Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked

After Loreen’s record-equaling victory in Liverpool final yr, the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is heading to acquainted territory on May 7-11. As reigning champions, Sweden are enjoying hosts for the seventh time and on the identical venue which staged the 2013 competitors, the Malmö Arena. And earlier than a word has even been sung, the competitors is already shaping as much as be one of the crucial fascinating in current reminiscence. There’s the return of an previous powerhouse after 30 years within the wilderness, extra native language entries than ever earlier than, and in contrast to final yr’s two-horse race, a wealth of potential winners which, as you’d count on, vary from the chic to the ridiculous. From supernatural folk-metal and Aboriginal pop to completely happy hardcore bangers and patriotic energy ballads, right here’s each contender ranked from worst to greatest.

Latvia has one of many worst Eurovision data in current historical past, qualifying simply six occasions during the last 20 years, with the final coming again in 2016. Had Latvia despatched the Cats-on-acid novelty that completed second runner-up within the nationwide last, their shedding streak might effectively have come to an finish. Instead, they opted for Dons, a reasonably profitable homegrown singer whose entry is unfortunately freed from meowing samples and feline cosplay. It’s additionally sadly freed from something remotely distinctive, a generic chest-beating ballad for individuals who discover Imagine Dragons slightly too edgy.

One of a number of entries that has succumbed to the “Cha Cha Cha” impact, “(Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi” is an unlikely collaboration between hip-hop outfit 5miinust and nu-folk duo Puuluup. The former might have already got 5 quantity ones to their identify in Estonia, however that is the Käärijä knockoff almost definitely to get misplaced in translation. Indeed, whereas its wordy title – the longest in Eurovision historical past apparently – that means “We (sure) know nothing about (these) drugs” and deranged dad dancing would possibly go down effectively at residence, the remainder of Europe are more likely to be left scratching their heads.

Having beforehand competed in Georgia’s Got Talent, The Voice of Turkey, and American Idol (the place she was eradicated within the first reside week), Nutsa Buzaladze shouldn’t be too apprehensive about performing in entrance of 162 million folks. She’s actually acquired lots to work with on this Frankenstein’s monster of a half-dozen totally different ethnopop bangers, even when none of them are significantly memorable or tuneful. “Firefighter,” which, after all, encompasses a fireplace engine siren amidst all of the chaos, should smash its staging if it’s to ship Georgia to the finals for the primary time since 2016.

Malta is maybe this yr’s most shameless entry, adopting the identical rhythm of each fundamental pop anthem that’s emerged since Cyprus’ “Fuego” again in 2018, and much more blatantly, the early ‘00-style dance break which helped Israel’s “Unicorn” skyrocket up the leaderboard final yr. Having beforehand competed within the Junior Eurovision nationwide last and the Maltese model of The X Factor, Sarah Bonnici ought to have each the expertise and the fireplace to promote “Loop” to the lots. However, the sense of déjà vu could also be slightly too sturdy to beat.

Let’s hope the Albanian group haven’t launched an excessive amount of choreography for his or her Eurovision entry. Former The Voice of Albania decide Besa struggled to grasp the artwork of singing and strolling at a leisurely tempo within the nationwide last, solely simply avoiding an embarrassing trip over her regal gold costume. Still, one other on-stage mishap would make this barely disjointed providing extra fascinating. “Titan” was first carried out in Besa’s native tongue earlier than being tailored into English. And there’s a way that the track itself has been compromised, leading to a barely bland Sia-does-Middle Eastern pop quantity that, with 30 seconds to spare, out of the blue pivots into the soundtrack of an ‘80s train VHS.

Israel’s Eurovision entry this yr has come underneath intense scrutiny. Eden Golan was pressured to significantly alter “October Rain,” its first incarnation, resulting from its less-than-subtle allusions to the October 2023 Hamas assaults (“There’s no air left to breathe”… “They were all good children, each one of them”). And a number of international locations have threatened to boycott the competition in response to Israel’s participation. It’s maybe not stunning due to this fact that the newly-titled “Hurricane” is as generic as they arrive, a Demi Lovato-esque energy ballad which tries to say rather a lot however finally ends up saying nothing in any respect.

Although co-written by Bojan Cvjetićanin, the frontman of Slovenia’s 2023 entrant Joker Out, “Veronika” is unfortunately not one other throwback to the glory days of indie sleaze. Raiven has tried and did not symbolize her nation on three earlier events, which maybe explains why she’s thrown the whole lot however the kitchen sink into this try: operatic wails, galloping drums, and the sort of click-clacking noises that recommend 2018 winner Netta by accident wandered into the studio. They’re all right here on a dramatic ode to, what else, however the fifteenth century countess who turned Slovenia’s first convicted witch?

Iceland prevented a political storm when scorching favourite Bashar Murad, an outspoken Palestinian singer-songwriter, was unexpectedly thwarted within the nationwide last by a much-unfancied fifty-something Europop diva. Admittedly, Hera Björk has good Eurovision type. She completed nineteenth again in 2010 with the wonderful schlager-house of “Je Ne Sais Quoi.” “Scared of Heights,” nevertheless, seems like a leftover observe that’s been gathering mud for the final 14 years. The Nordic nation garnered a repute within the 2010s for going distinctly leftfield. But following final yr’s generic drum’n’bass providing, that is one other signal they’ve misplaced their mojo.

Poor Germany have escaped the underside two simply as soon as since 2014. And whereas this apparent try to echo Lewis Capaldi, Rag’n’Bone Man, or every other variety of British male vocalists who sound like they desperately want a throat lozenge is in no way this yr’s worst entry, don’t be stunned to see them propping up the scoreboard as soon as extra. A shock victory on the nationwide choice, Isaak’s “Always on the Run” is certainly probably the most susceptible sort of Eurovision track: completely serviceable however with nothing to encourage voters to select up the cellphone forward of 25 others.

Drag Race Belgique decide and self-proclaimed 21st Century Boy Mustii actually isn’t shy, spending many of the promo for “Before the Party’s Over” in varied states of undress. Disappointingly, the track itself isn’t fairly as provocative. Indeed, removed from the glittery electro stomper you would possibly count on, Belgium’s entry is as a substitute one other of these sad-boy ballads that’s turn out to be an unwelcome staple of late. Mustii’s highly effective vocals and that hovering climax will little doubt be catnip to juries. But with no fewer than seven hitmakers credited, it inevitably appears like a songwriting camp template.

Perennial underdogs San Marino scored the dreaded nul factors in final yr’s semi-final. The bar for Megara’s self-described “f*** off message,” due to this fact, is fairly low. The Madrid-based outfit, who twice tried to symbolize Spain earlier than discovering success within the microstate’s really exhausting 129-entry nationwide last, describe their sound as “the perfect mix between the sinister and cotton candy.” That’s a good abstract judging by “11:11,” which lurches from bubblegum steel and techno bleeps to flamenco guitars and guttural roars, whereas its accompanying video resembles a Warped Tour tackle Airheads. The rock vote will go elsewhere, however whereas it received’t qualify, it ought to keep away from the picket spoon.

Slimane is kind of the coup, having scored three primary albums since successful France’s model of The Voice again in 2016. His expertise present roots are clearly evident on “Mon amour,” a chanson so quintessentially French it’d as effectively be carried out by a beret-wearing bicyclist holding a baguette. After intriguing however unsuccessful forays into Celtic electronica and stylish Parisian disco, France’s musical regression is comprehensible if slightly underwhelming. But in a discipline stuffed with uptempos, a straight-forward, showboating ballad will inevitably stand out. Don’t be stunned if this locations the best of the Big Five.

Following rumors that both Aussie pop royalty Dannii Minogue or 2016 runner-up Dami Im would symbolize Eurovision’s geographical outliers, the reveal of lesser-known duo Electric Fields was quite anticlimactic. Still, former The X Factor contestants Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, who misplaced to Kate Miller-Heidke’s bonkers popera in 2019’s nationwide last, have delivered one thing by no means heard earlier than within the contest: lyrics within the Aboriginal language of Yankunytjatjara (albeit solely two phrases). The unifying message of “One Milkali (One Blood)” will definitely come as aid to organizers. But its muted house-pop sound might wrestle to make itself heard in a yr which has fully eschewed the concept much less is extra.

Electric Fields aren’t the one Aussies on this yr’s contest. Born in Sydney to a Greek dancer mom and Cypriot singer father, Silia Kapsis shall be flying the flag for the paternal aspect of her household with a rebuttal to “people who live in a fake world with a fake script.” Having damaged custom final yr by sending a (shock!) man and (horror!) ballad, Cyprus have gone again to fundamentals, sending one other watered-down model of the ethnopop banger that reversed their Eurovision fortunes. Unlike Eleni Foureira’s “Fuego,” robbed of victory by Netta’s irritating novelty hit “Toy,” “Liar” is more likely to get misplaced within the dancefloor crowd.

Having did not qualify for final yr’s last with a westernized Ed Sheeran-esque ditty, Greece have properly determined to attract upon their very own wealthy musical heritage. In reality, one-time Berklee College of Music scholar Marina Satti particularly co-wrote her entry as a celebration of Greek tradition previous and new. That maybe explains why “Zari” sounds extra like a collage of disparate sounds than a fully-formed track, lurching from snake-charming flutes and reggaeton beats to online game synths and operatic Middle Eastern melodies with none explicit focus. File this underneath ‘always intriguing but highly divisive.’

Singer-songwriter Nemo carried out Wham!’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” whereas dressed as a panda final yr for Switzerland’s model of The Masked Singer and even that’s much less bewildering than this Eurovision entry. Inspired by their very own non-binary journey, “The Code” delivers an ideal message of freedom, self-identity, and acceptance. But it will get misplaced in a lower and shut mixture of drum and bass, pop opera, Eurorap, and The Greatest Showman which can depart you reaching for the Ibuprofen. Remarkably, that is now the recent favourite to win.

Teya Dora will already be acquainted to a lot of the TikTok technology having spawned a massively standard meme and racked up 100 million Spotify streams with final yr’s breakthrough single “Džanum.” “Ramonda,” a sobering patriotic quantity named after the plant which represents Serbia’s struggles throughout World War I, appears unlikely to encourage as many viral dances, nevertheless. Dora, a former Berklee College classmate of Charlie Puth, sings the remembrance ballad superbly, and the crescendo’s swirling strings and tribal percussion will little doubt induce some patriotic tears. But with out a lot common enchantment, Serbia might fail to qualify for the primary time since 2017.

While too many international locations to say have taken their cues from the 2023 runner-up, Denmark is the one nation to have been impressed by the precise winner. Their entry is even named after the substance that Loreen rolled round in underneath what seemed like a large sandwich toaster. Described as a metaphor for shedding management, “Sand” is a type of precision-tooled pop epics that the Scandinavians can nail of their sleep. And within the protected arms of musical theater actress Saba, it’s more likely to rating massive with the juries ought to it progress. The televised viewers, nevertheless, might really feel prefer it’s final yr’s information.

Again, Finland have crystallized the whole lot skeptics who haven’t watched Eurovision for the reason that ‘90s still believe about the contest. Cut from the same cloth as Käärijä’s bolero-clad recreation of The Human Centipede, “No Rules” finds Teemu Keisteri rising from a large denim egg, taking pictures pyrotechnics from his jorts, and celebrating this system which made Bill Gates a gazillionaire/conspiracy theorist’s moist dream. An ode to taking life unseriously, “No Rules” is way simpler on the ear than its predecessor, nevertheless, as a substitute mirroring the basic Eurodance brilliantly parodied final summer time by Kyle Gordon. Finishing final within the nationwide last jury, Windows95man was saved by a landslide public victory. Expect an identical situation right here.

Forget No Doubt at Coachella or Tracy Chapman on the Grammys. In the Eurovision world, the largest comeback of 2024 undoubtedly belongs to Luxembourg. The landlocked nation was one of many contest’s doyens, successful a then-record 5 occasions between 1961 and 1983. But regardless of varied fan-led campaigns, it’s been 30 years since they final graced the musical spectacle. Addressing her struggles throughout the business and the persevering streak she’s acquired because of this, Tali’s “Fighter” actually has a becoming theme. But whereas the adopted New Yorker ought to have little hassle qualifying, her formulaic, if supremely catchy, ditty is unlikely to make Luxembourg’s long-awaited return a victorious one.

“In the Middle” emerged from a chaotic nationwide choice wherein the runner-up discovered herself as each the accuser and the accused in allegations of vote rigging and one other early entrant determined to withdraw solely to later sit on the jury as a substitute. With its operatic wails, arm choreography, and hanging flurry of violins, the eventual accepted winner is equally dramatic. And we’ve not even talked about the staging which sits someplace between Black Widow and the video to Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love.” Moldova’s fourth returnee in a row, Natalia Barbu completed tenth when she final competed again in 2007, a creditable inserting unlikely to be bettered right here

Talent present common Iolanda has described her entry as a “scream of self-defense,” suggesting arthouse crowd favorites Portugal have as soon as once more opted for what the charitable would name avant-garde and others borderline unlistenable. So it’s a pleasing shock to listen to that “Grito” is a comparatively straight-forward piece of fado pop. It might have hassle getting out of the semis, its melodies maybe slightly too slow-burning and delicate for a contest which thrives on immediacy. But in a yr the place virtually each nation is vying to be the loudest, it is a much-needed palate cleanser.

Now having to share their title of most profitable Eurovision nation following Sweden’s seventh victory, Ireland have thrown warning to the wind this yr following a nationwide last which virtually implored viewers to vote for the largest curveball. Resembling early Lady Gaga as imagined by Tim Burton, gothic pop princess Bambie Thug is undoubtedly their most hanging entrant since hand puppet Dustin the Turkey. Of course, the really delirious “Doomsday Blue” received’t come wherever close to the highest of the leaderboard. In reality, it’d even wrestle to qualify. But whereas the screamo verses shall be nails-down-chalkboard to some, its pastoral folks refrain is that this yr’s Eurovision at its prettiest.

Nebulossa, aka singer Maria “Mery” Bas and producer Mark Dasousa, are this yr’s entrant almost definitely to get conservatives foaming on the mouth, whether or not they converse Spanish or not. The retro synth-pop of “Zorra” has already whipped up controversy because of its provocative lyrics: the title basically interprets as ‘slut,’ however the married pair are, actually, trying to reappropriate the misogynistic time period to each rejoice feminine independence and expose societal hypocrisy (“If I go out alone I’m the bitch/If I have fun, the sluttiest”). It’s one other instance of how there’s usually substance to Eurovision’s wacky type, which on this case, is ‘mother slaying at a sex club.’

This yr’s most hanging development is what number of international locations are embracing their very own tradition: see world music duo Ladaniva, aka frontwoman Jaklin Baghdasaryan and French multi-instrumentalist Louis Thomas. “Jako” is just the second ever absolutely Armenian-language entry, and its vibrant mixture of conventional folks and nationwide pop sound generally known as Rabiz doesn’t as soon as try to court docket the Western vote. Even if most listeners received’t bear in mind “Jako” is a self-empowering feminist assertion (“Wear this, open this, close that, behave like a girl! But I am a free girl, so I will dance and you will watch!”), its formidable vitality and Baghdasaryan’s pure charisma ought to nonetheless have the specified impact.

Croatia haven’t reached the Top 10 since 2001, a rut that, barring an on-stage disaster, shall be smashed aside by this yr’s prompt celebrity. Both the artist and track identify would possibly sound like they’ve been fed by an old-school Eurovision identify generator. But one-man band Baby Lasagna’s “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” really has some depth. It was written in response to the wave of younger Croatians leaving their homeland for a greater life; It’s basically a socio-economic commentary! Of course, it’s the infectious rhythmic verses and barely deranged leap from Balkan techno to headbanging emo that’s made the person born Marko Purišić a significant frontrunner.

Already three studio albums into her profession, Russian-born, Brit-based, Czech singer Aiko triggered one thing of an upset within the nationwide last, regardless of an unconvincing reside efficiency wherein she appeared to have run out of breath by the second line. In the corporate of stronger rock performers, she might discover it exhausting to attain such a shock on the Eurovision stage. But on report, not less than, “Pedestal” is one in every of this yr’s most potent songs, a spiky post-break-up anthem/ode to self-care which might be mistaken for Paramore of their orange-haired, Twilight-bothering days.

Unlike final yr’s twin-based horror present, Azerbaijan have this time round chosen two male vocalists with charisma, stage presence, and a observe which fortunately avoids each twee white boy rap and Britpop landfill. Instead, “Özünlə apar” (translated as “Take Me with You”) is a sultry, cinematic affair which leans into Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, specifically the classical vocal type generally known as mugham. It’s one thing of a gradual burner, which can damage its probabilities in a contest which famously solely affords one shot. But its attractive sweeping strings and Dovlatov’s haunting melodies make this a much more intriguing proposition than the opposite competing ballads.

Having scored a primary album solely two years in the past underneath the guise of trio-turned-one-man band Years and Years, Olly Alexander might be probably the most culturally related artist the United Kingdom has despatched since Olivia Newton-John again within the early Nineteen Seventies. And he’s teamed up with hitmaker Danny L Harle, the person who’s given Dua Lipa’s final two singles their disco-pop sheen, too. It’s a pedigree which can work towards them. The immaculately produced “Dizzy” sounds nice on the radio, however even with Alexander’s ‘dragged through a thrift store backwards’ style sense, it’d simply be slightly too delicate to attach extensively on first pay attention.

Aleksandra Katarzyna “Ola” Wielgomas, aka Luna, triumphed over Poland’s very first (and nonetheless highest-placed) Eurovision entrant Edyta Górniak within the nationwide last. Could she do higher than the latter’s runner-up place in 1994? Well, no. But “The Tower” is one other signal of simply how a lot the competition has progressed within the 30 years since. With echoes of Ellie Goulding, Aurora, and Grimes earlier than she began naming infants after mathematical equations, “The Tower” – co-written with Brits Paul Dixon and Max Cooke – is the sort of featherlight synth-pop that appears tailor made not for Eurovision however for stylish Spotify playlists. In years to return, this can be thought to be 2024’s misplaced gem.

Joost Klein wrote “Europapa” as a heartfelt letter to the daddy he misplaced to most cancers aged 12. A young acoustic ballad unlikely to depart a dry eye within the enviornment then? Not precisely. Netherlands’ entry is a whirlwind of Euroclub sounds which overtly borrows from the pinball techno of two Unlimited, rave machine Scooter, and the Dutch hardcore scene generally known as gabber. Europapa additionally doubles up as a pro-EU anthem, with Joust proudly extolling its virtues (“Fortunately, don’t need a visa to be with you”) above all of the noise. It’s presumably as divisive because the Brexit referendum, however because of the outro’s sudden change in tone, surprisingly shifting, too.

There’s a idea that host nations will intentionally ship also-rans to keep away from staging the competition for a probably bankrupting second yr in a row. Not Sweden. The Eurovision masters achieved a record-equaling seventh win final yr with Loreen’s “Tattoo,” and this immaculately produced dance-pop banger suggests they nonetheless have a watch on an eighth. Performed by similar twins Marcus and Martinus, expertise present regulars who really hail from neighboring Norway, “Unforgettable” seems like an prompt streaming hit. It’s basically The Weeknd sampling Faithless’ membership basic “Salva Mea.” And because of an imaginative Tron-like staging, it appears to be like the half, too. But may it’s simply that little too polished?

Norwegian entrants Gåte almost confronted disqualification when their adaptation of a Scandinavian medieval ballad fell foul of the competition’s strict originality guidelines. Just a few lyric modifications right here and there, nevertheless, and the macabre story of a younger maiden reworked by her stepmother right into a needle, knife, and at last a wolf has been allowed to remain. “Ulveham” is simply as distinctive musically, mixing folk-metal, conventional instrumentation (the nyckelharpa is definitely making its Eurovision debut), and the high-pitched herding name generally known as kulning right into a powerfully haunting melting pot. Lordi and, extra lately, Måneskin have proven that voters aren’t averse to top-tier steel, so count on Gåte to encourage loads of hand-horn salutes.

“Teresa and Maria” shares a author with 2022’s “Stefania,” the folk-hip-pop hybrid which gave Ukraine a 3rd twenty first century win. There’s a great probability Alyona Alyona, the rapper dubbed her homeland’s reply to Azealia Banks (hopefully solely technically), and former YouTuber Jerry Heil might add to this tally. Inspired by Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary, their message of “charity, love, and unification” will undoubtedly ring a bell amid the present battle in Ukraine. But there’s an ideal track right here, too, Heil’s gutsy Shakira-esque vocals and Alyona’s breakneck pace rhymes successfully coalescing on a dramatic alt-pop manufacturing. Should it emerge victorious, the sympathy vote will solely be a small issue.

The fabulously named Angelina Mango may have been asking for hassle when she revealed that her Eurovision entry is an ode to the fun of boredom. Luckily, there’s nothing remotely tedious about “La Noia,” an insanely catchy slice of cumbia which shares a producer with Italy’s greatest entry since rejoining the competition in 2011, Mahmood’s “Soldi.” By far and away probably the most constant of the automated qualifying nations, the Italians have solely missed the Top 10 twice since their return. And even in a crowd of female-fronted bangers, the massively charismatic Mango ought to assist propel Italy to the higher reaches of the scoreboard as soon as extra.

With a reputation like Silvester Belt, Lithuania’s 2024 entrant was absolutely all the time destined to grace the world’s most flamboyant track contest in a crimson PVC tracksuit flanked by a troupe of dancing ninjas? The actuality TV common – he’s appeared in his homeland’s variations of The X Factor and The Bar, to not point out the Junior Eurovision nationwide last – has delivered this yr’s most existential banger, with the Troye Sivan-discovers-techno of “Luktelk” doubling up as a theorem on the phantasm of actuality. Belt thwarted two-time entrants The Roop to get to Malmö, and judging by his mesmerizing qualifying efficiency, there’s each probability he may surpass their greatest eighth-place end.

After undeservedly underperforming with final yr’s Edgar Allan Poe-inspired oddity, Austria may have been forgiven for taking part in it slightly safer. Instead, as its title suggests, they’ve unleashed 2024’s most relentless membership banger, throwing in the whole lot from breakbeat and ‘90s Euro trance to the sort of warped techno you possibly can think about blasting out of Berlin membership Berghain at 4 within the morning. No stranger to the competition, having beforehand served as a rehearsal stand-in, interval choreographer, and inventive director, the multi-talented Kaleen additionally absolutely commits on a dancefloor call-to-arms that even with its restricted three minutes nonetheless leaves you completely breathless.