It’s our third Nordic country in just 4 days; Iceland came highest of any Nordic country in last year’s previews countdown, yet along with all the others (save host Sweden), failed to make it in the grand final. Eurofans still rate that non-qualification as one of the great Eurovision travesties of our time, but can the experienced Svala lead Iceland back to the final?

Well, judging from the position it’s got here, and some of the reviews and thoughts of Eurofans, she may well do. It’s hard to gauge how this will do though as she’s not been to any of the preview parties (she lives in Los Angeles so hardly surprising!) so aside from performances in the Icelandic national final, we haven’t got much to go on. Svala is a long time member of an electronic band, and that influence is very evident in her Eurovision song (co-written with her husband and two others).

This really should be the sort of entry I really like, with electropop being one of my favourite genres, but I just don’t quite connect with it – yet. Her voice does cut through like paper and not in a way I’m enjoying so far! That could change though when we see the performances and staging in Kyiv. On that basis, I struggle to call confidently whether this will make it to the final or not – we’ll have to wait and see!

Mum’s reaction: “Too shrill for me”; winced on big chorus note

Official music video:

Live at Icelandic national final:

Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest:

First entered: 1986

Appearances (excluding this year): 30

Best result: 2nd in 1999 and 2009

Last year’s result: 14th in semi-final (did not qualify)