Moldova - Natalia Gordienko - Prison
One of those songs that are just "nice" in every way: melody, idea, vocals... but being so anonymous it leaves you nothing and even after several hearings you really don't remember a thing about. Except the overproduced over the top beats and arrangements. 3/10
Slovenia - Ana Soklič - Voda
This is the complete opposite of Moldova. I liked it from the first hearing but then it has just grown and become better! Ana has proved the past months she's one of the best, if not the best, vocalist this year. The song is beautiful and she sings it with style and gusto. And for once the new version is better than the original mix. Could have been maybe a surprise success in Rotterdam, who knows? 8/10
Poland - Alicja - Empires
This song's a problem for me. I'd like to like it a lot more than I do in the end. Alicja does a great job for her age, the song is melodic and boombastic without becoming a cliché. But somehow I can't get a hold of it. I like it when I hear it but then.... how was it? Did I like it? The whole remains a bit unwhelming despite all of its megaboombastic finale 4/10
Norway - Ulrikke - Attention
My very first "this is going to win in Rotterdam" instinct when I heard this for the first time. Well performed, well arranged, well produced. Familiar enough but still not feeling like a copy of anything else. And Ulrikke really selling this with her vocals, watching her sing this I do believe every word she sings and there's no doubt about it. She's vulnerable and desperate just the right amount without becoming fake or pathetic. Love love love! 10/10
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