Part 4 already of this year’s previews and it includes one of the most anticipated entries of this year’s Contest. But does Bulgaria live up to the almost impossibly high expectations? And what about those two overlooked Balkan broads? Find out more in the post below, and don’t forget to leave your vote(s)!
BULGARIA 
PERFORMERS: Equinox
SONG: Bones
The Song: In a surprise twist, we get a third consecutive contemporary Bulgarian effort *insert gasp here*. It’s surprisingly dark though, even if it is essentially a beautiful ode to love and a haunting plea for going beyond what the eye can see. It sounds familiar in parts, especially when they harmonize – but I can’t put my finger on it, even though I’ve been wrecking my brain ever since it got announced. One of the better songs in the field, pity it’s not really all that exciting.
Standout lyrics: “Love is like a black hole” – Way to be glass-half-full, guys.
The Voice: Bands that are put together especially for Eurovision tend to have the same problem over and over again: it’s more of an assembly of individuals rather than an actual group. So it’s really a matter of getting the voices to blend well and sing in service of the song, not personal exposure. Seems evident, but is rather hard to accomplish. Especially in this song, where the different vocal layers need to become more than the sum of all parts and that’s way easier said than done.
The Performance: The comment above is even more real when it comes to the performance. If there’s no chemistry on stage, it’s gonna be rather painful to watch. #Six4Onememories
In one line: Too bad ‘Bones’ has Pavlov-ed my brain to immediately think about Temperance Brennan and co.
Why it will qualify: It chills us all to the bone(s).
Why it won’t: It chills us all to the bone(s) for the wrong reasons.
Biggest competition in this semi: Austria.
Pre-Contest status: Likely Qualifier and one to watch on Saturday.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 
MACEDONIA 
PERFORMERS: Eye Cue
SONG: Lost And Found
The Song: A typical case of wanting to stuff too much into a three minute song, which makes the song loose all of its identity. It’s a three-for-one offer, which might seem like a good deal on paper but is a bit weird in reality. Even though they work rather well separately, the pieces of reggae, pop and dance do not really mix well in this entry. Pity, it sounds like they each had potential.
Standout lyrics: “You’re free to end your suffer” – Careful for that thing called ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’, my dear.
The Voice: She’ll need to sing everybody’s socks off to sell it and it remains to be seen whether Marija can live up to that immense challenge.
The Performance: I’m banking on something EPIC here, just for the fun of it. It’s really the only way they’ll be able to make Eurovision history.
In one line: Fa Cue *insert iRoll*
Why it will qualify: White reggae’s the new black.
Why it won’t: People don’t know which of the three songs in this one song they like, so they don’t vote on either one.
Biggest competition in this semi: Erm…Azerbaijan?
Pre-Contest status: Non-qualifier.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 
CROATIA 
PERFORMER: Franka Batelic
SONG: Crazy
The Song: Surprisingly sensual and subdued, with a whiff of Sam Brown’s ‘Stop‘ hanging around it. And even if that reference was a bit more catchy and instantly memorable, the Croatian entry is intriguing enough not to be instantly dismissed. I’m missing a bit of a pay-off towards the end, but I suppose this is easily resolved by creating a fascinating visual package to wrap it all up. Side note: does anyone else start humming “74-75” by The Connells after the line ‘Say you’ll remember’? No? Just me? Okay then.
Standout lyrics: “I’ll be your queen and I’ll be your fool” – Pretty much what my Tinder profile used to say.
The Voice: After having looked up a couple of live videos, I’m quite convinced miss Batelić is capable enough of holding herself upright on stage in Lisbon. VERY curious to hear her sell this though. This can either go big à la Aminata, or sink faster than you can whisper ‘Nayah’.
The Performance: If that video is anything to go by, I’m not too worried at this point. It’ll be interesting to see how they’ll manage to captivate the audience for three minutes without going completely nuts.
In one line: I’m so excited, I’m in too deep.
Why it will qualify: It manages to strike the right tone.
Why it won’t: They actually need a straightjacket.
Biggest competition in this semi: Belgium perhaps? If she meets Latvia in the final, they’re in danger of canceling each other out.
Pre-Contest status: It’s borderline, but I’m going with non-qualifier as it might be a tad too cuckoo for its own good.
PERSONAL TOTAL: 
CURRENT RESULTS
N/A
Croatia, Belgium, Estonia
Bulgaria, Czechia, Lithuania, Israel
FYROM, Albania, Azerbaijan
Iceland, Belarus
Dimivision 