Austria has had mixed results since winning in 2014, to put it mildly. Yes, it managed 3rd place in 2018 (mostly thanks to the juries), but with NQs in 2019 and 2021, the Austrians could use a bit of a boost this year. Sticking to the internal selection formula, the DJ Lumix teams up with Pia Maria to bring us the track “Halo”.

If there’s one thing Eurovision 2022 has a shortage of, it’s straightforward EDM bangers to get everyone moving. So far, there’s really only the Czech Republic in the second semi-final. Fortunately, Austria are in the first semi, so the dance beats are at least divided up equally. “Halo” reminds me of the early 2000s, when DJs brought in women on vocals to give their previously instrumental songs some cross-over chart appeal. The lyrics are painful at times in their simplicity, but I guess that lyrical depth isn’t really the point of this kind of song.

If I’m being brutally honest, this is a televote song for the dance fiends out there and not much more than that. I think it’s a lot of fun and I’ll be bouncing around when this is performed, but I don’t see much jury love for it. The televote is going to have to come strongly for this if it’s going to have a chance of qualifying, and unfortunately for Austria the first semi-final already has a few televote magnets. This might end up being an honourable non-qualification, but I’m happy to be surprised if it somehow does squeak through.