Faroese singer Reiley has single-handedly illustrated that Denmark can be represented by modern, relevant music at the Eurovision Song Contest. 

The 25-year-old’s song, Breaking My Heart, is polished. Its composition sounds intricate and complicated, but knuckle down and the discovery is that it’s simple. It’s a shortcut of an illusion that pays. 

The track lacks an intro. Instead, a pulsating synthesiser bursts into life as the first second of the verse – and the track itself – begins. Reiley joins simultaneously, questioning someone’s choice words about him being dead. It’s dark. But the music isn’t. 

On description alone, the chorus sounds abysmal. An almost staccato melody stopping after every second beat, Reiley singing at the top of his range with his voice heavily distorted. No thanks. However, it’s utterly effective. It’s not a lengthy affair, but the hook works. 

The issue with Breaking My Heart is the live performance. The chorus doesn’t work as effectively as it does on the recording. That’s not to say it’s bad, it’s just comparatively not as good, which is a shame. 

Denmark is almost certainly guaranteed a pass to the Grand Final of Eurovision for the first time since 2019, and it’s deserved.