Italy 2024: Angelina Mango with ‘La Noia’
Really? You've actually clicked into this? A review of an entry I've consistently called wrong so far? OK, I guess I should make something up...
I will of course start with a not bitter whatsoever disclaimer in that I don't know how much we can read into the Sanremo results this time around and we do need to judge this more in isolation. We have a televote percentage dubiously low compared to general sentiment and a complete jury fix because Geolier winning would apparently have been unthinkable. There's also the proviso Angelina emerged as the beneficiary due to performing almost alone on night 3 and had an exceptional, emotional covers night - momentum factors that don't apply to esc. What we know is there was easily enough in a field of big names (including 'potential handsdown esc winner' Mahmood) to be in the top 3. That's a sign of strength, but as much as I want to take from this.
At Eurovision there will be no helping narrative, but this is still easily one of the better all round entries selected and one relatively well balanced between juries and televote. Angelina is charismatic and doesn't miss a beat and whilst I don't think the song is particularly 'special' or provides much reason to vote for it on its own, it is catchy and instant, with a solid usp so far and there's always a crowd for this. The reminder again, this has proven to be a blindspot of mine so far, so feel free to believe I'm underselling 'La Noia' when I describe it as more steady than spectacular and not a winning contender.
It is understandable however for now that this is second in the odds with good polling expected and potential to break out from Italy into wider Europe, but more so a complete lack of anything else baring Ukraine, with scepticism surrounding many of the undeclared.
It's not an entry Italy can 'sleep-walk stage' and requires some form of choreography leaving an unknown over what level this could reach live. Rai aren't traditionally acclaimed for their staging, but I'd argue with anyone 2021 and 2023 were flawless and Angelina apparently shares management with Maneskin (then) and Mengoni. There is reason to be cautiously optimistic.
Overall, my opinion is that there entries with more televote potential and more jury potential with 'Teresa and Maria' beating it on both aspects but a steady 5th-8th or something on both sides is where this could reside with the consistency boosting it. Not a winner tip, but an entry I will likely keep on side and generally go with the flow on.
Personal Rating: 7/10
Competitve Rating: 8/10
Early Prediction: 4th-8th