The Wiwi Jury, our panel of music unprofessionals, hopped across the Channel this week to review France’s Eurovision 2012 entry “Echo (You and I).” Did Anggun leave us saying “Oo la la!” or “Eww, na na!”? Read on to find out….

Wiwi: Crazy people tend to be more interesting—and the same holds true for music. The opening bars of Anggun’s “Echo (You and I)” give off a schizophrenic vibe, moving from R&B to rock to trance to pop all in a matter of seconds. But Anggun finally settles on a mid-tempo dance number with Oriental influences. And Wiwi approves.

Although its sound is decidedly modern, the song’s message is as old as time: How do we cope with the end of a relationship? The lyrics suggest that the song’s central character is having trouble moving on. “We get lost, we hope/ Somewhere we go astray/But one day beyond this we’ll meet/ In my dreams, in my dreams/ In my heart, in my mind/ I see you and I, I see you and I.” Some may criticize the use of English in the simple chorus. But it mirrors the theme of love echoing through time, and, in this case, through language, too. On avance, mais on court après quoi? Anggun asks, which means something like, “We move on, but what are we running after?” It’s a good question for all of us.

Finally, Anggun, one of our Eurovision Babes of the Day, is seriously hot. Wiwi—who is half-Vietnamese—loves that Indonesian-born Anggun is taking Eurovision out of Europe with her electric zither and stunning look. In the grand tradition of Jessy Matador and Stella Mwangi, she’s showing us that Eurovision really is a contest without borders.

Score: 7/10

When Anggun bends down, all y'all look up

Vebooboo: There’s a slight disconnect between the first 15 seconds and the next 2+ minutes, but I have to say I’m in love with the transition from 0:16 to 0:48. After the first chorus the song gets a bit too repetitive and just never really climaxes. That’s right: no stains on that Indonesian’s sheets! But unfortunately that’s not a good thing in this case. We like it dirty at WiwiBloggs.Com, and we like to orgasm. Pretty girl, decent song. Decent overall.

Score: 5.5/10

Meows Kitty: Although another disco stomper, Anggun definitely stomps out her competitors in the same category—and with very little effort required. The song is cool and chic rather than cheesy and crap, and I would not feel embarrassed if caught dancing to this tune in public (and you better believe that I will be in Baku!). What’s more, Anggun is a stunner! She has stage presence without uttering a word, and she can sing which is just icing on the cake!

Score: 8/10

Deban: Post Patricia Kaas, France has reverted back to the losing formula of the Eurasian Portmanteau. In other words, French stanzas with a hook/chorus in the English language. What a bore! Anggun, on the other hand, is an interesting character. Flirting with Oriental elegance (but remaining decidedly French), she is the first Indonesian artist to break into the European and American record charts. Her albums have been platinum in several Francophone countries, and her breakthrough hit ‘Snow on the Sahara’ charted in 33 countries. In addition, she has received a number of accolades for her achievements, including the prestigious Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French Minister of Culture.

Her bio is impressive, but it’s easy to see why she did kiss success initially. She started off being Erick Benzi’s protégé. Collaborations with Julio Iglesias, Peter Gabriel and Pras Michel of the Fugees helped in sealing her status. Sadly, not even this midas touch can sustain her ESC submission. Echo is self-written and produced, and this may be part of the problem.

The song begins with a pop/rock intro, only to morph into a euro-dance dramatically 17 seconds later. The change of gear is so bizarre: it leaves you wondering if this is destined to be an echo to France’s failure. But guess what? France is in the final anyway! It sure does pay to be one of the Big 5.

Score: 2/10

The Wiwi Jury Verdict: 5.63/10

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Christian
11 years ago

This is a serious grower.I started out not being fond at all but must say that it gets better for every play and NOW I understand the buzz about this song.Not to keen on the whistling but they still have time to cut that out for the final

Vian
Vian
11 years ago

I like Echo (You and I), this song is not ordinary, unique, very detail & rich in music istrumentation. I love in the end of the song, Anggun scream make me ear-gasm!

francisco
francisco
11 years ago

I think I have to agree with several of you: it is a repetitive song, and it is such a pity because with a bit more work and a good editing job they could have made it big…and i mean BIG. It has all the components: a multi-layered rythm, a catchy tune of distinctly French taste and a very pretty and curvaceous lady singing it…

Zolan
Zolan
11 years ago

Tres chic. This is pop for grown ups, without the training wheels. Okay, it’s not *that* grown up, but just look at the competition. The intro sets up a few motifs as a kind of appetiser to prick our curiousity about what’s coming, and just as we think we’ve got it, pulls the rug out from under our feet, leaving us even more focused for the real thing. The song takes control of its reception by scrubbing our minds first. There is a real sense of momentum in the ascending run-on verses, and the way rhythm is merely hinted through… Read more »

frederic
frederic
11 years ago

WOW!!! the last time i watched eurovision that must have been in 1986 in fact i’m pretty sure it’s been that long!!! well all i can say it’s that i sure missed some awesome stuff !!!!

Remi
Remi
12 years ago

Harsh critique again in my view Judge Deban. Though not so my night-cap if I’m being honest, she however doesn’t deserve a life sentence. So what if there isn’t any fireworks or full circus display (yet)? The song and perhaps lyrics is so Eurovisioneque……what more do you want? She’s even managed to sing the song to the very end. She might even score very high marks for just showing up, staying pretty for the cameras and remembering her lines. You just wait and see how the voting teenage, middle-aged and elderly heterosexual male European populace would receive her perfomance or… Read more »

Ernie
Ernie
12 years ago

this is actually the only “real” song in the competition this year (so far). it actually is a ballad with multiple hooks and a strangely not-at-all cheesy key-change in the end – but it’s set to a big electronic dance production, very modern but still distinctively french in its smoothness of melody. even though superior not only musically but also commercially (this is probably the only entry that could sell well across europe), it’s also a song that grows slowly. as for a competition where mostly the nonprofessional votes count, this could never win, just as the ukrainian entry in… Read more »

Richard
12 years ago

For me, France and Eurovision often meant tedious ballad. Then a few years ago things started to change and the French started entering random and interesting songs, Sebastien Tellier, Jessy Matador, Patricia Kaas (except last year’s hight overrrated Sognu). And I think they have done it again with Echo (You and I). I find it really catchy and the opening, though a bit weird, is memorable and when you only have 3 minutes it’s what you want. I think she’ll sing it really well and I would be quite happy if France were to fnish top 10 with this. Vive… Read more »

Neil
Neil
12 years ago

The song has a number of hooks to it that makes it different including the start and use of English in the main chorus. Since France is in the finals anyway success will depend on how the French showcase it.

stephen
stephen
12 years ago

What is going on at this year entry, all the song are horrible, the song is boring and sound is killing me. Dam sure we not going to Paris next year. Sorry France no good

Nathan and Marie
Nathan and Marie
12 years ago

This song is a bore, we agree with you Deban for once! (in much less words) …

Do you know what we hate about this song? That stupid sound like a creak or the sound of a stomach when you havent eaten. eeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiieeeiiiiiiiiii
Wtf is that ?
Am I supposed to be high on a space cake?
Or maybe it’s a creaking door…. Or ….. MAYBEEEEE it’s Meows kitty meowing?

Emma
Emma
12 years ago

Meh. I like the song okay (6.5/10) but it’s not brilliant. It’s not very exciting, which, to me, is one of the best things about Eurovision songs. The reason (or one of them) Azerbaijan, Sweden, and Greece got the top televotes is because they were all quite exciting to watch/listening to. This is just…catchy, but it’s not pulling me in. LOVE the switching languages, I think that’s very cool, but I feel like it goes nowhere. If France had to fight for qualification, this would probably make it through in the middle of the pack. Consequently, I see it placing… Read more »