1. Sweden: Malena Ernmann - La Voix
Insanely elegant and classy song and stage number. No other than Fredrik Kempe can compose operapop that doesn’t compromise on either the opera or pop side of things. It’s innovative, especially in ESC, and something worthy of winning. But if you think Petr Elfimov had charisma, then have a look at Malena’s eyes when she’s performing. Never has a pair of eyes gleamed so scaringly and warmly at the same time. Call me partial, fine, but it’s definitely one of my favourites.
5/5

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Regina - Bistra Voda
The video director has studied the video to Coldplay’s Viva La Vida closely and, with Moscow in sight, he/she/them has/have chosen a Communistic a.k.a. Russian Avant-Garde Pop Art design. Probably nothing political in that, it’s rather a stylistic measure. The song is a pretentious Bosnian version of any given VLVODAOHF track. Very elegant and compelling, I must say. And the video looks real real real good. Somehow, this speaks to me, even though I have no idea what the dramatic vocalist is singing about. It’s a brilliant balance between Balkan Folk and alternative pop rock.
5/5

3. Andorra: Susanne Georgi - La Teva Decisió (DID NOT QUALIFY TO THE FINAL)
The most unoriginal track in the competition. No, IN THE WHOLE WORLD. It’s the song Disney wish they owned the rights to. It’s streamlined, not necessarily mainstream, but EXTREMELY CHARMING! I’m very weak for minimalistic and effective productions (Ukraine’s Show Me Your Love a few years back anyone?) and this to-be American Teenage Pop Hit will also be one of my biggest guilty pleasures in 2009. Susanne Georgi is not Georgian and not even Andorr…ian? She’s Danish and was in the eurobubblegumpop duo Me & My (omg what a cute bandname) together with her sister. Naw, sweet. So when does Miley Cyrus and/or The Jonas Brothers cover this?

5/5

4. Norway: Alexander Rybak - Fairytale
This year’s biggest pet has a saga-pop anthem sprinkled with the folky violin played by the classicist talented and charming youngster. I feel the energy and enthusiasm of him, backed to the end by his country but I also can also put out the already known statement that Fairytale is a fairytale that won’t come true - in my world. The song is a little too mediocre for me to deserve to win in the final. But if Europe have decided for something they won’t easily budge. I will laugh all the way back home from the credibility bank IToldUSo if this doesn’t reach top 3.
4/5

5. Switzerland: Lovebugs - The Highest Heights (DID NOT QUALIFY TO THE FINAL)
This is the song that sounds most 2009. Imagine The Bravery hooking up with Cut Copy and Coldplay to form a superpop group. The Highest Heights would be the lead single. Once again, however, a song suffers from underproduction that just craves more distinctive and prominent soundscapes without loosing the great backing atmospheres. If the singer could strike up in the vocals, this song could be dangerous hit material.
4/5

6. Finland: Waldo’s People - Lose Control
Kylie snatched Kish Mauve’s 2 Hearts. Does Waldo’s People steal Kish Mauve’s Lose Control? Nope! This is another song lacking control… No but really, it’s an exceptionally focused modern electrohouse summer hit that draws classic housepop tricks moreso than other electrohouse summer hits has done in recent years. The enjoyable multiple-voiced chorus breathes just a little too much peppy spirit to touch me emotionally and a rap verse feels like a little more 90s than necessary. Overall, the whole thing is a little too controlled, ironically, to really grip me and shake my world. Minor pluses for the unconventional electrohouse Kaurismäki-goes-popular-culture-style video and that it breaks Finland’s ancient rock habits.
4/5

7. FYR Macedonia: Next Time - Neshto Shto Ke Ostane (DID NOT QUALIFY TO THE FINAL)
Macedonia wish to be more complicated than other countries by adding the abbreviated prefix of “Former Yugoslav Republic of” before their name. Their song this year is the opposite of complicated, however. Something That Will Remain, which is the English translation, is a song that will remain in my head and perhaps in European radio for quite a while. Rock and pop meet elegantly under a delightful chorus. But if Macedonia think they might have a chance to win, they might have to think again. It’s not winner material by far, but the Filipovski twin brothers and their band are nonetheless a (at least by me) warmly welcomed act in ESC.
4/5

8. Azerbaijan: AySel and Arash - Always
Once again it might seem like I’m being partial since this is, frankly, a Swedish production co-performed by Iranian-Swedish artist Arash. Always is by no means something original in spicy dancepop, but it is so distinctive and precise in its flawless production that it deserves 4 points for creating something quite catchy and danceable.
4/5

9. Belgium: Copycat - Copycat (DID NOT QUALIFY TO THE FINAL)
Well 60s dancepop is actually one of the hottest things around in 2008-2009. But Elvis Presley is turning in his grave as his rock’n’roll spirit is also drawn into this. At least the artist and song live up to their name. Of course it’s a bit silly, but it’s also quite charming and swingin’.
4/5

10. Estonia: Urban Symphony - Rändajad
Well this band constellation lives up to its name. Yet another urban symphony to be drawn into. This one at least has authenticity and intriguing moods. The song title means Travellers and the song makes me want to travel in mind to a fairytale.
4/5

Summary

These are my top 5 favourites that are competing in the final tonight.

1. Sweden: Malena Ernmann - La Voix
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Regina - Bistra Voda
3. Norway: Alexander Rybak - Fairytale
4. Finland: Waldo’s People - Lose Control
5. Azerbaijan: AySel and Arash - Always

Completely unrelated bonus:

Bob Sinclar feat. Master Gee and Wonder Mike - Lala Song (Donovan Dominator Remix)