I listened to every Eurovision 2017 entry, so you donā€™t have to

Itā€™s become a little tradition of mine to give first impressions of the yearā€™s Eurovision entries on the day the official album gets released.

This year, as last, Iā€™m doing it in strict 140 character form: tweet sized commentary on every track.

Iā€™ve listened to them all in the order they will be performed, rather than the order they appear on the album; for no other reason than because I can.

The entries

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The flag of Albania inside a Eurovision heart

Albania World by Lindita

Despite a fairly interesting middle eight, this song is fairly drab. I donā€™t like it. If I had to guess, you wonā€™t either.

The flag of Armenia inside a Eurovision heart

Armenia Fly With Me by Artsvik

Whilst the instrumentation is trippy, thereā€™s less vocal punch in this track than on an overbooked United flight. Dull.

The flag of Australia inside a Eurovision heart

Australia Donā€™t Come Easy by Isaiah

This is as slick as usual from Australia, but it lacks the funk of 2015 and the sparkle of 2016. Itā€™s good, but not amazing.

The flag of Austria inside a Eurovision heart

Austria Running On Air by Nathan Trent

I only have one question about this song: is this an advert for Nike?

This is fun, likeable song, but itā€™s no showstopper.

The flag of Azerbaijan inside a Eurovision heart

Azerbaijan Skeletons by Dihaj

This track sounds like I imagine a UFOā€™s engine sounds. Itā€™s fun. Itā€™s spacey-wacey. I like it, but donā€™t love it.

The flag of Belarus inside a Eurovision heart

Belarus Story of My Life by NAVIBAND

What is this?! Terribly executed, folk-rock.

If I had a life as bad as this ā€œstoryā€ sounds, Iā€™d be asking for a do-over.

The flag of Belgium inside a Eurovision heart

Belgium City Lights by Blanche

This instrumentation is like a 9 year old thatā€™s had too much sugar. Aside from some falsetto, its a bit anti-climactic.

The flag of Bulgaria inside a Eurovision heart

Bulgaria Beautiful Mess by Kristian Kostov

It doesnā€™t matter how much of a beautiful mess this is, itā€™ll never be better than Poli Genova from 2016. Never.

The flag of Croatia inside a Eurovision heart

Croatia My Friend by Jacques Houdek

Imagine Alan Menken had a gay-by with Pavarotti. Now imagine that whilst on a bad acid trip. Thatā€™s what this is like.

The flag of Cyprus inside a Eurovision heart

Cyprus Gravity by Hovig

Normally Iā€™ve no time for the dross Cyprus enters. But this? This is almost like Cyprus have put some effort in! Bravo.

The flag of Czech Republic inside a Eurovision heart

Czech Republic My Turn by Martina BƔrta

This low-budget, Michelle McManus, Pop Idol vibe is doing nothing for me. The final crescendo is totally squandered too.

The flag of Denmark inside a Eurovision heart

Denmark Where I Am by Anja Nissen

I freaking love this. Tub-thumping track, authoritative vocals and a bassline that gets you in the gut.

The flag of Estonia inside a Eurovision heart

Estonia Verona by Koit Toome and Laura

Estonia going choosing a Shakespearean tragedy as the theme of their song is a bold and a self-referential choice. Poor.

The flag of Finland inside a Eurovision heart

Finland Blackbird by Norma John

Look, Finland: I donā€™t mind if you want a ballad as your entry, I just want a good one, not a snooze fest.

The flag of France inside a Eurovision heart

France Requiem by Alma

I was thinking ā€˜how typically dark, moody and Frenchā€™. Then WHAM, you get drama and sparkle. Pleasantly surprised.

The flag of Georgia inside a Eurovision heart

Georgia Keep The Faith by Tamara Gachechhiladze

Even with a decent vocal and key change, nothing can save this uninspiring and incoherent ballad.

The flag of Germany inside a Eurovision heart

Germany Perfect Life by Levina

This appears to have sampled Journey; which is fine. Iā€™m not falling asleep to it. Iā€™m also donā€™t have the feels.

The flag of Greece inside a Eurovision heart

Greece This is Love by Demy

Love, this is not, for this pop ballad cum Swedish House anthem. It fails to excite for more than a fleeting moment.

The flag of Hungary inside a Eurovision heart

Hungary Origi by Joci Papai

This is a completely incoherent mess of a track. Partly as I canā€™t speak Hungarian; mostly in the sense that itā€™s shit.

The flag of Iceland inside a Eurovision heart

Iceland Paper by Svala

These lyrics are unintelligible. I love a good broken metaphor, but these are more broken than crumbling papier mache.

The flag of Ireland inside a Eurovision heart

Ireland Dying to Try by Brendan Murray

This takes way, way too long to get going, and by the time it does, itā€™s too late to bring it back. Just a bit boring.

The flag of Israel inside a Eurovision heart

Israel I Feel Alive by Imri

This starts with purpose, builds well, and adds enough twists to keep things interesting throughout. A crowd pleaser.

The flag of Italy inside a Eurovision heart

Italy Occidentaliā€™s Karma by Francesco Gabbani

Apparently this song has something to do with a gorilla? Yeah, me neither. Basically a crappy Coldplay rip-off. But I love it!

The flag of Latvia inside a Eurovision heart

Latvia Line by Triana Park

This high-energy track would be at home in European gay clubs, but with such over-processed vocals, itā€™s underwhelming.

The flag of Lithuania inside a Eurovision heart

Lithuania Rain of Revolution by Fusedmarc

Remember the super annoying French horn from Theme Hospitalā€™s sound track? Thatā€™s here in this really terrible track.

The flag of Macedonia inside a Eurovision heart

Macedonia Dance Alone by Jana Burčheska

Oi Macedonia! Icona Pop called: they want their song back!

This is a floor-filler: itā€™s 80s synth meets 2017 club anthem.

The flag of Malta inside a Eurovision heart

Malta Breathlessly by Claudia Faniello

With this track, you never stop hoping that vocalist Claudia might really run out of air, just so the song ends sooner.

The flag of Moldova inside a Eurovision heart

Moldova Hey Momma by Sunstroke Project

Hello Momma! This is a fun, frenetic, funk-fest. Fun but not phenomenal. Itā€™ll be good for a dance though.

The flag of Montenegro inside a Eurovision heart

Montenegro Space by Slavko Kalezić

This guy is literally singing about having wet dreams in disco space. I donā€™t know where to start with that.

The flag of Netherlands inside a Eurovision heart

Netherlands Lights and Shadows by OG3NE

Some beautiful multi-part harmonies, a brilliant middle eight crescendo, and (possibly false) key change. Great!

The flag of Norway inside a Eurovision heart

Norway Grab the Moment by Jowst

Aside from the graphic lyrical imagery, this is yet another Bieber-style affair that doesnā€™t stand out from the pack.

The flag of Poland inside a Eurovision heart

Poland Flashlight by Kasia Maos

This is crap. But it doesnā€™t matter: the diaspora will ensure scores well regardless, as is the way of things.

The flag of Portugal inside a Eurovision heart

Portugal Amar Pelos Dois by Salvador Sobral

Portugal are back! Unfortunately.

The only thing that song would be good for is to help insomniacs finally get some shuteye.

The flag of Romania inside a Eurovision heart

Romania Yodel It! (feat. Alex Florea) by Iliaca

So this song has yodelling.

Itā€™s novel! Itā€™s impressive!

It takes about 30 seconds before it starts to piss you off!

The flag of Russia inside a Eurovision heart

Russia Flame Is Burning by Julia Samoylova

Russia have pulled out because politics. Having heard this track, Iā€™m OK with: itā€™s one of their weakest entries in years.

The flag of San Marino inside a Eurovision heart

San Marino Spirit of the Night by Valentina Monetta & Jimmie Wilson

This song proves yet again that lifeā€™s too short to listen to San Marinoā€™s Eurovision tracks. presses skip track button.

The flag of Serbia inside a Eurovision heart

Serbia In Too Deep by Tijana Bogicevic

This is unexpectedly strong from Serbia. Itā€™s not my favourite club-style anthem this year, but itā€™s a solid crack.

The flag of Slovenia inside a Eurovision heart

Slovenia On My Way by Omar Naber

This is definitely a lost track from a Disney movie that never got finished because someone realised it was rubbish.

The flag of Spain inside a Eurovision heart

Spain Do It For Your Lover by Manuel Navarro

Just bring back Ruth Lorenzo?

The flag of Sweden inside a Eurovision heart

Sweden I Canā€™t Go On by Robin Bengtsson

I love Swedish pop music and I love this track. If it survives this graveyard slot, Iā€™d guess itā€™s a potential winner.

The flag of Switzerland inside a Eurovision heart

Switzerland Apollo by Timebelle

There is more precision in the execution of this powerful, beautiful song than a well made Swiss watch. Just excellent.

The flag of Ukraine inside a Eurovision heart

Ukraine Time by O.Torvald

Ah, so Ukraine realised they canā€™t afford to host again next year then. Itā€™s different: but thatā€™s not a good thing.

The flag of United Kingdom inside a Eurovision heart

United Kingdom Never Give Up On You by Lucie Jones

Theyā€™ve done a number on this compared to how dull it sounded during our national selection, but that wonā€™t save it.