After two years finishing at the bottom of the table in the Eurovision semifinals, the Mediterranean island nation of Malta will definitely be keen to make its way back into the grand final this year in Basel.
From 24 acts initially competing to represent Malta in their national final process, MESC, the top 16 have now made it through a competitive semi-final process to win their place in the MESC grand final.
Ahead of the grand final tomorrow morning in Australia, the Aussievision team has listened to all 16 songs, and ranked them in order from favourite to least favourite, with points being allocated at a rate of 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 4, 2 and 0. Tie-breaks are decided by selecting the song with more sets of 12 points, or by working down from 12 points until a split can be found.
Check out below to see which songs scored highly with our team!
10. Justin Shorfid – Still I Rise (24 points, tiebreak rules applied)
Highs: 7 points from Joel
Lows: 0 points from Dale, Emma, Fleur, Hayley and Kiel, 1 point from Liv
9. Dario Bezzina ft. Joseph Il-Muni - Għażliet (27 points)
Highs: 7 points from Liv, 6 points from Dale
Lows: 0 points from Emma, Hayley, Jamie, Joel, John Christian and Kiel
8. Krista Šujak - Unheard (30 points)
Highs: 7 points from Fleur, 6 points from Kiel
Lows: 0 points from Emma, Joel and Troy, 1 point from Hayley and Laura
7. The Alchemists - Rubble and Stone (32 points)
Highs: 8 points from Kiel, 7 points from Hayley
Lows: 0 points from Craig, Fleur, John Christian, Laura, Liv and Troy
6. Stefan Galea - Lablab (Talk Talk) (51 points)
Highs: 10 points from Fleur, 8 points from Dale
Lows: 0 points from Hayley, Jamie, John Christian and Liv
"It's a bit dated but there's something about this little ethno-EDM number that I find quite appealing. I quite enjoy the 80s synth-pop staging. It has potential." ~Fleur
5. Victoria - Juno (59 points)
Highs: 10 points from Joel, 8 points from Jamie and Troy
Lows: 0 points from Emma, Fleur and Kiel
"This song is Eurovision-ready in every way - thrilling staging, stunning costumes, a strong melody, and soaring high notes that leave a lasting impression." ~Joel
4. JVF - Festa (No Time for Siesta) (68 points)
Highs: 10 points from Craig, John Christian and Kiel
Lows: 0 points from Hayley
"This is high camp and I love it, but under no circumstances should Malta send this to Eurovision (Malta, don't you dare). The drunk wedding choreography, the slightly schizophrenic cuts at the start, and the dated, camp production are all music to my ears. I'm falling in love with Valalalalaletta!" ~Craig
"Up there with Kantera as the funnest track of the lot, this has the English chorus to edge it ahead and is certain to be a fun light-hearted bop if it gets to Basel. That is, if it can stop the Kant express." ~Kiel
"I think the fandom has underestimated this supergroup. This song feels more of a summer vibe, and with two former Eurovision artists in it, that could be a dark horse contender for qualification. If neither Kant, Heaven Sent, nor Kantera wins it, this might be the entry. I swear that it would be better than the three previous entries the country had sent, and if it qualifies to the Grand Final, I predict somewhere in the middle of the scoreboard." ~John Christian
3. Kristy Spiteri - Heaven Sent (93 points)
Highs: 12 points from Jamie and Joel, 10 points from Dale
Lows: 2 points from Emma
"I’m not usually a fan of opera-lite music (sorry, Kate Miller-Heidke!), so I’m surprised by how much I love this song. That chorus is *seriously* catchy—it’s been stuck in my head for hours! This one should rack up plenty of votes." ~Joel
"Oh my god the chorus is so damn catchy and the mix of dance popera is both bizarre and brilliant. Her vocal is also out of this wordl! I'm also slightly obsessed with that last one minute where the BPM increases to the point that she looks and the song sounds like it's in x2 speed." ~Dale
"This is one of my favourite songs so far of the National Finals for 2025. Kristy has such an amazing flawless voice and reaches the high notes with ease. You can also see the influence from 1 of the songwriters - Teya (part of Teya & Salena - Who the Hell is Edgar - Austria ESC 2023) in this song. If this wins MESC, then Malta will be a definite Grand Final qualifier." ~Jamie
2. Kantera - Lalaratatakeke Lalaratakabum (106 points)
Highs: 12 points from John Christian, Laura and Liv, 10 points from Emma, Hayley, Jamie and Troy
Lows: 2 points from Fleur
"This probably gives Malta their best chance at a qualification this year. I can’t say the song’s title without singing it, it’s just that fun! I love the traditional instruments and Kantera performs this song very well!" ~Laura
"This is the track playing at Bilbo’s birthday after party, with hobbits drunk and stumbling about the place. While not my personal fav for the win, I think it could steal the moment." ~Troy
"Not my personal taste, but this is 1000% the song that Malta should pick for Eurovision (indeed, I think they would be leaving televote points on the table if they don't). Fun, energetic, and made for a Eurovision semifinal televote." ~Craig
"This could be a lot of fun at Eurovision and the chorus is just made for shouting out by the masses. There are some similarities to Ladaniva's Jako and Zdob si Zdub's Trenulețul so this could definitely do very well for Malta at Eurovision." ~Emma
"Nine of the last ten editions of Eurovision Malta has sent a pop girlie and I think it's time for Malta to shake it up a bit and surprise the public. Give into folk fusion and let Europe enjoy this delightful little number." ~Liv
"This is such a catchy folk song performed in the Maltese language and will be very popular amongst the public vote. Even gauging the studio audiences response during the MESC semi-final the crowd absolutely love it!!!! It would not surprise me to see this winning MESC." ~Jamie
"This should be the song Malta needs for Basel if they want to get out of the misery of three non-qualifications in a row. It's catchy, cheery, fun, and full of Maltese, too, way better than last year's Junior Eurovision entry for Malta. It's more than half a century since the country sent a song in their national language, and it's high time to bring it back." ~John Christian
"This is so absolutely delightful and I really think this is Malta's best chance at a qualification!" ~Hayley
1. Miriana Conte - Kant (119 points)
Highs: 12 points from Craig, Dale, Emma, Fleur, Hayley, Kiel and Troy, 10 points from Laura and Liv
Lows: 1 point from Joel
"Maybe it's not the best song or the best vocal but it gets my 12 points for overall impression. Yes, I love the play on words of course and I am obsessed with the Sound of Music to sexercize balls staging, however it also has some really great little pop musical moments. The chorus build up to that word is fantastic and it's a lot more contemporary compared to other entries. Sign me up to Kant, I'm sold." ~Dale
"I had no idea how they were going to stage this, but good god this is wonderful, wonderful trash. Miriana dressed as Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music serving kant is one for the history books. I don't think they should send this to Eurovision, but this will rightly go down as an all-time iconic national final entry." ~Craig
"The censors be damned! This glorious cross-language pun needs to be celebrated! Immanuel Kant said “to be is to do” and I think that means you have to be a Kant to serve Kant. Work it, Miriana!" ~Troy
"Easily the pick here. Queen Miriana demands that ticket to Basel. It is probably one of the 2 songs that is closest to being Eurovision ready. For a televote only semi-final, this is the chance that Malta needs to take. This woman is serving." ~Fleur
"Please tell me I’m not the only one that dislikes that Kant song? It’s a mess, but not the hot variety. Words that come to mind are undercooked, one note, immature, trainwreck. I just don’t get the hype yet. Maybe I’ll be proved wrong after a few more listens?" ~Joel
"Where do I even begin? I never thought I needed a performance with costume-changes, Von Trapp children and exercise balls(?!?!?!) in my life but here we are! Miriana Conte has pulled out all the stops to make this performance memorable and cheeky, it’s fantastic!" ~Laura
"What else?! This has already become a track on everyone's lips because of its title and chorus, you can't tell me everyone wants to be singing this either in the arena or at home. We know the only way is up for Malta after last year, and this will definitely get them close to a grand final return!" ~Kiel
"Miriana is definitely serving c in her performance of this song. The song on its own doesn't do much for me but her performance at MESC has everything and I mean everything. With clever choreography and camera shots, this is ready to go to Eurovision now...send it please Malta!" ~Emma
"While I do have my concerns that this song (well the lyrics) would be allowed at Eurovision I cannot deny HOW FRICKING CATCHY it is. It can be in my head for days. If this doesn't go to Basel, it will be one of the most iconic NF songs ever. She slayed that MESC performance and she has heaps of sass. Queen." ~Hayley
"As an Aussie I approve this usage of "c*nt"" ~Liv
Other Songs
The rankings of the remaining 6 finalists were as follows:
Adria Twins – Qalb ma’ Qalb (24 points, tiebreak rules applied)
Kurt Calleja - Aziz/a (21 points)
Raquela - Silenced (13 points)
Nathan Psiola - Concrete (11 points)
Martina Borg - Yo Listen (9 points, tiebreak rules applied)
Mark Anthony Bartolo - Hideaway (9 points, tiebreak rules applied)
The grand final of MESC 2025 will take place tomorrow morning in Australia (Saturday evening in Europe), during which we will find out who has won the all-important Maltese ticket to Eurovision.
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