We are getting close to Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision Eesti Laul 2016, which kicks off on February 13. In recent weeks the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has been listening and reviewing all of the songs. Next up are Kati Laev & Noorkuu with their song “Kaugel sinust”. They’re bringing us some fairytale drama in the magical Estonian language. Did we follow the beat of their drums? Read about it below!
KATI LAEV & NOORKUU — “KAUGEL SINUST”
“KAUGEL SINUST” REVIEWS
Mikhail: What a dramatic song! These magical drums make me believe in something. I can imagine it with some huge performance in theatre. Since the very first minute it reminded me of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. There is everything: an amazing ball on New Year’s Eve, clocks are ticking, a blizzard outside and a huge battle with rats! That’s right! Slay those enemies! Indeed a remarkable composition.
Score: 8.5/10
Robyn: This song would get off to a much better start if it dropped the “Rise Like a Phoenix” soundalike orchestral sting. With Eesti Laul going for really fresh, contemporary music, something like this is a reminder of how things used to be at the national final and, in a way, still are.
Score: 6/10
Josh: The beginning of the song is so dramatic that it literally sounds like a blatant copy of “Rise Like a Phoenix” but it then mellows out into something quite orchestral and interesting. It’s like a mesh of “Randajad” from 2009, Swan Lake and James Bond. It’s an interesting mix. Not my favourite, but with clever staging it could be really elevated and do quite well.
Score: 6/10
Deban: This track starts with a SLAY! Kati Laev builds suspense and drama with her haunting voice. The orchestral backing adds a richer texture to the song structure, whilst making the entire presentation decidedly vintage Eurovision. Eesti Laul proves with”Kaugel Sinust” that it is the one-stop shop for classics.
Score: 8.5/10
Patrick: The drama…. my God, it could be from the ’80s book of Eurovision. First of all, she is a beautiful young girl but she sings like reincarnated Willeke Alberti in a young body. Mama mia, this would be too much for Eurovision and people would fall asleep, I mean what can she do on the stage? Meanwhile I grab some cushions and take a nap. NEXT!
Score: 2/10
Bogdan: Oh, the drama! If performed well, this has the potential to sound — and look — amazing on the Eesti Lauul stage. However, will it make it to Stockholm? I doubt it. In a year dominated by modern, alternative and electropop gems, this throwback song should consider itself lucky if it makes it to the final.
Score: 6/10
George: When the intro is over, I was really expecting to hear “waking in the rubble”, but “Kaugel Sinust” came instead. It’s a really nice song and that orchestral backing fits perfectly. I don’t know if it’s going to win Eesti Laul, but I know that I want Sam Smith’s 007 song replaced with this one…
Score: 8.5/10
Antranig: “Kaugel Sinust” sounds like a really cheap version of “Randajad”. It brings forth plenty of drama and it takes me to a lot of unexpected places. This isn’t one of my favourite entries in the field but it’s certainly one of the best ones sung in Estonian, so if they want to sing in their own tongue then look no further.
Score: 7/10
Sinan: Conchita is that you? (From the beginning) Oh yes! I like that song, it sounds really good. But I don’t think it is exactly right for Eurovision. People are going to sleep when it’s performed on the stage, especially if it follows an upbeat song.
Score: 3/10
Zakaria: I love the drama the orchestra brings to the song. However, I find the song very repetitive and Kati’s voice is very rigid and doesn’t really fit. I’d rather hear Sandra Nurmsalu singing it.
Score: 3/10
“KAUGEL SINUST” SCORES
Angus: 3/10
Luis: 5/10
Renske: 7.5/10
Cristian: 1/10
Anthony: 7/10
Bernardo: 5.5/10
Kristin: 8/10
Denise: 3/10
William: 2/10
Dayana: 6/10
The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 1 and a high of 8.5.
Loved this song from the very first listen. May not be perfect for Stockholm but still a brilliant entry.
Oh damn the drama! Though maybe, too much drama…like this should be on the soundtrack for some form of 60s spy film. From the dramatic opening, to the sneaky little piano taps midway, to a very “New York New York” chorus? I think? It’s a bit all over the place for me, none of them places being Eurovision, though.
Score: 2.5/10
We all know that this is one of millions weak, neuter craps. If you do not have an idea for staging, you have no chance in this contest.
I don’t know what is wrong with your ears. This song is pure perfection. Her beautiful, haunting voice is giving me goosebumps. The song is really memorable and sounds evergreen. I hope Estonian people will send this.
I get why somebody would like this song, but honestly I think if it won esti laul it would not pass the semi of ESC as the televoters would forget it.
One of the most memorable songs from Eesti Laul, and part of the reason why it’s got the most good songs this year. The overall quality might be below Denmark, but with 20 songs, including stompers like this… loving EL2016.
This is another one I’ve become more fond of – 8/10
I’m so in love with this song! It’s one of my favourites (my third!). It reminds me to a 007 song! 10/10 <3<3<3<3
Actually I have 5 songs that have a score of 10, lol. Eesti Laul is doing so well!