Despite several users not giving points to a single ESC reject, it appears the effort was futile. People are allowed to vote however they feel for whatever reason. There won't be penalties as long as the votes are valid.
There will be
specific reasons that the NNMC Council won't endorse. With the rules the contest have in place, this is disappointing behavior. But keep on keeping on.
For the record,
the rule on ESC rejects is staying. React to that however you want. There's only ever been three winners of this category out of 63 editions (none won last year). And the last few editions have proven that being a ESC reject is not a guaranteed win and/or AQ (
Jezinky?
Calle de la Lloreria?), and it's not even a 100% guarantee for a qualification as we've seen this edition.
My
. So underrated. Does not deserve last. It's a solid banger. However, you narrowly qualified in your semifinal, so this should've been expected.
Personally, this should've stayed in the semifinals, so this is my personal last place. Like Hong Kong, you also barely qualified, so this low place is also expected.
Tbh, I haven't like an entry from Monaco this much in a while. I enjoy this song. I wish it placed higher.
My
. This is a ESC reject I enjoyed. This is far better than San Marino's song imo.
My
. Aww. This is one of my favorites. A shame it's placed so low.
For a Portuguese-Brazilian-esque banger, this was a little weak, but it still has its place here in the final. I like it. The ridiculously short length still throws me off.
I don't think the song was that much of a banger to begin with. I wanted more peaks and valleys in terms of the song's energy level.
A solid bop. The drop is actually good for a quieter electronic song. Well done.
This was a song I would've been fine with if it got left behind in the semis. You also narrowly qualified, so I was a little lukewarm on this.
This song is fun. I like it. Not enough for my points, but I enjoy it nonetheless.
Hawa Boussim has had much stronger songs in the past, but it does not take away the fact that she is a true African queen. NNMC is blessed to have her here.
My
. For a song that also narrowly qualified (you placed 8th in the semi, but two points ahead of the 10th), this is a good placement. I'm also a fan of this song, so well done.
Too laid back for my liking, but I see the appeal. It's a little catchy. I mid-table place really is where it belongs.
This is overhyped from the moment this was announced as the Greek entry. That drop is lackluster and everything else is underwhelming. To each their own.
The AQ's slayed this edition, starting with you. It's an awesome Vietnamese banger that an artist like Toc Tien would serve. Not enough for my Top 10, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
This was awesome at first listen, but it eventually grew off me. It narrowly missed out on my Top 10. It deserves the result it got imo.
My
. This is just so cool. I'm really liking UK's rock/punk/industrial era at the moment. If you continue to serve songs of such strong quality, I may continue to keep voting for the UK.
Another AQ that slayed. So majestic and powerful. Not powerful enough for a Top 10, but it was in the cusp. Well done.
My
. This is not fair! You won your semi, so there's reason to believe you deserve to be in the top tier of the final. This song is a true example of a banger and deserves a much much higher placement.
Lava is still Sara Jo's best song. This one... I like the approach to this musically, but it leaves more to be desired. Regardless, this being 11th is the highest I would've pushed this.
My
! Japan, I love you so much right now! Keep slaying! All three of Japan's entries this year have been exceptional. Congrats on another Top 10.
Between "Ciao ciao" and "Chimica," I prefer "Chimica," but credit to this song, too since it's pretty good in itself. Congrats also on your first Top 10, fra!
So so so pleased this did so well. I knew it was a banger the moment I first listened to it. It was such a scramble to be in my Top 10, and this sadly got left out, but I still rooted for this do great. I look forward to more slayage in the future.
My
. Absolute high quality. My personal winner. A strong, solid, sassy, and funky bop that has a solid place in my playlist. I hope Mexico stays at least for a while because I can sense more quality tracks coming.
My
. Another solid banger. This song snapped and went above my expectations. Congratulations on 6th place.
Not one of my favorites, but I do respect it a lot. It's another solid club track. After "Tatoué", Moldova and tattoos are a good combination to do well in NNMC it seems.
Tbh... this is overrated.
I come off as a hypocrite now after my monologue at the top of the post. However, when you have a masterpiece like Slovenia's entry be denied a spot in the final, I have free rein to go off on the other ESC rejects if I want. I like how campy it sounds while being a polished banger. 4th though? When you have Andorra, Mexico, and Israel in the same field? Naur. Still, I'm happy for Ivo that they got their best result since "Battery."
WAIT, WHAT? How the fuck does a country like Philippines manage to get an AQ streak going? I don't recall the last time (if ever) an AQ streak has happened in the era when only the Top 3 countries in the Grand Final become AQ. With that said... this song really is a banger, and I would've given points to this if I hadn't been the one to send this.
The fact that I received the most 12's in the final is really telling of how loved this this. Thank you so much for so many points. I look forward to sharing more Filipino music (native and diaspora) in the upcoming NS.
It would've been iconic if Tsar B got to join the two-time winner club. Sadly, it's not meant to be. This was another song that was incredibly close to being in my Top 10. I have a feeling that just like "Rattlesnake", this song is going to grow on me with time. Belgium's impressive Top 10 streak continues! Congrats, Luiri (and Chante for the RV). Also, don't be too bitter. Norway 12'd you.
My
. I will come out and say that I did see the win coming the moment this was announced as the Norwegian entry. It does not take away the fact that the song is good. Clearly, a majority of people thought the same, enough to provide a win. I was blown away the first time I heard it. It grew off me a little bit, but it barely stayed in my Top 10 because I couldn't see another song above it. If there's anything for me to critique on this, it's that it's a formulaic power ballad. Congratulations, Gregory. You deserve to celebrate.
Thoughts on the semifinals results:
You were so close, Jess. T_T
Score-wise, also another close one.
What the hell happened? I legit thought this was safely qualifying after the initial reception to this song. It didn't even do well in the RotW vote. Maybe those people failed to turn out and vote for this.
These not qualifying is audacious. These songs aren't blank-worthy in any way. I would've swapped Netherlands, Greece, San Marino, and Moldova for them.
I'll say it again. Should've sent TAEYEON. I'm still bitter that didn't win.
I hear this everywhere in the radio now. It's underrated imo.
Still sad this didn't make it.