Eurovision 2018 Song Ranking Part 2

This week is a diverse group, musicially and linguistically. They may be far from my favorites but their presence is welcome.

35, Hungary 
AWS - “Viszlát nyár”
You can’t say that Hungary isn’t bringing something new to the Eurovision table. This type of music was most popular in the 00’s (there doesn’t seem to be consensus on the genre but it sounds likes screamo to me) but it’s debuting in this Eurovision. The lyric is personal and the vocals are passionately delivered. It’s also got a killer key change, to fit in. I’m not opposed to the genre, but the music doesn’t connect to me overall. Side note: is it just me or does their name first call to mind Amazon Web Services?

34. Serbia
Sanja Ilic & Balkanika- “Nova deca” 
A Balkan ballad, or at least an epic-sounding song with Balkan elements, is always welcome. However, this takes too long to get started, with over a minute long introduction, and it doesn’t pick up energy until the last minute. If it kept the energy of the last minute throughout the song it would be a lot higher.

33. Georgia
Iriao - “For You”
This is only this low because I personally don’t find it that easy to listen to, especially in a Eurovision context. However, they’re doing something different, and effectively, and I applaud it. In the Eurovision Best-Fantasy-RPG-Background-Music Contest this would win first place (or tie with Denmark). This song uses a traditional style of singing to create a dynamic three minutes that is out of the ordinary.

32. Spain
Amaia & Alfred - “Tu Canción”
There are two delicate, saccharine love songs this year that are technically quite good. They might make the audience shed a tear with a beautiful, touching performance. While “When We’re Old” reflects on marriage and a future together, “Tu Canción” is an ode to first love. Its selection was partly due to some heavy shipping of its emerging-couple performers, and hopefully their young love stays together at least until May to give the performance an injection of chemistry. However, if you’re not invested in the real-life love story, it gets old fast.

31. Norway
Alexander Rybak - “That’s How You Write A Song”
Alexander is the expert here but I suspect there are some trade secrets he is leaving out of his instructions. It’s a fun, positive romp that will probably be a fantastic performance in May, but on the recorded version it’s too repetitive and hard to connect with.