Nadav Guedj - Golden Boy

Everyone loves to make fun of the Eurovision but at the end of the day it's very exciting to see Israel in the finals for the first time in 5 years. There's been some critique that the catchy song is entirely in English but I find it to be very Israeli-especially the lines "Mama, someone broke my heart again/ Now I'm gonna ease my pain/ Dancing on the floor". Another very Israeli element is that either on stage or on the red carpet Nadav is never really alone, he's always surrounded by his team, capturing that very Israeli feeling of "hevreh", hanging out with the gang. They're hard workers taking their roles as representatives of the country quite seriously but they also come off as a fun group of friends making sure to have the time of their life in Vienna. Good luck!!

Yaron Ben-Ami - Getting Worse

Sometimes a style of music only works in a certain type of weather and sometimes it only works at a certain period of time. The Blues have always been here in the background but it feels like now is really the genre's time to shine. Something in the political atmosphere, the yearning for something authentic and intimate, yet also refreshing and thought provoking just make it work. There are so many blues concerts popping up, mainly thanks to Nobody's Fault Productions, who are also behind this album by the talented singer/songwriter and History of Israel teacher Yaron Ben-Ami. Listen up!

Hey, people, listen to me!
(getting worse, getting worse, getting worse)
I don't have anything left here
Getting worse, getting worse
Where the green becomes gray,
Getting worse until darkness overcomes the light,
Getting worse until the night lasts a whole day-
Somebody in the end will pay!
Getting worse and there's no escape.
(getting worse, getting worse, getting worse)
Getting worse, just fill up the cup.
Getting worse, getting worse
Where they don't give any more instructions,
Getting worse until there's no more to see,
Getting worse, avoiding the word "must"-
If God doesn't want me,
So the demon will take!

It's clear to me what needs to be done:
(getting worse, getting worse, getting worse)
I have to finish this path.
Getting worse, getting worse,
Where there is freedom and liberty for all,
Getting worse until there is nowhere to fall.
Getting worse, avoiding the siege-
I don't even want to stop!

Seven maidens are singing for me:
(getting worse, getting worse, getting worse)
Six more hourse, and then I'm free.
(getting worse, getting worse)
It's already five, where are the kids?
Four directions, so where do we go?
Three steps and I'm already inside'
We're both finally face to face.
One.
Let's go.

Wasserman - Not Over

Just the right dash of optimism. Discover more Wasserman here.

Time to let go
The sun will rise tomorrow I'm sure
Follow your heart work with your mind yes it's time to let go

Before I fall asleep I've got
Myself a promise to keep
When I open my eyes it will be no surprise
Chase the thing that keeps me alive

But it ain't over
No it ain't over
It's not over, not over
Not over 'till I say so

Better days to come
As I see them coming throgh the gate
No need to hide
No need to be blind
Time to make things right

But it ain't over
No it ain't over
It's not over, not over
Not over 'till I say so

This time I swear I won't fall
And you will see I'll show them all
With no one else but myself
With blood and tears without any fear

But it ain't over
No it ain't over
It's not over, not over
Not over 'till I say so

Noa Shemer - Noa

There is no relation between Noa Shemer and the late singer and songwriter Naomi Shemer but I can understand how you can feel a special connection with someone who shares your last name, especially if that person wrote a sing with your first name. I wasn't familiar with Noami Shemer's "Noa" and I'm very glad that I discovered it. The semi-autobiographical song was first performed in 1957 by Nehama Hendel and the band Batzal Yarok, though the version most people are familiar with is the one by Arik Lavie. I personally really like Hagevatron's version of it though none are as gentle and personal as this one, taken from Noa Shemer's stunning album "Osey HaSicumim", (The Makers of Summaries).

Noa was born in a field between grass and stones
Noa was like a drop of dew
A daisy she picked in the field and from the flower
She plucked petal by petal

Yes or no, yes or no,
A thousand songs and the song of Noa
Yes or no my petals
Yes or no or maybe

Noa led him between the grass and stones
Noa kissed him with the descent of dew
And he in her eyes peered softly
And without a word asked:

Yes or no...

Noa wandered far from the grass and stones
From her curls the dew vanished
And a hundred daisies of the field are watching her
And every petal will ask:

Yes or no...

Noa is there in the field between grass and stone
A last song the dew sings for her
And all the daisies of the field with pretty crowns
Are weeping petals over her

Yes or no, yes or no
A thousand songs and the song of Noa
Yes or no alas
Noa has returned to me