The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to review the 18 songs competing in Hungary’s national final A Dal 2018. Next we listen to Cintia Horváth & Tomi Balogh with “Journey (Break Your Chains)” and Ham ko Ham with “Bármerre jársz”. Did we want to go on a journey with them? Read on to find out!

Cintia Horváth & Tomi Balogh – “Journey (Break Your Chains)”

“Journey (Break Your Chains)” reviews

Antranig: There are a lot of great elements to this song but put it all together and it’s a car crash. Cintia’s enunciation could do with some work and the song’s choruses do not pack a punch. That means that the promising verses ultimately crumble when it counts most. I want to see this go far because it’s hilarious to watch — just like any good car crash, I can’t look away.

Score: 5.5/10

Barnabas: This is anything but something that would bring out a positive reaction from me. They’re calling up jazz, but this is just a very random mess of piano and a trap beat. And this qualified over Nova Prospect, which is a very awkward choice by the jury. Unimpressive.

Score: 3.5/10

Luis: This entry is on the verge of being a hot mess. Cintia is a powerful singer, and she’s got a great stage presence. However, this entry’s tempo is not really clear, and it feels as if some of the beats were hurdles for the song to progress. There are a lot of reminiscences of the 2000s R&B which will have their fans, yet they may sound dated to many more people.  In the end, “Journey” is not a bad song, but it’s not a standout either.

Score: 5/10

Robyn: I really want to love this song, but it’s just not coming together. I thought that might be the difference between the studio version and the live version, but both aren’t quite right. Cintia has a great jazzy voice, Tomi seems like a decent producer and the song itself is a pleasant enough tune. But together, it’s all too much.

Score: 6/10

Sebastian: Hats off to Horváth and Balogh for bringing a fresh and experimental sound to A Dal 2018. With a slight nod to early 2000s R&B, “Journey” takes the listener on a journey from electronic, to R&N, to lounge — effortlessly and smoothly. This won’t win A Dal and nor should it, but it should be appreciated.

Score: 7/10

In the A Dal Wiwi Jury, we have 10 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Bogdan: 2.5/10

Jonathan: 4.5/10

Lukas: 5/10

Natalie: 3.5/10

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 2.5 and a high of 7.

WIWI JURY VERDICT: 4.71/10

Ham ko Ham – “Bármerre jársz”

“Bármerre jársz” reviews

Antranig: This song screams Hungary and it executes its message well. The A Dal staging was perfect, especially the use of traditional instruments and having the dancers off to the side. The song feels like a slightly amateur effort but Ham Ko Ham have an endearing and likeable quality as though they’re the underdogs everyone is secretly rooting for. It is punching above its weight but perhaps this David will conquer some of the true Goliaths of A Dal 2018.

Score: 6/10

Barnabas: Gypsy music has at least one representative in A Dal every year, and we’ve got it this year as too, with a song everyone could dance along with. Although the vocals weren’t the most accurate at times, it has a relaxing climax that just makes you feel like life is about partying. My highlight in this track is the instrumental intro, which reminds me of “Alcohol Is Free”. But after all, will Hungary send another Gypsy contestant to Eurovision? I doubt that.

Score: 7.5/10

Luis: Hungary always includes a bit of Romani folk in their national selection, and it’s a very welcome addition. Ham ko ham bring the fun, the sass and the flavour to A Dal, and I’d be so happy if they made the final. They are not as strong as other acts like Gergö Olah from two years ago, let alone Joci Pápai. However, “Bármerre jársz” is entertaining and happy, and it puts a smile on your face.

Score: 6.5/10

Robyn: “Bármerre jársz” is incredibly catchy and more than deserves a place in the A Dal final. But it’s not a good Eurovision entry. The song itself is very repetitive, the sort of tune that would work best as music for a sunny afternoon at a cafe.

Score: 5/10

Sebastian: “Bármerre jársz” sounds like it should be your typical Eurovision dance-pop song. As the guitars start and the dancing begins, I await the expected beat drop a la Buranovskiye Babushki. But it never comes. I’m not sure what Ham Ko Ham were trying to do with this entry, but “Bármerre jársz” is left sounding like tiresome folk on loop. A missed opportunity.

Score: 3.5/10

In the A Dal Wiwi Jury, we have 10 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Bogdan: 8/10

Jonathan: 6/10

Lukas: 5.5/10

Natalie: 7/10

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 3.5 and a high of 8.

WIWI JURY VERDICT: 6.21/10

SEE OUR LIST OF A DAL 2018 RANKINGS

READ MORE HUNGARY EUROVISION NEWS

3 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

“Journey (Break Your Chains)”: It’s just ok. Nothing special.
5/10

Ham ko Ham: Their song is fun and uplifting. I enjoyed it. For me it’s just an ok song.
5/10

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Journey (Break Your Chains): Didn’t like it based on the studio version but improved a lot live. Her voice was better than expected and the tune is something that is catchy and easy-to-remember. A grower.

Bármerre jársz: Roma Soul without the soul. There needs to be more energy or fun or something. The lead singer doesn’t engage enough. No. It doesn’t work.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Journey: 4.5/10
Barmere jarsz: 5/10