Lover :*

[@hladanburekBurek123]

I rlly like the song structure even tho its was confusing while first listening it like youve alr heard the before the party is over part but you excpected it tto be in the middle of the song , I also noticed that one more eurovision song has litterally same structure ( its "Lejla " from Bsonia and Herzegovina in 2006 )

[@galaxia4709]

The back chorus at the end is Belgians, or whoever wanted, singing. Mustii asked people to sing the lyrics. I didn't know this but just read in the comment section of a different video.

[@popocatepetl7706]

Oh God. Your walls look like from a Harry Potter movie I'm dying 😂😂❤

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

Could this be the song to close the Eurovision final Party? - I would be very happy. My concern is that it gets repetitive towards the end. However they do attempt to cover that with decoration and variation. This could be one of those songs that does well with public and jury.

[@wimve4719]

That would indeed be great. If I were an organiser, I'd put the Netherlands first (second half) to re-open and have BE as last having the complete crowd belting out 'Before the party is over'. To close thing off, that could be epic ... sorry NL 🙂

[@alipanroosendaal9503]

@@wimve4719 I seriously dislike the Dutch entry, anyway. 😉

[@tonyttt31]

Conversational is the word I would use for the whole song.

[@HoraceScope]

Shame Belgium didn't even make it to the final. It's such a great song! Love Mustii!

[@neilonaniet]

Belgium's best song since Blanche in 2017, in my opinion. This could well be a top ten finish. The juries will like this, assuming they think it's "original" enough. I mean, they gave Loreen's very unoriginal song full marks last year, so ... 🙂

[@gert-janbuze8793]

I hear a sample of Gino Vanelli's Hurts To Be In Love

[@randomname9949]

The only thing I don't like is how they repeat "Before the party is over" all over again at the end, even if the instrumental is evolving in the background and creating a great moment. For now it's a 7/10 and will be elevated in the Eurovision stage.

[@Oeugh]

Yeah they should add some higher notes later on or some runs etc, but I feel like he could be saving it as a surprise for the live

[@seanen4980]

notice they used only the colours of the belgian flag ( black yellow red ) in the making of this vid ; not a detail

[@notdirsale7426]

It will ne a hidden gem of Eurovision,cause this song didn t reach the final

[@saftschinken2353]

It was telling a great story but for Eurovision the build up took too long sadly, but i still love it.

[@laserspewpew_7175]

This is in my top 3. Will score very well with the juries I think, public vote not so sure.

[@TheMrJoKeeR]

Aaaand it didn't even qualify😆

[@laserspewpew_7175]

@@TheMrJoKeeR true!, very surprised but tbh the live performance compared to video was a pretty big difference.

[@xenia7283]

Please do reaction for Serbia, I think you will adore it too ❤

[@cloudminder5899]

Looking forward to you critiquing Croatia. It's like Finland last year but it's better.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

I'm sorry to pop your dream, but it doesn't have near the quality. It's fine, for 50 seconds and then you're heard everything, it sadly didn't make my playlist while when I heard Cha Cha Cha for the first time, I've listened it so much in a short time it was even the most played song of the year ! But who knows I'm in the minorty and people like extremely repetitive songs and Croatia might go all the way in televote. I rather have Croatia win than Italy for sure.

[@cloudminder5899]

It's a cracking song. We all have different opinions.

[@DevilQUentin]

As a Belgian citizen i can say that the Netherlands are going to win this year and we are all for it

[@giuseppequarta85]

Hello, did you see that Switzerland has also selected its representative? For me one of the most beautiful songs in the competition, it could win

[@Oeugh]

If you liked this I CANT WAIT for Switzerland! Belgium but on steroids 😂

[@randomname9949]

Yeah it's like Belgium but with 10 times more elements into the song haha

[@sourale]

No way, Switzerland is great but Belgium is better imo

[@samisankey3104]

@@souraleSwitzerland to me feels like it’ll have more of an impact at Eurovision if performed well live. Both should qualify and make LHS if all goes to plan.

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

Except you'll need aspirine afterwards 😂

[@SilvaPuđan]

Croatia Top❤

[@williammartin4968]

Something missing? OMG

[@ThaGamingMisfit]

It was written by the same person who wrote City Lights by Blanche, which is still my favorite Belgian entry ever (being a Belgian). I don't like this one as much, it's a bit too James Bond theme for me and his overacting in the video is really really triggering me. But the building up of the song is very unique for a Eurovision entry and I love that. It's nice to hear that my country's entry is getting very positive reactions everywhere. I'm trying not to be biased but it's my number 5 currently.

[@vanessacromps2282]

It was written by Mustii and the arrangement made with Pierre Demoulin. Mustii write all his songs.