01) f(x) - Solid opener. I know better k-pop entries are coming up, but it's a super easy listen.
02) Ryland James - This was on my list for a while. Ultimately, I thought it was a super safe male entry, and that's still how I feel about it. It's competent and will stand out due to the lack of men in contests these days, but it doesn't make me really FEEL much.
03) Sam Tinnesz - I feel like I need to say this every few weeks, but I'm SO OVER the Zayde Tinnesz movement in TSC. That said, if you're gonna go that route, at least you sent the real deal.
04) Ana Whiterose - Really cool vibe to it, but it feels a bit half baked in every other area. Never quite gets all the way there.
05) MisterWives - Something that I recognize as quality, but isn't my own personal cup of tea.
06) Grace Carter - Grace is one of the safest bets in TSC these days, IMO. I thought it was just OKAY for her at first, but it's grown on me since my first listen.
07) Cleo - I did NOT know Ms. Cleo could do uplifting/cheerful/classy stuff this well. It sounds like a World Cup song and immediately makes me feel good without ever getting too cheesy.
08) Isak Danielson - One of the songs that I could NOT send this week despite liking it due to the fact that I entered a male contender last week and I don't need that to be my reputation, girls. It's pretty strong, the production is a little bare and bland in spots, but strong vocally and evokes some emotion.
09) KAZKA - Have been considering sending this since Alexeh used it in ESCT, but from my brief research it wasn't an immediate favorite for a lot of TSC players that are also in ESCT. Anyway, take some points from me.
10) Aura Dione - Am I on crack or did the beginning sound like it was about to break out into the theme for COPS? (I asked a second opinion from someone not in TSC and I'm allegedly not on crack!) It's genuinely all I could think about for about half of the first listen, so I'm going to give it another shot. "Every time I see your face, I want to be a lesbian." High art. Don't think it's personally MY THING, but I get the appeal.
11) NOTD, Astrid S - Competent, cute-ish, completely forgettable.
12) AOA - It's rare that k-pop songs that aren't full-on bangers really do it for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Slick.
13) Unlike Pluto - Paused this after 30 seconds because it wasn't going the way I wanted and listened to "Everything Black." Anyway, I eventually got back to this and it was interesting! Not particularly good, but interesting!
14) Yola - "VINTAGE. So adorable." - Regina George
Ugh, I wish I were in the mood for something like this right now, because I feel like I'm about to do it dirty. She sounds absolutely stunning and I can appreciate a throwback vibe like this, but right now wasn't the time.
15) Molly Sanden - Maybe I have a slight Molly Sanden bias because my brain is telling me that this falls into "competent but forgettable" territory, but my heart is telling me it's a bit more than that. I like it, but not quite sure to what extent.
16) ULRIKA - Once it got to the scenic shots in the video without any vocals like 40 seconds into the song I was really hoping for the SCREAMING MAN IN THE SKY. <3 She goes for IT, but I'm not entirely sold on it the first time around, the vocal sounds a little enhanced for a BELTER. I feel like it's almost there in all regards, but not quite.
17) Solar - This feels almost effortless and sexy, which usually are not words in my k-pop vernacular. ANOTHER K-POP SONG THAT ISN'T A FULL-ON BANGER THAT I REALLY ENJOYED. <3
18) Amy Shark - Thought this was going to be a lot more singer-songerwritery, was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. Ultimately, it's still not really for me, but I'm not mad at it being in the final.
19) SOFI TUKKER - Original comment: "This is going to end up qualifying over me because of the amount of points I give it, I feel it."
WE MADE IT TOGETHER, GIRL! Sometimes good things happen to good people, huh? I assume this is a ridiculously divisive song, but I'm so into it.
20) Tei Shi - Pleasant. Perhaps it's a grower, but not too much immediate impact.
21) LODATO - I remember when I used to get excited for Spinnin' songs, but I've learned to temper my expectations because at least half of them end up being shit. A pretty fun and easy listen, but I have a feeling I'll completely forget about it in a few days (perhaps hours).
22) Ruben - I was not going to get involved in a click-race for this after sending Dotan last week, I don't need THAT male loving of a reputation. At this point, I definitely still prefer "Power" to this, but this is definitely on par or better than most of the perceived male stand-outs in most contests.
23) Peking Duk & AlunaGeorge - Feel like this has been on my list for 5ever at this point and I almost completely forgot about it. It's better than I remember it, too. Big fan of AlunaGeorge, so perhaps that pushes it over the edge.
24) TITA - LOL THIS IS SO AGGRESSIVE AND MESSY, but I love it. The second likely largely divisive song that I've been super into this contest.
