Eurovision 2018 Song Ranking Part 7

10. Austria
Cesar Sampson - “Nobody But You”
As far as Austrian entries with gospel influences go, this blows “The Secret is Love” out of the water. The backing choir and handclap percussion start up adding depth in the first chorus and intensifies until it reaches the dizzying heights of the bridge and the final chorus that takes everyone to church. The singer’s yearning is at a deep spiritual level that fills the room. Speaking of spiritual love, Symphonix International is clearly the new Eurovision force to be reckoned with since 2016. Even when they haven’t done well, they’ve brought quality songs that only suffered because of other variables like the performer or staging. If they get the backing vocal mix right live there’s a lot of potential. The only downside is the start is a little slow (but nowhere near as slow as “The Secret is Love” is the ending is a bit abrupt.

9. Italy
Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - “Non mi avete fatto niente”
There was a turning point when it was longer acceptable to write a "peace" song in Eurovision and instead it becomes an "antiwar" song. Perhaps the dual turning point is "What If" and "1944", with the actual change happening in 2015 with the cynical montage to the former. Europe was coming off of higher tensions at the beginning of the contest and was still divided by the Iron Curtain in the peak "peace song" years, and the Yugoslav wars in 1990's had some songs about their pain but not generically antiwar, but maybe it changes when a country has to compete alongside their invader (see “Peace Will Come” and the immediate context). “NMAFN” on the other hand doesn't know if it is an anti-terrorism or anti-war song. The lyrics say "you didn't do anything to me" and well...yeah, they didn't. They refer to multiple terrorism incidents in and out of Europe, none of which were in Italy. Is the song about the devastation of war, or holding your head high and living despite being affected by terrorism? The political implications of each is different, and they go hand in hand. It seems to be effective if you're talking about your (country's) specific pain, or a general comment on the world. This is not to say you only have to write about your own experience (obviously see France this year) but the message seems unclear. I often wonder lately how it would pan out if France and Italy swapped song subjects this year. As for the music, it’s catchy pop/rock in a Muse/Coldplay way, but much more tolerable than either. It's super catchy enough to melt away a good number of the concerns. I love gritty Italian voices like Fabrizio, and Ermal provides a gentler counterpoint. Regardless of the implications above, the lyrics are euphonic, with poignant percussive lines like "non esiste bomba pacifista”.

8. Ukraine
Melovin - “Under the Ladder”
I'm not really sure what this song means, something along the lines of a teen's dark poetry ("Tangle of my innocence inside/Faith’s bout to be severed")? If that's so, the singer is spot on. Melovin has a dark, commanding voice and can sing anyone's teen poetry anytime. He is the alternative teen idol this contest needs, and probably the biggest one this year. Unlike last year's idol Kristian Kostov, Melovin has a maturity and intensity to his voice and performance that goes beyond his 20 years. There's nothing at all delicate about this. The music it's set to goes perfectly too, the poppier side of piano-driven rock, with big dramatic choruses.

7. Azerbaijan
Aisel - “X My Heart”
My feelings about lyrics in Eurovision are irrational. I like creative or meaningful lyrics in English and Romance languages. I’m indifferent to lyrics in other languages unless they Google Translate to either something really heartfelt in just the right way or something really irritating or offensive. There are a lot of English lyrics that are generic and I don’t think about them much. Like many people, I am sensitive to when lyrics have bizarre grammar or word choices that native speakers wouldn’t use. But in this case, like their song last year, I don’t mind the lyrics. “Luna moon me up?” Sure! Listening with the assumption that the words were chosen for the way they sound rather than their meaning erases this problem. I’ll take the creativity of “stronger than cannonballs” any day over rhyming fire and desire. On the musical side, “X My Heart” is a big soulless overproduced upbeat pop song, which is why it’s such a guilty pleasure. It seems silly to say this, but Azerbaijan’s song is underrated this year. The chorus is instantly catchy, despite the (lack of) meaning. Aisel’s voice is clear and smooth, with shades of Lady Gaga. The whole package is an only-in-Eurovision confection that could easily be tweaked for the outside world.

6. Cyprus
Eleni Foureira - “Fuego”
Cyprus has had some really unremarkable entries in the past couple years. Not since “La La Love” have they had a great song (I almost forgot “An Me Thimase” when recounting their entries). This is kind of similar to “La La Love” in that it's a dance pop song, although this is way sexier. Where Ivi was teeny pop, Eleni brings mature eros. At once it's both Eurovisiony - not too far a departure from “LLL” or any of the 'ethno'-uptempo pop from the past 10-15 years – and contemporary – that kind of sound is back in style in the outside world and it has a tropical beat. “Fuego” conjures up a hot night alternately spent dancing and laying breathless in awe.