Wiwi Jury A Dal Edition: Bogi, Karmapolis and Gabi Szucs

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — recently traveled to Budapest where we gorged on goulash and reviewed the acts which qualified from last week’s opening round of A Dal 2015. Surely Bogi, Karmapolis and Gabi Szucs feel better now that they’ve advanced. But how are we feeling? Read on to find out…

Bogi – World of Violence

Robyn: I know Bogi is an A Dal favourite, but this song just doesn’t quite do it for me. The song is dramatic and stylish and manages to have socially conscious lyrics without getting preachy. But – unlike “Kedvesem” and “Running” – there’s nothing about this song that makes me want to listen to it again.

Score: 6/10

Renske: Although people will like the message behind Bogi’s song, I don’t think that will make them vote. Sadly the song is a bit boring, especially after repeat listening. If you hear a voice like Bogi’s you’d expect more fire. This song is too “weak” for her voice.

Score: 6.5/10

Sopon: I’m pinning Hungary on taking the trophy this year, and I thought Bogi would have been the one to do it. Her A Dal performance was really strong between the “live” orchestra and the homage to her music video on the LED screen. However, this is not the song for her. She’s seventeen, and after teen hits like “We All” and “Feels So Right”, this is a big step that I don’t think she’s prepared for just yet.

Score: 8/10

Josh: We all, we all were waiting for this song. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the first show. Bogi’s voice reminds me a little bit of Lena, but not as annoying. The violins add some drama that the song needed. It definitely doesn’t have the impact of ‘Running’, but it’s not a bad song.

Score: 6.5/10

Sami: I think Eurovision juries might like this. It’s very dramatic, but the chorus is more radio pop. She sounds better on the studio version and the live performance let me down a little. I totally see why it made it through, though.

Score: 6/10

Judit: It was a big dissapointment for me. Everybody loves Bogi, but I’m not one of her fans, and after this live show I realized she just can’t win this year. The song is good, but as one of the jury members said, it’s full of clichés. The orchestra made it better, but she can’t take them to Vienna.

Score: 5/10

Patrick: Bogi is a great artist! “World of Violence” is a beautiful song with a great story and nice lyrics! I just don’t get the feeling that Bogi will win A Dal – I mean she would deserve it after her several attemps but I’m not sure how this could do in Vienna. It’s nice, but nice is sadly not enough…

Score: 7.5/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 6.5/10

Karmapolis – Time Is Now

Robyn: This song is growing on me. It’s not perfect, but I’m impressed by the band’s fresh take on the guitar-and-electro combination. But the song also feels a lot longer than three minutes and never really seems like it’s going anywhere. There are some good ideas in there, but Karmapolis haven’t done enough with them.

Score: 5/10

Renske: The beginning was very disappointing, but when the electronic influence came in, I started to like it. Eurovision needs more songs like this one. Sadly for this band: the singer isn’t really good. But if he takes some vocal lessons and the song gets a small revamp, then this could do well in Vienna.

Score: 7/10

Sopon: If there was ever a time to wish that instrumental compositions were allowed, this would be it. Dammit, that backing track is amaze. Unfortunately the singer is more tone deaf than a howler monkey!

Score: 4/10

Josh: I’m sorry, but there is never a good time for this song. I felt a little led on by this song, particularly around the dance beat before the chorus. I really thought the song would build into something fun, instead I would rather sleep.

Score: 3/10

Sami: I like the live performance much more than the studio version, even if I hate the echo effect. He sounds nice and it’s also quite catchy. I don’t know if I would dance to this at the EuroClub, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it in the final.

Score: 7/10

Judit: Karmapolis isn’t my favourite band, and I didn’t like this song before the semifinal. Now, my opinion changed a little, and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. However, I hope they won’t take our Hungarian flag to Vienna.

Score: 5.5/10

Patrick: It’s a quite boring and out-of-tune song with nice lyrics but for me it’s nothing special. The guy can sing but it’s just nothing I would remember when I watch Eurovision and really not something I would vote for.

Score: 2/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 4.8/10

Gabi Szucs – Úgy Sem Felejtesz El

Robyn: I really like this song and I like Gabi as a performer, but I don’t think they go well together. The song is a cute pop song, but Gabi has a depth and maturity that seems at odds with the bubblegum pop. She sings it well, but I’d like to see her matched with a song that can really let her talents shine.

Score: 6/10

Renske: The Hungarian language and an Anmary-like song can be a good combination, but I think this song is still a bit too old-fashioned for Eurovision 2015. If this would have represented Hungary eight years ago, it could have had a chance.

Score: 6/10

Sopon: “Dated” is not a term I use often as retro things usually please me, but this just screams that one specific adjective over and over! I wouldn’t mind Hungary trying again in Hungarian (ByeAlex did well in the language), but not with this.

Score: 2/10

Josh: Well, that was three minutes of my life I’ll never get back. I’ve seen better performances out of the dingy bar down the road from my house. I’m unsure how this song got through to the next round. Not my cup of tea!

Score: 1/10

Sami: I can’t really see why this made it to the final instead of some others. It’s actually really boring, even if it tries to be all swingy and dancable. It’s actually a bit like a slower version of Nina’s “Caroban” from 2011. I’m not liking this and I hope it doesn’t advance to the final.

Score: 3/10

Judit: This song is a reason why I hate the new rules in 2015. Last year the jury picked three songs and the other three were sent by the audience. Now we can save only one act, and I’m sure if this song would be in our hands, it would never have made it to the final. I hate how she sings and I just don’t like this performance.

Score: 0/10

Patrick: It’s weird but I really like it more than the studio version. It’s sweet. Gabi does not have the biggest voice in the world but her singing is pleasant enough. She should just work on her performance. I’m glad that the jury saved this! Bravo Gabi!

Score: 8.5/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 3.9/10

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