Switzerland 2024: Nemo with ‘The Code’

Technically, Switzerland haven't delivered us a male ballad, but they tread a fine line as Nemo brings ‘The Code’ to Malmo:

To say this is an odd one is an understatement with Drum and Bass, Rap, Opera and a Bond-esque sound all thrown at this. It just about works as a package with it’s main hook the glue holding this together. It could be a difficult first listen, but actually for me that’s when my opinion was strongest. Coming back to this after a day I got more of an impression of style over substance that has become one of the themes of the year. Is there a need for this to be such a mashup of styles? It serves it’s purpose narratively in not sticking to a lane I suppose but compositionally, this doesn’t quite blend together once the initial intrigue is gone. I’m not quite sure how this is received by juries for that reason. Israel’s ‘Unicorn’ last year was something critics would also label as messy and as someone keen on that one’s potential I think the difference this time is in this playing around with genres more than structure.

The televote is of equal concern with a lot of flamboyant guys around who each do something more coherently whether it’s the pop angle from Lithuania or possibly The UK, the ballad angle from Belgium or most likely the narrative/cause angle from Iceland. There are also some red flags regarding styling etc to the similar tune of Australia 2022 which also applies to several of those acts. This therefore sets its stall out as a bit of a trailblazer, but how trailblazing really is this in this field in this year?

Saying all that, I don't really begrudge the market giving this a 3% chance for example and there is more of an absolute case for this too than many others. Whilst I have equal concerns on the televote and jury, there is also equal potential if this was to land, something many countries and some contenders lack. This is more of a contest song than the UK to compare recent releases and not dissimilar artists. I don't think the genre mash up works perfectly and I don’t think Nemo as a lead has the gravitas to elevate this but there are possibilities here that aren't elsewhere.

Staging will be a massive questionmark and where the true result of this will be decided and where the real risk is. It’s incredibly easy to make ‘The Code’ into an unvoteble mess and the music video doesn't promise a lot for me, but if they were to nail this - then respect.

There is a massive range of outcomes here from NQ to top 4, with that upper end absolutely needing an unexpected outcome in Iceland tonight and miss-steps elsewhere. Going of my current assumptions that this won’t be nailed live, Switzerland might only be borderline and finish around 20th in the final.

Sceptical, pessimistic, but open minded is my current feeling and I’ll be very interested to see how Eurojury treats this and any party showings - they will decide if this can be written of or remain one to keep an eye on.

Personal Rating: 5/10

Competitve Rating: 6/10

Early Prediction: Semi 2 7th-11th, 17th-21st if in the final.