#Melfest: Wiwi Jury reviews Isa with “Don’t Stop”

Today the Wiwi Jury hit Östersund on our Melodifestivalen tour of Sweden. While taking in the sights and sounds, we lent our ears to Melodifestivalen 2015 debutante Isa and her track ‘Don’t Stop’. Were we begging please don’t stop the music or just praying for an end to those three minutes? Read on to find out! 

Isa with “Don’t Stop”

http://youtu.be/UGLMMT4KnZM

Robyn: If Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” didn’t exist, “Don’t Stop” would be a massive pop moment. There’s so much rightness happening here – the song, the singer and the staging all hit the mark. But yet because of its resemblance to “Shake It Off” I can’t help compare it to the original. Isa’s great, but Isa ain’t no T-Swizzle.

Score: 7/10

Bogdan: I’m not going to repeat what Robyn said about “Shake It Off”, I’m just going to add that for me Isa’s vocals lack power and because of that I can hardly make out the lyrics sometimes. Isa wanted to be this year’s Ace Wilder at Melodifestivalen, but she is a very pale copy of the “Busy Doin’ Nothing” singer. The song may be OK, but I am not impressed.

Score: 3/10

William: This chick has enough energy to power the entire city of Stockholm! Her dance moves are FEROCIOUS, her vocals are ON POINT, and she MAKES ME WANT TO WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS. What a talent! That said, the song isn’t really lighting my fire. The opening of this bubble-gum-pop number reminds me of Malta’s 2009 Junior Eurovision entry “Double Trouble” from Franceska and Mikaela, and it lacks the thrust-boom-impact of Ace Wilder. Isa is going to be a huge star. But not because of this.

Score: 7/10

Deban: Look Sharp! is the theme of Isa’s punchy choreography.  I love the way she moves to the beat. Unfortunately, I am not equally swept away by the song.  “Don’t Stop” is a bit shouty, and doesn’t stamp a POW! on the listener. It’s fun when it’s on play, but forgotten as soon as it’s spun.

Score: 5/10

Padraig: I’m sorry people, but much and all as I love her, Taylor Swift did not invent sass-infused female led pop. And if people insist on comparing Isa to her, it’s just because both ladies are magnificent! The only fault I can find is that this is almost too bubbly and light. Once the wind machines are cranked up, this risks being blown away.

Score: 8/10

Billy: Is that the second generation of Ace Wilder? Isa sings “Don’t Stop”, which includes nasty lyrics such as “Don’t you ever stop” and “I’ll take you down down”, but also a distinctive rhythm and music. She proves that she can combine dancing and singing perfect, maybe even better than Ace. The running order of the final will determine her placing.

Score: 7/10

Denise: I still can’t believe that this girl is only 16 years old. Having such a great voice, dancing skills and stage presence at that age is just unbelievable. I love the song, it’s repetitive but not in the annoying way. You can sing along after the first hear which makes me scream and dance along as hard as I can.

Score: 9.5/10

Ron: Come on… Melodifestivalen songs always remind us of other songs, but this song is just too much! This song is almost identical one to one to “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift. Isa is nice, professional and looking good but it’s not enough, another song should have qualified to the final instead of this song.

Score: 2/10

Angus: She is fierce, she is fresh and she is FREAKING awesome! Every time I blast this at full volume I’m always disappointed it stops after three minutes. She lives, breathes and moves Melodifestivalen. Also those hi tops are #todiefor. For anyone asking how to debut at Melodifestivalen this should be the yard stick.

Score: 9.5/10

Sami: I like the song, but it reminds little bit of “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift. The performance is cool and very urban and Isa sings well. I can’t see this winning the final but I will listen to it after the contest for sure.

Score: 6.5/10

Wiwi Jury Verdict: 6.45/10

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