Midnight Sunlight

Rounding out songs #31-35, I know I say every year that "these songs are lowly ranked but not bad," but it's still true. Not bad, but not "OMG must qualify" good.

35. Ireland

Nicky Byrne - “Sunlight”
Reaction: The middle of the UK-Ireland-Denmark trio of male vocal middle-of-the-road acoustic guitar pop. It approaches exciting but falls flat. I expect better English lyrics from Ireland. Also, the music video has the first appearance of projected images over the performer, which has got to be this year's “copy last year's winner” trend.

Best Part: “Don't be afraid, it's only dark til the world turns round”

Related Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_M1EvTeh7I

Rating: 2/5

34. Georgia

Nika Kocharov and Young Georgian Lolitaz - "Midnight Gold"

Reaction: One of the best act names of this year! Georgia seems to have a solid rock/alternative song every other year that just doesn't connect with me. Their Britpop style is refreshing.

Best Part: Guitar riffs pre-chorus

Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5VynlW6Xeo one of the coolest music videos for the year 

Rating: 2/5

33. Austria

Zoe - “Loin d'ici”

Reaction: This is a frosted cupcake of a song. Sweet, fluffy, tasty, girly, and silly. A macaron might be more appropriate given it's language and delicacy, but a macaron has more polish.

Best Part: Bridge? It all kind of flows together

Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbg31zgBb3I

Rating: 2/5

32. Greece

Argo - “Utopian Land”

Reaction: The reception to this song is reminiscent of “Watch My Dance” in 2011 because Eurovision super fans don't like rap. Argo's rapper has better flow and it's more energetic than the song about dancing. 

Best Part: The Pontian strings, which add some authenticity but also chill.

Related Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8cU8NL1b6E

Rating: 2/5

31. Finland

Sandhja - “Sing it Away”

Reaction: This is a fun, positive funk/pop song. Sandhja has a nice soulful voice, but the melody doesn't connect as much with me as the other similar songs this year.

Best Part: “Remember that love is the source “

Related Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTmUeAl5Ny4

Rating: 2/5