Since December, we’ve been asking y’all to vote for your favourites in Eesti Laul 2016, Estonia’s selection for Eurovision. At the same time, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — was ranking and reviewing all the entries. The competition’s second semi-final airs tonight. Ten acts will compete, but only five will secure a spot in the final. It’s time to make some predictions!
Tonight’s show begins at 20:35 CET. You can watch it on the ERR website.
Both the Wiwi Jury and the Wiwi Poll agreed on three qualifiers — Jüri Pootsmann, Grete Paia and I Wear* Experiment. In the Wiwi Poll, Púr Múdd took fourth place and Anett Kulbin finished fifth, but the Wiwi Jury did not appreciate them as much, dragging their entries down to eighth and sixth place respectively in the overall rankings. Instead, the Wiwi Jury favoured Go Away Bird and Gertu Pabbo, who finished sixth and eighth in the poll.
1. JÜRI POOTSMANN — “PLAY”
The best: Mesmerizing! The production of this track is beyond! It has an amazing set of instruments, which is really great. Moreover, it has Jüri’s voice, which is deep, wich touches your soul and gives you goosebumps. Also, his look may seem cold, but it goes right through you like a laser! I absolutely love it! (10/10, Mikhail)
The worst: My second favourite and probably the winner. Jüri owns a powerful, deep, moving voice and Stig Rasta has delivered another brilliant piece of writing. I see this working perfectly at the national final and with the correct performance it should score a final spot at Eurovision. Bravo! (8/10, Bernardo)
2. GRETE PAIA — “STORIES UNTOLD”
The best: Yes, even I heard the Sia similarity, but guys I really don’t care cause it’s Grete Paia. How dissapointed I was in 2013 when she only came second. Anyway, she is the queen, no doubt! Her song starts dark and has some mysteries in it but then it starts being really nice. I don’t have a better word than nice ’cause how can I describe it? Grete will surely do well, if not win the whole thing. Surely one out of the best, if not the best. GO GRETE (9/10, Patrick)
The worst: The song has quality in it, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is quite boring. It is flat, it is the same throughout the whole song and has nothing to focus on. Just average, just a nice background, but not for listening to enjoy.(5/10, Mikhail)
3. I WEAR* EXPERIMENT — “PATIENCE”
The best: This was one of the first Eesti Laul entries to be released and I still love it! This music takes you away, makes you feel something. It creates a special atmosphere that makes you want to create something! A little bit inspirational, I would say. The only problem with this song is that its lyrics are a bit repetitive, but I can live with that. (9/10, Mikhail)
The worst: The first minute left me spellbound! However, as we hit the chorus, the song became a major letdown. Too shouty at times, and hemmed with an unnecessary drum kit. Towards the end, I’d lost patience. What started out beautifully has turned into a hot mess! (4/10, Deban)
4. GO AWAY BIRD — “SALLY”
The best: This song slays the pack! This is quality! This captivating sound makes you imagine everything you can, from kikimora spirits on the swamp to a cowboy shootout. But oh wait — “I certify your official excuse for the booze” Yas! The lyrics are mixed with so much crack and I love it. So many metaphorical comparisons, incredible switches. This is something to keep an eye on! Oh, this strawberry juice — what did they put in it? (10/10, Mikhail)
The worst: The ’60s opening reminds me of Franz Ferdinand’s “Walk Away”. Sadly, this song is nowhere as good as that one. The breathy vocals ooze sex and sass, but the monotonous backing and shapeless melody get old fast. This works as a canapé, but not a main course. (4/10, William)
5. ANETT KULBIN — “STRONG”
The best: All hail Anett and her bewitching voice! Her singing is so delicate and mesmerizing. I fell in love with the song from the very first note. The strength of “Strong” comes from its striking simplicity. If Anett can translate that onstage, she will earn some votes and maybe win the competition. (9.5/10, Zakaria)
The worst: It’s jazzy and smooth and her voice absorbs emotion like a sponge takes water. But my god the song goes on a bit. It leaves me bored and just a bit empty. (5/10, William)
POLL RESULTS
- Jüri Pootsmann – “Play” 17.78% (434 votes)
- Grete Paia – “Stories Untold” 10.12% (247 votes)
- I Wear* Experiment – “Patience” 5.82% (142 votes)
- Púr Múdd – “Meet Halfway” 3.48% (85 votes)
- Anett Kulbin – “Strong” 3.2% (78 votes)
- Go Away Bird – “Sally” 3.15% (77 votes)
- La La Ladies – “Unikaalne” 2.54% (62 votes)
- Gertu Pabbo – “Miljon korda” 2.5% (61 votes)
- Põhja-Tallinn – “Ei ole mul olla” 2.01% (49 votes)
- Meisterjaan – “Parmupillihullus” 1.29% (32 votes)
WIWI JURY RESULTS
- Jüri Pootsmann — “Play” (8.72)
- Grete Paia — “Stories Untold” (7.25)
- I Wear* Experiment — “Patience” (7.08)
- Go Away Bird — “Sally” (7.03)
- Gertu Pabbo — “Miljon korda” (6.97)
- Anett Kulbin — “Strong” (6.81)
- La La Ladies — “Unikaalne” (5.83)
- Púr Múdd — “Meet Halfway” (5.56)
- Põhja-Tallinn & Jaagup Kreem — “Ei ole mul olla” (4.61)
- Meisterjaan — “Parmupillihullus” (2.78)
Jüri needs something even better than the Eurovision stage though. He should get to sing a theme song for a Bond film
#TeamPúrrMúdd
I wish good luck to Go Away Bird.
@WTF – Agreed. Würffel was too cool even for Estonia.
Go away bird definitely needs to go through. I love them and I think Juri is very overrated.
Who I’d like to qualify: Anett, Jüri, Gertu, Pur Mudd, Go Away Bird (in that order)
Who I think will qualify: Jüri, Grete, I Wear* Experiment, Go Away Bird, ???
5th spot will probably be either Anett, Gertu (who would be helped by the jury) or Põhja-Tallinn (who will do well with the televote).
I’ve now learnt to never get my hopes up for eesti laul, so I fear Eiolemulolla will qualify.
@Briekimchi: Both are easily 2 of the best entries this NF season and should have no problem going through… Würffel getting eliminated at the expense of crap like Supersonic or Lonely Boy was bad enough…
@bogtrotter I can only assume they wanted to cut back on the costs of the semi finals by removing the need to booking and organizing a venue. Maybe they want to put focus more of the budget on the finals.
I would send through, in order of preference, Jüri Pootsmann, I Wear* Experiment, Go Away Bird, Anett Kulbin and then there’s my free 5th spot for me. People disliked “Eiolemulolla” but I find it quite a fun song. No clue what it’s about though. I wouldn’t mind seeing it through, just because it gets stuck in my head and it makes me bounce around. Maybe a lot of people will vote for something in Estonian (as with Kati Laev last week), in which case Gertu Pabbo might be more likely, though her song is one that I often forget. Pur… Read more »
Go Away Bird and Juri have a “Similar” style of entry.
I definitely prefer Go Away Bird of the two.