The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 40 competing songs in Eurovision 2022. Next we review Lithuania, who have chosen Monika Liu with “Sentimentai”.
Were we feeling the sentiments? Read on to find out!
Monika Liu – “Sentimentai” (Lithuania Eurovision 2022)
Review: Monika Liu – “Sentimentai”
Deban: Monika Liu’s entry conjures a timeless romantic quality. Beautifully crafted with the finest materials, and constructed to linger beyond its shelf-life, “Sentimentai” is refreshingly black-tie European ballroom. Sung in the Lithuanian language, but delivered with a Francophone sensibility, this elegant slice of sophisticated pop crosses borders and resonates in the most unusual ways. Definitely Lithuania’s best entry to date.
Score: 8.5
Lucy: I’ve given my score on this from a pretty objective viewpoint, in the sense that Sentimentai’s genre is so niche, that I’m trying to fully compute how I feel about it. I disliked it strongly at first, but the more time goes on, the more I’m completely endeared. Monika’s performance is so authentic and intriguing that I can’t look away despite it not exactly being my favourite song this year. A good friend told me lately Monika is more suited to a cabaret club setting, but why not turn the Turin arena into one for three minutes and bring the audience in closer metaphorically?
Score: 7.5
Ron: Some songs (and artists) you can really appreciate, yet you still don’t connect with and don’t like listening to. That’s the case with me and “Sentimentai”. While I do understand why some people like it, I’m just not one of them. Monika is a great performer and she does convince me 100% in her performance. She is such a lovely character and an icon in this year’s contest, yet the song doesn’t do it for me. I enjoy the Lithuanian language and reward native languages an extra point, but I just can’t give it much more. I don’t suffer whilst listening to it, but I don’t really enjoy it either. It’s pleasant, though it’s a mood that I don’t really feel.
Score: 3.5
Oliver: Monika Liu is an enchantress. Her timeless look, crystal clear vocals, and seductively spooky lyrics are an enticing combination, leaving the listener spellbound in a three-minute nirvana. Musically, “Sentimentai” gives shades of The Carpenters’ “This Masquerade”, creating the smoking lounge jazz vibe that was all the rage in the ‘70s, updated for the modern world with electronic beats and deep space synths. Variation would be welcomed in the final line of the chorus: the melody should change and move downwards to satisfy the unresolved cadence and avoid the structure growing stale. Otherwise, this is a stellar production. Brava Lithuania.
Score: 8.5
Pablo: “Sentimentai” is the song that’s most dependent on its live performance out of any other. Monika delivers it in a convincing, fun way, but by itself, the song needs some time to really grow in you. The instrumentals take interestingly captivating turns, and the cabaret-like atmosphere it creates is pretty effective. Yet, it can be hard to become attached to the song and engaged enough to vote en masse. I commend its originality and I might be won over completely as days go by, but in the meantime, make sure to really make it come alive on stage.
Score: 6.5
Lithuania Eurovision 2022 ranking
In the Eurovision 2022 Wiwi Jury, we have 18 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Angus: 4 Antranig: 3 Cinan: 7.5 Jonathan: 6 Josh: 6.5 Luis: 8.5 Natalie: 6 |
Renske: 8.5 Robyn: 7.5 Sebastian: 7 Suzanne: 2 Tom: 7 William: 7.5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 8.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.56/10
What do you think of Lithuania’s Eurovision 2022 entry? Share your own score and review for Monika Liu’s “Sentimentai” below!
wow never imagine this being such a polarizing song. Looking at voting results: either you hate it or love it. No in between
Another song that is in my top 10. It feels so classy, well-performed and captivating that it’s not possible to take your eyes off her. I love the fact it’s sang in Lithuanian, which sounds beautiful. A very solid 8/10 from me.
One of the better songs this year. I listen to it almost every day. And a singer that’s so classy & sophisticated that even a haircut I’m not so keen on looks great on her. 🙂
Agree
Suzanne, what’s wrong with you, gurl? lol
Nothing new here, her taste has always been … questionable
Please bring back the wiwijury videos 🙁
This is depressing. How could you miss the class and the authenticity of this entry?
I’m starting to feel that Lithuania won’t qualify. People only like cheap pop/trap songs these days .
If song was a French entry fans would eat this up like cake.
To be honest, I’ve always been ambivalent about Lithuania’s chances to qualify From the moment this song won the national final. I was starting to get a little more confident about it, but then the running order came out and It dashed my hopes again. It looks like a difficult journey to make the final and if it goes through, it’s going to be by the skin of its teeth. Will have to see what happens in May and hope for the best, but we should also prepare ourselves for the worst. I’m going in expecting Lithuania not to qualify,… Read more »
The producers usually give the 3rd to songs with no big luck. Maybe Lithuania’s staging isn’t ambitious?? But the song itself deserves top 10 in the FINAL.
Russia was in spot three of semifinal one last year and that was a really ambitious staging and it qualified. So I don’t know. The first Four spots in semifinal one don’t have a high qualification rate, so you really need to do something really special If you want to overcome that early running order spot. I don’t know if Lithuania can do that.
With most of the likely jury-friendly entries in the other semi final, I could definitely see Lithuania doing exceptionally well in that vote. Portugal, Netherlands and Greece would probably be the main rivals for the big jury points but after that, I would expect Lithuania to be right there.
A song like this is the only reason for having juries in Eurovision. They have GOT to appreciate this. It’s such a ridiculously high-class entry. If Monika Liu is not the best vocalist this year, she’s certainly in the conversation. Every live performance, every pre-party, singing 100% live and never missing a note. What a wonderful, professional performer she is. She engages with the audience, completely gets into the song and it’s just a wonderful experience for three minutes. Someone compared this to something you’d hear in a Cabaret and it does have that kind of feel to it. That’s… Read more »
Rating: 7.5/10.0
To be honest I wasn’t a fan of this song the first time I heard it. To be even more honest no that I heard it repeatedly I am even less of a fan. Totally boring and outdated, like a poor attempt at capturing a 1920s/30’s vibe but failing miserably. Snaking on stage doesn’t do anything to add to the performance. Sorry.
I thought a review was based on OBJECTIVE facts, like how its in Lithuanian for the first time in decades? You can’t let your own opinions bias something!
If that was true, the whole Wiwi Jury, and all of us, would be giving the exact same score to every song.
You’re right but still it’s quite jarring to see this gem getting 2s and 3s :/
ESC (proper) viewers won’t care so neither should these guys
I can’t take my eyes off of Monika when she’s performing “Sentimentai”, her stage presence is undeniable. She manages to transport us to her world just with some elegant gestures and warm looks to the camera. With a retro-chic sound and lyrics about being haunted by someone from her past, the song is equally captivating. The whole thing feels like watching a French New Wave star vibing on the disco floor like a Golden Age of Hollywood’s diva. It’s one of those you either love with passion or solemnly ignore. I love it. 9.25/10
Sentimental getting 2s and 3s is a crime!
Lithuania 9/12
I swear this site is a podium for trash pop if Ireland ranks higher than this. How much do you have to hate music to give Sentimentai a 2. No taste found.
LOL at those 2, 3…. even if you don’t like it, you gotta respect the artistry behind this song..
You can still respect the artistry but give it a 2 based on your taste. My score would be much higher but opinions are opinions.
opinions are opinions and they can be disrespectful
6.5 for one of the best songs of the year meanwhile ireland gets a 7.4? what is wrong with the wiwi jury’s ears this year because that is just a travesty
It’s the same every year. It’s practically a matter of luck
Visually it’s sure to bring almost a ‘Moloko retro’ style to the stage…. but the song itself does not seem to have a memorable hook and might be left in the pack of a strong semi final.
She has good vocals , but it’s a genre that I don’t personally connect with at all. I’m not sure it’s very immediate. However , the surprise and different factor may work for her. Considering her being in semi 1 which have quite a few Jury pleasers I’m not certain this is a sure qualifier. Borderline in my opinion.
5/10.
I understand that Suzanne is William’s sister but I do not understand why she is judging here… Her opinions are out of the blue… While whole wiwi team gives professional thoughts over performances, songs, she is talking about her duck…
Suzanne is as deserving as anyone else. I like getting all kinds of opinions, it gives us an idea how the actual public might vote. I would also like Ducky’s score, please.
Gold star.
I expected a better score. I like this song a lot, and Monika nails the live performance every time. I really like that she’s singing in her own language, and this reminds me a bit of music from the likes of Caro Emerald, who adorn their music with a sort of retro touch. It’s an 8.5/10 for me 🙂
Even though this isn’t my type of music, this song and the singer are both so classy and elegant!
Monika’s performances are always great and I hope she qualifies!
Giving Brooke nearly an entire point over Monika in these rankings is why I won’t mind it at all when Ireland make it 7 NQ’s out of their last 8 next month.
It’s not Brooke’s fault.
Sure, I’m not actively rooting against Ireland, but personal tastes aside, there are plenty of forgettable entries each year where you just feel like the performer is interchangeable and Brooke falls firmly into that category as well. Monika is the complete opposite of that and I think it should at least count for something when comparing these scores, even if they’re not huge fans of the song itself.
6.5/10
Too be honest, I wasn’t a fan of this to start with. It was just too middle range as to be lost in a sea of songs that stand out more. This grew on me, largely because of Monica. She could sell me anything and I’d buy it and she sort of has with this song. I love the enchanting Sally Bowles feel she brings to it.
This song is incredibly boring. My 2nd to last place.
Monika Liu has the courage to bring back a a style that is not very fashionable in the retro scene (and little or no street cred at the time): the Euro disco sound. And she does it in Lithuanian! Bringing me back to the mid-seventies Eurovision with a contemporary feel and stellar vocals. On top of that the song is dramatic, emotional and feels very authentic. Well done! 8/10
I just can’t understand giving it less than 6 just based on the high musical quality, the elaborate and poetic lyrics and Monica’s vocal talent and stage presence. Whether you find yourself vibing with it or not.
To me it feels like a modern take on Edith Piaff. It’s very nice and pleasent, yet not very original.
Before I read she sings in Lithuanian, I though she sings in French!
7/10 for me. Not bad, not outsanding (however which song is actually outsanding this year? A repeat of 2020)
Giving Monika Liu a 2 is absolutely laughable, I dont think any song this year deserves a 2 and there are plenty of songs that I dislike
Definitely one of the most spellbinding Eurovision entries in recent years, mostly thanks to the beautiful Lithuanian language and Monika. It’s her super strong live vocals and visual appearance (can’t take my eyes off that fabulous mushroom hairdo) that make it stand out so much for me. Hope they keep the split screen effects in Italy – those worked really well at Atranka.
I hate to sound so dramatic, but if juries fail to push this one into the grand final I’m never watching ESC again.
9.5/10 Sentimentai is so unique, it’s like a powerful Jazz-Ballad??! From the first listen I was intrigued, Monika’s performances at PiN made me fall in love with this song!
LITHUANIA – The lovely Lithuanian language is back, and it returns in grand style! Monika Liu’s charming and hypnotic song is anything but ordinary, and every time I listen to it, I fall for its magic even more. Due to its still nature, it may feel static at first, but because of the clever instrumentation choices, it never actually is. It’s a journey in its own right for everyone patient enough to enjoy it. The 50s vibe is well translated on stage, and Monika’s power to connect to the audiences is undeniable. Not only are her vocals great, but her… Read more »
I have no concerns with viewers not getting this because Monika is *that* strong a performer. In every live performance, this song has never dragged, felt tired or outstayed its welcome.
I’m really excited for Lithuania’s potential result with this. It wasn’t my choice in the national final but I am now convinced it was the right choice. It’s the complete package. I think everyone should be prepared for an amazing Lithuanian result.
”It wasn’t my choice in the national final but I am now convinced it was the right choice.” Same. I think I’d gave Ruta and Gebrasy a bit higher on my personal list, but Monika feels like she brings the most competitive package on stage. This is mesmerizing. I hope that the running order and the abundance of solid slow songs don’t stop it from qualifying. This needs to be in the finals. Yes, Monika is *that* strong a performer.
I think some of our jurors need to look at things a little bit more objectively like Lucy is doing… For example, I can’t stand Give That Wolf A Banana but I also wouldn’t give it a 2 because the production alone is worth more
Lithuania – This is one of those songs this year where on first listen I thought “Wow, I don’t think I like this”, but as the NF season went by and I gave it more attention, the more I enjoyed it. Monika is such an enthralling performer and I think this is a for sure qualifier. 6.5/10 (the .5 is for the awesome bit of guitar near the end… I freaking love it lol)
Imagine giving Monika a 2, literally insane, one of the most beautiful songs this year and has the glitz and glam. To give a 2 is sorry, illiteracy is music.
This is a really nice song, and Monika’s endearing stage presence really elevates it. It’s not a type of music that I usually listen to, so I cannot really comment on how it fits into a genre. But I know it’s likely to be my favourite Lithuanian entry to date. Certainly this is one of the highlights of an otherwise dull 2022 for ESC.
”otherwise dull 2022 for ESC” You can’t help yourself, can you? 😉
I agree on Monika and Sentimentai. It’s a good song. It creates its own mood, which is both eerie and comforting. It’s in my early teens, and I could see it in my top 10. My review is sent, but is currently awaiting approval to be seen.
I thought this would be a type of music you could appreciate, Purple! It definitely has hints of Edith Piaf to it but also, with a few more contemporary touches. I think it’s just such a great entry for Eurovision and is something really worthwhile. Best Lithuanian entry to date? I definitely think it’s in that conversation. A lot of their entries have really worked for me. 2018 is my favourite ever and it’s not getting to that level. 2021 was probably their most competitive entry ever so I don’t know if it’s there but It probably slots in alongside… Read more »
Such a charismatic singer. The song is so vibey, filled with quality. For me, it’s like The Wrong Place of last year. Musically maybe the one with the most quality but also severely underrated. I honestly don’t know why many think she’ll NQ, her stage presence is insanely good and the song is one of the best. Also, FINALLY we have Lithuanian back! Def voting for this in 1st semi!
Rating: 9.5/10 (4th)
it’s a song where regardless of your personal enjoyment of it, you have to recognize the objective quality. it’s unique, it’s brilliant, and the eurovision juries need to do their job and heavily reward it.
^ Everything about this. Literally, if you’re a juror and you’re ranking this low, just get out.
this can lowkey win the jury
Not this jury apparently
Not my cup of tea but at least it’s something différent.
What’s not to love about Sentimentai? It’s sexy, classy and Monika is a great person. It’s one of those songs that I will never get bored of. 15th/40. 9/10.
7/10 A very solid and classy entry! Monika is one of this year´s best performers, and kudos to her for singing in Lithuanian. I am no great fan of this musical genre, but I hope this qualifies and does well.
18.Lithuania – This has a quality retro classy vibe. It’s very exciting since Lithuanian wasn’t a thing before this.
35. Lithuania – Monika Liu – Sentimentai – 4.5/10 – cabaret is not my thing and if you don’t feel the vibe of this song, you are not going to get this song, and sadly I don’t. Musically, it is a bit different from the crowd but it is not very engaging and not something that I would ever choose to listen to if given the choice. The translated lyrics sound a little odd and don’t seem to fit the whimsical, happy persona of the performance. I respect that Monika performs the song with a strong heart though, she very… Read more »
We disagree on this one since I really like it but I can see what you mean. It’s a song that can either make people feel it or reject it altogether. There’s no middle ground perhaps. I personally am not a huge fan of the cabaret-music genre but I like “Sentimentai” partly because it’s something new and creative for Eurovision and also because of the language and interpretation.
Barbara Pravi was my number 38 last year so this style of music is just not for me unfortunately. I’m pleased that lots of people seem to feel something when they listen to this song though, songs are all about emotional connection for me and sadly I just don’t feel very much whilst this song is on.
I don’t get why this has been downvoted. I’ve noticed on wiwiblogs that people tend to go mad over the downvote button, using it for any comment they disagree with. That seems childish to me. I only downvote if something is factually wrong or offensive, simply because people having a different opinion is not something drastic. Art is subjective & no-one’s opinion should be cast aside or considered wrong. There is no right or wrong answer, only feelings. Facts are right or wrong, but opinions are not. Regarding this song, it has its own charm & is high quality. I… Read more »
It’s understandable. These songs are not ordinary ballads they have a completely different vibe to them so many people might not be attracted to them.
That’s the thing though, when somebody is ranking something, you’re never really sure that their exact process is. I mean, even if I had the exact same thoughts as you do about this song (and indeed, France from last year), just…the actual quality of these entries would make it that I could never rank them in the 30s. That’s just me though. XD
I guess it is personal perspectives. I have never really understood this “quality” argument that I only ever tend to read about with these sort of entries. What criteria are people using to assess “quality”? I suppose there is a perceived sophistication to these entries, but that does not equate to quality in my book. Fun, sexiness, melancholy, anger, these are all equally as worthy as sophistication in describing the “quality” of something. If we are talking about the arrangement, then there is a level of condescension in describing one act as quality and the other one not – let’s… Read more »
8. Lithuania: I am always up for something alternative and for different genres to enter the contest. Lithuania is giving us a cabaret-style entry that’s seducing and classy simultaneously. Monika is a great performer and singer and given the song’s uniqueness, I personally have almost no doubt that she will qualify for the final. The Lithuanian language is also a nice treat since it’s one of the few European languages that we haven’t heard in recent years.