Eurovision is on! Our editors' top 10 picks

A Russian colleague is 100% certain his homeland will take the crown - and he's not just being patriotic. I think he may be on to something! There's a lot to unpack in "You are the Only One" by Sergei Lazarev; his video suggests we can expect an extravagant stage show with computer animation recalling last year's winner, Måns Zelmerlöw, with his song, "Heroes," but is even more spectacular. - Rick

"Midnight Gold," the pure indie rock contribution by Young Georgian Lolitaz, provides a welcome fresh break from the usual female solo acts with fluttering hair from that country. Another charming exception to this rule came in 2014 with the ethnic fusion jazz collective The Shin and Mariko, which unfortunately failed to qualify in the finals. I dearly hope Lolitaz does. - Silke

Born to a Moroccan father and a Tunisian-Spanish mother, Amir was born in France, lived in Israel and was an oral surgeon before he traded in his tools to become a singer. Truly multi-cultural and diverse, Amir's song entry, "J'ai cherché" is even one sung in two languages. The song has a nice beat, a solid composition and the refrain is one that sticks in your brain for hours afterward. - Rick

A hit! The band Highway really delivers with their song "The Real Thing." Combining heavy sounds and rock with electro-dubstep elements, it will definitely not meet the tastes of the majority, yet these guys have created something that truly stands out from what we usually hear from southern European countries. - Silke

Argo combines world beat, folk, pop and rap. "Utopian land" gives the impression they want to please everyone, but that doesn't hurt the song. All elements fit well together: rapped verses are spoken in a rarely used Greek dialect, accompanied by traditional instruments. Granted, the utopian chorus lyrics in English aren't that subtle, but idealism can't harm Greece and Europe these days. - Silke

Zoë is the daughter of Christof Straub, the founder of Papermoon, and the art of French chanson singing runs through her veins. She has a magical smile and her chanson, "Loin d'ici," evokes images of a paradise filled with flowers. The song is one-of-a-kind, simultaneously fantastic and powerful. - Rick

Jamala gives us goose bumps with "1944," a very strong song with unusual vocals. It's against the cruelty of war, pleading for more humanity. She sings in English and Ukrainian, her voice is highlighted by arrangements and is often left standing alone. There are no frills, no effects to distract us from the song: To a peaceful future! -Silke

The land of the Eurovision Song Contest champions. This year's entry, 17-year-old Frans sings "If I were Sorry," a story of a love betrayed - and he does it with striking wisdom. Already at the age of seven, Frans was remarkable as a pop singer. Serious and believable, the song speaks to its listeners; as soon as it's over, it will leave you wanting more… -Rick

Am I giving my adopted homeland preferential treatment when I say I like this year's entry? Jamie-Lee Kriewitz has everything needed to pull ahead of the pack -- and she's just 17! A mature, nuanced voice combined with unusual Manga-inspired outfits; while her outfit appears artificial, the young singer does not. Her song "Ghost" makes sense. And don't forget: the strong backdrop. - Rick

What's left to say about Jamie-Lee? Too bad we can only enjoy the young talent in the final. She makes the most of her appearance and her voice when she performs "Ghost." Personally, I find a more challenging song could have been written for Jamie-Lee, but it will certainly convince the Eurovision audience for her to finish this time - I swear! - among the top 15 or even in the top 10. - Silke