Context:

The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest features 37 entries encompassing a wide range of musical styles and themes, culminating in a Grand Final in Basel, Switzerland, on May 17. The UK entry, 'What The Hell Just Happened?' by Remember Monday, stands out with its complex structure and harmonious vocals, while Sweden's KAJ offers a catchy sauna-themed song. Songs inspired by cancer are notably poignant, with Louane's heartfelt tribute to her late mother in 'Maman' and Klemen Slakonja's reflective piece following his wife's cancer diagnosis. The contest also hosts entries that blend traditional and modern sounds, such as Shkodra Elektronike's 'Zjerm', which envisions peace through cultural understanding. Additionally, the contest navigates themes of innuendo and humor, with entries like Estonia's 'Espresso Macchiato' satirizing Italian stereotypes and Malta's Miriana Conte pushing the boundaries of broadcasting guidelines with her provocative song 'Serving'.

Dive Deeper:

• The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 begins with a 'turquoise carpet' parade and features a variety of musical acts, including returning contestants, an opera singer, and songs with unique themes like a dance anthem about a space dog and innuendos.

• The UK entry by Remember Monday is a pop anthem with eight tempo changes, blending aspects of Queen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and the Beatles, avoiding typical Eurovision cliches and showcasing strong harmonies and personality.

• Entries inspired by personal battles with cancer, such as Louane's 'Maman', Kyle Alessandro's 'Never lose your light', and Klemen Slakonja's 'How Much Time Do We Have Left', offer deeply emotional and reflective performances.

• Cultural themes are highlighted by Shkodra Elektronike's 'Zjerm' which mixes Albanian ethnic music with progressive electronic sounds, aiming to promote peace and harmony, and Greece's 'Asteromáta', which touches on refugees' connections to their homeland.

• Humor and innuendo are present in songs like Estonia's 'Espresso Macchiato', which caricatures Italian stereotypes, and Malta's 'Serving', which had to be rewritten due to broadcasting guideline complaints, highlighting Eurovision's playful and provocative spirit.

• The contest includes a mix of gothic, rock, and traditional sounds, with acts like Latvia's Tautumeitas offering folk harmonies, and Italy's Lucio Corsi delivering a glam rock ballad reminiscent of David Bowie, exemplifying Eurovision's diverse musical landscape.

• Themes of resilience and hope are prevalent, with entries like Ukraine's 'Bird Of Pray' amidst ongoing conflict, and Israel's 'New Day Will Rise', which reflects on personal and national tragedies through haunting ballads and stirring performances.