Eurovision 2018 Preselection Blog Week 8

We lost some gems this last week in February. “Poison” by Tamar Kaprelian in Armenia was a pop smash which is what people call a “bop” nowadays, I guess. It's a little dated but mid 00s pop perfection. “Svatovi” by Biber & DJ Niko Bravo in Serbia was the right mixture of traditional and electronic with a compelling hook. In Ukraine, Vilna had a sweet and mystical “Forest Song” with an interesting visual performance. And Slovenia should have selected BQL's “Ptica” or “Promise” because they had an exceptional slice of fresh teen pop and more charisma than most Slovenian entries combined. There is a chronic deficit of charisma and good staging in EMA and I think they could have gotten one of Slovenia's best results of late.

In Germany, VoXXclub had the very...German “I mog Di so.” Not exactly highbrow but very fun. In Moldova, Anna Timofei had the ethereal and magical “Endlessly” that was Scandinavian-penned but was reminiscent of Kalafina. Leander Kills brought an opposite sound to Hungary with the metal “Nem szól harang.” In Latvia, Edgars Kreillis had the modern, electronic “Younger Days” that would have fit with their entries from the past few years. Jukebox ft. Bella Santiago brought anthemic power pop to Romania with “Auzi cum bate.” In Sweden, Emmi Christensson had the sweet and theatrical “Icarus.” In Portugal, Sequin performed “All over again” had a good stage name and a very atypical song.