Eurovision 2026 Songs Reviewed

 

In an age when we’re all amateur pundits now, I thought I’d do mini reviews of each song entered into this year’s Eurovision. There’s thirty-five of them altogether and I’d say the standard is a little down on the last couple of years yet also more varied. Trends I noted where the inclusion of operatic influences in several songs (though nobody is spinning on a disk like Nemo) and what has become a Eurovision trope- a song starting as a ballad then lurching into all out techno. There are a lot of serious songs, so much so that a couple where the singer actually smiles and seems to be having fun really stand out. Disappointedly there’s no outright bonkers song this year; in fact the UK’s entry is at the quirkier end of things. It is though a vast improvement on our last couple of attempts.  Of course some of these thirty five songs will be eliminated in the semi- finals probably making my predictions seem totally wrong but that’s half the fun.

 

The 35 songs reviewed!

DARA - Bangaranga / Bulgaria 

A bit Kyle this one with an Indian influence. It shifts through style and tempo a little too much for me speeding and slowing down. “I’m the bangarang” she assures us in the song’s catchiest bit. Something of a mish mash though.

Alexandra Căpitănescu - Choke Me / Romania

She comes on like Wednesday Addams wearing those long fingernails that did so well for Loreen. Alexandra even throws in a few operatic flourishes a la Nemo. And there’s a bit of heavy rock in there too. The result does feel like a compilation of recent winners and lyrically the main chorus says “I want you to choke me” while elsewhere she wants her lungs to explode. Thankfully neither of these things are shown in the video!

Bzikebi - On Replay  / Georgia

An arresting video with light tones and stylish monochrome sequences segues into an interesting performance that mixes male and female voices to strong effect. The chorus is full of `las` always a good trigger for audience participation. There’s even a bit of Georgian choral work lurking in there. In a year when several entries have mixed too many influences too randomly, this is how to do it. Its busy but focussed and must be in with a strong chance to do well.

Alis - Nân  / Albania

Choral opening, a singer looking like a middle ages high priest in in oversized black robes adds to the drama of this song as does a clock ticking in background. Definitely inspired by `O Fortuna` this one hits epic notes and is clearly to be taken very seriously but it’s grandiose qualities make it stand out. Plus, it’s refreshing for the performers to be standing still. A strong entry for me this one.

Daniel Zizka - CROSSROADS / Czechia 

A change of pace here with a haunting ballad that seems to be about mental health issues as the strong voiced Daniel declares “mother, I’ll get lost without a map”. The video is set in one room and if he can reproduce some of the atmosphere of this on stage should do well. It does soar to a high tenor at the end proving that Nemo has become quite an influence on this competition but this is surely strong enough to do well.

LELEK - Andromeda / Croatia

A middle ages video sees the ladies wearing face markings while a horseman chases a woman with a baby who eventually joins the mystical sisterhood. No idea what its about as the only word I picked up is Andromeda. It resembles clips from a feature film but has choral heft and enough melodrama to surely lift it into the top half of the table.

SIMÓN - Paloma Rumba  / Armenia

The first to two official videos set in an office albeit a little more contemporary than the UK’s one and it starts off right away with its catchy “Pa-la-la-la-la!” refrain. Like the UK’s Sam, Simon is also fed up with his “cut and paste” office life stuck at the photocopier.  His response is to “finally dance away from all the anger” while covered in yellow sticky notes. Loads of energy as the song speeds up towards the end making it irresistible.

Sal Da Vinci - Per Sempre Sì / Italy 

A soft disco tune seemingly lifted from the Seventies and sung in Italian, this is a daringly traditional entry that one might have heard in Eurovision fifty years back. That is exactly what makes it stand out but as soon as I heard it I knew it would get lost amidst its harder or more energetic rivals. It would go down well in the ballroom though but sounds very old fashioned to be here.

Lion Ceccah - Sólo Quiero Más / Lithuania

An interesting monochrome video has Lion painted silver and wandering around an empty room looking like an alien. The song has a strong chorus but it does tend to sound rather like many other songs we’ve heard at Eurovision in recent years and isn’t as powerful as similar ones in this contest.

Sarah Engels - Fire / Germany

“I’m on fire, fire, You’re a liar, liar” sings Sarah in this lively track that could fit easily into the pop landscape of the last couple of decades. With such an easy to sing along to chorus this could do well even if it seems a tad generic. In the video one of the backing dancers gets to use a flame thrower which I’m not sure will be allowed on the Vienna stage though we’re not finished with flames yet.

Veronica Fusaro - Alice / Switzerland

This is fantastic! The story of a woman watching the woman she loves marrying a man and trying not to hate what is happening and still hoping they will be together. Musically it’s an extremely good story song with an accompaniment that surges and pauses. Its presented with suitable drama yet never over the top; the video is terrific as Veronica’s wry looks are a picture. Not sure how well it will do but it’s a favourite for me as it tells an interesting story and Veronica’s sardonic vocal sells it so well.

Akylas - Ferto / Greece

It sounds off starting very like the UK’s entry but I don’t know which came first. Akylas it seems to be a gamer judging from the video and the lyric is about winning those games and becoming very rich perhaps? The song’s character comes from a little Greek melody interspersed with the techno notes that amusingly also  incorporate old school computer game sounds. Just when you think you’ve got it figured there’s a piano led middle eight that seems to come from another song. A few too many ingredients in the end though still packs a punch.

AIDAN - Bella / Malta 

Starts off like a Bond theme and remains orchestral as Aidan misses Bella so much he keeps repeating her name a few too many times. I can hear what the song is aiming for but the tune isn’t memorable enough for me though I imagine it will be popular with some.

Satoshi - Viva, Moldova! / Moldova

“Salutti a tutti. Moldova is on duty!” declares this multi lingual mash up of rap pop. If it sounds like a holiday advert then the video plays that up featuring dancers in traditional dress sashaying their way round the group while the only colours on display are those of the country’s flag. There’s something endearing about a song that simply displays enthusiasm for one’s country especially when its as lively and self aware as this. Somehow it gets better as it goes on and you will remember it afterwards. I hope this does well – it could even be this year’s Cha Cha Cha?

Vanilla Ninja - Too Epic To Be True / Estonia

Extra points for the nomenclature! As it turns out its not exactly epic at all but a driving pop song that echoes the Eighties with lashings of synth and harmony vocals. How well it will do in this era is hard to tell but if it had been released in 1986 it would have been a hit.

COSMÓ - Tanzschein / Austria 

Walking around a masked ball wearing an orange fur coat, something is on Cosmo’s mind. The title translates as `dance permit` and is about self expression which he does with his own sort of dance while singing in a deep voice which adds some character. I do find it quite generic Europop though; another one that might get lost amidst many better songs.

JIVA - Just Go / Azerbaijan

A big ballad and these often do well. Jiva has an emotive voice without showing off and the arrangement is traditional. A song like this relies as much as anything on the power of the performance on the night but on past form it must be in with a chance though the low key ending won’t help. Surely this demands a big finish?

LELÉKA - Ridnym  / Ukraine

People have said- with some justification I think – that Ukraine’s songs in recent years have been treated less critically than other. Thankfully they’ve sent a strong song this time round performed with considerable charisma and a lot of power by Leleka. It is an optimistic song which can’t be easy to pen in Ukraine right now and has a suitably dramatic climax. Has to be one of the favourites on its own merit.

Tamara Živković - Nova Zora / Montenegro

Another hybrid song which brings in national influences alongside electro pop and some chanting. There hasn’t bene this much domestic work being done in a performance since rhose famous washer women as in the video Tamara and her friends are becoming increasingly disgruntled with their domestic life. It is not surprising as they only seem to have one room for the ironing board, the dishes and baking. The music is a bit too all over the place and though the angry expressions work in the video onstage I’m not sure whether the message will come across on stage.

Monroe - Regarde ! / France

Quite a sweeping epic sort of song performed in the video by Monroe wearing a school unform...but what’s this? Operatic bits? Sounds familiar and seems unnecessary int his song. I do like the violin signatures but the verse meanders a bit too much though there is no doubting she’s got a great voice. Maye the drama of this song will carry it through?

LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Eins, Zwei, Drei / United Kingdom 

Never has the UK sounded more like an entry from middle Europe with it’s electronic backing and shouty vocals. Lyrically it’s a throwback to the Eighties which the video accentuates by showing Sam Battle (his just as epic real name) working with a lot of paper in an office like people don’t these days. Still he’s “so bored of it” so he invents a language to count in “that would only make me feel better” so he can order a pizza. This invented lingo forms the song title which sounds like pretend German. There’s a feeling this will either hit big or flop; it seems to both celebrate yet denigrate Britain at once. Its insanely catchy though and the performance is full of vigour and I think its our best – and certainly our most distinctive- entry in some years.

Noam Bettan - Michelle / Israel

Weirdly this starts off sounding like a French song from the Seventies before it evolves into something more contemporary. Lacks a killer chorus to truly deliver impact though I do like the musical arrangement.

LAVINA - Kraj Mene / Serbia 

There’s always one. Dressed like a Game of Thrones character the singer (is he Lavina or is that the name of the group?) features in the video holding an archbishop’s crook and looking sour faced like he lost a battle. You’re expecting some Lordy like metal but this is a power ballad which they take very seriously. At two minute twenty five they do the metal part and it sounds out of place. Not for me.

Delta Goodrem - Eclipse / Australia

In the video Delta, who’s an established singer already, is in the desert with only a piano and some mirrors (which light up at night) for company as she belts out this ballad. “Only love exists when we eclipse” she sings as the wind ruffles her hair just so. Towards the end Delta even shows off her piano skills. The tune has a European feel to it which could appeal though it’s not an especially memorable vehicle for such a powerful voice.

Linda Lampenius x Pete Parkkonen - Liekinheitin / Finland

Pete sings while Linda plays violin in a song that in common with several entries this year includes classical musical influences. The titles a spelling nightmare though it mean flamethrower. They say it’s a metaphor for intense passion and appropriately half the stage is aflame by the end of what is a very dramatic performance full of staccato flourishes and theatrical singing.

JONAS LOVV - YA YA YA / Norway 

Shades of `Seven Nation Army `in this guitar/ bass led rock pop song. Backed by a group sporting salmon coloured clothes Jonas has more tattoos than Harry Styles and a similar dress sense. However despite the catchiness of the “Ya Ya Ya” refrain the song itself isn’t half as lively as the performance.

ESSYLA - Dancing on the Ice / Belgium

We’ve has fire, now some ice in this quirky electro pop song that has a lot of character courtesy of Essyla’s nonchalant staring at the camera. The song is interesting with a strong change of pace for the chorus. A strong contender surely?

Antigoni - JALLA / Cyprus 

Unlike a lot of this year’s songs, `Jalla` is built for fun bolstered by a not easily forgettable chorus and scenes that appear to involve the entire population of a village. Musically it incorporates a strong Cypriot element which combined with the video makes it a song closely associated with its national roots. It’s a great entry though the video includes a pre song set up of what might be Antigoni’s apparent orange business but we never find out what that is about. I had thought maybe Jalla means oranges but it means “more”. And more of this will be fine.

Bandidos do Cante - Rosa / Portugal

A bold acapella start is the strongest part of what turns out to be a slow middle of the road song with rather a strong Boyzone vibe which admittedly is popular but by verse two my attention was wandering. Still it is a change of pace from a lot of the others.

ALICJA - Pray / Poland

An organ led blues seems to be on the agenda in the powerful opening but like several other entries this year the rest of the song is somewhat muddled, dipping into rap, pop and then circling back to the `Pray` mantra. If it had kept the atmosphere of the opening it would be much better and Alicja’s costume makes her look like something from a Seventies sci fi show.

FELICIA - My System / Sweden

Singing through a glittery face mask, Felicia’s entry goes techno quickly. It’s a better example than some and should do well with the live audience though for me it sounds like too many other, better, Eurovision songs of recent vintage.

Søren Torpegaard Lund - Før Vi Går Hjem / Denmark

Soren has a see through box and you realise how little we’ve had in the way of large  props this year. He climbs in and out of it accompanied by dancers and its effective, clever staging that hides the song’s ordinariness. The title translates as `before we go home`, not really the sort of title you want if you’re competing in a knock out competition. I suspect he may be going home earlier than he’d like.

Atvara - Ēnā / Latvia

Brilliant! A powerful, emotional vocal and strong tune are bolstered further by very clever and inventive staging. A song apparently about addiction, the title means “in the shadow”.  I wonder what the story behind it’s creation is because Atvara’s mesmerising performance suggests a personal connection. For me this is the standout song of the lot! However, whenever I’ve loved songs like this before they don’t do so well. So if that’s the case, sorry Atvara!

Eva Marija - Mother Nature | Luxembourg 

Joyous and playful, this simple yet effective environmental song lights up the stage even before the effects kick in. Another favourite, largely due to Eva’s whimsical performance which just makes you smile. How it will compete against the more serious songs is hard to say but perhaps if people want cheering up this could do the trick…

SENHIT - Superstar | San Marino

Contemporary pop is always a strong card to play and this finger clapping example is the sort of song that would stand out in any context. Must be in with a chance helped by an unexpected appearance on a video screen from Boy Geoge. Does he count as one of the maximum of six performers allowed on stage?

Ok, so this is my top five –

1 Atvara - Ēnā / Latvia

2 Veronica Fusaro - Alice / Switzerland

3 Satoshi - Viva, Moldova! / Moldova

4 LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER - Eins, Zwei, Drei / United Kingdom 

5 Antigoni - JALLA / Cyprus 

Back in five days to see how they did!