Eurovision 2025 Preview Semi 2

Hold on, it’s only one week until Semi 2?  But I haven’t even heard all of the songs yet! Better get cracking again…

Hi again, and welcome to part 2 of this year’s version of my yearly previews. No elaborate analysis, simply listening to the songs. For the majority of them it’s the first time I’m hearing them – technically twice: once this afternoon, and now while I’m typing. Go to part one for more back story on that.

So here are my almost unfiltered first impressions for Semi 2. I’ll take a gander at possible winners at the end of this preview. Då kör vi, again! Follow along with the Spotify playlist.

Australia – Go-Jo – Milkshake Man

Innuendo, and make mine a double. And here I was, thinking innuendos needed to be subtle. It’s very adolescent humor and alas, I’m not a teenager anymore. Do like the ‘80s production of it all, the beat is delicious and the backings are, like, totally fetch. Pity it’s bursting from the seams with cream that’s just a bit sour. Will probably qualify nonetheless. 

Montenegro – Nina Zizic – Dobrodošli

Dramatic opening, me likey. Très James Bondic. The first verse drags on for waaay too long. Wait, am I listening to the long version? Feels like it. The string arrangement is lovely but I need it to soar higher, I need her to surf the vibe more. Pisses all over Australia though. But will people vote for it?

Ireland – EMMY – Laika Party

Oh, Ireland. The switch from The Witch Queen to this is just…finger licking good, actually. One minute in and there just a huge smile on my face. What’s even happening? I’m betting this is based on someone getting high, thinking of how Like A Party sounds Laika Party and decided to turn it into the song it was never meant to actually be. Oh, and to paraphrase miss Trixie Mattel while she was watching Legally Blonde for Still Watching Netflix: That dog is dead now. And has been for a long time. So the lyrics are actually super dark, but in the most delightfully daft way. Delightfully daft is what this is overall, the production was zapped to the future from the late ’90s and I am here for it. To the final, I say!

Latvia – Tautumeitas – Bur Man Laimi

It’s not summer solstice yet, sisters, what’s going on with the chanting? I love how it somehow sounds so very…Latvian. Besides the homophonic ‘nevar’ which sounds suspiciously like ‘neighbor’ – coincidence? I THINK NOT! And world peace. Anyway, this feel like it’s in the same vein as Czechia 2023 but that one had a more accessible song structure. This feel like a wall of chanting, and I’m not really vibing with it. I suspect the televoters might not either.

Armenia – Parg – Survivor

Had no clue which country this was while first listening to the songs in order. Armenia? Really? Rock me, Amadeus! The first verse is a bit wonky, but the run-up to the chorus is very Imagine Dragons meets Eurovision. Not too keen on the football chanting, there. Another patchwork song structure, and it doesn’t feel super complementary here. I don’t feel a real vision except ‘let’s put some guitars on it’ – which I don’t really mind, actually. Urgh, there’s the football chanting again. What’s with the chanting today? No idea how it’ll do.

Austria – JJ – Wasted Love

As if that first verse isn’t googly-eye-worthy enough: enter the first chorus! Goosebumps with that operatic falsetto. If this translates well to the stage it could go big. VERY big. The production smells a bit like France 11 though – ominous. The beats at the end lift it even more, yasss. Not very radio friendly though, but I’d happily be proven wrong. Lots of falsetto boys this years, pity for our Red Seb. Will obviously qualify and soar into the top 5…if it works live.

United Kingdom – Remember Monday – What The Hell Just Happened?

The only song that got recommended to me by the Spotify algorithm, and I added it to my Temporary Obsession list so I’m quite familiar with it. It’s a blend of Queen and Chappell Roan, sung by three queens that harmonize ever so lovely. It’s a bit of a harsh song, tbh – it can make me sing along or it can annoy the bejiebes out of me. But I keep coming back for more nonetheless. No clue, but I like it. Feels like this one is being slept on.

Greece – Klavdia – Asteromata

That opening verse feels VERY Greece mid ’90s at Eurovision, and I’m here for it. I need it to do more after the first chorus though, that mid section feels bleh. Oh, the beat kicks in again…oh wait it’s gone. No, it’s back. Damn it, make up your mind! The second part needs more oomph. Could have done without the false ending. But all in all…not too shabby actually, feels like it could really create an atmosphere on stage. Oh, I see she’s the new Nana Mouskouri, in that she sports glasses. I’ve got glasses. We need more representation. So plus 1 point. Probably making the final. 

Lithuania – Katarsis – Tavo Akys

Another ’90s tune, but this time the grungy, broody part of the ’90s and my grungy soul sighs with melancholy.  Totally different from the rest of the field, which speaks to its advantage. Heard a live snippet somewhere…that didn’t really speak to its advantage. Could be a NQ, but it’s Lithuania. And I kinda need it to be in the final, if simply for diversity’s sake.

Malta – Miriana Conte – Serving / Kant

LOL @ the contrast with Lithuania. I see you, producers. Of course I know this one, my inner drag queen was living for the drama that was so obviously staged. They do know how to play the media game over there. Speaking of drag queens: this one has a lot in common with songs released by queens from the RPDR franchise: one great idea wrapped in a not so great production. The do-re-mi-fa-se-se-serving is simply ACE. The rest around it…feels like a good time, but you kinda get the point after a minute. The production feels to empty, too clappy clappy without giving us anything to clap for. Where. Is. The. Beat? Oh there it is – in the last 20 seconds. Tsk. Should make the final anyway. Wait, is everyone qualifying all of a sudden?

Georgia – Mariam Shengelia – Freedom

Enya opening, Broadway verse, 90’s ballad chorus, piano intermezzo, Lion King ending – more is more, but no more!! This is just full on in your face and all I can say is: good God get a grip, girl. Dunno, this feels like A LOT. I need to go lie down for a bit. Not in a good way. NEXT. 

France – Louane – Maman

Oh sweet baby Jebus, more drama. The French kind. There are fifty shades of French Drama and this is not my particular cup of cheese. Because I have my own mommy issues, you say? Get outta here! It’s schmalzy enough to do well, but I just really can’t with this.

Denmark – Sissal – Hallucination

Oh, I can smell the Denmark from a mile away. Hello, is this the middle of the road calling? Again very ’90s in production so I don’t really mind this. What I do mind is the endless repetition of the title. I know I know, repetition is key – but it’s getting really old really quick. It tries to be Euphoria but it feels much more Cascada. For me it does nada. If it qualifies, it’ll be by the skin of its teeth.

Czechia – ADONXS – Kiss Kiss Goodbye

Well, somebody grew up listening to Imagine Dragons! The contrast between the build-up and the chorus works ever so splendidly. Oh, tempo change! Dance break? Oh, we’re back to chill. That was weird. And unnecessary. Hm, that second half doesn’t do much, does it? I’m counting on stellar visuals to lift it to another level. Still a nice atmosphere, this should be another final for Czechia.

Luxembourg – Laura Thorn – La Poupée Monte Le Son

Rarely before have we heard such a well done ode to a former winner. It’s really clever in blending the sounds and soul of Poupée De Cire with current production and poppy vibes. That means it sounds inherently childish, for lack of a better word, and that makes it somewhat hard to digest as a song. But it’s a nifty little package, and if Laura can manage to stay upright vocally she should be making it through to Saturday. Unless the general audience doesn’t remember France Gall and doesn’t get what this is. And when they do fail to get it, us fans will undoubtedly go: pff, peasants. 

Israel – Yuval Raphael – New Day Will Rise

Before I say anything else, I just want to sympathize with Yuval and what she’s been through. From one human being to another: I see you and I feel you. And I commend you for standing up tall. So whatever else I’m going to say, has got nothing to do with you as a person or an artist and I wish you hadn’t been put in this position. Because it’ll come as no surprise that I don’t think Israel should be here, as a country that is actively committing war crimes does not belong on this kind of stage. People are claiming that Eurovision is an event that connects and builds bridges, so we should allow them to be there. To me that is reverse logic: building bridges includes drawing lines that should not be crossed. Especially when they’re using this peaceful platform in a way that equals blatant propaganda. This is bigger than our bubble. The title of this song, which I still haven’t heard and will hopefully only have to endure once, is super ironic – if this manages to pull off what was so narrowly avoided last year, there will be no new day for Eurovision. And at this rate it would fucking deserve it. #freepalestine #stopthegenocide

Germany – Abor & Tynna – Baller

Oh yes. From the very first notes. JA, verdammt noch mal! Love that it opens with the chorus, we so rarely get that. And this just makes me wanna dance. The verses are so very German-playing-it-cool that they threaten to drag out, but then the chorus comes along and shakes you awake. Hopefully Tynna manages to get the vocals out in a decent way, because that performance in that waste of a German NF was…not all that. Love it, hope it does well. (There’s the kiss of death for ya, Germany! Sorry about it.)

Serbia – Princ – Mila

I don’t know how, I don’t know why but I always think this is Croatia. Is it because it reminds me of Kada Zaspu Andeli? Possibly. This is quintessential Slavic in other words, and the sad thing is that I could live with or without these dramatic ballads. It sounds competent, the build-up feels correct so it could sneak through. But I’m just not in the target audience for this.

Finland – Erika Vikman – Ich Komme

First things first: I absolutely HATE how Erika and the backings mispronounce ‘Ich Komme’. It just sounds so wrong. But wrong is the new right, as is it here. Because frankly, the tongue-in-cheek drips from the speakers while this is playing. The production is very determined to have this punch you in the face ever so relentlessly. And what a pounding we get. It sounds like a riot. Definite finalist, definite top 10. 

Which made me wanna dive straight into winner predictions, but I guess we need ten qualifiers first! This feels less clear-cut than Semi 1 in terms of ‘will surely make it’, these are the ones I can see qualify for sure:

• Austria
• Greece
• Czechia
• Finland
• And if I must: Israel

Which leaves half of the Q spots. Help. Let’s work backwards: I need to find six that won’t make it. Better be:

• Georgia
• Latvia
• Australia
• Armenia
• Denmark
• Luxembourg

I don’t know what I just did either. Tempted to switch Luxembourg for Malta. Either way, that means Lithuania, Serbia, Montenegro and Ireland all make it. Or…vice versa, who knows? *cackles*

And now for the bigger question: WHO WILL WIN? I think the top five will comprise of Austria, Finland, Israel, Sweden and one surprise country. Could be my personal fave Albania, could be host country Switzerland or even the UK. And you know what? I’m gonna bank on Switzerland winning again. Hold on, anybody else feel a déjà-vu coming on? 

My personal faves are Albania, Germany, UK, Italy and, much to my surprise, Slovenia.

How about you? Who’s your fave, and who do you think will eventually take (and maybe break) the trophy?