The Wiwi Jury reveals their favourites in Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2021 – semi-final 1

Tonight, 12 acts will compete in the first semi-final of Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2021, but only half of them will be able to make it to the grand final on 6 March. But which songs should go on to the next stage? The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to the songs and ranked their top five. See which songs got our attention.

Deban

1. Hans Nayna – “One By One”

An emotional pop offering sung with pitch-perfect clarity. Hans Nayna is an emerging singer-songwriter that stands taller amongst his peers. His emotive undertones cut through the noise of Eesti Laul’s semi-final one. Also, “One By One” stays with you long after three minutes. Great debut effort!

2. Egert Milder – “Free Again”
3. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
4. Kéa – “Hypnotized”
5. Nika Marula – “Calm Down”

Lauren

1. Hans Nayna – “One By One”

Mauritian soul singer Hans Nayna is someone I’ve known for years now. So as you can imagine, seeing his name on the list of Eesti Laul 2021 participants was a shock. “One By One” showed me a very different side of Hans that I haven’t seen before, and I’m here for it. You can call me biased, but in my defence, this semi-final is the definition of lacklustre. This is the only song in my top nine that’s in this semi! Hans Nayna is easily my favourite of the semi. His voice, the emotion in the lyrics, the percussion rhythm – this should surely qualify to the final, even from the cursed number two running-order spot! In the final, he’ll face some tougher competition. But who’s to say that’ll stop him?

2. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”
3. Egert Milder – “Free Again”
4. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
5. Kéa – “Hypnotized”

Luis

1. Hans Nayna – “One by One”

In a field of disposable Spotify-friendly entries, Hans Nayna’s passion clearly stands out. The song’s slow pace is compensated for by Hans’ warm and raspy voice. While “One By One” is not exactly an automatic favourite and nothing close to a Eurovision winner, it’s a very decent effort. If Hans serves it with gusto in the semi-final, we should easily see him on March 6 and who knows if in May.

2. Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto – “Wingman”
3. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
4. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”
5. Egert Milder – “Free Again”

Mario

1. Egert Milder – “Free Again”

I wasn’t a fan of Egert’s entry last year, but “Free Again” totally got under my skin. It’s fresh, cinematic and relatable to many. You could hear it in those indie movie scenes where characters suddenly decide to do something stupid, but you could also be listening to it on a moody day alone in your room. I don’t think Egert can win next to some of the more upbeat Eesti Laul songs this year, but it is enough of a standout to easily qualify for the final.

2. Karl Killing – “Kiss Me”
3. Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto – “Wingman”
4. Kea – “Hypnotized”
5. Tanja – “Best Night Ever”

Natalie

1. Egert Milder – “Free Again”

There’s some real Nordic heart in this song. Those guitar strums, synth beats and harmonies. Yeah, I’m into it. I mean, it sounds like every indie song that randomly comes into Spotify playlists everywhere, but you can tell there’s some genuine spirit. Its heartfelt lyrics with Egert’s cute face should be a standout hit in the first semi-final.

2. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”
3. Nika Marula – “Calm Down”
4. Kéa – “Hypnotized”
5. Hans Nayna – “One By One”

Oliver

1. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”

Tuuli Rand has taken some time to develop her sound since her last Eesti Laul stint and it’s definitely paid off. “Üks öö” is catchy, energetic, and so much fun. Slightly dated, sure, but in this case it works. It delivers that bright and bubbly Summertime vibe that we’re all craving at the moment. The guitar riff is infectious and Tuuli’s vocal is uplifting. Arguably, the track gets a tad stale towards the end, as there’s little variation between the verses and choruses. “Üks öö” will need to pop on stage if Tuuli wants to secure a spot in the final.

2. Egert Milder – “Free Again”
3. Hans Nayna – “One By One”
4. WIIRALT – “Tuuled”
5. Kristin Kalnapenk – “Find a Way”

Renske

1. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”

With “We Could Have Been Beautiful”, Koit Toome has once again lent his voice to a classy ballad. Slow male ballads at Eurovision generally have a thing for being extremely dated, but this song sounds contemporary enough. Though it feels a bit empty without Laura, who’s competing on the other side of the sea this year.

2. Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova – “Ma olen siin”
3. Kéa – “Hypnotized”
4. Egert Milder – “Free Again”
5. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”

Robyn

1. Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova – “Ma olen siin”

“Ma olen siin” just feels right. Ivo Linna brings his decades of experience, crossed with a more contemporary setting courtesy of son Robert and the group Supernova. The song delivers plenty of drama and the melody goes in unexpected directions, all adding up to a very satisfying number. While this might not be an obvious pick for Eurovision, it should at least get a good run in Eesti Laul.

2. Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”
3. WIIRALT – “Tuuled”
4. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
5. Tanja – “Best Night Ever”

Tom

1. Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”

Original it is not but “We Could Have Been Beautiful” is a very pleasant ballad. I do feel however, that everything is a just tad overproduced. Though Koit does possess a voice that can cut beautifully through the air, it seems that the music is sometimes more powerful? It has too many effects and I feel the vocals are not always clear. Sometimes I genuinely have no idea what he is saying. However, from what I can understand, it is a lovely, romantic, modern song that should easily get out of this semi-final. And I think (hope) this will also massively improve when sung live.

2. Hans Nayna – “One By One”
3. Nika Marula – “Calm Down”
4. Andrei Zevakin & Pluto – “Wingman”
5. WIIRALT – “Tuuled”

What do you think? Which are your favourites songs in the first semi-final of Eesti Laul 2021? Who do you think will make it to the grand final? Tell us your thoughts below!

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