So, SF2 time tonight. Here are my reviews. It should be noted that Iceland will be using the performance recorded from their second rehearsal tonight and (if they qualify) the final owing to one of their band members testing positive for COVID.
01 – San Marino (‘Adrenalina’ by Senhit)
When this dropped, I did NOT expect Flo-Rida to appear in the video. Now he’s confirmed to be in Rotterdam, people will watch. It’s excellent, and Senhit is a performer with so much character. It’s qualifying, and will surely give San Marino their best ever result. Top 10, maybe?
02 – Estonia (‘The Lucky One’ by Uku Suviste)
Of the songs in the semi death slots this year, this is the best one. Uku’s excellent. The staging does seem interesting, but I think it works. Not sure of its chances at qualifying, but I think it’s in with a shot, despite being in the death slot.
03 – Czech Republic (‘Omaga’ by Benny Cristo)
Benny’s a good performer, and does well on stage, but I’m just not warming to it for some reason. The staging itself feels a bit flat for such an upbeat song, and I’m concerned it won’t help its chances of qualification very much.
04 – Greece (‘Last Dance’ by Stefania)
Stefania’s great. She performs the song very well. The staging does involve green-screen effects, which work quite well, but it feels a little flat in places from what I’ve seen so far. In full broadcast version, it should be fine, and I think Greece are very likely to qualify.
05 – Austria (‘Amen’ by Vincent Bueno)
I like a power ballad, and Vincent sells it this year. I didn’t think much of it, but the staging has REALLY helped to elevate it in a big way. The same happened with Conchita in 2014. I don’t see this doing as well, but its chances of qualification are improved on before.
06 – Poland (‘The Ride’ by Rafał)
When I saw the video, I instantly thought ‘douchebag’. My view hasn’t changed. There’s little variation in melody, the staging is messy, and I don’t know what Rafał is wearing. Won’t be unhappy if this doesn’t qualify.
07 – Moldova (‘Sugar’ by Natalia Gordienko)
The music video was interesting, and I think quite dynamic. This hasn’t translated to the stage. It just feels rather static, despite Natalia’s very good vocals. I thought it was definitely going through, but I’m a bit more on the fence now.
08 – Iceland (’10 Years’ by Daði og Gagnamagnið)
Last year’s favourite is back. It’s very characterful, and staged very well. Daði is incredibly talented, and that’s clear throughout. I’m not sure people will warm to it as much as Think About Things, but it’s qualifying and will give Iceland an excellent finish.
09 – Serbia (‘Loco Loco’ by Hurricane)
There’s a hurricane brewing halfway through this semi, and Serbia deliver big-time. It’s loud, it’s in-your-face, and it works. Vocals are so on point throughout, with harmonies being excellent. It’s qualifying without a doubt, and should finish well for Serbia.
10 – Georgia (‘You’ by Tornike Kipiani)
It’s quite a comedown from Serbia. Tornike is a good vocalist, but the staging feels rather dreary, even for a ballad. I see VERY little chance of this qualifying, if at all.
11 – Albania (‘Karma’ by Anxhela Peristeri)
Albania are underrated. Anxhela is superb, and owns the stage really well. It’s an excellent song, and while the staging seems rather minimalist so far, it kinda works for it. I’d be very happy to see this qualify, and I think it probably will after Georgia.
12 – Portugal (‘Love Is On My Side’ by The Black Mamba)
The first song Portugal have sent a song entirely in another language. It’s a ballad, yes, but it’s performed quite well. It’s gone up in the odds by quite a bit during rehearsals, which is good for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t qualify, but I’d equally be happy if it did.
13 – Bulgaria (‘Growing Up Is Getting Old’ by Victoria)
Yet another ballad, but it’s a good one. The staging is simple, but Victoria seems to sell it well, and she’s a really good performer. It’s one of the favourites to win, and while I don’t think it will, I think the top 10 is definitely beckoning.
14 – Finland (‘Dark Side’ by Blind Channel)
You can rely on Finland to produce excellent rock songs for Eurovision. It’s got real Linkin Park VIBES, and they perform it really well indeed. So much energy, and going after a couple of ballads will help. Qualifying for sure, and a good shout for the top 10.
15 – Latvia (‘The Moon Is Rising’ by Samanta Tīna)
Samanta is a great performer, there’s no doubt about that, and the staging does help the song a bit. I’m slightly concerned, though, that coming after Finland may hurt its chances. Two loud songs together might not work. On the fence regarding qualification.
16 – Switzerland (‘Tout l’univers’ by Gjon’s Tears)
Vocally, Gjon is absolutely perfect. The song is so, so good. The staging, though? From the clips we’ve seen, it doesn’t seem to make all that much sense, and it may not really connect with the audience as much as hoped. It’s qualifying, and should get Top 5 at the very least.
17 – Denmark (‘Øve os på hinanden) by Fyr & Flamme)
It’s very disco, and it’s nice to see Denmark performing in their own language for the first time since 1997. I’m still not overly keen on it, but there’s no denying it’s well-performed, and the staging’s half-decent. Will it qualify? I don’t know, and I’m not too fussed either way.