Earlier today, the Wiwi Jury – our in-house panel of music unprofessionals – gathered in Reykjavik to discuss the contestants participating in Söngvakeppnin 2016, the national selection for Iceland at Eurovision 2016. Today we look at Helgi Valur with his song “Uneasy”. Are we enjoying this easy listening, or does the song make us feel uneasy? Read on to find out…

HELGI VALUR – “UNEASY”

“UNEASY” REVIEWS

Josh: I unexpectedly really like this song. The throwback to the rock/soul sounds so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s is really cool for a potential Eurovision track. I don’t think I can see this fitting within the Eurovision mould, but in the past couple of years several artists have broken that mould. Perhaps Helgi could challenge for the title in Iceland?

Score: 7.5/10

Robyn: Oh yes, this is my favourite from Söngvakeppnin 2016. I love the big 1960s soul-inspired song (and in Eurovision terms, it probably owes something to “Goodbye to Yesterday”). Helgi sounds great, and based on YouTube videos, he can work the stage. But that chorus – it hits like a monster truck of cool musical pleasures.

Score: 9/10

Sinan: I like this style of music. The song is very good and well sung by Helgi Valur! But if the song is the one that is going to represent Iceland at this year’s competition, I’m not so sure. I’m yet to compare this to the other songs in the final for Iceland, but for now I think this is very good.

Score: 7/10

William: Finally! A song to wake me from my Icelandic slumber! The drumming, flash of brass and haunting vocals give this soul, drama and just the right amount of sex appeal. I could see this as the backing to a James Bond film — or at least an Austin Powers one. Intoxicating and heady, this is one of my favourites in the selection.

Score: 8/10

In the Icelandic jury we have seventeen jurors but only room for four reviews. The remaining thirteen scores are below!

Antranig: 6.5/10

Bernardo: 6/10

Cristian: 8/10

Dayana: 2/10

Denise: 4/10

Edd: 3/10

Gökhan: 1.5/10

Luis: 9/10

Maria: 4.5/10

Mario: 2.5/10

Max: 4.5/10

Mikhail: 6/10

Steinunn: 7/10

The highest and lowest scores are dropped prior to calculating the average score. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 1.5 and a high of 9.

WIWI JURY SCORE: 5.7/10

FOR OUR LIST OF SONGVAKEPPNIN 2016 RANKINGS, CLICK HERE

FOR MORE ICELAND EUROVISION NEWS, CLICK HERE

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KV
KV
8 years ago

I really, really want to like this more than I do. It just doesn’t stand out for me, like at all. The start is boring, not unique, just boring, I guess the chorus is okay but it doesn’t stand out enough – especially not in a see of songs like Eurovision. I feel like this would be on the backing of an Icelandic low-rent James Bond. This song is definitely making me Uneasy.

Score: 3/10

WTF
WTF
8 years ago

Would be a decent entry, the best they could send this year, anyway.

V_AUS
V_AUS
8 years ago

Love this song! It has catchy, hummable melodies in verse and chorus (which is rare) supported by juicy and pleasing harmonies. Helgi communicates it with feeling throughout.

By the time the rest of the countries choose their songs there are going to be many which fit the usual Europop or Eurodisco moulds. This song is Iceland’s chance to stand out from the pack.