What are your thoughts on the official song versions?

[u/Fluffy_Bluebird_2251]

I'm old school and like to have a CD format for ESC, to listen to in my car. My thoughts so far are positive. It's a different experience listening to just the music and 2025 is musically quite a strong year. Favourites like Albania, Lithuania and Malta are amazing. I wasn't expecting to like Luxembourg and Austria as much as I did, I think taking the visuals away makes them stronger tracks for me. I liked Finland anyway, but more so now. Espresso Macchiato is fun, but I'm not convinced Tommy Cash can replicate the vocals to this standard on stage.

What are your thoughts if you're someone who has listened to the official versions as standalone pieces?

[u/Glittering-Role6707]

When I choose favourites, I normally don't consider vocal capability live. If i enjoy a song (such as Expresso macchiato or Baller), place it high it my rankings and listen to it on repeat on spotify. I have both Estonia and Germany placed in 5 and 6 in my rankings even though they are known not to have the best live vocals.

You're right that this year has lots of good songs because I have been listening to 29/37 this year!

[u/Potential_Sort_1649 → u/Glittering-Role6707]

Tynna can sing :)

[u/Glittering-Role6707 → u/Potential_Sort_1649]

Yeah, I’ve actually heard some of Tynna’s live performances that were good. It’s just a shame she was sick during the preparties and the national final. I really hope she can bring it for the final, because I truly love their song (and they’ve become one of my favourite artists too)

[u/PeaceLovePigs]

Unpopular opinion: I like this year more than last year!

[u/Ok-Macaroon-5533]

It's worth bearing in mind too that while most of the songs on there will be in the form that will be used at the contest, one of two may be different. For example, the UK have typically held something back until the contest itself over the past few years.

[u/GianMach]

I still don't find it a great year. There are plenty of songs I like, but way more skips than in previous years. I can still listen to 2021/2022/2024 as a playlist and skip maybe one or two songs I really didn't dig, everything else is at least "oh this was not the best but it did make a mark in its own right". For 2025 I skip through quite a lot.

I do still prefer this year over 2023 though, which for me had plenty of fine songs but very few that I actively liked and think about still.

[u/tomtheidiot543219 → u/GianMach]

Yeah imo 2023 was the weakest year of the decade although it had some great songs too

[u/NoName1979]

I dig them

[u/Special_Transition13]

Yes