Review: “Vidbir 2026” (Ukraine)

Ukraine will select its Eurovision 2026 entry via “Vidbir 2026″.
10 artists will compete in the selection. The final will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2026.

The results will be based on a 50% public vote and a 50% jury vote, in a scaled format (1-10 points per each).

In this post, I will review the 10 competing songs:

#1. Valeriya Force — “Open Our Hearts“

• It is a grand, traditional power pop ballad with a “peace” theme. The song starts with echoing sounds, water effects.
• The first verse is delicate and sentimental. The melody is based on keyboards. The tone is classic.
• The first pre-chorus introduces an orchestral swell. Valeriya uses some beautiful vocal twirling to decorate the song.
• The first chorus is a soaring, melodic peak with a full choir in the background. She sings it powerfully, with longer notes. The melody combines orchestral strings and a gentle beat.
• The second verse is performed as a spoken word; it is very intense and energetic. She is supported by secondary singing. The melody is based on simple keyboard chords.
• The bridge features a classic “Eurovision” long note and a key change for the final chorus. It is performed in Ukrainian. It opens very raw, and then grows alongside the melody.
• The second chorus is based on synths and electric guitar, and hence the production is richer.
• Overall, it is a very professional, “standard” power ballad. It’s well-performed, but in such a creative selection, it may feel a little too basic.

#2. MOLODI — “The Legends“

• It is an indie-rock anthem with a nostalgic, stadium-ready feel.
• The song starts with keyboards, orchestral elements, and backing singing. The introduction is epic and promising.
• The first verse is storytelling-focused, delivered with a gravelly, rock-inspired vocal. The melody is based on a clean electric guitar riff and a steady, mid-tempo drum beat. The production is more electronic.
• The first pre-chorus is a classic, with laid-back production, and the vocals are softer and in a higher pitch. The melody is based mostly on the piano.
• The first chorus is a big, anthemic sing-along hook with heavy percussion. It is performed in Ukrainian. The melody features drums and beat, as well as trumpets.
• The second verse maintains the energy; it is faster and with more attitude. It started in English and continues in Ukrainian.
• The bridge features a high-energy guitar-based melody. It ends with more rocky singing of the chorus.
• Overall, it’s a solid rock entry. It feels very authentic and youthful, providing a nice contrast to the more electronic and folk-heavy tracks. However, I think it would have been better in Ukrainian.

#3. Monokate — “Tуt“ (Eng: Here)

• It is a dark, avant-garde electronic track with folk influences.
• The song starts with a sharp, metallic synth pulse and Kateryna’s distinct, piercing folk-style vocal. It captures the listener’s ear from the start.
• The first verse is eerie and atmospheric. It brings the expected folk singing, while the melody is based on electric keyboards. Katerina sings in the white voice technique.
• The first chorus is a minimalist but powerful electronic drop, using vocal samples as an instrument. The beat feels diverse and cold.
• The second verse adds more industrial-influenced layers. Sh sngs faster and with more intensity.
• The bridge is a high-speed rhythmic breakdown that echoes her work in Go_A but feels more solo-focused. Vocally, we get more of the higher tone section, which adds more mystery.
• The last chorus is powerful, cuts the silence with modern production and brilliant vocals.
• Overall, it’s an intellectual and bold choice. It’s less “catchy” than “Shum” but much more sophisticated. It has a huge staging potential.

#4. The Elliens — “Crawling Whispers“

• It is a dark, gothic-pop track with rock influences,
• The song starts with a haunting electric piano melody and Olena’s powerful, raspy vocal.
• The first verse is moody and builds slowly. The melody is based on the piano. Slowly, the production becomes richer, with some electronic pulses, drums, and bass.
• The first chorus is a theatrical, high-drama rock hook. It starts with a dial sound, and then explodes into a rock anthem with drums and electronic guitar, and powerful vocals.
• The second vers relies on a more moderate drums and bass line, where the keyboards are in the center.
• The second chorus is a classic rock piece, with a full instrumental package, backed up by rich vocals.
• The bridge is a vocal showcase with impressive high notes and a sudden “silent” break. It ends with a laid back production that switched into bass and electronic guitar based chorus.
• Overall, it is a solid rock entry, but something about it feels too immature. In a few years, they might be the right candidates for Ukraine. As for now, it sounds more of a warm-up band before the main show.

#5. LAUD — “Lightkeeper“

• It is a sleek, modern R&B track with soul influences.
• The song starts with a smooth electric piano melody and a light, jazzy drum beat.
• LAUD’s first verse is melodic and silky, showcasing his impeccable vocal control. He controls the singing with a warm and embracing voice.
• The first pre-chorus adds a funky bass line and shimmering synth pads. The melody is denser and the vibe is more emotional.
• The first chorus is a sophisticated pop hook that relies on his falsetto and a very clean, Western-style production. He is supported by choir singing.
• The second verse introduces more complex rhythmic layers. The melody is based on keyboards and guitar. There’s a touch of RnB in the composition.
• The bridge is soulful. The arrangement steps into the gospel field.
• The last chorus opens with falsetto and rich backing vocals. The melody is based on guitar and keyboards.
• Overall, it’s the most “Western” pop song in the selection. It might lack the “ethnic edge” the Ukrainian public often looks for, but it might be appreciated for musical aspects.

#6. LELÉKA— “Рідним“ (Eng: Native)

• It is a delicate, emotionally raw folk-jazz ballad.
• The song starts with a solo Vandura melody and a very soft, “heavenly” vocal.
• The first verse is intimate and magical, focusing on her angelic voice. The melody is based on piano, strings, and very pure energy.
• The first pre-chorus introduces a more jazzy flavor, with double bass and orchestral line. The drama increases.
• The first chorus is a soaring, melodic height that feels both fragile and powerful. It continues the line presented in the introduction. It is legendary, calming, and artistic.
• The second verse adds more folk elements, and it is a bit more upbeat, due to drums based beat. It suggests intense musical tension, signifying “danger,” before resolving into the rest of the song,
• The bridge opens with a cello playing that explodes into a very long and high note, continued by a violin and a shout.
• The last chorus brings a very forest-based sound, it highlights the bandura and piano, alongside some backing vocals
• Overall, it is the “emotional heart” of Vidbir. The vocals are world-class, and it has a “magical” quality that could stand out in Vienna. It is definitely a risky choice, that will do much better with jury.

#7. Mr. Vel — “Do or Done“

• It is an alternative pop track with a heavy focus on rhythm and irony.
• The song starts with the keyboard playing. The first verse builds slowly, while he performs in English with a mid-high tone of voice.
• The pre-chorus is tighter and tenser, with synth elements and modern production. It takes the song into a more classic direction.
• funky, distorted bass guitar and a “clock-ticking” percussion sound. The first verse is delivered in a dry, rhythmic style.
• The first chorus is a groovy, mid-tempo hook with a very memorable bass line. It is mostly repetitive and ends with beautiful vocal moments.
• The classic line is preserved in
• The second pre-chorus introduces more electronic glitches. However, the classic line is preserved.
• The bridge is a playful instrumental jam.
• The last chorus is based on the same electronic hook.
• Overall, it is a very stylish entry, with many layers; it’s the “cool” entry. However, it might be too subtle for a contest where “big” moments usually win. For me, it is more of an opportunity to meet the talented Mr. Veel.

#8. KHAYAT — “Hertzi”

• It is a high-energy, electro folk track with aggressive rhythmic structures.
• The song starts immediately with a driving, syncopated electronic beat and a high-pitched, traditional woodwind sample.
• The first verse features KHAYAT’s signature “vocal slides” and a very rhythmic, almost spoken delivery. The melody features a percussion beat. Vocally, he starts in a mid-tone of voice and finishes with a high pitch.
• The first pre-chorus grows rapidly and drops suddenly into a vacuum of sound before the hook.
• The first chorus is a heavy dance anthem with a prominent, distorted synth bass line and a catchy, repetitive vocal hook. Vocally, we get longer notes.
• The second verse combines more vocal layers, with some backing vocals and intermittent languages. The tension is delivered through the string elements.
• The bridge features a traditional folk-dance breakdown that will translate well to choreography.
• Overall, the entry is well-produced, but at the same time sounds messy. It is a song that can grow on you, but won’t necessarily have the intermediate appeal.

#9. Jerry Heil — “Catharticus” (Prayer)

• It is a cinematic, ethno-spiritual song, combined with modern alt-pop.
• The introduction is based on captivating piano playing. The song starts with a haunting, multi-layered vocal loop that mimics a liturgical chant, set against a deep, sub-bass drone. Later on, it is clarified that it is the chorus,
• The first verse is sung in an intimate, breathy register, almost a whisper. The melody is based on soft electronic elements, drums, and keyboards. Jerry sings in a throaty voice. This part is pretty long, but it progresses dynamically.
• The first pre-chorus introduces sharp, rhythmic percussion and builds a sense of urgency.
• The first chorus is a sound explosion, blending a powerful operatic hook with classic chords. She sings it more classically. It is followed by heavy synth and electronic guitar riffs.
• The second verse adds a traditional string instrument (lyre-like) that contrasts with the electronic beat.
• The bridge is a high-drama vocal peak with choral harmonies. It features several effects, which might lower its “pureness”.
• It ends with one last chorus, which is served emotionally with a modulation.
• Overall, it is an artistic masterpiece. It is “Teresa & Maria” but darker and more experimental. It’s a heavy favorite for the win. This is one of the more “Western pop” songs by Jerry. I must say, I started liking it more after 3 times. The main thing here is the huge staging potential the song brings to the table (chains, smoke, height, dramatic lights, costumes and more).

#10. ShchukaRyba — “Моя земля” (Eng: My Land)

• It is an ethno-house track that blends authentic rural singing with modern club beats.
• The song starts with simple piano and wind instruments. Later on, we get a raw, “white voice” choral intro and no instruments. It feels very traditional and bit immature,
• The first verse introduces a heavy, 4/4 house beat and a pulsing synth. The harmonies are bold, but present a flat vocal imagery.
• The first pre-chorus is a long, atmospheric build. The first chorus is a massive dance-floor anthem, mixing traditional polyphonic singing with a heavy electronic drop.
• The bridge is a traditional folk chant that builds into a final, high-energy chorus. It moves on to a more tense and messy arrangement, with plenty of orchestration. Their musical effort is very bold, but not always put right.
• Overall, it is one of the “riskiest” entries of the selection. Not a natural “go to” entry. I found it quite strange and hard to digest. They might have the talent, but not the right song.

My Personal Ranking

1. Monokate — “Tуt“ (Eng: Here)
2. Jerry Heil — “Catharticus” (Prayer)
3. LELÉKA— “Рідним“ (Eng: Native)
4. LAUD — “Lightkeeper“
5. Mr. Vel — “Do or Done“
6. The Elliens — “Crawling Whispers“
7. Valeriya Force — “Open Our Hearts“
8. MOLODI — “The Legends“
9. KHAYAT — “Hertzi”
10. ShchukaRyba — “Моя земля” (Eng: My Land)

My Prediction

It is a two-horse match between 2 Eurovision alumni: Jerry Heil (2024) and MONOKATE (Go_A, 2020 and 2021).
On paper, it looks like Jerry Heil has a higher chance of winning.
However, the last time they met (in 2020), Go_A won.
Nevertheless, don’t take the Ukrainian jury’s vote for granted; they might switch things up.

Who is your favorite to win “Vidbir 2026″?

Ukraine will compete in semi-final 2 of Eurovision 2026 (May 14th, 2026).
The country is allocated to perform in the second half of the show.

Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.