Wiwi Jury: Latvia’s Lana Svilpe, Signe, Rihards Saule and Andris Kivics

Earlier today, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — continued its journey through Latvia ahead of LTV’s national selection process “Supernova”, which kicks off tonight. The arena is PUMPING and so are our thoughts and opinions of tonight’s four competing songs from Lana Svilpe, Signe, Rihards Saule, and Euphony. Were the entries as exciting as tonight’s kick off? Read on to find out…

Lana Svilpe – Lions

Anthony: It hasn’t quite got the roar power (see what I did there?) I had in mind from Lana, but certainly not the worst. As the name suggests, “Lions” is slightly reminiscent of Ukraine’s 2013 Eurovision entry “Gravity” along with, quite appropriately, the African-influenced soundtrack of The Lion King.

Score: 6/10

Deban: Yawnfest! Who starts a song with silence? The chorus doesn’t bind the weak verses. This sounds like spoken word, with a few stretched verses over a dance beat. Silence required, please. This is almost unbearable!

Score: 2.5/10

Judit: There are a lot of better songs in the field of Supernova. This song doesn’t deserve much.

Score: 1/10

Patrick: It’s a good pop song with a great beat delivered with a nice voice. I just can’t figure out what the chorus of the song actually is. “Lions” is a great title for a song but it suggests power. Her may will likely be a little weak…

Score: 5/10

Sopon: Trying to rhyme “silence” and “lions” was the first mistake. The second was the overuse of cliché, and the third was the lethal combination of African chanting and house beats. This is not working. Three strikes and you’re out.

Score: 5/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 3.9/10

Signe – Sweet Girl

Anthony: Signe herself is probably a “Sweet Girl” with some sweet jazzy vocals to boot as well, but the song needs some serious oomph. It has a slight hint of the Uptown Funk within it, but I absolutely can’t see Latvia replicating the huge impact and success of Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars with this.

Score: 3.5/10

Deban: Tacky Eastern pop! This is a poor effort for a demo, let alone a finalist in a national selection. A few good ideas in the chorus, but it feels like an endurance task waiting to get there.

Score: 3/10

Judit: You must be kidding… I try to find the best words to describe the song but can’t find them. Maybe they need songs like this just to have a full list in the competition…

Score: 2/10

Patrick: This is so hilarious… Like why does she even try with this song? It’s bad, it’s dull, I don’t like how she delivers the lyrics. NO!

Score: 0/10

Sopon: Based on Signe’s styling, I was not expecting a disappointing 70’s pop number. She can do so many mysterious and memorable musical things with that appearance and to hear this song was just a let-down.

Score: 2/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 2.1/10

Rihards Saule – Life Lines

Anthony: “Life Lines” has a mix of pop, country and rock but they all add up to one instantly bland and forgettable formula. It’s in stark contrast to the dance based entry of the other Rihards from Supernova 2015. It’s looking unlikely that Rihards Saule will be given a semi-final lifeline this year.

Score: 1/10

Deban: Listen to “Life Lines” on low volume, and alas! You’ve found the perfect remedy for insomnia. You don’t believe me? Try it.

Score: 1.5/10

Judit: The only reason why I wait Supernova is Markus Riva and his song, so none of the other song can have a real impact on me. This one sounds like it belongs on the soundtrack of a not so good movie. I can’t say I hate it. I don’t feel anything and I think this is worse.

Score: 0/10

Patrick: She tries to be poetic but sounds like a desperate dog who wants his bone! “Life Lines” is truly a bad song with horrible lines, music and vocals. Sorry.

Score: 0/10

Sopon: “We are here and that’s amazing” is the strangest choice for an opening line if I’ve ever heard one! I’m just really confused by this one, and don’t think think it’s worth the bother to unconfuse myself by listening to it again.

Score: 3/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 1.1/10

Andris Kivics – Home

NOTE: Euphony’s version of “Home” is not released yet so that’s why we reviewed the version from the composer of the song!

http://youtu.be/AbtZ4tND-D8

Anthony: Someone has clearly forgotten to tell Andris that we’re not listening to songs at a campfire, nor living the American country life. Sorry, but while “Home” makes a handy chillax song with that home sweet home feeling, it’ll go nowhere at a Latvian national final.

Score: 0.5/10

Deban: This is simply not a contender, but among this blind pack of four, Andris Kivics emerges as the one-eyed Prince. “Home” reads like a melodious thank-you card composed for retirees. Nothing fresh, inventive or creative here. Latvia needs a wake-up call, not a lullaby!

Score: 3/10

Judit: In December we are in a wood house, around the fire and listen or sing this song. It has a friendly spirit, and it’s simple and easy to remmeber the lyrics. This isn’t the worst in the competition.

Score: 5/10

Patrick: It is really a lovely song but I can’t judge it because the version of the girls could be completely different! Lovely lyrics, nice tune and a sweet message. Well done!

Score: 7/10

Sopon: Simply underwhelming and worthless.

Score: 0/10

Wiwi Jury Average: 3.1/10

Read all of our Supernova reviews here.

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