Here's my late reaction.
These results did not go the way I thought it would go.
SF1:
This really should've qualified. Two heartbreaking points prevented it.
SF2:
I honestly thought it would be a sure qualifier, but that was not the case. I could've qualified if I had switched the replacement votes around, but I conceded the qualification, meaning I lost the tie for 9th. I'm not a villain. You're welcome, Mexico.
SF3:
13TH??? Undeserved result. Portugal deserves much better.
I know this placed last, but compared to other last placers, you scored pretty well. It's a cute song.
This did not deserve to qualify. That lead-up to the drop was so dull that it made the drop itself so underwhelming.
It's a solid banger, but it did not stand out.
Such a good song. Gives me Bishop Briggs vibes. I don't like this result for Croatia. Should be higher.
Alas, another song that did not stand out in the final.
It's a good song by Hoshi, but I never saw it contend for a middle/high spot.
Meh. Sounds typical of its genre.
This should not have qualified either, but it's either I rig myself to qualify and give myself guilt for rigging or let it qualify. The song's hook is mediocre, and so I'm pleased with its result.
I think I'm in the minority who unironically enjoys this? It was nice enough to qualify imo. It is a little unoriginal.
My
. Really thought this would be higher. I like songs with this kind of vibe, but not enough people like it that it would get a higher result.
Easily the best of the AQ's imo. It's edgy and well-produced. Could be a teeny bit higher.
My
. The drop reminds me of
this, which is why I love this entry so much. The nostalgia helped with this entry becoming my favorite of the edition. Alas, it's underrated.
My
. Disappointed to see it place this low. I think it deserves Top 10. It's not very often you hear a
great electronic Arab banger.
My
. Another entry I thought deserves a better result. Love the production for this. Subject matter also helps.
Thank goodness you qualified, especially with such a poor qualification record. This is definitely one of Austria's final-worthy entries. I'm content with this result: right in the middle. You were almost in my top 10, too.
Another song with a crappy buildup. Sure, the drop is fire, but the rest of the song was on a lower level of quality. I would've been okay with it not qualifying.
I've become jaded from hearing a lot of Lusophonic twerk anthems (they all sound so similar), so I didn't get why it qualified, but clearly others did. It's alright.
Great rap. She really sold it. This was another song that barely missed out in my Top 10, but I'm happy for the good result.
My
. One of the best Bulgarian entries I've heard (ever? maybe). I am so disappointed it did not reach the Top 10. This deserves to surpass the previous entry. Heck, you even won your semifinal, so I find the result even more disappointing.
Another semifinal winner, but it's not for me. It's an electronic club type of song, but it's missing energy. It's nearly monotonous in tone. Well done on another good result though.
My
. Absolutely agree on its Top 10 placement. You've shown after all these years Kazakhstan still produces high quality bangers.
One of the better ballads I've heard in NNMC, but not enough for me to agree on its Top 10 placement. What I want in a great ballad is authenticity and intensity. I felt the authenticity. I missed the intensity. Still, I'm happy that you did very well on your first go at NNMC. Keep it up!
Of all the club tracks in the final, this placed in the Top 10? Get out. This is on the same level as Romania imo. It's so formulaic of its genre.
In contrast to Iceland, this power ballad had the intensity, but I don't connect with it. It's too performative. I dare say I don't agree with its qualification. But for Indonesia in general, it's always nice to see it have such a strong finish.
My
. THIS was a grower. Probably the song that grew on me the biggest in recent memory. I initially dismissed it because most of the time, I hear a song in Danish (and other Scandinavian languages) and I tune out quickly. This was not the case. It has an amazing melody and her vocals add character to the song. I wish this held an AQ position, but I'm still very happy for 6th place.
Congratulations on getting Mongolia its best result!
I felt the energy of this song. It was great. You could vogue to this. Sadly, this was another song that came up short in my Top 10 as I thought it could have been more energetic.
Sylwia, I think you've found your footing this edition. This is definitely an entry worthy to represent Sweden. It has a polished production and good vocals. Overall, I enjoyed the mystical vibe of it. 4th place is way too high for my liking though, but you still deserve a good result, so I'm happy.
When I listened to the song, this was the first time I got possible winner vibes from an Argentinian entry. Even though I gave you
, it doesn't diminish how catchy and replayable it is. I would've been happy for an Argentine win this edition, but I will have to congratulate you on achieving 3rd place, the country's new best result.
My
. This was amazing. I did not have you in my radar to possibly win because I thought it might be too jarring for a lot of people, but it turns out you were a contender. I enjoyed the chaotic and frantic nature of the song. It makes sense. And it's a banger. In the two times Nicaragua has been in NNMC, both entries finished in the Top 10. Will that hold up now that you have AQ privilege? Congratulations.
(Not Nicaragua and Argentina both giving their 12 to the winner though. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.) I was not expecting South Korea to win again, especially considering it placed 4th in the semi, so it was not anywhere close to my radar of possible winners. I thought this would be passed over as another typical K-pop entry. Clearly, that was not the case. To be fair, this is one of the stronger K-pop entries. I did give it
. What held me back from giving it more points was that it fell into that cutesy vibe that doesn't attract me to that side of K-pop. (I would've given more points if Pink Venom was sent instead.) I do think the hook and the sample helped it a bit. With that said, congratulations, Julian on your 4th win with South Korea!