Serbia Dunja Jelicic JESC 2016 Junior Eurovision

Today the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — travelled to Belgrade and walked the streets in our best Moje 3 inspired looks. The high heels hurt our feet and we needed a rest, so we decided to review Serbia’s entry for Junior Eurovision 2016. Did Dunja Jelicic get us back on our feet with “U La La La”? Read on to find out…

Serbia’s Junior Eurovision 2016 song

“U La La La” reviews – Dunja Jelicic

Jordi: This is just the entry I was waiting for. I can’t stop playing it. Serbia brings us an uptempo, urban song with powerful vocals. By reproducing some of the choreography from the videoclip, this could really slay in Malta. I only have one complaint – I don’t want it to end! I want more U La La La.

Score: 9.5/10

Bernardo: “U La La La” catches your attention and keeps you hooked until the very last note. The production quality should wow you, as should Dunja’s deep and powerful vocals. She is so competent for her age. Soul baby, soul!  This will be a stand out performance in Malta. Slay Dunja! And let’s dance when you’re done…

Score: 8/10

Chris: Far and away the best “pop” entry in this year’s contest, “U La La La” had me on first listen. I don’t think it holds up well on repeat listens, but that shouldn’t hurt its chances on the night. Dunja kills it in the video and I’m expecting great things from her on stage in Malta. Surrounded by ballads and down-tempo numbers, this could snatch the crown by standing out in a good way.

Score: 8.5/10

Jason: Wow, I was not expecting this. For such a cute girl, Dunja has a lovely deep tone to her voice, and I for one love it! “U La La La” is upbeat, catchy and totally memorable. It has universal appeal and this will help it in Malta. Good job Serbia!

Score: 8.5/10

Deban: Disco with grit — I love this! Dunja’s vocal range is impressive. She starts off very low, takes it higher and storms the beat with her pipes throughout. No doubt this entry will stand out in Malta. “U La La La” is fun. It calls me to the dance floor — and I can’t help but answer.

Score: 7/10

Josh: Serbia is notorious for sending simplistic, sweet ballads to Junior Eurovision, but not this year! Dunja’s “U La La La” is child-friendly, catchy, memorable and danceable. I’m a tad worried about how low the start of the song is, and how that will go live. But I’m thrilled that Serbia has finally decided to submit an upbeat song.

Score: 8/10

Mario: This song puts a smile on my face! “U La La La” sounds like a pastiche of ballad, funk and soul — and it most definitely works! The songwriter Leontina Vukomanovic, joined by another (Junior) Eurovision powerhouse Vladimir Grajic, has done a great job thinking outside the box. If Serbia keeps the swag and teen-friendly feel, as seen in the video clip, this could do miracles in Malta.

Score: 7/10

serbia-dunja-jelicic-jesc-2016-junior-eurovision

Robyn: With all the JESC songs that have serious messages or that try to be serious dance tracks, it’s just nice to find a classic disco jam. Dunja is a total disco diva and she delivers a soulful vocal. “U La La La” is a highly infectious track, and just really well done in every aspect.

Score: 8/10

William: Energy, optimism, a head-bobbing beat — I la la love it! The song is urban and fresh, and harks back to pre-jury Eurovision when countries were happy to throw down ethno dance tracks. And boy does young Dunja do that, sounding like a proper disco diva in the process. She serves a big voice with a healthy side of attitude and it’s totally captivating.

Score: 8/10

Zakaria: The song and the video are fun to watch and listen to, plus Dunja has a very soulful, mature voice. But I can’t say this song is my favourite — it gets too repetitive towards the end with all that “U La La La”. I fear this may get lost and forgotten during the show.

Score: 5.5/10

Our jury for 2016 consists of 21 jurors, but we only have room for ten reviews. The remaining 11 scores are listed below.

serbia-dunja-jelicic-jesc-2016-junior-eurovision-3Andy: 6/10

Antony: 9/10

Antranig: 7/10

Dayana: 7/10

Edd: 8/10

Luis: 7.5/10

Marek: 10/10

Matt: 4/10

Renske: 7.5/10

Rezo: 6/10

Stanislav: 9/10

The highest and lowest scores are removed prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 4 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury score: 7.63/10

Review all Wiwi Jury rankings and reivews

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Eva M.
Eva M.
7 years ago

Another top 5 for me. Dunia’s voice is a killer–I am still a little surprised when i hear the opening notes and her rich low notes–not the kind of voice you expect from a 13 year old girl. She projects an energy level that empowers an already strong song. My only complaint is that after a few hearings, I feel a bit tired of it. There are a lot of improvements lately, both Albania and Bulgaria releasing new and better versions. At this point Dunia is the most likely to fall off from my top 5, but I still consider the… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I loathe this song with a passion. The “uh la la la la la” is so cheap and annoying. A pure 0/10 from me, sorry. Review Poland and Italy please! <3

Jamaraqueer
Jamaraqueer
7 years ago

Two thumbs up. So much fun!

Erin
Erin
7 years ago

Top 5 for sure. This brings the party beat to a whole new level and Dunja easily shows how she masters her vocal range and how she grasps when and how much to inject a raspy and scratchy sounding voice and when to plat it cool and down-to-earth. The U-LA-LA-LA motif is a great magnet to have us coming back for more.
Could easily become Destiny’s title inheritor if adult juries appreciate fun and funk.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

This song sounds very complete and well-produced. Dunja’s voice is very good and sounds a bit like Destiny from last year. This song will do better than they did last year. It’s stuck in my head 🙂

8.5/10
Rank: 7/15

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I’m with Jordi on this one. By far the best upbeat pop song of the year. “U La La La” is ridiculously catchy. Its energy is so infectious that I don’t want it to stop playing. What’s more, Dunja’s voice sounds pretty powerful for her age. Serbia slays this year and if they don’t finish in the top 10 it will be a crime.

Score: 8.5/10
Rank: 4th/16

Narica Phano
Narica Phano
7 years ago

My top 5.
1- Macedonia
2- Ukraine
3- Albania
4- Bugaria
5- Serbia

Rhin
Rhin
7 years ago

She has very distinct voice. I find it super strange but likable and catchy. Curious how it will do. I believe that it will be in top 10 for sure but don’t dare place it too high knowing the competition 🙂

DenizNL
DenizNL
7 years ago

9/10

Loved it since the first listen.

Z24
Z24
7 years ago

An absolute 10/10 Balkans are killing in in Junior for a change! I feel this one could have the best production values of all songs. Infectious, poppy, accessible and fun, this is the whole package! It will be Serbis versus Macedonia.