The grand final of Hungary’s A Dal 2018 will take place tonight. Eight all-male acts will battle it out to follow Joci Papai and represent Hungary at Eurovision 2018. The Wiwi Jury has been reviewing and ranking the acts and we have our favourites.

Top of our list is metal band AWS and their song “Viszlát nyár” (Goodbye summer). This is the first time that a metal song has topped a Wiwi Jury poll, a testament to the power and impact of AWS’s entry.

Tamás Horváth rhythmic “Meggyfa” came second, while electronic duo yesyes were third with “I Let You Run Away”.

1. AWS – “Viszlát nyár” (7.5)

The best: This. Is. What. Hungary. Needs. For. Eurovision. And let’s get it straight: while some acts manage to set the stage on fire, these guys NUKED it! The elemental force in their music, the story behind the lyrics (the song was inspired by the death of the lead vocalist’s father), the anthemic choruses, the authenticity of the act, the honesty in the growls, EVERYTHING screams “Winner”! And finally, post-hardcore and metalcore deserve a shot at Eurovision. This is that shot. (Barnabas, 10/10)

The worst: The opening bars remind me of Mor ve Ötesi’s “Deli” and while this may be a quality song, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The rock scene is certainly well represented on A Dal this year and while AWS are great, it is difficult to get behind them when Leander Kills is competing with a better rock song. This would be a quality rock entry for Hungary but they have better options. (Antranig, 6.5/10)

2. Tamás Horváth – “Meggyfa” (7.14) *

The best: I love a nice bassline, and this song has a veeeery nice one. Tamas’ voice is so sweet to listen to, he effortlessly adds in emotion and soul, it sucks you in and makes you believe everything he says. Add that ethnic instrumentation around those guitar chords and everything, and I was sold. This is a very strong and sincere song, very hard to fault. All the elements stand on their own yet come together so well, and in such a likeable way. Surely that’s the best guitar playing in Hungary too. (Natalie, 9/10)

The worst: The most energetic “bop dee dee dee” ever done. “Meggyfa” has a weird appeal. It’s enjoyable and you almost want to get off your seat to dance… but there’s never a moment to do it. It’s not exactly languid, but it’s neither totally upbeat. Then please, Hungarians, can you explain the dancers? Their look is as if Zara had a Mariachi collection. Tamás, you’ve bewildered me. I’m not sure if positively or negatively, but you did it. (Luis, 6.5/10)

3. yesyes – “I Let You Run Away” (7.14) *

The best: This is, by far the standout act for A Dal 2018. It does channel an Alan Walker sound that is perhaps a couple of years old, but “I Let You Run Away” is delivered so flawlessly with a perfect combination of staging, vocals and attitude. The electric accordion gives it that memorability that just heightens the epicness of this entry? Yesyes for Lisbon? YESYESYES! (Sebastian, 9.5/10)

The worst: Well, this entry is a boxful of surprises. Within the first 30 seconds, right where you were waiting for another man sobbing over lost love, yesyes hits you with the most powerful chorus in A Dal. Then he keeps on nailing the high notes over a dubsteppy base and he plays the accordion. This is what I call keeping the interest. But below the surprises, the song is actually a decent ballad which should only go to Eurovision in case there was nothing better. It’s not the case. To go to Eurovision, he needs a song that transforms him into YASYAS. (Luis, 6.5/10)

4. Leander Kills – “Nem szól harang” (6.88)

The best: If I learned one thing from Leander Kills is that Hungarian rock is amazing. This reminds me of Finland’s Teräsbetoni which is one of my favourite Eurovision entries ever. This is not a genre that typically does well at Eurovision but it could be a risk worth taking for Hungary because “Nem szól harang” is a high-quality Hungarian rock song. (Antranig, 9/10)

The worst: Lordi unmasked, and taken up to 11. “Nem szól harang” goes totally against the Eurovision grain, which rarely sees anything this heavy make it anywhere near the stage. It’s bold, brash and unfazed. But it’s ultimately difficult to review such a song when it goes so against the repertoire of typical Eurovision songs. While I can’t bring myself to give it the devil horns, I can at least give it a warm thumbs up. (Sebastian, 5/10)

5. Gergely Dánielfy – “Azt mondtad” (6.86)

The best: This is literally the most Salvador-esque song in this year’s national final season, and actually there are many common points in the two performances: the simplicity of the performances, the theme of the lyrics, the stage presence — it’s a really touching experience to witness. However, I don’t see this winning the whole thing. Hungary never excelled at following trends. (Barnabas, 8.5/10)

The worst: “Azt mondtad” turned into background music before a very compelling final minute brought it back to the foreground of my consciousness. It’s cute, it’s well crafted and it’s interesting but ultimately it’s also quite boring. The violin adds a lot of depth to the song but it doesn’t make it interesting enough. There is potential here but it feels unfulfilled. (Antranig, 5/10)

6. Zsolt Süle – “Zöld a május” (6.81)

The best: That’s what I call diversity, folks! Just relax in the hot bathtub, think about the memories left behind, while the violin keeps spreading emotions throughout the whole song. The lyrics are poetry (for those who know the language) and the whole package together with the very simple staging, reminds me a bit of… Salvador! Coincidence? We’ll see, but even though it’s not a typical Eurovision-like song, it is a quality one. (Barnabas, 8/10)

The worst: I would have liked this song much more if there hadn’t been for Joci Pápai. This way “Zöld a május” sounds like a more downbeat sequel to “Origo”. I am aware that that style of music, csárdás, is very typical of Hungary, but this year I want to hear something different. (Jovana, 6/10)

7. Viktor Király – “Budapest Girl” (5.5)

The best: There’s a chance that Viktor could do a Freddie and win A Dal based on his popularity, which would be a shame. He’s a great singer and performer, but “Budapest Girl” isn’t a great song. There’s some cuteness in it, but musically it feels too light, and the line “I think about her body all the time” comes across as creepy. Viktor should write better songs for himself. (Robyn, 6.5/10)

The worst: Victor oozes charisma and is a charmer – which almost makes up for the appallingly cheesy opening lines. Proceeding rhyming couplets fail to improve, with pop-cultural references to Jolie and Rih-Rih, of which I disapprove. Ultimately, these leaves the song sounding generic and surprisingly uncultured – and it is here, primarily, where the song has faltered. (Sebastian, 4/10)

8. Gábor Heincz Biga – “Good vibez” (5)

The best: Minus points for adding a ‘z’ where an ‘s’ would suffice. Apart from that cringe detail, “Good Vibez” is actually a pretty, easy-listening song that does engage well. Perhaps it is a little dated – but the lead singer is no spring-chicken, so perhaps he is channelling music from his time. That gives it an air of authenticity, which makes the song that little bit more enjoyable. (Sebastian, 7/10)

The worst: Despite having the title written in front of me, I was merrily listening along, thinking he was singing about “riding the pipes”. Knowing the correct lyric does not improve the listening experience. “Good Vibez” is a dated ditty, the sort of thing that maybe worked at Eurovision a decade ago. But it will offer some welcome light relief amid all the rock. (Robyn, 5/10)

What do you think? Who should win A Dal 2018? What sort of act should HUngary end to Eurovision? Share your thoughts below!

READ MORE HUNGARY EUROVISION NEWS

17 Comments
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BB
BB
6 years ago

Well wiwi jury you where right…it was the best song in Hungary this year…The jury in Hungary played this very clever…they put it AWS in 4th so this way AWS voters became very determinate…I know because I was one of them… we voted AWS…We are sending AWS to Lisbon and we made a very good choice…By the way the song is about the singers father who died and he is saying by to his father with this song…so it has a beautiful message to…and finally it is very different it will stand out GO HUNGARY

oli
oli
6 years ago

4 male entries in the superfinal. hungary always gives us male sexyness <3

NickC
NickC
6 years ago

does anyone have a link to watch?

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  NickC

You can try to watch here, Nick: https://www.mediaklikk.hu/duna-elo But it’s failing all the time for me, I don’t know if it’s my connection (and the fact that I’m also watching Supernova)

NickC
NickC
6 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Thank you Sabrina, I am waiting for the Ukranian result, then I will probably switch to Supernova as A Dal is not working for me either.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

After quickly listening through all the finalists, it’s definitely AWS for me.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Yeah, we just need AWS!!! If they win I’ll spend as many votes for them as I can, they would jump right to the top of my list. Meggyfa, Azt mondtad or Leander kills would be my 2nd if one of them one. A great line-up, it’s so sad that they can only send one song.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I noticed that we have very similar favorites in both Hungary and Latvia for tonight. My favorites are MADARA and Danielfy Gergely, while yours are Sudden Lights and AWS. Each has the other’s favorites as the second (or one of runner-ups) option. Personally, I’d be totally cool with AWS and Sudden Lights winning tonight, even if MADARA and Gergely would be in the running for my overall first spot. The option I would not be so keep of is if Riva wins (nothing against him, though, only the song is middle-of-the-road default). Even worse is if Moldova decides to send… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

1. Gergely Danielfy – 10/10
2. AWS – 9/10
3. Yesyes – 8/10
4. Tamas Horvath – 7.5/10
5. Leander Kills – 7.5/10
6. Sule Zsolt – 6.5/10
7. Gabor Heincz Biga – 6/10
8. Viktor Kiraly – 5/10

A great final if you ask me!

Marcus (Day One)
Marcus (Day One)
6 years ago

I feel like this is a very weak A dal lineup.
Although Hungary has qualified ever since A Dal was introduced aside from 2014/2017 they never really do that well.

The overall feeling I get is any song sent from this selection with either come 12th-8th in the semi or 22nd-26th in the Final.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

They do well and they send a good song (2013, 2014, 2017), which won’t be the case this year.

B’tch Please
B’tch Please
6 years ago

There are some really ransoms opinions really! Without making that much sense really! Antranig find Azt Mondtab “interesting and good but also boring”. No matter if is your cup of tea or not that song stands out from the rest.Intimate performance, song who doesn’t need translation and a good production. I don’t know if Antranig needs dancers and fires for the presentation but doesn’t forget a song of the same genre with Very static performance won the whole thing. And when something creates a trend it does successfully in the contest!!!

oigres127
oigres127
6 years ago

I HA-TE that song, sorry

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

Wiwi jury members…they are no experts. It’s just their opinions and preferences. They are wrong, most of the times… For example, in 2017 ranking the participating songs…

1. Francesco Gabbani (finished 6th)
5. FYR Macedonia: Jana Burceska (non qualifier)
7. Finland: Norma John (non qualifier)
.
9. Israel: Imri (24th in the grand final)
11.Estonia: Koit Toome and Laura (non qualifier)
17. Moldova: SunStroke Project (finished 3rd)
.
23. Portugal: Salvador Sobral (winner)
31. Romania: Ilinca & Alex (finished 7th)

So their opinions should’t be counted on….

Hayley
Hayley
6 years ago

Hot take of the night: if Hungary sends AWS they have their best ever shot at winning eurovision

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Hayley

lol

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

It is still a final where the judgement of four people is more important than anything else. I think the Wiwijury has the bottom two correct but after that, I think the other songs are all a matter of personal taste…they are all good. You could make an argument that AWS are the sixth best in the final or the best and there would be merit to what you’re saying, either way. A great final.