The final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, was once again a vibrant mix of dance anthems, powerful ballads, and a quirky assortment of novelty pop from across Europe. As we approached the 2025 competition, I found myself without a clear favourite, which was a change from previous years. The final felt like an open playing field, where I sensed the strongest performance of the night would ultimately take home the prize. Thus eclipsing all the pre-event hype and betting odds. No matter how the results played out, I always look forward to sharing my personal highlights from this incredible annual international televised song competition.
“Lighter” by Kyle Alessandro (Norway)
Photo by Thor Håkan Ulstad
What an intense experience for a nineteen-year-old! Kyle Alessandro, representing Norway, stepped onto the stage as the opening act of the ESC grand final—making history as the youngest artist ever to represent the country. His song, “Lighter,” is an electrifying, anthemic electro-pop gem. Though sung with impressive confidence, the track itself lacked distinct originality and memorability. Yet, the extraordinary staging more than compensated for these shortcomings. A solitary flickering flame ignited into a breathtaking display, engulfing the stage in a fiery ring, simulating a wildfire that rapidly spread around Kyle and his talented dancers. This dramatic visual made for a truly spectacular kickoff to the show.
Early performance slots are notoriously tough when it comes to leaving a lasting impact on voters and the audience, and it’s a real disappointment that “Lighter” didn’t receive the recognition it deserved in the voting. Still, Kyle executed his performance with skill and charisma, and I’m genuinely excited to see where his post-Eurovision journey takes him.
“Serving” by Miriana Conte (Malta)
From the very beginning, Maltese artist Miriana Conte made her intentions unmistakably clear: she came to Eurovision to slay! With audacity and flair, she unleashed her cheeky anthem, the irresistibly iconic “Serving“. Throughout the Eurovision journey, this track quickly captured the hearts of fans, emerging as a standout favourite. Miriana’s strategy of pushing boundaries and leaving little to the imagination was almost flawless—until the EBU intervened, insisting on a minor but significant lyric change. But this diva was unshaken. Her boundless charisma teamed with striking visual elements ensured that the essence of “Serving” remained intact. Without a doubt, Miriana has caught the attention of the RuPaul Drag Race fandom. (Possibly part of a grander scheme she envisaged). Miriana for Mighty Hoopla 2026? It’s not just a possibility; it’s a foregone inevitability, I feel!
“Wasted Love” by JJ (Austria)
Photo by Pavla Hartmanová
On sheer vocal mastery alone, the Austrian singer-songwriter JJ (aka Johannes Pietsch) clearly stood out among the Eurovision competitors.
His popopera style is not only powerful but also refreshingly unique. Seamlessly transitioning between pop and opera, JJ makes it appear effortless. His performance of “Wasted Love” was nothing short of breathtaking. The striking contrast and his accomplished falsetto truly take your breath away; it’s a masterclass in vocal excellence. This was only heightened by the dramatic monochrome staging, which added an extra layer of impact. In my view, no one can rival the extraordinary vocal prowess that JJ displays. I found my winner in this performance, and it seems Europe agreed, voting JJ as the champion of Eurovision 2025. Even after the victory was sealed, his winners performance remained astonishing. Deeply emotional, JJ delivered yet another spellbinding show, featuring his mesmerising falsetto. This was definitive proof that Europe made the right choice.
“Hallucination” by Sissal (Denmark)
Denmark truly brought their A-game by sending Sissal to Eurovision in Basel, and I believe she was undeniably the standout female vocalist of the event. It’s utterly perplexing why the Eurovision audience overlooked “Hallucination.” I simply cannot fathom the public’s judgment of this incredible track and performance. The striking similarities to Loreen‘s music were impossible to miss. And you would think that the Eurovision audience would rally behind Sissal’s banger because of that. But for reasons I can’t understand, Europe didn’t embrace the idea of someone delivering such a fantastic homage to Loreen (perhaps they just have a preference for the original). This sentiment was painfully clear in the lack of support for this uplifting pop anthem, as Sissal’s mesmerising performance was shamefully ignored. It’s disheartening to see Eurovision be so harsh to you, Sissal. Just know that EQ Music Blog stands by you. You are an absolute pop queen!
“Survivor” by PARG (Armenia)
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, overflowed with powerful anthems, but none captured attention quite like the Armenian representative, PARG. This remarkable track “Survivor” is a stirring declaration of strength and resilience, seamlessly blending with PARG’s unique pop-rock vocal style. From the very first note, this commanding performance pierced through the dazzling display of vibrant lights and swirling smoke, ensuring PARG remained the centre of attention. It was a mesmerising journey from start to finish, solidifying PARG’s status as a standout contender in this competition. For anyone seeking an artist who embodies the same magnetic charisma as Måneskin’s Damiano David, look no further than PARG—an unforgettable musical force destined for greatness.
This was an absolute blast! Be sure to mark your calendars for the middle of May 2026. Let’s come together again to dive into another exciting Eurovision recap from the Grand Final in Austria next year.
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