Serbia ESC Selection (Pesma Za Evroviziju) 2024 Top 28 With Comments (After Show)

Think it is fairly obvious by now that the Serbian national selection is one of the highlights of the Eurovision season for me. This year is no exception and, arguably, this might be the best lineup they've had since they brought it back in 2018.
All of my top ten are pretty fantastic. And, I think my top four are all great contenders to represent Serbia at Eurovision and secure a top 15 placing. However, there is one song here that could win it all in May.
You'll just have to watch to find out (Or check the thumbnail, I'm not that cryptic)! Good luck, Serbia. I love you.
Tags:
Eurovision 2024, ESC National Selections 2024, Pesma Za Evroviziju 2024 Top 28, Serbia Eurovision 2024 Top 28
Entries:
Bojana Radovanović And David - No, No, No
Breskvica ( ‪@brrrreskvica‬ ) - Gnezdo Orlovo
Chai - Sama
Durlanski - Muzika
Dušan Kurtić - Zbog Tebe Živim
Džordži - Luna Park
Filarri - Ko Je Ta Žena
Filip Baloš ( ‪@filipbalos‬ ) - Duga Je Noć
Hristina Vuković ( ‪@HristinaOfficial‬ ) - Bedem
Hydrogen - Nemoguća Misija
Iva Lorens - Dom
Ivana Vladović - Jaka
Kat Dosa - Tajni Začin
Kavala - Vavilon
Keni Nije Mrtav - Dijamanti
Konstrakta - Novo, Bolje
Lena Kovačević ( ‪@LenaKovacevicOfficial‬ ) - Zovi Me Lena
M.ira - Percepcija
Marko Mandić - Dno
Martina Vrbos - Da Me Voliš
Milan Bujaković - Moje Tvoje
Nadia - Sudari
Nemanja Radošević - Jutra Bez Tebe
Saša Báša And Virtual Ritual - Elektroljubav
Saška Janković - Kolo
Teya Dora ( ‪@iamTeyadora‬ ) - Ramonda
Zejna Murkić ( ‪@Zejna‬ ) - Najbolja
Zorja Pajić ( ‪@zorja__‬ ) - Lik U Ogledalu
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
#Eurovision2024 #PZE2024 #SerbiaEurovision

[@kaleproject3495]

Hope you guys enjoyed the selection as much as I did! I stayed up a bit later than usual to finish this one so please excuse me if there are any errors in the editing. :3

[@peaslovesyou]

as someone who understands about 20% of the serbian language you BET i enjoyed pze

[@sergiomontessuarez]

I had not paid much attention to this national final until this week (guess the total number of 28 songs just threw me off at first) but now I can say this has arguably the best lineup of songs of the whole season. Thanks to the live performances, many of the songs came to life and there's quite a big amount of them I really like. Either Teya Dora or Breskvica would be ideal choices for me, but I would also be satisfied with Bojana and David, Hristina or Zorja. P.S. Kavala was for me the biggest robbery here, I love the atmosphere in that song

[@kaleproject3495]

The number of songs is always a bit offputting and the selection does come out later, when we already have multiple other national selections to go through... But, Serbia has so few actual bad songs in it, it is always worth it! And, they put on some of the best performances on stage every year. Their stage is gorgeous! Kavala ran into the problem that a few other songs did, in that the female soloists this year were all so good, and it's not like all the qualifying spots are going to go amongst them. Somebody has to miss out. ;;

[@zondergezicht]

i'm from serbia and rooting hard for ramonda :) i think that's what eurovision needs this year and we have a great opportunity in our hands with that one. regarding breskvica, she's one of my least favourites but ive already made peace with the fact shes winning the televote. i hope teya manages to pull through and get 2nd place but i'm a bit worried that she and zorja will split votes, so it all comes down who performs better on the night. one thing that gives me a little bit of hope is that everyone i asked irl (people who have heard the song for the first time) thought teya dora gave the best performance :) i will definitely be voting for her 💜

[@Blyatuber]

Breskvica nažalost dobija glasanje od publike 100%, nadamo se da će je žiri malo spustiti inače ako vidimo da i od njih dobiva 12 poena znači će da je sve već gotovo. Elem, nadamo se na Ramondu

[@kaleproject3495]

If I remember last year, the jury voting in the semi finals was really random but then normalised a lot more in the final. I hope that happens again. The televote should be a bit more predictable. The worst case scenario is that Konstrakta gets second in the televote and pushes Teya Dora down into third. I'm fairly confident Teya Dora should be ahead of Breskvica in the jury, but it is really going to depend on by how much.

[@zondergezicht]

@@Blyatuber zavisi kakav je žiri. ako žiri čine ljudi koji rade za rts, koji rade na radio stanicama ili su više povezani sa pop muzikom ne verujem da će breskvica da im se svidi. pored toga, mislim da je ramonda mnogo više "pristupačna" široj publici, pa se može desiti da ona bude na visokoj poziciji kod glasova publike :)

[@zondergezicht]

@@kaleproject3495 i think eurofans are kind of overhyping konstrakta... to me it seems that she's liked because of her irony but a good part of the public says it's just the same thing as in corpore sano. i see teya dora winning the juries, because zorja's song is not that impactful [to me] and it's just there to show vocals, and vocals aren't the only thing juries value in an entry. i don't see breskvica getting more than 7 jury points.... her staging is not that great

[@matijakocbek9318]

Ja mislim da uopšte ne može tako lako da se predvidi ko će da pobedi. S obzirom na to da je Nađa prošle godine pobedila kod žirija mogu lako da zamislim da ove godine visoko završi kod žirija neko neočekivan, na primer Hristina i to potpuno pomrsi računicu. A što se tiče televotinga, ne bih se kladio da će Breskvica da pobedi. Jeste i vrlo popularna i ima ogromno pregleda, ali i Hurikanke su ih imale prošle godine pa su potpuno izduvale. I Konstrakta bi mogla lako da završi na najvišim mestima u televotingu a i kod žirija dosta visoko (ona je ipak pobedila Zorju kod žirija pre dve godine a Zorja je imala baš pesmu stvorenu za žirij). Realno bih rekao da sve četiri - Breskvica, Zorja, Teodora i Konstrakta - imaju ozbiljne šanse da pobede i da će biti dosta iznenađenja jer realno ima i nekih drugih vrlo dobrih pesama koje nisu toliko favorizovane a mogu da se svide i ljudima i žiriju.

[@ESCRolly]

we have the exact same top 5 after seeing all the performances! Teya dora is absolutely the best choice for Serbia so I’m really hoping they choose her

[@kaleproject3495]

Another selection where we're kinda thinking the same. You love to see it. :3

[@Escuniverse4168]

I am the one who usually has ballads as winners and I desperately need one this year, but Breskvica has just something special and very atmospheric metaphorical lyrics, I really hope that she manages to win, I miss proper balkan ethno songs in the recenet editions

[@kaleproject3495]

Before the contest, I thought Breskvica's song was clearly the best of the second tier of songs, and not that close to Zorja and Teya Dora. But, the live performance worked much better than I expected and definitely closed the gap. She would be a good choice and would do well in my ranking at Eurovision!

[@miguelc6740]

I think "Bedem" is close to being my favourite entry of the whole NF season. Seriously, the sheer beauty of it. And that last chorus is just perfection. I, honestly, reckon she would've stood out a *lot* in this year's lineup filled high-paced songs however, realistically, I don't think she has a chance. "Duga Je Noc" being a NQ is just plain wrong. There's simply no reasonable explanation. Out of the realistic contenders, ny favourite might be "Novo, Bolje". You're correct, it's more of the same from her but I don't think Konstrakta's style has worn off me yet. It's really fun. Speaking of fun, "Najbolje" is just awesome live and I'd love if Zejna was an actual contender, next saturday. Don't think she's in the running tho, more like 5th-6th. I can't say "Ramonda" means much to me. I think it does a lot of things right and I do respect the musical & lyrical quality of it a lot, but it's not clicking with me, even after the live performance. She's likely the choice saturday and that'll be fine by me. Also, am I tripping or does M.Ira look vaguely similar to Margot Robbie? Edit: I completely forgot about Zorja for some unknown reason, guess it's a bit forgettable after all. Yeah, it's my favourite of the realistic contenders actually. It's like "Goodbye", their entry from 2016, but with even more drama added and, plus, in Serbian. What more could you want!

[@dimidrugg9592]

That would be the frontwoman of Cyan Kicks.

[@kaleproject3495]

I would expect "Bedem" not to have much of a chance in the televote. There's some big names in this final and, Ramonda is a directly comparable song sang by a much more popular artist. I'd be surprised if Bedem got ahead of it in either vote. I did read someone else thinking that M.ira looks like Margot Robbie. That take might be on the money. Zejna and Konstrakta both have songs that are top five or top six in this selection and are a big part of why it is such a strong selection. Knowing what Konstrakta's song is about, her performance is already iconic, regardless of result. Zejna is still looking to take that next step up in Serbian selections having now delivered three great, and very different entries. She's a heck of a performer. Forgetting Zorja might be a bit much! She's definitely one of the more memorable acts in this lineup for me. It's a good backup option for ESC and I could see it doing well with juries.

[@shaiaesc8183]

I think I pretty much fully agree with your top there so I don't have much to say here xD I am just going to say I love Ramonda because it is so atmospheric, there's raw emotion here, it's a gorgeous song and it has good meaning but I think it could build a bit better, it's definitely a slow build here but I do really like it still. I also think the climax could hit a little harder, especially vocally ; her vocals are great but I'd like a bit more of them as she stays in a low register most of the song. Serbia is going to be high in my top regardless of these little shortcomings though ! It is amazing overall (the staging at PZE was great too), I just wish it hit a little harder, it lacks a little something for me to think of it as really outstanding and think of it as a possible Eurovision winner as well, although I think it is going to be up there in my top still ^^

[@kaleproject3495]

Obviously if it (and it should) qualify in May, it's potentially going to be up against France and...maybe Israel in the final? I think it's a stronger song that France, but Slimane is an exceptional vocal performer as he's shown. Teya Dora can hold her own there, but to get those jury points, she might need to get a bit closer to his level of knocking socks off. I just think the lineup of songs this year is incredibly helpful for Serbia to get a top, top placing.

[@shaiaesc8183]

@@kaleproject3495 Oh, I definitely agree that this year's lineup is really good for Serbia and tbh ballads in general. Well, I know you don't think much of Latvia but I'll still mention it alongside France haha and while I think Serbia has the most artistic, most original and might be the best song out of the three, I feel more strongly about Slimane and Dons' vocal performances personally, yeah, and I'd say the three performers are excellent overall. It's not at all that Teya Dora doesn't have good enough vocals to challenge them indeed, but more that I feel like the song doesn't let her show them off enough, yes. Of course, I don't want them to denature the song by adding too much of that but I do feel like it would be beneficial to allow for a bit more vocal range during the buildup of the song and maybe make the climax slightly bigger, but I do love it in its current state, the climax is already gorgeous and the song overall is, there's just a part of me which feels like it could have its impact enhanced further more.

[@lahavzaken6638]

Teya and Zorja are a pretty equal and interchangeable top 2 at the moment. There are a solid group of songs that I am enjoying but I'll be disappointed with anyone but those two I think even if I like some others. They're just quite a bit above the competition for me.

[@kaleproject3495]

I do have a gap between Teya Dora and Zorja now. But it is not as big a gap and between Zorja and third. They're both the songs that would have that wow factor for Eurovision and would get Serbia the most noticed. Everything else would be more of a "solid" choice.

[@dimidrugg9592]

Judging by your comments, I suppose that this was the best national final for you. And I don't disagree a bit. Honestly, the amount of music expertise in Serbia is incredible. Even most of the NQs were very well-produced songs, which however failed to create an impactful performance. Regarding your top, as someone who listened to a couple NQs last night I 100% agree with your comments. Filip Baloš eliminated in the semifinal is probably the most unreasonable result of the 2024 season (so far). Also, judging by recaps of the finalists I guess I will agree with your favourites (which happen to be the fandom's favourites as well). In specific: - Konstakta is a full-fledged artist who makes statements through her music, yet I don't want her back at Eurovision. 'In Corpore Sano' was more effective than this. - Zejna brought another song which will likely stick with me after the 2024 season. I hope we see her in Eurovision someday. - 'Ramonda' & 'Lik u ogledalu' will probably be my most difficult choice of the 2024 season. I just want both exceptional ballads at Eurovision 2024. As excited as I am about Croatia potentially winning it all, I will not object to Serbia getting their 2nd win with either song.

[@kaleproject3495]

I think it has been the best national selection so far, and possibly, Serbia's best since returning to one in 2018. 2022 might run it close, but I think this has better songs going further down the selection. What Serbia does really well, is presenting every entry in the best way that they can. There are very few where you can say they've gotten something wrong on stage. Honestly, I don't think Konstrakta is trying to win this selection or go to Eurovision. Her statements are pretty domestic-focused, and I think she's happy enough with her current platform. Zejna has all the talent in the world but her three national final entries are all so different to each other. From what I understand, she's not a big name in Serbia yet and is probably still trying to discover the best style of music for her to consistently deliver. Personally, "Nema Te" was my winner in its year, and I would love to see her get back with a big vocal ballad. Serbia are one of those countries this year where, based on quality, they really should be sending more than one song to Eurovision. Is Teya Dora-Zorja the new 5MinuustPuluup-Ollie, where the second place is still one of the ten best songs in Eurovision had it been selected? You could make the argument.

[@user-annoyingbrituo5nr5bv8s]

Teya Dora needs to win

[@kaleproject3495]

In terms of potential Eurovision result? Definitely. She has the highest ceiling.

[@user-ef2ut7gz2n]

No

[@azaadsadiq1890]

It's not Eurovision without Kale Project loving Serbia's selection and hating Denmark's.

[@kaleproject3495]

Heehee. I'm pretty much banned from the state of Denmark during these months.

[@hondacrx8232]

Ramonda nr.❤

[@kaleproject3495]

An easy choice for me in the end. ^^

[@jimmybelc2057]

Zorja or teya Dora it’s hard to decide. Breskvica song is so amazing if the performance was better it could have won too.

[@kaleproject3495]

Definitely some good choices to have, right?

[@escantonio6110]

Oh please💀

[@kaleproject3495]

I expected some kickback on that one. But, I really do think it has the strongest melody in the competition. It's the one that I can recall with most accuracy, and there's stiff competition for that. The lyrics, I'm less interested in. XD

[@escantonio6110]

@@kaleproject3495 yeah I agree tbh

[@vincentesc]

I want soooooo bad Konstrakta to win ! Her entry is INSANE !!!! I''m really not a big fan Ramonda I find it a little middle of the road, it lacks of something and a powerful moment for me ! Also I find this year way more weak than last year, PZE was one if not my favourite selection last year and this year only Konstrakta stands out to me like there is a lot of ballad which are not really outstanding imo, last year there was a lot of unique song

[@kaleproject3495]

That's so strange! Last year, I thought the lineup was a bit weaker, with Filip and Luke having obvious standout songs and most of the others, particularly in the final itself, not being anywhere close. I think Ramonda definitely has the big moment when it is performed live, and I really like that they added that vocal variation compared to the studio version. Are there a lot of ballads? I'm not sure. It might just be more that the best songs just happen to be the ballads.

[@peaslovesyou]

ZEJNA JE NAJBOLJA

[@kaleproject3495]

That's what she told me. ;)

[@peaslovesyou]

saša baša is basically beetlejuice if he ate ćevape

[@kaleproject3495]

Heehee. I can't unsee that now.