Eurovision Semifinal 2
May. 15th, 2025 07:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yuuagoESC semifinal 2!
So! Let's see what part 2 has in store for us. I'm going to continue with the Swedish subtitles and see how this goes. They seem a little delayed on this one, but maybe that'll change as the show goes on.
Songs:
Australia - Go-Jo - "Milkshake Man"
This is very Eurovision. Bring colours, silly song, a dude doing a magic costume change inside a "blender", the works. It's ridiculous, but they understood the assignment.
Montenegro - Nina Zizic
- "Dobrodosli"
Weird costuming, but I kind of dig it. She looks like a cotton ball. Enjoying the song, though. It's a little slow, but I'm always a sucker for Balkan ballads.
Ireland - Emmy - "Laika Party"
I always feel a little weird about the whole pop culture reaction to Laika - like, the story is just kind of sad. Anyway, the song is all right. The singer's voice is a bit unusual; I kind of like it. The stage aesthetics are cool, lots of shiny "space" costuming and purple and blue colouration, very neat.
Latvia - Tautumeitas - Bur man laimi
Oh the singing is VERY pretty! I hate the costuming, but the song is beautiful. Choral folk stuff, it's beautiful. Obviously inspired by folklore/forest spirits/etc. The bit where they go into the dark, just silhouetted, is cool.
Armenia - Parg - "Survivor"
The chorus of this song sounds like something that'd get played during a sports match. It's got that intense beat and go go go, haaa. The kind of chorus that gets your blood pumping. As for the song itself, it's not doing much for me, but it's not awful. The costuming is meh overall, but I like the guy's trousers. The slow part of the song seems like it belongs in an entirely different act, it's kind of random. Overall, this is okay; I'd want it in the final. The pyrotechnics are cool.
Austria - JJ - "Wasted Love"
The screen version of this is black and white; I wonder how this would look in person. It's definitely the kind of presentation that's made to be watched on screen. ...Holy shit, opera! Whoa! Super pretty! Also this dude's costuming is cool, love the studded trenchcoat thing. Oh man, I love this. It's GOOD. I don't know if it's a winner, but it's pretty impressive.
...The commentator compared this to Bambi Thug's song for Ireland, but I honestly don't think so. Yes, they both mix genres, but there's not much similarity.
Great Britain - Remember Monday - "What the Hell Just Happened?"
Big 5, so this is a preview for final. ...This feels like a very UK song. idk. Something about the tacky dresses and singing about getting sloshed, something something. The song's kind of a mess, not great, very Eurovision. Not fun enough to dance to, though.
Greece - Klavdia - "Asteromata"
Oh, this is pretty. And I like her dress. Very Balkan Ballad type of song. The effects in the background are neat. And a surprise costume change at the end, unexpected!
Lithuania - Katarsis - "Tavo akys"
...Oh, I love this. It's supposed to be a combo of altrock and postpunk but honestly it seems more like dad rock to me. Regardless, I like it a lot. Native language points, voice is all right, song sounds cool. Hell yeah, wind machine. To the final, please!!
Malta - Miriana Conte - "Serving"
Apparently Malta has competed 36 times without winning. WELL, I don't think they're going to win with this one. It's kind of fun, but yeahhh doubt it's a winner. The chorus is kind of catchy tho. The costuming's not for me, but I do like her long red wig(?)
Georgia - Mariam Shengelia - "Freedom"
Whoa, right out the gate we have some awesome traditional dancing and traditional-inspired costuming. And beautiful singing in Georgian. Love this act, it's right up my alley. Will have to look up the translation later. Gosh, she has a beautiful voice. I just wish there was a better view of the whole stage; I want to see what the dancers are doing in addition to the singer. I prefer the Georgian parts of the song to the English parts, but either way, she has a very powerful and beautiful voice!
France - Louane - "Maman"
Another big 5. This one is pretty, but not really doing all that much for me. I feel like I've heard a ton of other Eurovision songs exactly like this.
Denmark - Sissal - "Hallucination"
Wow, what is this costuming. Well, at least that coat is memorable. Too bad it doesn't stick around long, I'm not into the rest of the costume. Her voice is all right, but the song is just okay; I wouldn't be surprised if it went to the final but I also wouldn't be surprised if it didn't. Things get more interesting once the techno beat comes in. I wonder how the studio version of this sounds.
Czechia - Adonxs - "Kiss Kiss Goodbye"
Got some odd haute couture style costuming up in here. I'm not personally into it, but that coat sure is interesting to look at. The song is just okay, but I appreciate the homoerotic vibes the the dancing. I think I'll appreciate the studio version of this more than the stage version. Now that I think of it, with his hairstyling and that moustache, he's probably aiming for a Freddie Mercury kind of vibe, even if the song itself isn't Queen-ish. His voice really is rather nice in the slow bits.
Luxembourg - Laura Thorn - "La Poupee Monte le Son"
And Luxembourg continues! Last year was their first back in a while, nice to see they're continuing. This is very gimmicky, very Eurovision. It sounds all right, though, pretty fun. I think people will find the "doll" act memorable, at the least. And hey, it's fun. And a costume change! I kind of like the silvery dress that she had on under the doll getup.
Israel - Yval Raphael - "New Day Will Rise"
Costuming is pretty yet understated. The song is kind of boring, though I do enjoy the French and Hebrew parts. The glittery staircase is cool.
Germany - Abor & Tynna - "Baller"
Big 5 again. Aight, so we've got a fun dance song. I don't see it going anywhere, but I kind of dig it. I am reminded that I do find German quite sexy To Be Honest, this song no exception even if, going by the subtitles, it's not much of a song.
Serbia - Princ - "Mila"
The commentator described this as a Balkan ballad, and he is definitely Correct. I don't like it as much as the previous of this type in this semifinal, but I can see it growing on me later on. It's very cool once the music picks up and we get some more power. Also the way he keeps singing while the dancers drag him is pretty impressive; he doesn't lose his vocals there, kudos to him. Ooh and we got some pyrotechnics!
Finland - Erika Vikman - "Ich komme"
Bleh, too much flashing lights for my taste. Upside, song's in Finnish, whoo! I'm not sure if I kind of like it or if I kind of hate it. The chorus is energetic, at least. ...Okay, the part where she goes up into the air on the huge prop is kind of cool.
Okay, here are my personal top 10 and wishes for the final, in no particular order:
1. Georgia
2. Australia
3. Latvia
4. Austria
5. Lithuania
6. Greece
7. Armenia
8. Ireland
9. Montenegro
10. Czechia
There are some others where I'm like, I wouldn't hate if they progressed to final, but eh (Luxembourg, Serbia, Denmark). I feel like this semifinal was a lot stronger than the previous one.
As for the interval stuff, the medley with Gjon's Tears, The Roop, Efendi and Destiny was cool. Destiny in particular was great; she has a beautiful voice.
Anyway, here is the final results of who goes to the final:
1. Lithuania
2. Israel
3. Armenia
4. Denmark
5. Austria
6. Luxembourg
7. Finland
8. Latvia
9. Malta
10. Greece
Honestly, I'm very disappointed that Georgia didn't get through. Their act was great! But at least some of my favourites got through - Lithuania, Austria, and Greece. Latvia's singing was great, so I'm glad they got in even though I hate the costuming. I'm also kind of weirdly happy about Armenia, because the more I hear that song, the more I like it.
So! Let's see what part 2 has in store for us. I'm going to continue with the Swedish subtitles and see how this goes. They seem a little delayed on this one, but maybe that'll change as the show goes on.
Songs:
Australia - Go-Jo - "Milkshake Man"
This is very Eurovision. Bring colours, silly song, a dude doing a magic costume change inside a "blender", the works. It's ridiculous, but they understood the assignment.
Montenegro - Nina Zizic
- "Dobrodosli"
Weird costuming, but I kind of dig it. She looks like a cotton ball. Enjoying the song, though. It's a little slow, but I'm always a sucker for Balkan ballads.
Ireland - Emmy - "Laika Party"
I always feel a little weird about the whole pop culture reaction to Laika - like, the story is just kind of sad. Anyway, the song is all right. The singer's voice is a bit unusual; I kind of like it. The stage aesthetics are cool, lots of shiny "space" costuming and purple and blue colouration, very neat.
Latvia - Tautumeitas - Bur man laimi
Oh the singing is VERY pretty! I hate the costuming, but the song is beautiful. Choral folk stuff, it's beautiful. Obviously inspired by folklore/forest spirits/etc. The bit where they go into the dark, just silhouetted, is cool.
Armenia - Parg - "Survivor"
The chorus of this song sounds like something that'd get played during a sports match. It's got that intense beat and go go go, haaa. The kind of chorus that gets your blood pumping. As for the song itself, it's not doing much for me, but it's not awful. The costuming is meh overall, but I like the guy's trousers. The slow part of the song seems like it belongs in an entirely different act, it's kind of random. Overall, this is okay; I'd want it in the final. The pyrotechnics are cool.
Austria - JJ - "Wasted Love"
The screen version of this is black and white; I wonder how this would look in person. It's definitely the kind of presentation that's made to be watched on screen. ...Holy shit, opera! Whoa! Super pretty! Also this dude's costuming is cool, love the studded trenchcoat thing. Oh man, I love this. It's GOOD. I don't know if it's a winner, but it's pretty impressive.
...The commentator compared this to Bambi Thug's song for Ireland, but I honestly don't think so. Yes, they both mix genres, but there's not much similarity.
Great Britain - Remember Monday - "What the Hell Just Happened?"
Big 5, so this is a preview for final. ...This feels like a very UK song. idk. Something about the tacky dresses and singing about getting sloshed, something something. The song's kind of a mess, not great, very Eurovision. Not fun enough to dance to, though.
Greece - Klavdia - "Asteromata"
Oh, this is pretty. And I like her dress. Very Balkan Ballad type of song. The effects in the background are neat. And a surprise costume change at the end, unexpected!
Lithuania - Katarsis - "Tavo akys"
...Oh, I love this. It's supposed to be a combo of altrock and postpunk but honestly it seems more like dad rock to me. Regardless, I like it a lot. Native language points, voice is all right, song sounds cool. Hell yeah, wind machine. To the final, please!!
Malta - Miriana Conte - "Serving"
Apparently Malta has competed 36 times without winning. WELL, I don't think they're going to win with this one. It's kind of fun, but yeahhh doubt it's a winner. The chorus is kind of catchy tho. The costuming's not for me, but I do like her long red wig(?)
Georgia - Mariam Shengelia - "Freedom"
Whoa, right out the gate we have some awesome traditional dancing and traditional-inspired costuming. And beautiful singing in Georgian. Love this act, it's right up my alley. Will have to look up the translation later. Gosh, she has a beautiful voice. I just wish there was a better view of the whole stage; I want to see what the dancers are doing in addition to the singer. I prefer the Georgian parts of the song to the English parts, but either way, she has a very powerful and beautiful voice!
France - Louane - "Maman"
Another big 5. This one is pretty, but not really doing all that much for me. I feel like I've heard a ton of other Eurovision songs exactly like this.
Denmark - Sissal - "Hallucination"
Wow, what is this costuming. Well, at least that coat is memorable. Too bad it doesn't stick around long, I'm not into the rest of the costume. Her voice is all right, but the song is just okay; I wouldn't be surprised if it went to the final but I also wouldn't be surprised if it didn't. Things get more interesting once the techno beat comes in. I wonder how the studio version of this sounds.
Czechia - Adonxs - "Kiss Kiss Goodbye"
Got some odd haute couture style costuming up in here. I'm not personally into it, but that coat sure is interesting to look at. The song is just okay, but I appreciate the homoerotic vibes the the dancing. I think I'll appreciate the studio version of this more than the stage version. Now that I think of it, with his hairstyling and that moustache, he's probably aiming for a Freddie Mercury kind of vibe, even if the song itself isn't Queen-ish. His voice really is rather nice in the slow bits.
Luxembourg - Laura Thorn - "La Poupee Monte le Son"
And Luxembourg continues! Last year was their first back in a while, nice to see they're continuing. This is very gimmicky, very Eurovision. It sounds all right, though, pretty fun. I think people will find the "doll" act memorable, at the least. And hey, it's fun. And a costume change! I kind of like the silvery dress that she had on under the doll getup.
Israel - Yval Raphael - "New Day Will Rise"
Costuming is pretty yet understated. The song is kind of boring, though I do enjoy the French and Hebrew parts. The glittery staircase is cool.
Germany - Abor & Tynna - "Baller"
Big 5 again. Aight, so we've got a fun dance song. I don't see it going anywhere, but I kind of dig it. I am reminded that I do find German quite sexy To Be Honest, this song no exception even if, going by the subtitles, it's not much of a song.
Serbia - Princ - "Mila"
The commentator described this as a Balkan ballad, and he is definitely Correct. I don't like it as much as the previous of this type in this semifinal, but I can see it growing on me later on. It's very cool once the music picks up and we get some more power. Also the way he keeps singing while the dancers drag him is pretty impressive; he doesn't lose his vocals there, kudos to him. Ooh and we got some pyrotechnics!
Finland - Erika Vikman - "Ich komme"
Bleh, too much flashing lights for my taste. Upside, song's in Finnish, whoo! I'm not sure if I kind of like it or if I kind of hate it. The chorus is energetic, at least. ...Okay, the part where she goes up into the air on the huge prop is kind of cool.
Okay, here are my personal top 10 and wishes for the final, in no particular order:
1. Georgia
2. Australia
3. Latvia
4. Austria
5. Lithuania
6. Greece
7. Armenia
8. Ireland
9. Montenegro
10. Czechia
There are some others where I'm like, I wouldn't hate if they progressed to final, but eh (Luxembourg, Serbia, Denmark). I feel like this semifinal was a lot stronger than the previous one.
As for the interval stuff, the medley with Gjon's Tears, The Roop, Efendi and Destiny was cool. Destiny in particular was great; she has a beautiful voice.
Anyway, here is the final results of who goes to the final:
1. Lithuania
2. Israel
3. Armenia
4. Denmark
5. Austria
6. Luxembourg
7. Finland
8. Latvia
9. Malta
10. Greece
Honestly, I'm very disappointed that Georgia didn't get through. Their act was great! But at least some of my favourites got through - Lithuania, Austria, and Greece. Latvia's singing was great, so I'm glad they got in even though I hate the costuming. I'm also kind of weirdly happy about Armenia, because the more I hear that song, the more I like it.
Yuu. Fic writer & book lover. M/Canada.