Tere Estonia! Eesti Laul 2015 — Estonia’s national selection for Eurovision — begins on February 7 with the first semi-final. So the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — is busy reviewing the ten acts that will compete in that heat. Up next it’s Airi Vipulkumar Kansar and her song “Saatuse laul”. Did she makes us shriek with joy — or horror? Read on to find out…
Reviews: Airi Vipulkumar Kansar’s “Saatuse laul”
Angus: While the folk qualities of the song are admirable it sounds woefully out of place at Eurovision. At least the Russian Grannies had the sense to put a dance breakdown in their song to make it bearable.
Score: 2.5/10
Anthony: “Saatuse laul” sounds like a bizarre mix of old country music with one of those Mediterranean holiday songs I’d listen to abroad. Dated, cheesy and slowly becoming a guilty pleasure of mine, but in the end, it would be a mammoth ask for Airi to win this year.
Score: 5/10
Chris: Bless them for trying. There’s certainly a kind of camp element which I don’t…dislike, I guess? They can sing, it will probably get some points for the novelty factor and it’s very “traditional” – and Estonia have a habit of throwing in some random songs to the final. But really, it’s just a bit naff, isn’t it?
Score: 2.5/10
Josh: Upon first listen, I thought ‘Saatuse Laul’ sounded like a horrible Estonian karaoke song. Further into the song I just sat with a puzzled look on my face, wondering what the heck I was listening to. ‘Saatuse Laul’ is the kind of song that makes me wish I were listening to Manilla Luzon. Airi can have a participation point.
Score: 1/10
Patrick: Texas meets country music meets Estonian levity! This is funny to listen to because it’s that grotesque that it’s kind of lovely again! This woman is not the best singer tbh, but somehow she manages to make it seem like a lovely karaoke-evening with friends! It’s fine, not good and not extremely bad – I think this will surprise us!
Score: 4/10
Ramadan: All I can say about this song is blah. Her voice is giving me Belarus 2004 vibes and that isn’t a good thing. I’m not a fan of Texas country music, so it isn’t a song I’d listen to at all. Outdated, doomed, just no.
Score: 3/10
Robyn: Is this evidence that time travel is possible? “Saatuse laul” is a proper old-fashioned country song and the band look like they’ve teleported straight from a 1970s variety show. This might have been a strong contender at Eurovision 1975, but in 2015 it’s only going to appeal to ageing fans of country music.
Score: 2/10
Sami: I don’t know why but it sounds like a theme song for a country-themed children’s TV show. That’s pretty much everything I have to say about the song. I don’t mind listening to it once, although it makes three minutes feel so much longer than they should.
Score: 2/10
Sopon: To be fair, the harmonies are nice? I don’t know what to say about this song. It’s not hurting anyone, and it’s sweet. But it’s also boring and not meant for Eurovision this century.
Score: 6/10
sounds like Estonia’s answer to Germany 1982, with a twist of Disney Show Jessie.