Eurovision 2018 Semi-Final #2 preview... [UPDATED]

Well after a bloodbath first semifinal on Tuesday, which saw a few favorites get scuttled, we're about to head into round two of the semis, with 18 songs from 18 countries battling for ten spots in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest finals. Here's who's competing in tonight's battle...

[UPDATE: I bolded out the entries that made it through to the finals. Big surprises: Russia and Romania are out, Serbia and Slovenia are in.]

1. "That's How You Write A Song" - Alexander Rybak [Norway]

Russian-born Rybak, who won 2009's Eurovision with huge numbers for that time with the sublime "Fairytale", returns for another try for Norway. But this time he's got a horrid grade-school taunt melody with the Mickey Mouse Club-ready "That's How You Write A Song". I can't say how much I detest this - even proving the "fast food music" canard from last year's winner Salvador Sobral (who I have issues with as it is). However, in the end, since Sweden, Denmark, Russia, and the Netherlands are in this, he's most likely safe - but man, would I love for this to be shut out (and being first, it still may happen).

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2. "Goodbye" - Humans [Romania]

Humans, a pop/rock band from Bucharest, have the best English-language rock song of the competition with this song, which has grown on me especially through the rehearsals. Lead singer Cristina Caramarcu has an amazing voice, and the early-80s-ish production (think like the Motels) works with the sea of mannequins on stage. Still, they're in the beginning of the night, so it's dicey.

3. "Nova Deca" ("New Generation") - Sanja Ilić & Balkanika [Serbia]

Ilic, who is actually the 67-year-old keyboardist in the background, formed Balkanika, a retro-style group mixing dance rhythms and traditional music (think Enigma for the Balkans). Whether this Serbian delicacy will translate across borders is iffy, but again, they've also got Montenegro, Slovenia, Romania, and Moldova in this one, so don't count this out.

4. "Who We Are" - Jessika featuring Jenifer Brening [San Marino]

This year the tiny mini-country within Italy changed it up and had an actual contest for choosing their entry, but still had to outsource to Maltese singer Jessika and German singer Jenifer Brening for a song written by Austrians. Not a total joke, but soooo under the quality of the other ones (with lyrics made for a thrill ride), it would be the shock of the contest if this goes on...

5. "Higher Ground" - Rasmussen [Denmark]

This one's a tough one. On one hand, I love me some ethnic Scandinavian chanting, like Yes over Vangelis going Nordic, and they have good harmonies, but I would've gone all out on the staging. BE FREAKING VIKINGS. Bring the damn boat. Make the sails Danish flags. Still, I would like to see this in the final, and with Sweden and Norway around, there's a better chance.

6. "I Won't Break" - Julia Samoylova [Russia]

Besides the whole politics from last year and the country's illegal involvement on our horrid election as well as Brexit and such, Russia's gonna find themselves possibly getting shut out. Besides putting Julia and a freaking mountain to hide her wheelchair, on stage her voice (and her backups) are a mess compared to what else is out there. And this tepid song. Meh. Total Meh. Bring back Sergey Lavrov, who had one of the best Eurovision runner-ups of all time.

7. "My Lucky Day" - DoReDoS [Moldova]

Depending on the day, it's right now between Netta's "Toy" and this gem from the Moldovan trio that I pick for my favorite to win. It's got everything, fun lyrics, a booty-shaking beat, the ethnic flourishes that end with them dancing in the end, and their staging of this song is a blast (and only cost 5000 euros!). Doesn't hurt that I've got a crush on Sergiu Mîța (pictured at the top).

8. "Outlaw In 'Em" - Waylon [The Netherlands]

This. Oh, this Kid Rock-style parody of "country music" done by the guy who almost took the crown a couple years back as part of the Common Linnets. This is theme-park country, and currently with a staging that has a "band" of black instrumentalists that somehow break into "crunk dancing" in the middle of this, looking like they're having seizures, is approaching minstrelism.

9. "We Got Love" - Jessica Mauboy [Australia]

Mauboy, a former runner-up on Australian Idol, has always been a favorite of mine; her last album from her TV movie The Secret Daughter, is a great listen. She can sell a song, but she's got a heavy weight to lift with this totally generic dance-pop ditty. It's not the worst thing, but compared to Guy Sebastian's "Tonight Again" or Dami Im's "Sound Of Silence", this is a bit cheesy, and she's swallowed by the huge stage there.

10. "For You" - Ethno-Jazz Band Iriao [Georgia]

These guys have great voices that meld together like steel, but #1) I don't know what part of "jazz" this is besides the lounge-y beginning, as soon as it hits the chorus, #2) I can't tell if they're singing their national anthem or what. Still, the studio version is great to listen to, but I can't see this winning for this type of contest, but give them points for authenticity. I would hope this would go to the final before Serbia.

11. "Light Me Up" - Gromee featuring Lukas Meijer [Poland]

This fan favorite from DJ Gromee from Krakow and Swedish singer Lukas Meijer seems so manufactured to sound like 40 other EDM songs on the radio right now that I can't even with this one. Still, can't deny it takes the sound of the times more than any other song in the contest. So, consider this a good chance to go through.

12. "Taboo" - Christabelle [Malta]

After years of adult-pop ballads, Malta goes dance-pop camp with this dramatic clubfiller that's ten times better than "Light Me Up". I can see this one as the Ireland-like surprise tonight, as like Finland, the gays who vote will flock to vote for this. Excellent staging with the LED box (yeah, Portugal, take that!)

13.  "Viszlát nyár" (Goodbye Summer) - AWS [Hungary]

Post-hardcore makes Eurovision with this entry from currently crazy-ass country Hungary is interesting. The song is about the singer's deceased dad and his emotions around him, but with the country governed by proto-fascist Viktor Orbán coupled with this angry song may turn many off.  And I can't imagine anybody over 50 voting for this.

14. "Funny Girl" - Laura Rizzotto [Latvia]

Laura, whose ties are closer to birthplace Brazil and residence of America than Latvia (her paternal grandmother is from Riga), this "Fifty Shades of Grey"-ready song isn't as entertaining as Franka's "Crazy" from the first semifinal, but has better chances since the competition is much lighter and this is the sole ballad like this in this round.

15. "Dance You Off" - Benjamin Ingrosso [Sweden]

I'm really disappointed by this entry from the country that's always delivered in Eurovision. Perhaps dipping into the dance-pop male cutie singer well is making it run dry, but this song is just so....there. It's more of a mood piece than a story, "Dance You Off" is meant to set off the light display in his staging. But of course it will probably go through will Norway and Denmark there for buffering. And at least it isn't the childish trainwreck of Norway's entry.

16. "Inje" ("Frost") - Vanja Radovanović [Montenegro]

After being the gayest thing about last year's contest with Slavko Kalezić's "Space" with the shirtlessness and the swinging ponytail, but bombed totally live. The country was smart and went the complete opposite direction this year with this Balkan ballad, which is a little dirge-y, but still has enough of a good performance from Vanja that this could pull an Albanian-like surprise and qualify.

17. "Hvala, ne!" ("No Thanks!") - Lea Sirk [Slovenia]

This combination of hip-hop beats and attitude and ethnic language and flair make this one quite an interesting entry. Lea is absolutely charming in interviews, and her personality translates well to the stage, but it's taking a chance that you can be addicted to the beat without necessarily knowing what she's singing about...

18. "Under The Ladder" - Melovin [Ukraine]

A winner of the X Factor Ukraine, this singer has a certain presence that's undeniable, and this wall of fire staging for this song ending the night will definitely make an impression. I can definitely see this going to the final.

Well, there you have it...I'll come back and update with who made it through to the finals for Saturday...

my hopes:

Moldova
Ukraine
Malta
Latvia
Denmark
Australia
Georgia
Slovenia
Montenegro
Romania

But I do think Sweden and Norway will get in instead of two of these. Poland and Hungary are outliers as well.