Yesterday the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — travelled to Greece where we visited the Parthenon. As we reflected on the history of modern civilisation, we discussed Argo‘s song “Utopian Land”. Did we believe in their utopian fantasy? Or did we crave something more gritty? Read on to find out!
Argo – “Utopian Land”
“Utopian Land” reviews
Deban: Strong elements of folklore are woven into “Utopian Land”, creating a fusion of promising moments, and pure tragedy. Set against a backdrop of quality entries this year, I can’t see this advancing! I applaud Greece for being daring, and sampling a breath of different sounds in its participation history. However, this time they’ve sacrificed their taste level in favour of experimentation.
Score: 4/10
Angus: Greece used to set the pace for each year’s contest and now they’re the unfit kid at the back of the pack struggling to keep up. “Utopian Land” tingles with all the elements that defined Greece’s glory days, but is lost beneath a dodgy vocal, which I actually find more offensive than the rap. This is just totally outclassed by the rest of the competition.
Score: 1.5/10
Patrick: Greece brings music to Eurovision that people either love or hate. The same again this year. I’m really conflicted about this year’s entry. When the song starts, I fall into a Greek dream of traditional music and folklore. The rap then kind of destroys the dream and I fall into a shock. It is surely not the worst song and surely not the best but it has something that I like about it. And let’s be honest, it is Greece — qualification with good staging is granted!
Score: 5/10
Bogdan: What a mess! Instrumentally flawless and vocally a disaster, “Utopian Land” reflects the conflicting image Greece has today, after the economic crisis and refugee crisis: a beautiful country with a lot of problems. I wouldn’t be surprised if Greece misses the final this year. The video is good though, too bad they can’t send it without the music.
Score: 5.5/10
Anthony: Greece’s top 10 streak is becoming a distant memory, so this feels as if they grabbed bits they had previous success with and crammed it all onto “Utopian Land”. The rapping elements from “Watch My Dance”, various instrumentals from “Opa” and the uptempo pop Greece dished out for years before last year’s ballad. You’ll get the hang of this after several listens, but Argo will need to pull off a memorable first impression on the night.
Score: 6/10
George: When I first heard the song I really thought Greece wouldn’t qualify for the final this year. On second listen, though, I found out how meaningful the lyrics are and how strong the music is. The rap part, though, kind of destroys the whole thing and thus, the song may not do that well at Eurovision, but I can still say Argo really are “the rise in the rising sun”.
Score: 8/10
Josh: “Utopian Land” does not take me to Utopia. This is by far the weakest Greek entry since I started following the contest in 2010 and I’m confident that Argo will cause the qualifying streak for Greece to come to an end. No diaspora voting could save this. Bye girl, bye.
Score: 3/10
Maria: At first, all I enjoyed about “Utopian Land” were the lyrically undisturbed Pontian beats. Then I realised hidden in the never-ending rap verses and the strong dialect, are some nonsensical, actually fun lyrics! I am hoping for more of these surprises on stage to elevate the entry’s mood because the chorus alone doesn’t do it so well.
Score: 7/10
Padraig: “Utopian Land” comes across more as a cultural showcase rather than a competitive entry in a song contest. Apart from its ethnic eccentricities, there’s little going for the track. The female vocalist sounds disinterested, while the rap is unlikely to win over new fans. Greece have often sent below-par entries, but they’ve always had some element of fun. “Utopian Land” is a chore to get through, and Argo are going to need the diaspora to come out en masse if they’re to see the Saturday night lights.
Score: 5.5/10
Robyn: It’s easy to talk about how rap songs never do well at Eurovision, but Greece qualified for the final with a rap song in 2014, so I’m sure they’ll do ok with “Utopian Land”. Their 2016 entry is enjoyably bleak, with an (ironically?) upbeat chorus that contrasts with the darker verses. It’s an unusual entry, but it has so much more to offer than the shouty lady ballad of 2015.
Score: 8/10
William: Greece is one of my favourite countries at Eurovision – which is why I’m so disappointed by this. The opening is ethnic, enticing and promising. But then the male vocals come in and I’m dead. The chit-chatty sound isn’t inspiring and when the female vocals re-enter they start to grate. If this is utopia, then order me a big old chunk of dystopia asap. Greece deserves better.
Score: 2.5/10
In the Wiwi Jury we have 40 jurors but only have room for 11 reviews. The remaining 29 scores are below.
Antranig: 5.5/10
Bernardo: 4.5/10
Chris: 5.5/10
Cristian: 6/10
David: 2/10
Dayana: 8/10
Denise: 6/10
Diego: 5/10
Edd: 5/10
Forrest: 4/10
Gökhan: 1.5/10
Jason: 4/10
Judit: 4.5/10
Kristin: 7.5/10
Liam: 1/10
Luis: 5/10
Marek: 6/10
Mario: 2/10
Max: 1/10
Mike: 3.5/10
Mikhail: 1/10
Renske: 4.5/10
Rezo: 1/10
Sami: 4/10
Sinan: 4/10
Steinunn: 7/10
Tobias: 3/10
William C: 3.5/10
Zakaria: 2.5/10
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 and a high of 8.
@esc2016 – I am sorry if you feel this way. I am trying to be objective and I did say nice things about the song and about Greece in my review.
i really feel for Greece this year, it makes me sad for them
but having said that, i’m glad we got 2 novelty songs this year, lots of fun
Serhat and Argo 🙂 🙂 🙂
@Bogdan ….what do you think that you telling right now?? every year you attack to greece…..you HAVE TO be at least objective….
Once again the wiwigarbages give an unfair critic only because there is not a cute guy with abs or a so-many-times-heard beat and don’t see the core of the song
@ESCaddict
as a comedy act 🙂 🙂
I like this song.
Currently I rank Utopian Land 26 of 43.
@georgekirkas
well it’s fun, maybe a good comedy act for the semi final 🙂
@Stev: Why so much love and compassion for every single awful Greek entry? You see this is a SONG contest … it’s meant to showcase great music … and not rubbish … which I am pretty sure you must love. Nobody ain’t got time to think if Greece is a great country or not, again, this is a music competition and yes I never liked and never will. Fans have been breastfeeding Greece like a poor baby we have to feel sorry for. Hell to the no!
It’s like you can hear this kind of song in a documentary show or a school report. But since the message begs to differ, I might consider that as its sole importance (as usual for Greece) than what’s based on face value.
I have a deep respect and appreciation for rap music and am always proud of countries that take the risk of bringing their folk traditions into their Eurovision entry. That being said, this entry doesn’t build momentum or give me a reason to listen to it. That intro is beautiful, but once the singing starts, I kind of want to stop listening.
I wonder what the reaction will be in Greece when/if the song does not qualify. Will the Greek Eurofans care? Will the Greek media protest?
Greece is obviously a country that cares about Eurovision, so intentionally sending a bad entry cannot sit well with the Greek people.
What’s happened with the Greeks this year? Why such an awful song? Why this dirty rap? No more nice music in Greece?
Sorry Greeks, but no place in the final for you this year.
@Colin: I actually enjoy Georgia’s song too. Indie-rock has a huge market right now so I’m surprised people don’t expect that to do well when the general populace votes. Of course im not surprised that the hardcore eurovision fans dont like their entry (lack of “strong” female vocalist and powerful choruses) but when have they ever had an open mind to other types of genres? lol
Greece has consistently been in my top 10 (minus 2002/2003) and this year doesn’t disappoint! I loooove this entry so much, it stands out greatly from the rest of the pack. The ethnic elements sound great, and I love the rapping part even though i didnt think i would. Pretty much I agree with what Robyn said!
At the same time, I know people hate it and I’m afraid they won’t make it to the Final 🙁
In 2016, Greece just doesn’t give a single f#&% about you people of Eurovision roam. ERT wants to send this rap music because why not?
6/10 for showing their middle finger to Europe. Haha #ThatFinancialCrisisFeel
Greece is always a love/hate situation for me. This year it’s the latter.
I love the Greek music in this. I actually don’t mind the rap but I don’t think it works as an esc song. I hate the crappy English chorus.
Slap it all together and you have this mess. It’s Greece so they will most likely qualify but I hope it stays in the semi final naughty corner.
@Homer
Midnight Gold is easily a 8/10 if you ask me, but people generally don’t like it. I think it’s kind of funny/creepy and love that mad scientists video.
@Homer
I actually don’t like our 2011 entry either! I agree with you that it’s not good to judge a song based on the appearance of the performer, but I think that you have a problem accepting and respecting other people’s opinion…
Last on my first review, and will probably be last on my second and third reviews. The less said the better. Fotis from OikoTimes.com has been incredibly disappointed from the moment he heard this song.
Colin,
Exactly my thoughts about Georgia, if this narrow minded people decide to give Midnight Gold a rating under 4 then someone should immediately block this site…
Can we try to guess Wiwibloggs’ highest and lowest score left? Judging NOT by my opinion in all cases, but rather my observation on general opinion in comments and ratings. Candidates for over 8.0 – Croatia, Russia, Czech Republic, Iceland, France Candidates for under 4.0 – San Marino, Montenegro, Georgia, Albania Personally, I hope Croatia, Czech Republic, Iceland and France get good score, while I’m indifferent to the result of Russia. Out of assumed bottom, I hope Georgia doesn’t get that low score and end-up over 4. something. San Marino and Albania should be rock bottom, like 2.2 and 2.4.… Read more »
@Charles Why so much hate for Greece? Every year I see you posting hateful comments towards the nation… Are you crazy or something like that? Or from a flop Eurovision country which constantly does bad like Spain, UK and Ireland?
Face it, Greece is one of the best countries in the contest and a non-qualification isn’t going to change anything
georgekirkas, Cool down? With such imbecile opinions like this? You should be proud of your country’s entry which is way better than what typical Eurovision fans are telling and your best since 2011. When you see a disgraceful song like Lithuania with that type of rating and when you see opinions like “i’m going to vote for him just because he’s a good looking and he’s cute and i want him to be naked on stage” LOOOOOL, is this suppose to be taken seriously? Face it, this contest will never evolve because people can’t embrace different styles of music, because… Read more »
@Homer
You posted one rude comment and you keep going…You need to cool down! It’s just their opinion!
4.34 average? Y’all are way too harsh. At first I didn’t like the song, but it started to grow on me. It’s a nice difference to every Mans-ripoff
So, according to you, this piece of mess (I would say another word) is also better than Belarus? (4.32) The only “good” part is the instrumental intro. Hope this Syriza crap won’t qualify…
2.5/10
Just in: 1300 YouTube votes said their own and some results are interesting. By them, France wins, with Spain second and Russia third. Semi 1 qualifiers would be: Russia, Hungary, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Iceland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Armenia and Malta. Semi 2 qualifiers would be: Latvia, Australia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, Switzerland and Denmark. Interesting is that semi 1 is obviously harder, since Austria and Netherlands are put higher than Lithuania, Switzerland and Denmark. Song with by far least votes is, unsurprisingly, San Marino, while sadly, Romania is least rated song of semi 2. OFC, YouTube votes don’t… Read more »
Reviews of today:
Lithuania’s big turd: 6.7
Greece: 4.34
Let’s all take a moment and laugh at wiwiflops, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
I’m really ashamed of my country’s song this year! It’s the worst greek entry ever in Eurovision and I hate it! It is supposed to be upbeat, but it sounds so sad! The rap parts are the worst and the chorus is just bad! If we don’t have a good show in Stockholm, then it’s almost certain that we are not gonna qualify for the first time ever! Also, the running order doesn’t favour us at all and with such bad vocals, I don’t see the juries appreciating the song!
2,5/10
Alongside Georgia the most underrated entry this year. And the score that you give just proves that all you care about is cute faces and europop crap. You are a panel of music unprofessionals but more than that, you are a panel of ignorant and dumb people…
I think GReece is very underrated this year and it will be the surprise qualifier
One other point:
Despite the bad quality, “Utopian Land” is NOT the worst entry of the contest. There are still plenty of other bad entries.
Why do people always think the “diaspora” vote saves Greece or will save Greece?
Greece has done well at Eurovision because their songs were popular with the masses.
This year, I submit that the diaspora will NOT support this entry. Greeks in general do not seem to like it, thus why should other Europeans? The song will not qualify.
After disaster last year Greece sends perfect songs. All songs of bands this year great. Less soloists, more bands on esc. They will qualify easily between 50% of female average pop.
I’m glad they went for something different and for a bilingual/trilingual track. Unfortunately it is not Greece’s best effort though. I can see why it’s so unpopular, although I don’t dislike it that much. Compared to the other songs however it is still one of the weakest ones.
Even if it’s Greece, I would be very surprised if it made the final. It shouldn’t since in semi 1 we’ll already have to say goodbye to some quality acts due to the high(er) standard.
I actually really like it, ITS SO GREEK. Most people only like the chorus but that’s actually my least favourite part. I think it could either fly or flop but at least it will get a 12 from the Cypriot televote.
0.1/10
I’ll be head over heels to see this fail to qualify to the final. For once finally Greece will understand what it’s like to make music that does not go anywhere … not even with a naked male torso running in black and white LOL
I’m so dissapointed with my country ! This is honestly the definition of horrendous ! Last year we didn’t deserve 19th (it’s a travesty that the juries preferred expensive visual effects over the beauty of a powerful and emotional voice ), this year we don’t even deserve to qualify
I kind of understand why people might hate this song, but it’s definitely my biggest guilty pleasure this year. I love when rap and folklore are mixed together like that and here rap is in my opinion the strongest part of the song. I just hope it qualifies, it’s in my personal Top 5.
We all know it will qualify and we all know it shouldn’t just like last year *shrugs*
@light star
well okay, i’m sorry, it’s just i am a huge fan of eurovision 🙂
so my apologies to the ones that were annoyed by me
@esc 2016
well they are in my top 10 qualifiers, but i don’t think they want to win, because of financial crisis, i miss the ambition with them, they are going for novelty
Why its so underatted….I love this….. 9/10….
Well….Greece send a uptempo song with Eletheria but you didnt like it….(17th) Then send an other uptempo rythim song with some better elements (Rise up) but you didnt like this again…(20th) last year Greece changed his song and send a ballad with Maria-Elena and guess…..again europe send this in the bottom….(19th)
and I ask to all this who dont like this song too……WHAT CAN GREECE SEND TO BE HAPPY AND LIKE IT?????
my 10 qualifiers are:
1. Armenia
2. Malta
3. Czech Republic
4. Hungary
5. Netherlands
6. Greece
7. Cyprus
8. Iceland
9. Russia
10. San Marino ( lovely surprise qualifier)
Azerbaijan is almost a goner after these awful vocals in tel aviv
@Mistrop
who are your 10 qualifiers from semi final 1?
@fikri
no, not Russia only this song, i loved Tolmachevy Twins, last year’s Polina and Dina Garipova was also my favourite 🙂
@nicky91: you attack russia any chance you got don’t you? 🙂
i don’t mind this song at all… i love the beat. this will qualify because it stands out from the rest, has great backstory and mainly because it’s freaking greece, duh.
Sending a song about the biggest issue we have right now in Europe is a wise decision by Greece, too bad they send this awful song which is basically the same tune from the start till the end. No emotional peak.
I still give them a spot in the final.
A lot of our Greek fans are divided here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1640367806185048/?fref=ts