ESC 2025: Crying Eyes, Shooting Stars, and Hallucinations

Hello Eurovision fans! The clocking is ticking and I have only listened to 20 entries so far. Meanwhile, all over social media, people are posting their personal rankings and I want to join in on the fun. I suppose that’s what these articles are for. Still, the anticipation kills me. So which songs have I gotten around to this time and how do they fare against last week’s batch?

 

Round 2:

• Laura Thorn — La poupée monte le son (Luxembourg)
• Erika Vikman — ICH KOMME (Finland)
• Justyna Steczkowska — GAJA (Poland)
• Katarsis — Tavo akys (Lithuania)
• PARG — Survivor (Armenia)
• Sissal — Hallucination (Denmark)
• Ziferblat — Bird of Pray (Ukraine)
• Nina Žižić — Dobrodošli (Montenegro)
• Abor & Tynna — Baller (Germany)
• Red Sebastian — Strobe Lights (Belgium)

Abor & Tynna – Baller

Germany offers to the competition Abor & Tynna, a duo with a unique setup: electronics, cello, and vocals. Their song is “Baller,” which is about moving on from a toxic relationship and realizing you’re better for doing so. High energy songs attract me like a fly towards a pulsating bug zapper in the summertime. So naturally, this club banger caught my attention. My favourite line is when Tynna sings “what doesn’t kill me only makes me prettier” and punctuates it with a little hair flip. But was it necessary to hurt the cello?

While I thoroughly enjoyed Abor & Tynna’s song, recent news about them has caused fans to worry. The duo have had to cancel their appearances at Eurovision parties due to Tynna’s health issues. Many wonder whether her voice will recover in time for the Grand Final. Here’s hoping she and Abor will be in good health!

Sissal – Hallucination

What could be more perfect than a eurodance song competing in the Eurovision Song Contest? Enter “Hallucination” by Sissal. Denmark’s representative, based in Copenhagen but originally from the Faroe Islands, sings about a relationship that feels too good to be true. While not a breakup song per se, I suppose the lyrics are a bit ambiguous in their meaning. Is being called a (hallu~) hallucination a compliment? Should I be worried for Sissal’s sanity?

If I’m being honest, the majority of the excitement I have for this song is from Sissal’s vocals. I was absolutely blown away by the stability of her voice and the high note at the climax of the song. Even so, I worry that people will compare “Hallucination” to a certain two-time Eurovision winner. While I’m not blind to the similarities, I’m still rooting for this song to qualify.

Katarsis – Tavo akys

In the Eurovision Song Contest, we have room for every genre of music! So what’s the complete opposite of eurodance? Something dark, brooding, and alternative, perhaps? If so, then Lithuania’s entry is the perfect example. The band Katarsis is representing Lithuania this year with their song “Tavo akys.” It tells a rather abstract story of a relationship that is on the verge of deterioration. Accordingly, the song evokes a feeling of crisis and despair. Lukas Radzevičius, the lead singer of Katarsis, has such a desperation in his voice, you’d think he was singing about the end of the world.

The last time I was excited about an alternative band at Eurovision was when Sudden Lights performed “Aijā.” Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for the Grand Final. That is why I’m worried about Lithuania’s chances. The end of the song might be catchy enough to appeal to the audience if Katarsis manage to captivate them. I wish them the best of luck.

Rankings