It's on! The Eurovision Song Contest kicks off on May 10. Ahead of the event, DW's Rick Fulker and Silke Wünsch have checked out all 42 entries. Who's tops and who's flops? Here's our editors' favorites.
Image: Reuters/TT News Agency/M. Suslin
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Eurovision is on! Our editors' top 10 picks
Kitschy, flashy, over-the-top: Eurovision has a reputation to uphold. DW's music editors Rick Fulker and Silke Wünsch have listened to the songs from all 42 countries and picked their personal favorites.
Image: Universal
Russia: Sergei Lazarev
A Russian colleague is 100% certain his homeland will take the crown - and he's not just being patriotic. I think he may be on to something! There's a lot to unpack in "You are the Only One" by Sergei Lazarev; his video suggests we can expect an extravagant stage show with computer animation recalling last year's winner, Måns Zelmerlöw, with his song, "Heroes," but is even more spectacular. - Rick
Image: Imago/Russian Look
Georgia: Lolitaz
"Midnight Gold," the pure indie rock contribution by Young Georgian Lolitaz, provides a welcome fresh break from the usual female solo acts with fluttering hair from that country. Another charming exception to this rule came in 2014 with the ethnic fusion jazz collective The Shin and Mariko, which unfortunately failed to qualify in the finals. I dearly hope Lolitaz does. - Silke
Image: EBU/Andres Putting
France: Amir
Born to a Moroccan father and a Tunisian-Spanish mother, Amir was born in France, lived in Israel and was an oral surgeon before he traded in his tools to become a singer. Truly multi-cultural and diverse, Amir's song entry, "J'ai cherché" is even one sung in two languages. The song has a nice beat, a solid composition and the refrain is one that sticks in your brain for hours afterward. - Rick
Image: Renaud Corlouër
Montenegro: Highway
A hit! The band Highway really delivers with their song "The Real Thing." Combining heavy sounds and rock with electro-dubstep elements, it will definitely not meet the tastes of the majority, yet these guys have created something that truly stands out from what we usually hear from southern European countries. - Silke
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Lundahl
Greece: Argo
Argo combines world beat, folk, pop and rap. "Utopian land" gives the impression they want to please everyone, but that doesn't hurt the song. All elements fit well together: rapped verses are spoken in a rarely used Greek dialect, accompanied by traditional instruments. Granted, the utopian chorus lyrics in English aren't that subtle, but idealism can't harm Greece and Europe these days. - Silke
Image: EBU/Thomas Hanses
Austria: Zoë
Zoë is the daughter of Christof Straub, the founder of Papermoon, and the art of French chanson singing runs through her veins. She has a magical smile and her chanson, "Loin d'ici," evokes images of a paradise filled with flowers. The song is one-of-a-kind, simultaneously fantastic and powerful. - Rick
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G. Hochmuth
Ukraine: Jamala
Jamala gives us goose bumps with "1944," a very strong song with unusual vocals. It's against the cruelty of war, pleading for more humanity. She sings in English and Ukrainian, her voice is highlighted by arrangements and is often left standing alone. There are no frills, no effects to distract us from the song: To a peaceful future! -Silke
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Jamaladynova
Sweden: Frans
The land of the Eurovision Song Contest champions. This year's entry, 17-year-old Frans sings "If I were Sorry," a story of a love betrayed - and he does it with striking wisdom. Already at the age of seven, Frans was remarkable as a pop singer. Serious and believable, the song speaks to its listeners; as soon as it's over, it will leave you wanting more… -Rick
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Ekstromer
Germany: Jamie-Lee
Am I giving my adopted homeland preferential treatment when I say I like this year's entry? Jamie-Lee Kriewitz has everything needed to pull ahead of the pack -- and she's just 17! A mature, nuanced voice combined with unusual Manga-inspired outfits; while her outfit appears artificial, the young singer does not. Her song "Ghost" makes sense. And don't forget: the strong backdrop. - Rick
Image: Universal Music
Germany: Jamie-Lee
What's left to say about Jamie-Lee? Too bad we can only enjoy the young talent in the final. She makes the most of her appearance and her voice when she performs "Ghost." Personally, I find a more challenging song could have been written for Jamie-Lee, but it will certainly convince the Eurovision audience for her to finish this time - I swear! - among the top 15 or even in the top 10. - Silke
Image: Universal
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"This year appears to be the year of the solo acts, with bands hard to be found among the 42 entries," says DW music editor Rick Fulker. "It's a bit tame. There's little provocative on offer - just a load of mainstream pop and rapturous ballads in best Eurovision form. Of course, though, the wind machines are at the ready, with wisps of long hair ready to blow as the standard accessory."
At a time when the image of a united Europe has been called into question nearly everywhere, when countries are threatening to go their own ways, there is no lack of unity in the 42 songs, with little differences in their style. As music editor Silke Wünsch writes, "I'll put it bluntly: It's all one pulp. A slow start, punched by a few drum beats, followed by the usual windswept chorus in mainly minor keys is what you can typically expect."
It was a hard choice for the editors.
"Russia stands out with its fantastic graphic lighting effects, but the song is mediocre," says Wünsch. "Latvia is equally striking with its daring electronic soundscape, but the song is weak and the voice even weaker. The Netherlands offers a soothing contribution with a down-to-earth song, performed with real instruments (that's become even more of an exception this year as previously). Estonia is sending a clone of the 80s star Rick Astley into the race: Despite his good voice, he's performing a run-of-the-mill song."
Fortunately, there are always a few outsiders. Here are the 10 choices - five each from our two Eurovision correspondents - who they feel stand out from the crowd. If that's enough to land them in the finale, only time will tell.
