Lithuania 2018 - Aldegunda - I Want Your Love

While we await a somewhat tardy LRT to post up the videos from last night's Eurovizijos Atranka (mainly so that we can show you the rather splendid horror that was Banzzzai's I Don't Care), let me run this little puppy by you from two weeks back.

Aldegunda here seems to be something of a face in Lithuanian music. A quick flick through her YouTube channel will see her touting everything from P!nk covers to decadent cabaret lounge jazz, right through to moderately noisy symphonic rock attempts. And she seems to be playing over the pond in the Americas all the time. But here she seems to be channeling her inner Grace Jones... only a slightly more car boot version.

And while it's clear that she has some stagecraft, you can't help but cringe at every new gesture. From the over-emphasis on the hand gestures, to the fruity expressions, comedy scratched record pratfall that has never worked for anyone in this contest ever, right down to the over-reliance on her chair and some less welcome thrusty gestures, it's all about as challenging as a progressive drama teacher gone rogue with her own solo song at a Home Counties high school's musical production. And every bit as awkward to watch.

But do you know what? Despite all that she came third of twelve in the first Lithuanian semi, so what the heck do we know. Prepare to be dazzled by her next performance, because we reckon that she's going to try to outdo this one. But be sure that you're watching from behind the sofa...

***STOP PRESS***

I've just learned that this won its week's televote. Be afraid. Be mostly afraid.