Today the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continued our tour of Norway with a hike through Preikestolen lead by Carl Espen. After a not-so-silent storm hit, we sought shelter and settled down to review the ten acts competing in Norway’s national final, Melodi Grand Prix 2018. Next up, we look at Rebecca and her song “Who We Are”. Is Rebecca’s power anthem giving us all the feels? Read on to find out!

Rebecca – “Who We Are”

“Who We Are” reviews

Bogdan:  Rebecca’s style of singing is quite dated. In 2018, I have bigger expectations from the country that gave us Susanne Sundfør and Ane Brun. And Mørland’s song may be better than others in Melodi Grand Prix, but it’s a major step back from his brilliant “A Monster Like Me”, which I voted for in Vienna. Maybe it will come alive on stage, but until then I am not impressed. Love the lyrics though.

Score: 7/10

Cinan: I think this is our MGP 2018 winner. This song is exactly what I want to hear in Lisbon. Some parts of the song give me goosebumps all over, and I can’t wait to hear the live version to see how much Rebecca can slay. I really want to go back to Norway one day, so why not Oslo 2019?

Score: 9/10

Jonathan: “Who We Are” is a great contemporary power ballad. My worry is that the first chorus isn’t a big enough of a peak, which means it takes about two minutes to properly get going. From the second pre-chorus onward it’s great, but there’s a chance that it may not grab people’s attention immediately. Staging could solve this, though Rebecca looked distinctly nervous during the artist reveal press conference. But if she can overcome these nerves then she could still be in contention for taking the victory.

Score: 7.5/10

Kristin: I truly wanted to declare a winner here already, but I’m reluctant to do so…. yet. “Who We Are” is strong – probably the strongest song in MGP. But its always hard to judge solely by the studio version. Rebecca sounds amazing though, and its clear that Mørland hasn’t forgotten a thing about writing powerful and epic songs. I can’t wait to see how they pull this off live, and if they succeed in giving us a spine-tingling act, this song will jump up to a 10/10.

Score: 8/10

Robyn: I like a well-written song, one that takes the listener on a journey and one where every musical choice feels like it’s been done with purpose. “Who We Are” gets that absolutely right. The song has an epic quality, and the chorus has an especially big feeling, at odds with the stripped-down style of current pop. But it works because everything is done for a purpose, combined with flawless vocals from Rebecca. This is one of the strongest songs in MGP and it could do good things in Lisbon.

Score: 8/10

Our jury for 2018 consists of 15 jurors, but we only have room for 5 reviews. The remaining 10 scores are listed below.

Antony: 6/10

Antranig: 8/10

Bernardo: 7.5/10

Chris: 6/10

Deban: 6.5/10

Josh: 8/10

Lukas: 8/10

Rezo: 9/10

Sebastian: 7/10

Steinunn: 6/10

 

 

 

 

 

The highest and lowest scores are dropped prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 6 and a high of 9.

WIWI JURY SCORE: 7.42/10

READ THE FULL MELODI GRAND PRIX 2018 RANKINGS

READ MORE NORWAY EUROVISION NEWS

38 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

This is my favourite song! Beautiful voice, I like the verses building up to a strong chorus. The studio version is already good. I believe the live performance will elevate this.
8/10

Pedro
Pedro
6 years ago

I really like songs with meaning and I really hope Rebecca can make a good live performance with this amazing song. 8/10

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago

I like this one the best in Melodi Grand Prix. I hope she can make it. But I have to say I would be ok with anything other than Alexander Rybak!

dabamba
dabamba
6 years ago

She’s good with good song, but i like most Alexander Rybak – “That’s How You Write A Song” 🙂

DragKvinna
DragKvinna
6 years ago
Reply to  dabamba

Both are a snore.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

With “A Monster Like Me” being (one of) the Eurovision best song(s) ever written, I was thrilled to see Mørland make a comeback as a song writer. Unfortunately, “Who We Are” is not exactly another masterpiece for me, but it hands-down far better than the entire stuff it is competing against. Given an excellent live performance, there’s no doubt in my mind that this SHOULD win. I particularly like the chorus and how it progresses towards the end, the verses are a bit lackluster for me, especially lyrically. However, as far as I am concerned, Mørland should get a mandatory… Read more »

Buona
Buona
6 years ago

Forgettable and inconveniant

Iga
Iga
6 years ago

I really dont like it. Come on, Norway! Good luck;)

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

The second half of the verses of this song contain an amazingly emotive harmonic progression. Hidden away in the the piano chords, we have something like: G-flat, B-flat-min (2nd inv), E-flat-min, D-flat, C-flat, G-flat2 (1st inv), G-flat, D-flat. The bass line is literally “weeping” down the scale here: G-flat, F, E-flat D-flat, C-flat, B-flat to the cadence. Now THAT’s songwriting. The phrases get faster in the bridge, with lots of use of chord 6 (E-flat minor) to enhance the drama. But the real quality of this song is in the simplicity of its Chorus. The melody’s “metre” switches from quavers… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Correction: The harmonic “metre” actually switches from semibreves (4 beats) to breves (8 beats) in the Chorus. My mistake. I miscounted.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

See, this is exactly why I do not understand how you can say anything positive about Iceland’s entry. Now, granted, I do not understand anything about the music mumbo-jumbo you wrote, but if you’re THAT concerned about good songwriting (which I am too!), how on earth can give “Our Choice” a pass? It is simply bad (or no) songwriting on every level. All I need to have in order to assess this is two functioning ears. Yes, a good singer can elevate a mediocre song, but he can’t save a complete and utter train-wreck like that.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Actually I gave the singer a pass, not the song. Perhaps you were reading a comment from someone else?

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

No, it seemed to me like you were giving the entry in its entirety a pass due the singer. Now, would a agree with me that this tragedy should never see the final, no matter how good of a singer he is?

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

I don’t think this will make the final, unless the song’s production is heavily revamped.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

By the way: I would love for you to analyze “Our Choice”. It should be hilarious, given how bad it is.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

In April, we all do the mock jury again for the ESC entries, so yes I will be analysing it in full for then. 🙂
I can already tell you though: the English lyrics are cringeworthy and the song itself is produced in an archaic way. I think I might agree with you, which is sad for Ari (the singer).

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Hallelujah! In that case, I am looking forward to April. 😛

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Yeah, in April we review all 43 in detail. I really want to make my list properly, not to change from day to day, like it sometimes does. The problem is how to rate without overrating or underrating. The subjective emotional in very important – trust your instincts, no matter the consensus, but still listen to others – they may be better in putting into words what you cannot. I am looking forward to April. PS. While not among the strongest songs and definitely archaic, I’ll just give a hint that I more like than dislike Our Choice – it’s… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

* The subjective, emotional impact is very important*

A typo

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

In music, what often prompts an emotional reaction is a result of particular dissonances resolving. It is somewhat less subjective than poetry, for example, and can be analysed in a very thorough and technical manner. But, I go find the emotional impact of lyrics to be more subjective, absolutely. 🙂

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Gosh, I just posted you a LONG comment on my criteria and it didn’t post it…

Anyway… bottom line: I love to hear the academic perspective and more often than not, it manages to put to words the reasons why I love something. But, reasons, like personal preference, impact, lyrics, melody, connectability with the message, performer and overall impression can make it or break it no matter what the consensus it. I love that the art is so individual and sometimes, the strangest thing touches you in the right way.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I do* find.
Typo

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

My bottom line: I am rather glad that conversations like these are possible on here because frankly, the typical “ESC-fan-insanity-speech” is appalling to me, if you know what I mean. I follow Eurovision because of the rare pearls every year and the fact that production and the stages are incomparable, I like to watch how songs are given a visual identity. I am really glad to not be part of the fandom, though, but rather able to follow stuff the way I want, on my own terms.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I felt I was reading a very long math problem. My head hearts.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Amor

Owh dear! I’m sorry. 🙁
Funny thing is, I’m not very good at actual maths! 😀

Tip: In April when we write the full reviews, maybe give mine a miss. Some may be even more detailed. 😮

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Arguably the best possible choice. I was expecting another masterpiece from Morland, and it is not, but is very good. I do think it needs a stronger chorus, but the verses are quite good. A good staging could lift up this song a lot.

7.5/10

Gav
Gav
6 years ago

I love it!

Their better be wind machines, rising Plynth’s, fire curtains and choirs of (real) angels at the climax.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Not for me. I didn’t like “Monster Like Me” and Mørland’s songwriting just tries too hard. Throw in the fact that Rebecca does not have that strong a voice and this is another perfect example of an entry trying to do something that should work but not very well. Definitely not one of my top five in Norway.

Krys Ka
Krys Ka
6 years ago

I like it.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

This is a great song but my god the lyrics they are so good. These are without doubt the best lyrics this year.
8.5/10

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

As the only fully serious song in MGP, it already sticks out. As a song wonderfully written and performed, it sticks out even more. It will definitely qualify for superfinals and possibly win. It doesn’t have the impact of Monster like me, but it also raises a lot of introspective questions. 8/10 PS. Personally, while I do believe Who We Are is one of the best entries here, I root for a humorous entry, like Scandilove or Talk to the Hand, just because this year does have heavy, thought-provoking songs, but lacks humor. Since all mentioned songs are of the… Read more »

C
C
6 years ago

I thought this was a quality entry at first but screw quality! Scandilove or nothing! I need some more fun in this Eurovision and I want a song that can go all night long and this just doesn’t do it for me, when stacked up against the current Eurovision 2018 lineup.

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

Going against the stream here… I kind of don’t like this.

This is like a very grey and dull version of “Thunderstruck”. It has some merits in the lyrical content, but it doesn’t do anything for me. This would be a mistake, it would be totally anonymous in Lisbon.

3.5/10

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

This is a great composition with great lyrics. My 2nd after Charla K.

heidi
heidi
6 years ago

Wow, Morland from Norway 2015 is back. It’s not a love song about a couple, but about loving yourself the way you are. Unfortunately has no chance because it should be about loving immigrants. Wrong year Morland and Rebecca (sarcasm).

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago

I like this song. Also I wish it wins so that we have two “Who We Are” ‘s.

Poi
Poi
6 years ago

No more ballads! Especially as mediocre as this

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  Poi

There are hardly any ballads this year. And this one is not mediocre.