Junior Eurovision sofia fisenko Russia JESC 2016 water of life project

Today the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — travelled to Moscow and had a personalised tour of The Kremlin by our favourite Eurovision bae, Sergey Lazarev. After eating our body weight in borscht we were feeling a bit tired, so livened things up by reviewing Russia’s entry for Junior Eurovision 2016. Did “Water of Life” from Sofia Fisenko and the Water of Life Project quench our thirst? Or did we just spit it out? Read on to find out…

Russia’s Junior Eurovision 2016 song

“Water of Life” reviews – Sofia Fisenko and the Water of Life Project

Andy: Arguably the catchiest song of this year’s competition.  The vocals are on point and these young ladies are bringing the tone and attitude of a Russian Little Mix. I’ve already listened to this song on repeat. It isn’t just pleasant to tap your foot to — it actually goes somewhere! Watch for this to do very well the night of the competition – and not just because it is Russia.

Score: 9/10

William: Call Mother Nature, send Aphrodite a telegraph and let Odin know the show is about to start — this song is a gift from the Gods, whoever your God may be. Crossing borders — of nation, of age, of musical taste — “Water of Life” has a tribal folk quality that grabs you and never lets go. The chorus feel spiritual and wouldn’t be out of place at a musical seance. If the dead could speak back, surely they’d say, “This could be the winner.” My only 10 of the year.

Score: 10/10

Deban: This revamped version breathes life into what was originally an excellent offering. Sofia Fisenko is an excellent team player who engages well with her backing vocalists, whilst capturing key moments to shine as a soloist. “Water Of Life” is the entry that ticks all the boxes and then some. Russia’s commitment to everything Eurovision is evident yet again. If there’s any justice in this game, this should peak within the top three.

Score: 10/10

Chris: Oh, I love this song so much. It’s like Sokal 2.0 and then some. Sofia and the rest of the Water of Life Project should be very proud of themselves. Great harmonies and a great look — this should be the obvious frontrunner going in to the final. They nail the English/Russian mix perfectly, too. It’s perhaps not the most contemporary song and that makes me worry about a jury song, but I personally feel it ticks all the JESC boxes.

Score: 9.5/10

Bernardo: “Water for Life” is that song this year. It starts off classy and soft before erupting into an amazing, well-produced chorus that you just can’t stop humming. These girls know how to work those harmonies. The transition to English is very smooth. Overall, it’s a catchy entry with a lot a potential and I’m sure Russia won’t disappoint with staging. Potential winner!

Score: 8.5/10

Junior Eurovision sofia fisenko  Russia JESC 2016 water of life projectDayana: Well, I’ve just found my winner! I’m loving everything in this entry. But for me the main advantage of the Water Of Life Project is that their song is really catchy. It’s been stuck in my head for days — and after just one listen! By the way, Sofia reminds me of Nadezhda Misyakova, Belarus’ representative in JESC 2014, who was my favourite that year. Anyway, hopefully the girls will do well in the contest!

Score: 9.5/10

Jason: Understated, elegant and with a natural flow, “Water of Life” marks a superb effort from Russia. I love the simplistic earthiness of this song, which should set it apart from the ballads and up-tempo numbers. Sofia Fisenko is a captivating performer by herself but seems entirely comfortable with the other Water of Life Project members. This is another of 2016’s JESC songs that could easily pass as an entry in the adult contest, which is certainly not a bad thing. Excuse me Russia — the top three is calling.

Score: 10/10

Josh: H-E-R-E: Russia is here! I love absolutely everything about “Water of Life”. Sofia Fisenko’s subtle lead vocal on the track is so choc-a-block full of power and quality without sounding like she’s screaming. The other young ladies in the backing were, in my opinion, the only thing missing from Sofia’s national performance that could’ve improved the song, so I’m thrilled they’ve been added in. This entry excites me and I cannot wait to walk the streets of Moscow with my girlfriend at JESC 2017. Yaasss!

Score: 10/10

Russia JESC 2016 Junior Eurovision sofia fisenko water of life project

Matt: Barring the fact that they have the same name for their group as the song title, this song is surprisingly good. I find it a little loud in the chorus, but overall the song is very strong vocally and if they get their vocals right on the night, this will win over the juries and blow away the pack.

Score: 7.5/10

Robyn: “Water of Life” is a really decent and modern pop song, with a mature sound that wouldn’t be out of place as an ESC entry. If the music video is anything to go by, the girls will deliver a performance that’s just as slick. My only issue: the song isn’t especially memorable and might not have the sticking power to inspire votes.

Score: 7.5/10

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

Junior Eurovision sofia fisenko  Russia JESC 2016 water of life projectAntony: 9/10

Antranig: 10/10

Edd: 9/10

Jordi: 9/10

Luis: 9/10

Marek: 10/10

Mario: 8.5/10

Renske: 9/10

Rezo: 9/10

Stanislav: 10/10

Zakaria: 10/10

The highest and lowest scores are dropped prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 7.5 and a high of 10.

WIWI JURY SCORE: 9.29/10

READ ALL OF OUR JESC 2016 RANKINGS AND REVIEWS

FOLLOW OUR JUNIOR EUROVISION COVERAGE

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Rita
Rita
7 years ago

This seems to be the favorite amongst a general consensus. I can see it winning even though I personally have it 9th (so far, I got some more countries to go through). It is nice but I find that there are better songs that are a little more engaging (like Australia my 5th place or Albania my favorite so) but that’s just me! All the songs are really, really good overall for JESC. I can’t wait until the competition.

Nitzan
Nitzan
7 years ago

Nice song, beautiful but gets shouty. For some season this doesn’t say “winner” to me, for now Australia and Armenia seem stronger. I think we are heading for a surprising Jesc, more than last year anyway.

Crumbs
Crumbs
7 years ago

@(J)ESC Fanatic No it’s hard to accept that juries of 21 countries didn’t rank Russia top 10, whilst televoters of all the countries ranked Russia top5, except for Netherland giving Russia the 7th place. I do suspect that some jury members of the 21 countries voted politically motivated, especially Lithuanian nationalistic jury. 20 percent of Lithuania’s population are Russian speaking, but there has never been a Russian jury in the panel since the introduction of the new system of voting. Democracy? Have never heard of it in Lithuania.

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

@Polegend Godgarina

The time that Russia will win ESC/JESC, and with the help of the juries, will come soon. And then I will laugh at all you who can’t understand that the juries placed Russia 5th for one reason… there were better entries. Russia’s did not focus on music. I didn’t like that and I’m sure professionals agree with me.

So hard to accept, right? 😀

Milimonka
Milimonka
7 years ago

@Ben Rafter and which one is unique?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

@ Eva M. – as if they would let Russia win something Eurovision-related. They’ll do anything to avoid that.

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
7 years ago

I honestly find it average… Sorry, but this is just so bland, nothing unique. I’d be more shocked if they won then if Trump becomes president. Wait…….

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

Not surprising at all this is your favorite, guys. I agree with Bernardo. I really love it, it’s so powerful, emotional and catchy at the same time. I always find myself singing along to it. I think Russia will win this. And if they do, they will prove everyone who said that juries don’t like Russia wrong. Because when you have a winning entry the jury votes for you. When you have generic pop and trying to hide flaws with an LED screen… and when your entry, which is submitted to a MUSIC contest, is based on technology… well, then… Read more »

Eva M.
Eva M.
7 years ago

After Trump winning, waking up to see Wiwibloggs gave top score to the Russian soap mix–Can it get any worse? Seriously, I do not think this is not a top 5 song. The verses are unbelievably cheeze, as is the subject of romantic love, which is the only deemed worthy by Russia to be presented in JESC… really, isn’t it nice and safe if the young people cover themselves in this pretty nonsense, and why not top it with some eye candies and pretty staging? It has worked before… All I can say, being the hopeless lover of the higher… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I love this song so much. So unique, so experimental, so chill… how did they go from trash like You Are the Only One to a masterpiece like this? 9/10.

Erin
Erin
7 years ago

Sofia and her backing vocalists do indeed ‘spread their voice all over the Earth like crystal pure water’ and evoke a great sense of expression in their harmonious performance, but I would caution that the song’s subject matter is perhaps too metaphysical and figurative for young people to fully appreciate and relate to. 9/10

Ruud
Ruud
7 years ago

Holy moly what a monster score! Great song!! Needed a few listens to understand the hype but man, this is amazing!!! Russia or Armenia this year!

Daniel
Daniel
7 years ago

This seems to be the fan favourite, but I’m really not a fan – what am I missing? D:

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

The song is beatiful with those folk and mother-earth vibes. For sure it will be in the top 5, but I don’t see it winning. Having said that, I prefer other songs above this. 7,5/10

ESCFan
ESCFan
7 years ago

An instant classic. Bravo Russia 🙂

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

There’s so many good songs this year, so it’s hard to rank Russia’s entry. I put “Water of Life” at second-last in my top 17, even though it’s an ok entry for Russia. I was probably annoyed with the high notes at some point. Either way, udachi Russia! 🙂

DenizNL
DenizNL
7 years ago

9,5/10

I have the obvious feeling this might win.

Marc
Marc
7 years ago

I have a feeling Russia won’t win. Again hahah.
I think juries and kids will like other entries more.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

This song is very well excecuted, and should easily be in the top 5. Even if it’s al juries, Russia should do very well. I think that the live vocals and staging will be perfect.

9/10
Rank: 4/17

FLORIN.ROMANIA
FLORIN.ROMANIA
7 years ago

My rate :9.5 , best jesc song ever and sure win this year )