Živjo, Slovenija! The final of Slovenia’s national selection show EMA 2018 kicks off on Saturday and after saying goodbye to half of the sixteen semi-finalists, we have our eight finalists. However, because of the little time we’ve had since the songs were revealed in full, we’ve switched things up a bit.

For this Wiwi Jury, just like we did with the likes of Denmark and Spain, our nine jurors will reveal their top five from the eight finalists of EMA 2018, and give a little review of their favourites. Read on to find out what we think!

Anthony

1. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

After ManuElla and Nika Zorjan both crashed out, Lara Kadis takes centre stage from third favourite to top spot. And she’s one incredibly talented girl, having self-penned this song at just 17 with an added key change for good measure. However, Lara must ditch her princess outfit. Slovenia wouldn’t want to end up suffering the same fate as Maria Olafs. Whatever happens in the final, Lara’s a star in the making and one to watch out for in future editions of EMA.

2. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”
3. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
4. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
5. Nuška Drašcek – “Ne zapusti me zdaj”

 Antony

1. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”

There are just so many ways that I can describe this song: punchy, fun, in-your-face, edgy and full of attitude. It is just so high impact that it smacks you in the face — and in a good way! This is aided by Lea’s incredible voice and choreography. In a somewhat mediocre national final, this song certainly stands out – that it needs to win, to give Slovenia a bit of the oomph the country needs at Eurovision.

2. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
3. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”
4. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
5. Nuška Drašcek – “Ne zapusti me zdaj”

Antranig

1. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”

While there aren’t any terrible songs in the EMA final, there is only one which pushes the boundaries. Lea Sirk has an edgy and fun song that could light up the Eurovision stage. There is so much attitude on stage and it is really infectious. It has a catchy hook which you’ll remember whether or not you speak Slovene. Nuska comes close as my runner-up but this should be a clear choice for Slovenia.

2. Nuška Drašcek – “Ne zapusti me zdaj”
3. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
4. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
5. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

Barnabas

1. Indigo – “Vesna”

This is the entry that has the most mystic vibes. The whole thing just flows through the screen, as you start feeling like you’re in a forest at night, where some druids are preparing their best spelstrengthennghten you. It’s an almost full package, ready to go at Lisbon.

2. Proper – “Ukraden cvet”
3. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”
4. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”
5. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)

Jonathan

1. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

Let me preface this by saying that Lara needs to fire her stylist immediately. The dress may have some link to the lyrics, but she should aim for something more mature that fits this powerful ballad (and we know that fairy princesses don’t always go down that well at Eurovision). However, bypassing the outfit, “Zdaj sem tu” probably has the best potential at Eurovision. Contemporary but with a great sprinkling of traditional instruments, the song builds nicely and takes the listener on a journey. Admittedly we’re already getting a number of traditional songs this year, but Lara’s vocals shine and with some more suitable staging this could be a good choice for Slovenia.

2. Nuška Drašcek – “Ne zapusti me zdaj”
3. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
4. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”
5. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)

Kristin

1. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)

EMA is unfortunately one of the weakest national finals this year, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t diamonds hidden in the bunch. “V nebo” is one of those diamonds. Ina has a little Jamala quality about her, and the melody of the song stuck like glue in my head. The staging is simple, yet powerful and Ina owns the stage completely. I can’t say for certain that “V nebo” is a sure qualifier, should it win EMA, but its definitely one of Slovenia’s best chances.

2. Indigo – “Vesna”
3. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”
4. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
5. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

Luis

1. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”

Bang bang into the room! Lea provides a funny entry that sounds familiar to many others, but she delivers it with confidence and adds a much welcome twist to Slovenia’s often over-safe performances. This is memorable and it would wake up the masses in Altice Arena. In case they selected it, they should tweak the base a little bit. The beats sound a bit forced, and it makes “Hvala, ne!” graze a bit, when it should flow smoothly.

2. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
3. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
4. Proper – “Ukraden cvet”
5. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

Natalie

1. Lara Kadis – “Zdaj sem tu”

My word… those Balkan sounds never get old. Lara’s voice is also so effortlessly enchanting, it’s mystifying all through the song, even when the song gets more powerful it’s still like a vocal pillow. This song also has the ability to combine powerful beats with beautiful production, and does it so well. The start feels loving and sweet, but it picks up to be a powerful and rich but still magical song that never feels forced. BQL may be the favourite, but Lara is definitely the dark horse.

2. Indigo – “Vesna”
3. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
4. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)
5. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”

Robyn

1. Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!”

Look, this isn’t the strongest line-up of a national final and no song stands out as a surefire qualifier. But “Ne, hvala!” is the entry that’s the most enjoyable to listen to. Lea Sirk is a talented vocalist and she gives the right amount of popstar attitude that the song requires. More importantly, it would be great to see this song translated to the epic Altice Arena stage. Go on, Slovenia — have some fun!

2. Indigo – “Vesna”
3. Nuška Drašcek – “Ne zapusti me zdaj”
4. BQL – “Promise” (Ptica)
5. Ina Shai – “Glow” (V nebo)

What are your favourite EMA 2018 songs? Who do you think should get the ticket to Lisbon? Share your thoughts below!

Follow all of our Slovenia Eurovision 2018 news

Photo: Jani Ugrin/RTV Slovenija

20 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Hope it will be BQL or Indigo. I also like Lara Kadis and Ina Shai.

Tomas Davitt
Tomas Davitt
6 years ago

If you attribute points to the five WIWI jurors’ choices of 6,4,3,2,1 the standings would be:

Lea Sirk – 36
Lara – 27
Ina – 22 (Tiebreak – one 6 vote)
BQL – 22
Indigo – 18
Nuska – 13
Proper – 6

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Tomas Davitt

Hvala, Ne – 32(4)
Zdaj Sem Tu- 24(3)
Promise- 22
Glow- 21(1)
Vesna- 17(1)
Ne zapusti me zdaj- 13
Ukraden Cvet- 6

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago

Does the wiwi jury ever rate highly anything other than up-tempo pop songs? Same taste every time. How about adding people to the team with different tastes?

frenchbaguette
frenchbaguette
6 years ago

i would love vesna to win so much i swear i love this song just as much as i love my boyfriend XD
but the thing is that it could end up like “calm after the storm” or like “verjamem” , 2 opposite scenarios :/
IN ANY CASE i suport it !! a lot !!
still, lara kadis with another outfit is also my favourite 🙂

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

I have have two remaining favorites that I support: Indigo with “Vesna” and Ina Shai with “Glow” (provided that the full English version is okay). If the polls, the YouTube clicks and my own personal feeling are to be believed, neither stands a chance at winning. A BQL victory would most likely backfire for them, given how weak their song is. And if Lea really wants to sing in English at Eurovision, why not be so fair and sing it in English tomorrow to show people what they’re actually voting for, eh? I think Lea would be an awesome representative… Read more »

Anthony
Anthony
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Lea’s basically doing what Maja Keuc did back in 2011, win EMA in Slovenian then submit the English version for Eurovision.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Anthony

And some English version that was. The charming “Vanilija” became “And you came to me one night, like a morning light, just to hold me tight”. One has to wonder if the woman who wrote deliberately wanted to do as bad a job as possible.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

> She already has said that if she wins, she’ll sing in English in Lisbon.

I hope she loses then.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

Whoops, forgot to click ‘Reply’ under the relevant post before sending this!

ale
ale
6 years ago

Lara or Lea for me.

Janro
Janro
6 years ago

Sorry but I think all of the wiwi jury will be disappointed tomorrow. All signs are pointing to a BQL win from what I know. But then again… we may have a disaster like last year and the jury ruins it for them!

Kixx
Kixx
6 years ago

Female, female, female, female, female, female. Tell me, if someone other than solo female will ever win poll or ranking here LOL. This is diva obsession!

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Kixx

Actually, this year already has high number of male representatives. Italy, Albania, Czech Republic, Denmark, Montenegro, Belarus, Netherlands, Ireland, Hungary and Germany at least will be represented by man/men, while Spain and Serbia have both male and female performers. Technically, France and Switzerland also have male representatives, although the two aren’t vocalists. So, it’s definitely not only women.

Mike Soto
Mike Soto
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

As a matter of fact, NO women reached the final of A Dal this year. Hopefully the gals will come away with two of tomorrow’s other three national selection shows and maybe even sweep the top four at the last SVT semi before next week’s Andra Chansen wildcard event.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

“Hvala, ne!” smells like another “Straight into L…”(ast place) to me, so I dunno if it would be the right choice.

#SorryNotSorry
#SorryNotSorry
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

But there is a big difference, Lea can actually sing.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  #SorryNotSorry

I have noticed it.

But this kind of songs never does well at the Eurovision, and especially not with the juries.

Fanfukasticen - niti ne
Fanfukasticen - niti ne
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

Lea Sirk will win. If my mum who isn’t the youngest anymore finds this song the best, then Lea will most likely represent us. And quite honestly, I actually really like her song. This song sounds very good in Slovenia, and this is not the type of music that Slovenian music would actually work. Lea somehow did it, and it is great. But hey, it doesn’t matter. She already has said that if she wins, she’ll sing in English in Lisbon.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

> She already has said that if she wins, she’ll sing in English in Lisbon.

I hope she loses then.