Eurovision 2025: Austria's Win and Competition Highlights

Izzie Claudio
Jun 2
6 min read

Cover photo by Quejaytee

"Tonight we are having a very special welcome home party because Switzerland is the birthplace of the Eurovision Song Contest. Back in 1956, this show was created to unite the world through music," says host, and former Eurovision contestant, Sandra Studer. Nearly 70 years later, that mission lives on. The 69th annual Eurovision Song Contest returned to its roots in Basel, Switzerland, where 2024 champion Nemo helped set the stage for an unforgettable night. After a thrilling week of semifinals, the grand final delivered show-stopping performances, moving tributes, and a heart-pounding finish as the winner was revealed.

This year, 37 countries took the stage, bringing powerful ballads, fiery dance anthems, and plenty of unforgettable earworms. However, there can only be one winner. The voice that rose to the top this year? Austria.

"Wasted Love" - JJ (Austria)

Johannes Pietsch, known professionally as JJ, has an out-of-this-world ethereal voice. He studies classical music in Vienna and brought his chops to the Eurovision stage this year. JJ is a countertenor, which means he can hit notes that are found in the soprano range. His vocal talent makes for a performance that will leave your jaw on the floor. What starts as gentle, beautifully builds into an explosive release of emotion. Visually, JJ explores the theme of unrequited love through an aquatic lens. During his performance, he stood on a small boat, tossed around by the tumultuous waves of wasted love.

"I'm an ocean of love and you're scared of water"

He boasted his impressive range with a booming chorus that lived in the classical soprano world. Just when it seemed he had reached his highest note, he took it even further. The last 30 seconds of the song dove into a dynamic switch I would never have expected on first listen. A techno beat emerged from the depths, using one of JJ's high notes as a synth stab. With a final count of 436 votes, Austria sailed to the top as the winner of Eurovision 2025.

Out of the 26 finalists, there was an awesome range of sounds and performances. It's hard to narrow down a few to highlight, but let's begin with a fan favorite performance.

"Espresso Macchiato" - Tommy Cash (Estonia)

Outrageously fun and delightfully bizarre, Tommy Cash brought his signature eccentricity to the Eurovision stage this year with an ode to coffee. Known for his boundary-pushing blend of rap and electronic music, Cash has collaborated with avant-pop producer A.G. Cook and appeared on Charli XCX’s “Delicious,” making him no stranger to hard-hitting, unconventional beats. For Eurovision, however, he leaned even further into his surrealist flair, delivering a tarantella-inspired melody that quickly lodged itself in listeners’ heads.

Bouncy beats, a brassy atmosphere, and a full theatrical presentation set the stage for an instant Euro-pop classic. Cash’s Eurovision performance further elevated the comedic tone of his tune, complete with dancers dressed as bodyguards and a “fan” jumping onstage to dance alongside him before getting dragged off.

"Mi like mi coffee very importante / No time to talk e scusi / My days are very busy / And I just own this little ristorante"

Cash is unapologetically himself, and that spirit radiated through every note of his performance. He leads with a fearlessness, which allows him to enjoy making music for the sake of making music. While some claim his song is not worthy of third place in the final rankings, many emphasize that the comedic songs can be just as iconic as the booming ballads. Cash and his song are a reminder to let loose! His unique use of visual media and delightfully silly dance moves make it hard not to crave “Espresso Macchiato.”

"Volevo essere un duro" - Lucio Corsi (Italy)

Lucio Corsi, born and raised in the Tuscany region of Italy, brought a blend of thoughtful lyricism and glam rock flair to the Eurovision stage. The lights came up on Corsi seated at a piano, reflecting on the tough-guy persona he once aspired to. “Però non sono nessuno,” he said. “I’m nobody though.” Through a sweeping melody, Corsi reminded listeners of the strength we carry within, even when the world tries to tear us down. He embodied this message in his artist persona, embracing flashy jackets and distinctive makeup. His authenticity shone through in this emotional meditation on identity and resilience.

“Vivere la vita è un gioco da ragazzi (Living life is easy) / Me lo diceva mamma ed io cadevo giù dagli alberi (that’s what my mom used to tell me as I fell from trees) / Quanto è duro il mondo per quelli normali (How tough the world is for the ordinary ones) / Che hanno poco amore intorno o troppo sole negli occhiali (Who have little love around them or too much sun in their glasses)”

Notably, Corsi was the only contestant to include a translation of his lyrics. Eurovision is watched all around the world, and official translations are rarely displayed onscreen, barring many from understanding the deeper meaning of the song. Emphasizing its message, “Volevo essere un duro” is more than what we hear on the surface. The lyrics tell a full story and are sonically paired with glorious strings and an electric guitar that elevates the power of the tune. “I’m nothing but Lucio,” he says.

"Zjerm" - Shkodra Elektronike (Albania)

Shkodra Elektronike is a music project led by Kolë Laca and Beatriçe Gjergji, and in the months leading up to Eurovision, “Zjerm” quickly rose to the top for me. “Zjerm” translates to “fire” in English, which is fitting for such an emotionally charged song. The foundations of the song are built upon traditional Balkan rhythms. The çifteli, a traditional northern Albanian instrument, rings out at the top of the song, establishing the driving force of Albanian culture.

Albanian culture lay at the heart of “Zjerm.” Laca and Gjergji expertly explored two sides of reality: the world as it is, and the world as it could be. Gjergji painted a vision of hope, describing an ideal future where the oceans were clean, war was absent, and love overflowed. The chorus erupted with pulsing beats, traditional drums, and soaring strings as she pushed her voice to new heights, fiercely defending her dream. Then came Laca’s turn to ground the song in reality. He described a world engulfed in “Zjerm,” fire sweeping across the land, consuming the very hope she longed for. But, fire also has the power to light our way; the light we've been searching for.

“Zjerm, jena t'untë për flakë e dritë (Fire, we crave for flame and light) / E t'kërkojmë n'kyt terr që s'pran' tuej shndritë (And we search for you in this darkness that refuses to shine on you)"

The song returned to Gjergji’s heartfelt plea, as the chorus of instruments, both traditional and modern, echoed the uncertainty of the future. Albania was yet another standout this year, delivering heart, heritage, and powerful lyricism to the Eurovision stage.

"Asteromata" - Klavdia (Greece)

Klavdia brought a powerful song to Eurovision, oozing with storytelling. Her passionate vocals only elevate the poetry present in her lyrics. The performance began intimately, with only her voice echoing in our ears. Slowly, the atmosphere builds, and a story of grief, mourning, and understanding is given center stage. Then, the music cries with her for a moment, the kind of note that hits you square in the heart. A sonic supernova, Klavdia sings with all her heart, comforting us and crying with us: “my star, my precious light” she says.

Klavdia captures the emotional battle of a mother grieving her missing son. She sings for those who have been forced to leave their homelands. In her beautifully crafted live performance and music video, she embraces the duality of these elements. She sings with the power of fire, the gentle flow of water, the grounded nature of the earth, and the soaring heights of the air.

“Γλυκιά μου μάνα μην μου κλαις (My sweet mother, do not weep for me) / Καράβι είναι η ζωή μου (My life's a vessel, drifting free) / Που ψάχνει για τον γυρισμό (Forever searching for its home) / Αγέρα το πανί μου (The wind, its sail at sea)”