Eurovision 2018 Song Ranking Part 8

5. Belgium
Sennek - "A Matter of Time"
There is something really special about this song. It’s not just a sultry bond-theme type ballad by a smoky voice. Out of all the songs in this contest, it would make the best vaporwave sample. Try listening to it sped up to 1.25 speed or slowed down to 0.75 speed – it works both ways. If Blanche brought the lights of a fast paced youthful city, this is a lounge singer in a dive bar in a cyberpunk city noir (basically put this on the soundtrack of VAA-11 HALL-A or something similar).

4. Sweden
Benjamin Ingrosso - "Dance You Off"
Sweden continues their killer stream with this really a e s t h e t i c song (and it's not just because of the music video) about trying to cheer yourself up through heartbreak. It can't really be said about this country, but as an entry it feels like a dark horse. This throwback dance pop is a little funky and very synthy Maybe it’s the high voice but it’s definitely along the lines of Michael Jackson homages of late. The lyrics are cute, especially “I dug you like you were treasure”. I love love love the vocal distortion on the bridge. It goes creative places with the melody line and does some cool things with breathiness. Way better than "Good Loving," this is an entry for the Spotify age.

3. Bulgaria
Equinox - "Bones"
If this is the de facto American entry, then that is all right with me. This is a blending of 5 (or 6 voices) where you can't tell where one ends and one begins Obviously, the Americans are the lead vocalists and why not, they are the strongest. By the end it’s a frenzy of vocal theatrics and climaxes that culminates into one spiritual wail. The lyrical premise is a little flimsy – they say its about a deep, pure, higher love, but to me it sounds like a pick up line like “I don’t just love your body, I love your soul” to try to sound deep and spiritual. Or maybe it's a neg, like you love someone despite their unattractive appearance? The music itself is nice and dark and synthy with a lot of spacey sounds. It sounds cold and mysterious, like they are sucking you into that black hole.

2. Finland
Saara Aalto - "Monsters"
After so many years of this blog, it should be clear by now what kind of trash I am. I love schlager, and I love a big hooky dance song. This is a real banger, no questions about it. With a winning writing pedigree, this has the biggest hook of the contest. I was not a fan of Saara prior to this contest but her vocals are on point, and she is a true dance diva here. This is a perfect chorus, with a little bit of a late 90s or early 00s feel in the melody but current enough in production. The vocal acrobatics during the bridge and final chorus are also sublime.

1. France
Madame Monsieur - "Mercy"
This song is the complete package. The music is a blend of electronic and acoustic, with snaps during the verses and a poppy drum machine in the chorus. The song itself is catchy – the chorus especially sticks in your head and has just enough beginner French to be memorable to the novice ear . The wordplay in the bridge can be easily understood, but works even if you don’t. And of the lyrics – they have the strongest message of the contest. The selection’s intent is up for debate, but “refugees are people too, especially refugee children” is heartfelt and should not be controversial. The fact that the subject(‘s mother) of the song approves means that there’s no issue with benefiting from other people’s pain. I got a little choked up during the English version at Eurovision In Concert too. It does share the situation with my top pick last year of losing something when it got cut to 3 minutes, but unlike that one it’s hardly noticeable that anything was cut. This version of the song feels complete.