The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2025. Next we review Norway, who have chosen Kyle Alessandro with “Lighter”.
Are we igniting a flame in support? Read on to find out!
Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter” (Norway Eurovision 2025)
Review: Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter”
Antranig: There’s a lot I like about Kyle Alessandro and “Lighter” — he’s a fantastic vocalist, performer and dancer, and I love the way the song builds through the opening verse. However, I just can’t look past the incredibly cheap pop drop that comes in, which feels like it was made by a twelve year old on a free music editing software. The song does somewhat redeem itself in the final part, with a much more compelling musical break leading into the final chorus. Overall, there are a lot of positives and praiseworthy elements here, but it just falls a little flat as a complete package.
Score: 6
Simon: It was clear from the beginning of MGP in Norway that “Lighter” was the one to send to Eurovision. Kyle is an amazing performer with great stage presence and energy and the song leans heavily into the well-known formula of recent years’ reggaeton-inspired songs. It’s a powerful anthem about overcoming big struggles — in Kyle’s case, his mother’s illness. In a year where a lot of entries rely on shock effect, it’s nice to have a straight on male pop banger in the mix. I’m hoping – and thinking – that Kyle could do well in the final and get Norway near to another top 10 finish.
Score: 9
William: Listen: I’m too old to enjoy this song. It targets a younger, more vibrant demographic that will, no doubt, appreciate the pace, rhythm, build and dance break. It has shades of K-pop in the instrumental section and seems in tune with what’s popular on certain youth-orientated music stations. And while this isn’t on my playlist, I appreciate how Kyle absolutely sells every second — and in stylish armour. His star is definitely on the rise.
Score: 3.5
Tom: First of all, I am delighted that Norway have taken a chance on a young artist like Kyle, he seems very talented. He can sing, dance and perform at the same time – honestly, no mean feat. However, the song feels like it has arrived from the early 2010s. It’s a little dated. We have heard it before and, arguably, better versions of a very similar style of song. “Be my own lighter” as a lyric feels a little forced also. Make no mistake, this song will probably qualify, it’s good, I never skip it when it plays. It just doesn’t set me on fire.
Score: 7
Norway Eurovision 2025 ranking
In the Eurovision 2025 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
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Andreas: 7.5 Bernardo: 7 Burak: 7 Cinan: 8.5 Deban: 5.5 Jonathan: 5.5 Jordi: 7.5 |
Lucy: 4 Pablo: 6.5 Ruxandra: 7 Scarlett: 3.5 Suzanne: 6 Tomas: 7 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a high of 9 and a low of 3.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.37/10
What do you think of Norway’s Eurovision 2025 entry? Share your own score and review for Kyle Alessandro’s “Lighter” below!
