Okay... I knew this semi was always going to be difficult to qualify from but these results are just not it. I can usually understand why acts qualify but I am really struggling to understand these qualifiers. The part that really bothers me is the mediocrity that passed through. Certain acts that appeared messy and that weren't vocally together qualified to the final, yet powerful songs with competent vocalists did not?? And I think my biggest issue with this is that it was the mediocre men that qualified that took the place of the strong women. It's just disheartening to witness strong performers sacrificed at the expense of songs that are middling. And the fact that there was such a lack of diversity of qualifiers as well makes no sense to me. There should be no realm where we get four male ballads yet a singular uptempo song sung by a woman. For lack of sounding too dreary, I am happy for the qualifiers but this is one of the first times I just can't wrap my head around those that made it. Anyways, my reactions -
1. Finland 馃嚝馃嚠
Still don't get this song. Vocals are weak, song is mid, and the lyrics are still horrid. Should not have qualified with such weak vocals and staging.
2. Israel 馃嚠馃嚤
Happy this one is out. Michael's demeanor throughout the show was horrible alone. I also still don't think the song is good or that his vocals are where they should be. Try and sneak in Feker Libi next year please.
3. Serbia 馃嚪馃嚫
Legend. So happy for her. This is just a banger and so so iconic, hope she thrives in the final :)
4. Azerbaijan 馃嚘馃嚳
Bland and generic. Staging is cool but doesn't help make this boring song any more exciting.
5. Georgia 馃嚞馃嚜
CIRCUS MIRCUS!!!!! You know, I get what they were going for now and they are true legends. Will be blasting this song.
6. Malta 馃嚥馃嚬
My stream crashed during this performance </3 Feel like this legend just got lost with such a generic song, but at least she teared up the stage.
7. San Marino 馃嚫馃嚥
Yeah... this one hurts. The way this was so out there yet still so classy and put together is such a strong accomplishment. Achille performed the hell out of this song and put on one of - if not - the best stage show of the night. Juries, you will pay for this.
8. Australia 馃嚘馃嚭
Still don't get this one either but I'm happy for Sheldon. Happy that the dramatics were toned down a bit too, it made me like the song slightly more.
9. Cyprus 馃嚚馃嚲
Ugh, this one also hurt. This should not be Cyprus' first non qualification since 2015. Yes, I agree she was not totally giving what needed to be gave. But the song is still so so high quality and I worry that every time a Greek sounding song flops we will be getting less and less of them in the contest...
10. Ireland 馃嚠馃嚜
Should I rant? I have nothing else to do. Brooke literally teared up this stage tonight. She gave the best performance by a full mile. And even if you disagree with that statement, you cannot tell me that that wasn't one of the top 10 performances of the night. The staging was top notch, Brooke sounded phenomenal, her AND THE AUDIENCE were having so much fun, and this just brought some much needed life into this semi final. I was so sure this was qualifying after watching it because of how much it all came together and how she gave absolutely everything. And then it didn't. My note at the beginning is mostly in reference to this flopping, because there is no world in which this should not have qualified. I guess Europe was too nervous to accept a powerful woman singing a pop banger on stage, as we have witnessed multiple other times throughout this season. Brooke Scullion will always be famous and she deserves justice.
11. North Macedonia 馃嚥馃嚢
I mean... this was there?? It literally is such a low impact song I usually forget it even exists, but at least the staging looked competent.
12. Estonia 馃嚜馃嚜
Good for Stefan :') Happy that this legend succeeded and I do think this looks nice, albeit is missing something. But still a solid entry that I'm happy advanced.
13. Romania 馃嚪馃嚧
This is fun! I said this in my review, but I like this song, it just never brings me back to it to listen to it again. Happy that Romania has gotten out of their non qualification streak though, especially since it meant a lot to WRS.
14. Poland 馃嚨馃嚤
I still think it's so funny how American this song sounds and I won't stop mentioning it. Graphics are laughable as well but it is a good performance and happy that Poland is back in the final.
15. Montenegro 馃嚥馃嚜
Should've been in Montenegrin </3 they did as much as they could with this one but it was never going to work.
16. Belgium 馃嚙馃嚜
The jury members who put this through over Brooke will not hear the end of this from me. The staging is so boring and bleak, the song literally has no beat and the vocals are spotty. Why is this in.
17. Sweden 馃嚫馃嚜
Legend. Even though RAI fumbled the bag with this live, I can still see it winning. Cornelia is just in a league of her own and is a legend. Happy for her :)
18. Czech Republic 馃嚚馃嚳
Was never worried for this one even though I saw some doubts for it online?? This was just a great closer and is so much fun and I'm so happy how well the staging and vocals turned out in the end!! Legends :)
- MY SEMI FINAL TWO RANKINGS -
1. Ireland 馃嚠馃嚜 </3
2. Sweden 馃嚫馃嚜
3. Serbia 馃嚪馃嚫
4. Cyprus 馃嚚馃嚲
5. Czech Republic 馃嚚馃嚳
6. San Marino 馃嚫馃嚥
7. Estonia 馃嚜馃嚜
8. Malta 馃嚥馃嚬
9. Georgia 馃嚞馃嚜
10. Romania 馃嚪馃嚧
11. Poland 馃嚨馃嚤
12. Montenegro 馃嚥馃嚜
13. North Macedonia 馃嚥馃嚢
14. Australia 馃嚘馃嚭
15. Azerbaijan 馃嚘馃嚳
16. Belgium 馃嚙馃嚜
17. Finland 馃嚝馃嚠
18. Israel 馃嚠馃嚤
PYN/Comment to be tagged
Predictions on the final to come tomorrow :) even though I literally have no idea who is going to win.
