“Eurovizijos” dainu konkurso nacionaline atranka, Lithuania’s epic ten-week national national final is coming to and end, with the grand final this Saturday. But earlier in the year, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — listened to all the qualifying songs from the first heats and had our say.

From the very start, the jury had a clear favourite — Greta Zazza, with her upbeat song “Like I Love You”. She earned a jury average of 7.4/10. Following closely in second place was Paula Valentaite with “Never Let You Go” on 7.1/10.

The jury was much less impressed by semi-final winner Fusedmarc and their song “Rain of Revolution”. We only gave them 3.65/10. And at the bottom of our list was wildcard winner Gytis Ivanauskas (aka Lolita Zero) with the extravagant mess that is “Get Frighten”. The jury weren’t fans of the watermelon smashing, and gave an average score of only 2.95/10.

1. Greta Zazza – “Like I Love You” (7.4)

Positive: “There’s no doubt that when Greta performed in her heat, she blew everyone before her out of the water. This is one of the few songs that has staging elements that are ready to be copied and pasted to the Eurovision stage.” (Antranig, 9.5/10)

Negative: “Greta is a step or two above any other act qualified from this semifinal. Which is not saying much, but hey, the girl has something. Her song is likeable, although there are so many dated beats. It somehow works, and some big choreography could lift this up.” (Luis, 6/10)

2. Paula Valentaite – “Never Let You Go” (7.1)

Positive: ““Never Let You Go” is a decent try to get a modern radio-friendly song to Eurovision. Paula’s performance is not interesting enough yet to lift the song to another level. The electronic parts simply feel like gaps. With some work on staging, this song has a huge potential and its international sound will definitely help.” (Renske, 8.5/10)

Negative: “This sounds so 2017 it’s almost 2018. Unfortunately, it is not particularly enjoyable listening to those squeaky voices for such an extended period of time. It’s very current but it’s not very good. Paula’s vocals are extremely dynamic and her performance was great. I just feel like I’ve heard this all before.” (Antranig, 6/10)

3. Aiste Pilvelyte – “I’m Like a Wolf” (6.95)

Positive: “Last year, I said that Aiste Pilvelyte has the voice to win Eurovision. This year, she’s actually got a great song to work with. While I don’t think this would win Eurovision, it should have little difficulty keeping Lithuania in the Top 10. The Aminata influence is obvious but Aiste is allowed to show off her powerful vocals and she’s a cut above the competition. This wolf has got teeth and she’s coming for blood.” (Antranig, 10/10)

Negative: “I was worried when I knew Aiste was singing, knowing her past entries by the likes of Rafael Artesero. However, she delivers “I’m Like a Wolf” quite well. It doesn’t reach the heights of Aminata’s “Love Injected” or “Heartbeat”, but it’s probably Lithuania’s best singer and song choice.” (Luis, 7.5/10)

4. Kotryna Juodzeviciute – “Love Shadow” (5.55)

Positive: “I feel I’m walking into a museum for modern art. It should be really good and nice, but it’s not entertaining at all. I really like the instrumentation at some parts, but I think it is just another Eurovision song trying to be a current radio hit than being an actual stage song.” (Renske, 6.5/10)

Negative: ““Love Shadow” is one of the more upbeat and modern songs in the contest this year and Kotryna delivers a sassy, energetic performance. The song lyrics though! She’s declaring that she is going to relentlessly stalk her uninterested ex. It’s creepy and unsettling, and not in a fun way.” (Robyn, 4/10)

5. Gabrielius Vagelis – “Feel Myself Free” (4.65)

Positive: “Gabrielius is trying to deliver the emotion but it just isn’t connecting, and this song doesn’t unleash his full potential. His laid-back live performance felt very wooden and there’s need for improvement if he’s to reach the final.” (Anthony, 4/10)

Negative: “All around, this song is very insufficient. Yes, Gabrielius has a great voice, but so what? His song is B-O-R-I-N-G. I deduce he wanted to go for a stripped-back, safe but still a quality song, like Michal Szpak. Problem: you can only do such a thing when you’re an explosive performer. And guess what, this guy isn’t.” (Luis, 2/10)

6. Fusedmarc – “Rain of Revolution” (3.65)

Positive: “The first few notes of “Rain of Revolution” are interesting and the composition delivers throughout three minutes. The final product is still interesting enough to consider. A lot of flaws but it’s not awful.” (Antranig, 6/10)

Negative: “In this song, everything that can go wrong for a Eurovision song does goes wrong. It’s utterly forgettable, the instrumentation is strange and it’s very dated. I still do not understand why so many artists think electronic melodies and flourishes are enough on their own.” (Renske, 2/10)

7. Gytis Ivanauskas (Lolita Zero) – “Get Frighten” (2.95)

Positive: “Yes, ok, this song is a tie-in with an action film which somehow involves this parody of a Eurovision performance, watermelons and all. But this makes me pay attention. “Get Frighten” entertains me. It puts a smile on my face and I delight in the drama and spectacle. I love you, Lithuania.” (Robyn, 10/10)

Negative: “Hell no! The electronic instrumentals are more than enough to give me tinnitus after a minute. Seeing this in Kyiv will drag us back to ’00s Eurovision where joke acts are rife. It even makes LT United look like an instant masterpiece.” (Anthony, 0/10)

Eurovizijos atranka 2017: Wiwi Jury reviews and rankings

  1. Greta Zazza – “Like I Love You” (7.4)
  2. Paula Valentaite – “Never Let You Go” (7.1)
  3. Aiste Pilvelyte – “I’m Like a Wolf” (6.95)
  4. Kotryna Juodzeviciute – “Love Shadow” (5.55)
  5. Gabrielius Vagelis – “Feel Myself Free” (4.65)
  6. Fusedmarc – “Rain of Revolution” (3.65)
  7. Gytis Ivanauskas (Lolita Zero) – “Get Frighten” (2.95)

SEE OUR FULL LIST OF EUROVIZIJOS ATRANKA RANKINGS HERE

FOLLOW ALL OUR LITHUANIA EUROVISION NEWS

23 Comments
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Martin
Martin
7 years ago

Aiste and Paula! Greta’s performance is awful :c

JonathanUK
JonathanUK
7 years ago

I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR AIST?!!! Screams winner to me! 🙂

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

Wiwi jury is right, Greta Zazza has the best song in this bunch. I wouldn’t say that I am impressed, though. When compared with some mid-list songs like Romania and Netherlands, this feels very average. However, in a weak group like this, it is a clear favorite. However, I don’t think Lithuanians will be so prudent to vote for her. Fan-favorites Aiste and Fusedmarc are quite bad, I’m afraid. Lolita Zero is clearly the worst, but at least that song is SO bad, that it stands out. With Aiste, Lithuania will get Vilija 2.0 scenario. With Lolita, at least trolls… Read more »

george
george
7 years ago

shameful votes…this is advertising offensive sweden song

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

People have this very strong problem understanding that a song that makes you smile and gets you entertained DOES NOT MEAN it’s any good whatsoever … If I want to smile and be entertained … I pick up a comedy stand up show … not a song contest.

@Tommy: The solution to whaaaat? For your bedroom gay party maybe?

@fikri: Cause what is Eurovision without all your gay toys in the mix?

Zolipop
Zolipop
7 years ago

I’m one of those few who actually like that “Fusedmarc mess”. If not them, then Greta and Lolita are good too. Kotryna and Aisté would be fine entries too. I don’t really like the rest two, but it’s still a pretty good final! 🙂 Good luck Lithuania! 😉

logixc
logixc
7 years ago

Gabrielius – Feel myself free is the most underrated performance here and Luis’s comments is very childish…..

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

fusedmarc would be atrocious
get frighten would be bad but their performances are so ridiculously OTT that it’s kind of enjoyable
any of the other would immediately be in my top 3

Tommy
Tommy
7 years ago

Is enough that people say…this song is dated, now they say…is too 2004, 2010, 2007, 2011, 2013, what season?…what month?…what week?…Lolita you are the solution.

Eve
Eve
7 years ago

@Héctor, I agree with your list.. Gabrieulius or Greta, that’s it, depends what you prefer.. About Lolita Zero, generally I like the idea, but, guys, performance is just bad,.. it is supposed to be funny and atractive I guess, but I find it boring, with that annoying voice.. dancers are only good part there 🙂

Werka
Werka
7 years ago

#CELEBRATELOLITA !!!! Only Lolita.

Tommy
Tommy
7 years ago

What good is it to try to be modern, only to hear that your song is so 2014?
Vote Lolita Zero!!!!

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

I forgot Fusedmarc! Would be my 6th and, of course, Lolita Zero last.

Héctor
Héctor
7 years ago

Has to be Grabrielius. I like almost all the songs in the final (Paula, Greta Zazza, Kotryna, …), but please, DON’T CHOOSE Lolita Zero! Gabrielius is really really underrated by Wiwibloggs…

My top 6:
1. Gabrielius Vagelis
2. Greta Zazza
3. Paula
4. Aiste
5. Kotryna
———– (BIG GAP)
6. Lolita Zero

ImpressiveInstants
ImpressiveInstants
7 years ago

At this point, anyone but Fusedmarc to avoid last place in my list.

Paul D.
Paul D.
7 years ago

Oh my, if they choose Lolita Lithuania is going to be one of my favourites this year 😀

Eve
Eve
7 years ago

Why so harsh for Gabrielius? I like his song (note: music and lyrics written by him only), beautiful voice, don’t find it boring at all.

Tommy
Tommy
7 years ago

Want Lolita so much, esc would have been dead long ago if it were only about serious music. Lithuania save us!

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

Kotryna improved so much! She is my second favourite after Aiste. Greta and Paula would be deserving winners as well. Just not Lolita! Please!

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

i’m ambivalent to all of the songs so i hope lithuania will pull an upset and send lolita zero for the lulz.

JD
JD
7 years ago

@Polegend Godgarina

You’re wrong. I don’t like Fusedmarc, but their vocalist speaks Lithuanian pretty well, just with an accent.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

Rooting for Greta and Aiste. Both need work on their vocal performance (Greta seemed to get tired by the second half of her song, Aiste needs more pitch control) but they are Lithuania’s best options. No way to Fusedmarc, Kotryna, and Gytis. Paula and Gabrielius, maybe. Their songs need better instrumentals (and I know Gabrielius’s song has been updated – it still needs well more flourish)

Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I wish. Greta Zazza would be this year’s Poli Genova… but if not her, then Aiste. I’d be mad if Lithuania chose Fusedmarc, their song is absolutely atrocious and the lady is Russian and barely speaks Lithuanian.