This is the kind of song that should win Eurovision and it would be well deserved. Absolutely perfect.

she has the type of vocal that just seems like she's been doing this for decades, just the smoothness and clarity is insane. since 2017 portugal has never failed to deliver

If you asked me one month ago when the songs for Portugal's national selection were released, I was living in a world where Portugal wouldn't make it to the final this year. After watching Iolanda's performance in the semis, my mind was blown away. She is currently my Number 3. Portugal = quality!

❤🇵🇹🤍 Iolanda is the Queen of goosebumps in Eurovision 2024

Crying every time I watch her performance. Straight in my top 5 ✨

This would be a deserved winner

If we had the juries in the semifinal, "Grito" would have been sailing through.

Totally agree with the staging and styling. It's stunningly impactful yet subtle

I like Serbia but i love Portugal, I NEED this in the Final at a minimum because if it doesn’t it’s a crime! This is just pure quality and it’ll be fighting for top spot in my ranking, well done Iolanda and Portugal👏

A great choice for Portugal and hopefully a finalist on Saturday - Is it weird to say that in the first 20-30 seconds of the song (first listen) I was almost crying 😅

In my top 5, i love the song! So happy for Iolanda!

Great react Alesia. *This song is my goosebumps absolute record!* 10/10. If you live outside of Portugal you can now show your ❤ for this work of art and leave your vote in the eurovisionworld pool.

After all the joke entries, I'm deeply thankful for everything with a meaningful and artistic approach. Iolanda is pure magic and her message is a lifesaver for so many suffering souls! Go, Portugal!❤️🇵🇹💚 Instantly in my TOP 3!🔥💯

Number one of the season. Just so emotional and beautiful. The vocals… just wow! She better be in that final!

Thanks. Portugal is... Portugal! Proud in our roots, culture and language.

Beautiful. ❤ I just want it to qualify.

Keeping it real (for myself), there are only 3 to 5 songs that have made me feel something this year… and this is one of them. Stunning performance, immaculate vocals, and excellent lyrics.

I'm french so I won't be able to vote for Portugal at the SF1 😭 I so want her to go to the final, need it cause she's my winner of this Eurovision. Please, vote for her at SF1 !!!!

Agree with you Alesia, I always love what Portugal is doing in Eurovision. This is simply so beautiful, stylish, thoughtful, melodic. I love it. I think this will stand out between all the uptempo songs this year and has a place in the final.

i'm portuguese and it's like you said: we deliver what we like and what for us is good music. If other's don't agree, no problem. Sometimes is not music meant for the masses, but it's music for people with sensibility, people that feel the music instead of liking the music just because the singer is famous or they are brainwashed because the music plays everywhere so the label and artist can maximize their money. Iolanda's song will be immortalized because she's a winner of Festival da Canção. The Eurovision conquest is "just a bonus".

I agree with you, I think that this is definitely the strongest ballad and hopefully it will make it to the finals where the juries will give it a well-deserved lift!

100% girl. I NEED this so bad in the final. She’s a phenome ❤️🇵🇹

one of my absolute favourites this season, i just worry about it in a strong semi with no jury. i think it could do what Estonia did last year: come 9th/10th in the semi but then get an enormous jury boost in the final.

An excellent song, with several musical influences, that makes us think of Madredeus, Dulce Pontes, and Amália herself. A fusion between traditional and contemporary that results in a perfect wedding. The message, with a great emotional charge, transports people on a journey of sensations that affect the three levels of human consciousness, and awaken feelings and memories stored deep in our minds. The performance on stage, duly thought out down to the smallest detail, completes the transmission of the message, with the presence of the dancers who represent the "demons" in the performer's mind. As soon as the scream at the end of the song is heard, demonstrating the will to win, the "demons" disappear. Iolanda will represent Portugal at Eurovision, and in my opinion, she doesn't need to change anything for Malmo. Everything is perfect. ❤️

What a masterpiece 😱❤ 12 points!

This is a soft but powerful performance. I think it will get the audience's attention. Can hardly wait to see her perform live on that big stage in Malmö.

Thank you Alesia! ❤ We are very proud of Iolanda🔥

TOP 5 for me❤️

Currently in my top 5. In a year with a lot of noise (good noise mind you), this will really shine through as a modern and intriguing performance.

“Iolanda!?!… gurl “. You had me creasing myself at that point. Thanks for your review. Always appreciated with clarity and professionalism. ❤💚

A decade ago, she auditioned for The Voice and nobody turned. She was nervous and shaky so can't blame them. Point is, this a testament to how much an artist can grow if they just keep at it! Special mention to Portugal delegation for understanding how to wow while still keeping it understated!

The dancers are her soul searching for her body to make her dream come true ❤my soul is with you Iolanda❤

I LOVE this entry so much, Iolanda's performance is just perfection ... it is touchy but powerful at the same time. Brilliant lyrics, thoughful staging, amazing vocals, of course we need this in the final. Could semi 1 be any tougher? And as usual THANKS Alesia for your constructive and respectful comments/critiques. I do really appreciate all your efforts on this. An ESC season without you just would't be the same. Greetings from Costa Rica 🇨🇷

Beautiful react. Bravo,bravo. Thank you. 🎉

Top 10 or even top 5 with the jury. This is has the staging to do the job.

Pure art!

Iolanda delivered an Amazing song, I would say unique song when it comes to voice, staging and the result is one on my top 5 this year

I can't honestly believe this didn't win all juries or THE TELEVOTE. Like what were they thinking?!? Did they really wanted to risk a possible jury winner for another Telemovéis/Samo mi se spava?! My god...

Alesia, I've never commented on any of your videos since I started following your KZfaq channel, but I want you to know that this Eurovision journey year after year is even more enjoyable and exciting with your presence! I'm glad that in recent years you've been valuing and positively reviewing the Festival da Canção and enjoying the songs we bring to Eurovision! So, even if in the coming years the level of our festival declines or we bring less good songs, I will still continue to follow you because you are a very wise voice in this Eurovision community, praising what needs to be praised and constructively criticizing when necessary. That's what I wanted to say :) P.S.: iolanda, whether you make it to the final or not, I want you to know that I feel represented and I will be happy regardless of what happens!!!

The captivating phrase when she says “ainda lembro quando era pequena eu sonhava primeiro” which, for those who don’t understand Portuguese so well (which is normal) translates to “I still remember when I was little girl I used to dream first”, this part really hits hard and it’s such a powerful statement into growing up while the world is a mess.

The best❤❤❤beautiful❤❤❤

Thank you so much ❤

We Portuguese don't care about classification or punctuation. It is important to us to maintain our musical roots and show them to the world with all pride 😊

I dont really listen to this song and it is not on my playlist, but as a performance, I really like it. Her voice is beautiful and the staging is done well. If a balad is going through in semi 1, I would say it will be this one.

I was going to give Ireland all my votes in SF1, but now I may split it with Portugal if they're on the bubble because this needs to make the Finals as well.

i’m really looking for a ballad winning song this year, so Serbia and Portugal are my favorite

Iolanda have the unic music whith arte in all eurovision... she desert winnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn eurovision

Dear friends, Thank you so much for your support ❤. Sometimes it's hard to send quality and personality to Eurovision. In spite of everyone saying that we always send quality, we see that it's not appreciated. If you appreciate art and quality, please vote for this amazing artist and support us ❤ Love from 🇵🇹

And to think Iolanda participated in Portugal’s version of The Voice and didn’t get one single chair to turn… she showed them!! Just proves… never give up on your dreams.

Δύναμη, πάθος, συναίσθημα.. 12αρι από Ελλάδα ❤❤

There has only been three times in Eurovision History where i watched a performance and been like: this is absolute perfection: -Lucie Jones - Never Give Up On You (at the grand final of 2017) -Ukrikke - Attention (at the grand final of MGP 2020 💔) -And this (specially at the first semifinal) I can't believe this is getting hate out of all things in this national final season. We NEED. I repeat, NEED to take this to the final so it has a chance of winning the jury.

Beautiful voice,top 10 🇵🇹❤

She amazing ❤

I just wonder why are we only allowed to have 1 balad in the final? Why is it always either one or the other? But all other music genres they have multiple of each all the time and nobody compares them. Balads are as valid as any other music genre. People need to appreciate a bit of everything and not just compare balads all the time.

Thank you Alesia!! 🙏 ❤️❤️❤️🇵🇹

ART

I scream to the world, stop💚💚💛❤❤❤

❤i love your reaction❤esta musica que vai representar portugal deveria passar pra final a realizar se na suécia...nao é pra ganhar mas deve ir á eurovisao á suécia....❤

Wonderful and accurate review (as always). ANALYSIS, "Grito" (Scream) from Iolanda, Portugal choice: "Grito" (SCREAM), presents a compelling narrative of resilience, transformation, and self-empowerment. The song uses the metaphor of fire to symbolize the undying spirit of the protagonist, emphasizing themes of endurance, healing, and self-realization. Themes like: Vulnerability and Surrender: (sense of awareness and sensitivity, possibly hinting at the anticipation of change or the buildup of emotional energy. Speaks to letting go of control, a leap of faith into the unknown. This surrender isn't about giving up but about embracing the process of transformation). Liberation: "I want to let go of what left me hurt" is a clear desire to release past pains and burdens. This act of letting go is necessary for healing and moving forward. Renewal: for instance in asking the "mother star to make the day rise again" symbolizes a plea for rebirth, a fresh start, and the hope that comes with a new day. Transformation: "I transformed every verse of me" indicates profound personal growth and change. The individual is not the same as before; She has evolved through her experiences. Persistence: The repeated phrase "It still burns" emphasizes ongoing struggle and resilience. Despite challenges, her spirit and determination remain unquenched. Self-assertion: "Today I want to prove myself / That I can be whatever I want" reflects a strong sense of self-belief and ambition. She is determined to define her own identity and future. Forgiveness: "Forgive anyone who wanted to see me suffer" shows maturity and emotional liberation. Forgiveness is presented as a step towards healing and empowerment. Resilience: The imagery of being a "flame that still burns" throughout the song symbolizes resilience in the face of adversity. She continues to shine and endure, regardless of past pains and challenges. Self-empowerment: The journey from vulnerability to strength, from darkness to light, encapsulates the theme of self-empowerment. She actively transforms her pain into power, asserting control over her destiny. Healing and Growth: The song portrays healing as an active and dynamic process. It's about moving through pain, embracing change, and growing stronger in the process. Iolanda's 'Grito' (Scream), is a powerful anthem of perseverance, self-discovery, and empowerment. It encourages listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities, let go of the past, and ignite their inner strength to face the future with courage and hope. LYRICS Iolanda - "Grito" (Scream) [Verse 1] I heard, (I) felt, the body charging We continued like that, one and another, one and another, one and another I'm free falling, I'll let you know when I get there I surrender here, little by little [Pre-Chorus] Long strides, chained in the (race) start I want to let go of what left me hurt I ask the mother star to make the day rise again [Chorus] (It still [Ainda] burns [Arde]) I transformed every verse of me (It still burns) And surrender to the courage that still burns, still burns Hit the light on your chest and opens it I am a flame that still burns, still burns, still burns [Verse 2] Today I want to prove myself That I can be whatever I want (Whatever I want) Bring together those who love me at a table Forgive anyone who wanted to see me suffer They don't fool me (No, no) I'm every size (I am) I still remember when I was little (I was) the one who dreamed first [Pre-Chorus] Long strides, chained in the (race) start I want to let go of what left me hurt And I ask the mother star to make the day rise again [Chorus] (It still burns) I transformed every verse of me (It still burns) And surrender to the courage that still burns, still burns Hit the light on your chest and open it I am a flame that still burns, still burns, still burns I am a flame that still burns, still burns I am a flame that still burns, still burns Burn, burn, burn I transformed every verse of me And surrender to the courage that still burns, still burns Hit the light on your chest and open it I am a flame that still burns, still burns, still burns

I don't think that Iolanda and Teya Dora are direct competition. Very different approach and delivery. One is light, other is dark. Ramonda has catchy/viral moment, while Grito is more on the artsy side. There is distinctive difference. So, I think we can easily have both in final.

Pura Arte. Sem precedentes. A autenticidade da sua voz, mensagem e emoção. A história da sua luta é compatível com o "grito" que todos temos no olhar. Força . Foco . Fé. Digna de louvor. Obra prima de arte emocional, determinação e coragem. Sabedoria emocional e resiliência. Divino e celestial. ARTE GENUÍNA E PURA. Conquista a nossa alm

If we were to award our own Roberta Flack Award for a song that doesn't necessarily have Eurovision winning potential, but can "kill you softly", in other words, strikes the most sensitive chords in your heart, who would have a chance? In my opinion, Grito is definitely one of the contenders. Other nominees: Lena Kovačević, Zovi me Lena (SRB) Rita Rocha, Pontos Finais (PT) Vinko, Lying Eyes (HR) Vēstulēs, Kur? (LV) Anyone want to add something to this list?

Thank you Alesia for a lovely comment 😍 The song is about mental struggles and fighting to overcome the m on you own. I get that is not for everyone and it might be thought to get attention from televote. She is on the 2nd half of the 1 semi is a thought one. If she gets to Final I believe that she will do way better with the juries vote. Explaining the choreography, the dancers are/represent the flames and her demons and at the end she makes them disappear with her scream overcoming the struggle . Grito = scream . Hugs from Portugal ❤❤❤

Great comments! Love this song. It is Portuguese all the way! It is Portugal today!!!

As a Portuguese myself, I’m very proud of this entry. High quality song and performance! But I must say I’m worried with this going through to the final if the voting on the semi is only public voting (?) and considering the other countries on semi 1 which also have strong songs and are tendentiously more “disconnected” (geographically & culturally) from Portugal.

I gonna be honest right here... If Salvador Sobral won in 2017, Portugal could win this year too... If you over look the other "populars" song and focus on the quality as a whole that Grito is giving, they have a big chance of winning or a least a top 3/5 placement

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Yes, I feel like I need this in the final, but I don't necessarily feel I need serbia in the final

❤Iolanda 🇵🇹🇵🇹👏👏👏👏

Help i want so many songs to qualify from Semi 1 Ukraine Portugal and Croatia are in my top 5 Im scared

Serbia and Portugal both deserve final.

It's nice to have a slower song or two in the midst of so many upbeat songs. I'm not criticising any song, just nice to listen to a nice variety.

She was better live than in the audio version. I hope people understand The message and 9:51 She qualifies. If She qualifies i believe she can get a top 10

Thank you. Obrigada 🙂

Why is Portugal always in the strong semifinal?

Nah, both Portugal and Serbia are going to the final. We barely have any ballads this year and the ones we do have are very impactful. If anything, Slovenia, Australia, Azerbaijan and/or Cyprus are the ones who are gonna get left behind for Portugal and Serbia to get in.

This is wayyyyy better than Serbia. Just a fact.

She was on The Voice 9 years ago and no one turned their chairs! She had already participated in several music programs and in the voice, after no one turned the chairs, she cried and even said that she had tried many times and it wasn't working! 9 years later he will represent Portugal in Eurovision! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oMx5rZel07aRYKM.htmlsi=XZTan2xhA9f2zlzn

Sound check....Sound check

Definitely wn interesting song, definitely a great entry with great vocals and deep lyrics. And I prefer it over Ramonda, because it's more powerful and more dynamic, while Teya's song is partially too low volume for me. I don't know, if it would survive the semi-final of death, but I wish it would. It's a shame that we lose so many good entries in one semi, while worse songs, which wouldn't have made it (UK, Sweden and Germany) are automatically qualified, while other less interesting songs could qualify from sf2.

🤍🤍

If u dont know by now... you should.. we (Pt) dont really care about qualifying.. (i mean, dont get me wrong... would LOVE this to qualify) but we ALWAYS choose the song that ressonates most with us (language, culture, art) and thats why most times, the rest of Europe dont "understand" us 😂😂😂

After last year I think I'm suffering from PTSD (as a joke because I know what PTSD really looks like) because of Blanca Paloma. I've been watching this song and I love it. The package is already there. But at the same time.... Looking at SF1 I think there is room for Iolanda, Raiven and Teya. Different songs, styles and messages. Will people vote for Finland if they are aware of SF2? I think Moldova, Cyprus and Luxembourg will not make it and Ireland and Australia are not on the top of my list. And with Iceland and Azerbaijan? It deserves a place in the final. Period. Not as a winner though.

This one is better then Serbia

Its a nice song but for me Serbia is still the number 1 ballad this year. Still the only song this year to make me feel something and give me chills every time i hear it. I want both portugal and Serbia to go to final it deoemda in staging and why not 2 ballada and 8 up beat songs. Evan tho i see people orefer Serbias sing i have a feeling serbia will again be underated by jury amd fans and not do well cause i am used to it and always exoect the worst, i dont wanna get my hopes up

I've noticed a LOT of anti-ballad bias in the fandom this year. Like if i were to listen to Grito based on some comments I'd be shocked that it isn't a 20 BPM monotonous "please when will it end" ballad.

Totally different question here: why didnt Portugal compete the last three times the contest was held in Sweden? I felt like portugal kinda… ‘hated’ that they won. Or maybe its just a coincidence.

I feel that the Eurovision public is a little unfair to Portugal. We don't have a better selection for three reasons: RTP doesn't invest enough money to create something visually appealing like Sweden does, so any pop song ends up being a flop because there are no conditions to create an interesting staging; Portuguese artists don't know how to do pop music, although there is a lot of consumption of this genre in Portugal, several Portuguese artists have a snobbery syndrome that everything that is mainstream and comes from outside is no good. Furthermore, they prefer to follow the roots of fado, with some cliche lyrics that talk about the sea, sadness and "saudade", unfortunately this is something very present in the Portuguese DNA that lacks joy and positivism; The festival organizers all have very similar tastes and end up inviting very similar artists, which makes the event monotonous and uninteresting. Putting all these factors together, taking into account that we are the country that invests the least in Eurovision, having obtained extraordinary results in recent years is practically a miracle. People may be happy that Portugal brings so much simplicity to Eurovision, or annoyed because we are minimalists, but all of this is a consequence of the lack of investment

Serbia and Portugal may cancel each other 😢😢

Its a nice sing and her vocals are really good, but I just couldnt connect with the song. Im a basic b!+@# so if it was a choice between Grito and Ramonda I would choose Ramonda.

🇮🇱🌪️🎗️❤️

🙄 Again comparing something that is actually totally different. Is it in the "same group kind of" ? yes. But Iolanda has dancers, its all white, music is emotional but her face is not. And its kind of the song that you forget easliy. Staging is something that we could predict . Ramonda is waaay too more emotional, Teya shows us emotions that we see on her face, its more intimate, powerfull, aboslutely dark. Staging is perfect and somthing new, she is alone on the stage and we cannot take our eyes of of her. I like both but I dont like these kind of "direct competition" predictions always said. Its like compating Finland and Cyprus only because are speed up and nothing alse in common.

Waiting for your reaction to Eden Golan with "Hurricane" The delay of my favorite Eurovision-fan KZfaqrs in this instance is making me lose faith in them...please don't let me lose faith in you.

Wow....I really think this will not qualify 😒 I'm angry at myself that I can't connect with this. I'm sorry everyone. Just being honest with all due respect

The performance is beautiful, but the song is boring and forgettable in my opinion.

Portugal vs Serbia I dont think Portugal have a chance...... Serbia is on finale for sure but for Portugal I dont think so

So many esc-reactors just go "Yaaaas queen slay girlie pop yas". Even the esc-channel with the most subs and a lot of clout within this little bubble does that, a lot lol. I like that you actually offer some sort of analysis of the numbers.