Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has arrived, and all 35 competing songs for Eurovision 2026 have been revealed.
So we are ready for an extended review of them and a ranking of the songs.
Each post in the series will focus on 5 songs.
This 4th post will focus on 5 of the countries competing in semi-final 2: Albania, Bulgaria, Czechia, Romania and Switzerland
You can find the previous episodes here:
- Belgium, Croatia, Montenegro, Portugal, and Serbia
- Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden
- Georgia, Greece, Israel, Moldova, and San Marino
Alis – Nân
Alis won “Festivali i Këngës 64” with the song “Nân“.
The song brings a deeply cultural tribute to the Albanian diaspora and the mothers left behind. “Nân” (Mother) depicts the quiet grief of a mother waiting at the doorstep for a child who has migrated for a better life. This is a story of separation, endurance, and unconditional love. The song can also be a tribute to a child trying to go on his life, moving to the next stage of life, without his mother.
Allocation in Semi-Final 2
Albania was drawn to perform in the second half of semi-final 2 at position number 13.
Alis will perform after Ukraine (12th), the UK (AQ), and before Malta (14th).
Among the countries that usually vote for Albania, 3 of them will vote in semi-final 2: Switzerland, Azerbaijan, and Austria.
Initial Personal Ranking
21st overall, 9th in semi-final 2
Musical Review
- It is a dramatic ballad.
- The song starts in an epic way. It sounds like a prayer. Alis performs in a style resembling tenor. He is accompanied by several backing vocals whose singing is duplicated into several layers.
- The first verse is based on keyboard playing, string elements, and a constant beat. He sings accurately, but almost effortlessly.
- The pre-chorus is performed with a longer and higher tone of voice. The melody is mostly orchestral.
- The first chorus follows with the dramatic beats. Alis performs it emotionally, while a powerful choir wraps his singing.
- The second verse is based on keyboard, semi-electronic production, and percussion beats.
- The second chorus opens with a ticking sound. The tone becomes more dramatic with drums, piano, and orchestral instruments. It continues with choir singing.
- The song ends with soft angelic singing, piano playin,g and minimal production.
- It is a song with huge drama potential. Alis is a strong vocalist and a great performer. I can see this song scoring much better with the jury.
Betting Odds
The song was selected as Albania‘s entry for Eurovision 2026 on December 20th, 2026.
Between January 1st and March 21st, Albania has been ranked between 31st and 35th place.
Since March 22nd, Albania has been ranked between 27th and 29th place.
Early Prediction
Alis is a powerful vocalist. Semi-final 2 features several ballads, and it seems some may cancel each other out. The suggested staging in the national selection felt a bit flat, and I didn’t like the idea of Alis being distant from the audience in the black sunglasses.
I think that adding English subtitles will help to sell it through.
Its biggest competitor will be Malta, which comes right after in the running order.
For me, Albania has around 60% chance of qualifying.
Therefore, I am still not sure whether Albania will qualify. In case they will, Albania will end around 15-21 in the final.
Dara – Bangaranga
Dara won the Bulgarian selection with the song “Bangaranga”.
“Bangarang” signifies a commotion, a riot, or a state of chaos. The origin of the expression is in West African languages.
It is an anthem of unapologetic self-assertion. The “Bangaranga” is a persona, a rebel, and a leader who embraces being an “angel, demon, and psycho” all at once. It’s about creating a “riot” of self-expression and refusing to follow anyone else’s rules.
Allocation in Semi-Final 2
Bulgaria was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at position number 1
Dara will perform before Azerbaijan (2nd).
Among the countries that usually vote for Bulgaria, 5 of them will vote in semi-final 2: Cyprus, the UK, Albania, Australia, and Malta.
Initial Personal Ranking
15th overall, 8th in semi-final 2
Musical Review
- It is a high-octane, “Balkan-Trap-Pop” anthem.
- The song opens with a distorted, heavy bass drop and the sound of traditional Bulgarian copper bells (Kukeri bells) being sampled into a techno loop. DARA opens the first verse with her signature “sassy” and rhythmic delivery. She uses a low-register, breathy growl that feels dangerous and commanding. The melody is based on a fast-paced, industrial synth line.
- The first pre-chorus introduces a rising “siren” effect. Her vocals shift into a faster, staccato rap-singing style, building an incredible sense of “main character” energy. The first chorus is an absolute explosion. The “Bangaranga” hook is repeated over a thunderous trap-techno beat, where DARA uses a powerful, chesty belt that sounds like a battle cry. The production is a “riot” of sounds, layering modern club beats with subtle folk motifs. The melody features Bulgarian copper Kukeri bells.
- The second verse features vocal “teasers” and soul mannerisms, showing off her flexibility as a performer.
- The bridge is a dramatic highlight, featuring a tribal drum breakdown and DARA’s impressive, raw vocal ad-libs that sound almost primal before the final, chaotic chorus. The song closes with a heavy beat-drop and the phrase “I’m the bangaran.”
- Overall, Dara’s character plays a major part in the track. It is aggressive, contemporary, and carries a “Varna energy” that is perfect for the big stage. The revamped version elevated it. It will need significant staging plans to push it further. To sum up, it is one of the leading uptempo female songs of Eurovision 2026.
Betting Odds
The song was selected as Bulgaria’s entry on February 28th.
Ever since then, Bulgaria has been ranked between 12th and 16th place.
Early Prediction
This is one of the bangers of the season. While I was less confident about it in the national selection, the revamp and pre-parties changed my mind. I am not sure about the jury vote, but I can see it doing quite nicely with the public.
Prediction: Qualifying, 11th-15th in the final
Daniel Žižka – Crossroads
Daniel Žižka was internally selected to represent Czechia at Eurovision 2026.
It is an existential reflection on humanity’s relationship with technology. It frames the modern world as a choice between the “metal frame” of our devices and the grounding reality of “Mother Earth,” exploring the fear that we are losing our ability to truly connect as we fill our “hollow jars” with data instead of life.
Allocation in Semi-Final 2
Czechia was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at position number 5.
Daniel Žižka will perform after Luxembourg (4th), and before France (AQ) and Armenia (6th).
Among the countries that usually vote for Czechia, 2 of them will vote in semi-final 2: Austria and Australia.
Initial Personal Ranking
4th overall, 3rd in semi-final 2.
Musical Review
- It is an atmospheric, cinematic art-pop ballad.
- The song opens with a futuristic, low-frequency thrumming and a delicate piano melody. Daniel opens the first verse with a soft, ethereal head-voice. His tone is crystal clear and reminiscent of Gjon’s Tears, floating over a minimalist electronic backdrop.
- The first pre-chorus introduces ancient-sounding drumbeats that contrast with the digital synths. His singing becomes more rhythmic, stretching syllables with meticulous vocal control.
- The first chorus is sweeping and grand, though it lacks a traditional “hook.” Instead, Daniel uses a rich, resonant chest-voice to belt the word “Crossroads,” followed by intricate vocal runs that mimic a bird in flight.
- The bridge is the emotional peak, featuring a “Mother Earth” refrain where he showcases impressive, soulful long notes and a hauntingly beautiful falsetto.
- The song closes with a heartbeat rhythm and a final, whispered “Man cannot change.”
- Overall, this is “high art” for the Eurovision stage. It is sophisticated and vocally flawless. While it might be too low-tempo for some, the sheer quality of his voice and the production make it a jury favorite. The song flows, and it is as soft as butter. Its melody is non-trivial, focusing more on art than on commercial. Musically, it reminds me of some of my favorite artists like Tori Amos and Yebba. I am not sure than kind of song will talk to the general public though.
Betting Odds
Czechia released its song for Eurovision 2026 on March 11th.
On the first 4 days, Czechia has been ranked between 8th and 10th place.
Ever since then, Czechia has been ranked between 11th and 13th.
Early Prediction
Czechia is allocated to the first half of semi-final 2, just after 4 female vocalists (Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, and Luxembourg). I can see some of the jury following this one, due to its artistic quality.
However, I am a bit worried about its potential to grab enough points from the public.
It can do really well with the jury, but the problem is that there are many jury baits in semi-final 2.
However, Czechia’s recent staging choices have been inconsistent, potentially undermining its overall prospects.
On paper, it should qualify for the final, but recently I have started to doubt it.
Prediction: I will go with a mixed prediction. If Czechia qualifies, it would be around 15th-20th in the final. But the key question here: Will it even qualify?
Alexandra Capitanescu – Choke Me
Alexandra Căpitănescu won “Selecția Națională 2026” with “Choke Me”.
This is a visceral metaphor for internal pressure and the “suffocation” of self-doubt. Despite the controversial title, the story is about the crushing weight of perfectionism: being “choked” by the voice in your head that says you aren’t enough.
Allocation in Semi-Final 2
Romania was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at position number 3.
Alexandra Capitanescu will perform after Azerbaijan (2nd), and before Luxembourg (4th).
Among the countries that usually vote for Romania, 5 of them will vote in semi-final 2: Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Malta, Austria, and France.
Initial Personal Ranking
6th overall, 4th in semi-final 2
Musical Review
- t is a heavy, nu-metal-infused pop-rock track.
- The song opens with a gritty, distorted guitar riff and a breathless vocal count-in.
- Alexandra opens the first verse with a hushed, raspy whisper, building immediate tension. Her delivery is sharp and rhythmic, almost conversational, over a pulsing bassline.
- The first pre-chorus introduces a rising electronic “siren” effect. Her vocals transition into a strained, emotive mid-range, perfectly capturing the “suffocating” theme.
- The first chorus is an explosive wall of sound. The “Choke Me” hook is repeated with a powerful, aggressive belt that showcases her incredible rock flair. Instrumentation includes crashing live drums and heavy industrial synths that compete for space with a soaring, operatic vocal harmony in the background. The mix is dense, prioritizing a “live band” feel. The production is thick with crashing drums and industrial synths.
- The bridge features a sudden rhythmic breakdown where her voice drops to a haunting, melodic moan, before she unleashes a series of impressive, high-pitched rock screams that lead into the final climax. It ends abruptly with the sound of a sharp intake of breath.
- Overall, a polarizing but undeniable masterpiece of energy. Alexandra’s vocal range is terrifyingly good, and the dark, edgy production makes this a standout “alternative” entry for Romania. It is one of those rock songs that will leave a mark on Eurovision history, as long as the performance is good. I have been waiting for a high-quality female rock song at Eurovision, and finally got one. That’s how a country should make its Eurovision comeback. Welldone!
Betting Odds
The song was selected to represent Romania on March 5th.
Between March 5th and 15th, Romania ranked between 17th and 21st place with the bookies.
Between March 16th and 25th, Romania ranked between 13th and 16th place with the bookies.
Ever since March 26th, Romania has climbed up to the 9th-12th places.
Early Prediction
Following historical participation patterns, Moldova seems almost certain to qualify for the final. This reliability often stems from their shrewd use of memorable staging and folk-inspired hooks that consistently resonate with the televote.
This song will likely receive significantly more support from the public than the juries. However, I can see the Balkan countries’ jury (Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia) voting this one as well, with some potential support from Poland and Georgia.
Prediction: Romania will qualify for the final and might do quite well, around 9th-15th place.
Switzerland: Veronica Fusaro – Alice
Veronica Fusaro was internally selected to represent Switzerland at Eurovision 2026 with her song “Alice“.
It is a dark, psychological narrative about boundary-crossing and obsessive love. The story is told from the perspective of an obsessive narrator, while the character Alice is stripped of her voice entirely, highlighting how obsession can mask itself as affection while slowly eroding a victim’s agency.
It is also a story about a psychological struggle.
Allocation in Semi-Final 2
Switzerland was drawn to perform in the first half of semi-final 2 at position number 7.
Veronica Fusaro will perform after Armenia (6th), and before Cyprus (8th).
Among the countries that usually vote for Switzerland, 5 of them will vote in semi-final 2: Austria, Albania, Denmark, Malta, and Norway.
Initial Personal Ranking
13th overall, 7th in semi-final 2.
Musical Review
- It is a swaggering, dark rock ballad. The song opens with a waltz-like drum beat and a “muddy,” bluesy electric guitar riff.
- Veronica opens the first verse with a cool, detached mid-range. Her voice is smooth and “sleazy,” perfectly matching the perspective of the obsessive narrator. The production is “warm” and analog, feeling like a vintage record.
- The first pre-chorus introduces a swelling guitar distortion. She shifts into higher, breathy notes that create an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.
- The first chorus is a slow, heavy “swagger.” She belts the lines with a raspy, soulful power, while the electric guitar takes center stage. The contrast between her elegant voice and the lyrics is brilliant. The instrumentation is classic rock: organ pads, driving drums, and that “toe-tapping” guitar riff that disguises the dark lyrics.
- The bridge features a phenomenal, screaming guitar solo that plays over a soulful, mournful choir. Veronica’s vocals return for a final, dramatic high-note belt that sustained over the crashing production. The song closes with a chilling spoken line: “Why are you turning cold?”.
- Overall, a masterpiece of storytelling. Veronica’s voice carries a “classy” energy that masks the dark subject matter, making the song both a “toe-tapper” and a psychological thriller. One of the most unique entries this year. What I liked about this one is that it isn’t Eurovision-focused in its creation. It blends classic rock with some jazz and Waltz elements. However, I think staging this entry effectively will be challenging. My concern is that the public won’t care about it as much as the jury. It will require a massive push-up from the jury.
Betting Odds
Switzerland released its Eurovision 2026 entry on March 11th.
Between March 11th and 15th, Switzerland was ranked between 17th and 21st place.
Starting March 16th, the country has been between 22nd and 25th place on the betting odds.
Early Prediction
Switzerland has chosen a world-class rock ballad for Eurovision.
On one side, the song might do well with the jury.
I can see even some people who aren’t fully rock lovers supporting this one.
However, I am afraid it is the kind of song that usually doesn’t do well in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Therefore, I can see Switzerland ending around 7th-12th place in the semi-final.
I have a strange feeling that Veronica, like many strong female singers in the past: Aiko (Czechia 2024), Dilja (Iceland 2023), and Andrea (North Macedonia), might end in 11th place in the semi-final, and just miss the final by a margin.
In the next chapter, we will review 5 countries from semi-final 2
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.
