The Hardest Entry to Pin Down Musically: World Media Reaction on Ukraine’s Eurovision Performance
Ukraine’s 2025 Eurovision entry “Bird of Pray” by alternative rock trio Ziferblat has stirred strong reactions across international media, praised for its daring musical style and emotional depth.
While Austria ultimately won the contest in Basel on May 17, Ukraine secured a solid 9th place finish with 218 points, bolstered by 156 public vote points despite a lower jury ranking, The Gaze reports.
CNN lauded the entry as “bold – it might be the hardest entry to pin down musically,” calling it an “acquired taste” but also “very daring, bold, but beautiful.” The outlet noted its theatrical costume design and unpredictable melody, which “never end up quite where you’d expect.”
American media outlet Vulture highlighted Ukraine’s consistency in the competition over the last decade, saying it “has been the most consistent Eurovision nation of the decade so far, never finishing lower than sixth.”
Though they noted that “Bird of Pray” may not have struck the same emotional chord as past entries, they still gave Ukraine credit for its “outside-of-the-box” approach.
EuroNews defended Ukraine’s recent success from accusations of “sympathy votes,” stating: “Let’s be honest: the songs have slapped (politically, emotionally, and sonically).”
Of “Bird of Pray,” they wrote: “This year’s entry is no exception,” praising the track’s lyrical exploration of loss, separation, and hope. The song’s central metaphor, a bird symbolizing freedom and survival, ties the track to Ukraine’s wartime reality.
Lead singer Valentyn Leshchynskyi told Eurovision fansite Wiwibloggs, “It’s about the problems we go through, the tragedy of the last three years.” The song’s arrangement moves from “ethereal female vocals” to “hypnotic Ukrainian chants” and finally to a “full-on musical theatre” climax.
The performance gained emotional resonance following news that Khrystyna Starykova, a 19-year-old backing vocalist for Ziferblat, lost her home in Myrnohrad due to Russian shelling during rehearsals in Switzerland. She later shared photos of the devastation online, underscoring the track’s real-life weight.
Sky News noted Ukraine’s history in the competition, calling it a “strong contender,” with three past wins and a third-place finish last year.
Though the grand prize went to Austria’s JJ with “Wasted Love,” Ukraine’s emotionally charged, genre-defying entry once again affirmed the country’s unique place in the Eurovision landscape.
As The Gaze previously reported, Ukraine’s entry, the band “Ziferblat”, finished 9th overall with a respectable 218 points.