The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the songs competing in Krajowe Eliminacje 2017, Poland’s national final. Today we take a look at Aneta Sablik with “Ulalala”, Lanberry with “Only Human” and Carmell with “Faces”. Do any of these songs have what it takes to get to Kyiv? Read on to find out!

Aneta Sablik – “Ulalala”

“Ulalala” reviews

Jason: Aneta Sablik is hoping to bring some summer sun to Krajowe Eliminacje with “Ulalala”, which is super chilled and contemporary. However, Aneta will need killer staging to pull this off live. Without a visual lift, this would become boring quite quickly. And boring doesn’t win Eurovision. Usually.

Score: 6.5/10

Marek: This is the kind of song I’d listen to while at the gym. But the lyrics are a mess. When Britney Spears sang, “You make me ooh, ooh, ooh…”, I knew what she meant. When Aneta sings, “You make me feel ulalala” I have no idea what it could even mean. It is not a good composition but it is still quite catchy, even if slightly upsetting.

Score: 4/10

Robyn: As smooth and pleasant as “Ulalala” is, it sounds like it was created by a Spotify algorithm. It’s a modern easy listening track that won’t obviously work as a live performance. The proof will be in how this is staged at the national final. There’s a chance it could become more lively, but I’m not hopeful.

Score: 5.5/10

Chris: This feels like the backing track to about a hundred “chill” songs from the 00’s. The song is just far too repetitive to go anywhere: there’s no high-impact moment that makes this stand out. If it were 4am and I’d just had a big night out, this would be a good song to calm the mood. For Eurovision, though? No chance.

Score: 4.5/10

William: This attempts to ride the current electro-lounge wave. But it crash lands in a pool of heard-it-all-before — and heard-it-much better-previously. The digi sounds become rather irritating rather quickly and I most definitely don’t feel oo-la-la — I feel oo-na-na! There is a silver lining: Aneta is stunning vocally and visually.

Score: 5/10

Antranig: “Ulalala” has a very contemporary sound and is very easy listening. This is one of the best songs in Poland but it’s just about the least suitable for the Eurovision stage — more radio hit than Eurovision winner. However, Aneta’s live performance will be what makes or breaks this song. If she can somehow bring it to life on stage, she’ll deserve to win.

Score: 6/10

Luis: Here’s Poland’s answer to Lauri Yrjola. Aneta’s vocals are smooth and sexy, but I’m almost certain I heard her song in a Zara shop. “Ulalala” is way too loungy to work in the Eurovision stage. It sounds contemporary and the production is slick, for sure. Alas, that’s not enough to qualify from a Eurovision semi-final. This would most surely get lost, unless her staging is on the level of Mariette or Francesco Gabbani.

Score: 5/10

In the Polish Wiwi Jury, we have 12 jurors, but room for only 6 reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antony: 9/10

Dayana: 7.5/10

Forrest: 3.5/10

Jordi: 7/10

Josh: 5.5/10

Natalie: 6.5/10

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 3.5 and a high of 9.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.73/10

Lanberry – “Only Human”

“Only Human” reviews

Jason: Following the cheesy “”My Slowianie – We Are Slavic” in 2014 and the dated ballads of the past two years, “Only Human” would mark a step into modernity for Poland at Eurovision. “Only Human” is catchy – if slightly repetitive – and radio-friendly, and would be a good choice for the contest.

Score: 7.5/10

Marek: I cannot review the song that breaks the most important Eurovision rule. The original song was released on August 5 — well in advance of the September 1 deadline. It’s like a crime. I cannot believe they put her in knowing that. Let’s hope she won’t win ’cause we couldn’t handle the drama that would be even bigger than Spain and Germany together.

Score: 0/10

Robyn: “Only Human” opens with the alarming line, “You like me when it rains/Cos baby I get wet”. But as the song progresses, it appears to be a literal reference to weather not to a flooded basement. “Only Human” has a modern sound, but there’s a good, well-written song in there too. I’m just wondering if the song is catchy enough to work at Eurovision.

Score: 7/10

William: A girl on a motorcycle with a pink wig and cheetah print coat — the opening seconds of the video gave me so much hope! The song, however, doesn’t live up to her wild look. “Only Human” is banal and better suited to a chill-out lounge than to big stage Eurovision. Long electro-instrumentals underscore the fact that there isn’t much going on here.

Score: 6/10

Chris: “Only Human” does a lot of things right, which must be held in its favour. But a good song structure and sounding modern isn’t the only thing you need at Eurovision. The hook fights to be memorable, but the lyrics mostly just pass me buy. It feels like it needs one more “big idea” if it wanted to be a contender. Would Poland really go for this, as well?

Score: 6/10

Natalie: This is the sort of song that we really need more of at Eurovision. The production is modern, gritty, but also very genuine, happy and alive. I do worry a little bit for Lanberry – she’s perfect and meshes in with the song incredibly well – but with probably the most self-destructive lyrics I’ve ever heard in a Eurovision song – whether that’s such a good thing I’m not so sure. Still, as far as music goes, it’s awesome, and whether Lanberry needs a psychiatric appointment or not, I do hope it won’t stop her heading to Kyiv.

Score: 8.5/10

Antranig: A lot of songs in Krajowe Eliminacje are nice without standing out. “Only Human” has a memorable beat and the production is very slick and modern. The song on its own is not the best in Poland but it is the most modern, has the most staging potential and would have a wide appeal. This would not be a bad choice for Poland and should get them to the final again.

Score: 7/10

In the Polish Wiwi Jury, we have 12 jurors, but room for only 6 reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antony: 8/10

Dayana: 8/10

Forrest: 5/10

Jordi: 8/10

Josh: 7/10

Luis: 7.5/10

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 0 and a high of 8.5.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 7/10

Carmell – “Faces”

“Faces” reviews

William: Sweet as sugar, vocally sound and totally in control, Carmell creates real atmosphere with “Faces”. As she moves from subtle but stirring verses to powerful yet restrained chorus, I see horses running across a field with dust blowing as Carmell directs the storm in a billowing wrap dress. Free of balladeer clichés, this would be a quiet yet high impact entry for Poland. I’m a big fan.

Score: 8.5/10

Chris: Oh yes. With a slight Woodkid-esque tinge to the melody, this manages to blend the understated verses with a much more grand, epic chorus. Carmell’s vocal is obviously another standout as well, with her deeper voice giving off greater power to match the rising intensity of the song. My only issue is that the end seems to come a little too quickly. There’s some payoff, but it fades out rather than end on a dramatic climax.

Score: 7/10

Robyn: Something isn’t quite working here. “Faces” is a lively pop-folk number but Carmell’s gorgeous smoky-toned voice is all wrong for the song. She should be doing something a bit bluesy, like Marianne Faithfull. “Faces” requires a more lively singer, someone who can bring life to the performance.

Score: 4/10

Jason: Carmell’s delicious voice is just so easy on the ears. There is a Lana Del Rey-lite vibe going on in”Faces”, and I’m not mad. The quiet restraint of the song is very appealing, and with a visually interesting stage show, this could surprise many people. While “Faces” probably won’t win, it is still a great track.

Score: 8.5/10

Marek: Wow! Her voice is not just flawless, it’s angelic. And the best thing about it – she knows how to use it! She’s such a versatile singer — gently, trembling, or loud and fast when that’s needed. The song slays in the most peaceful way you can imagine. It’s a bit Austria 2016 but it reminds me more about Aurora’s song “Awakening”. The song is both cute and very thoughtful — and it makes us think. We haven’t heard all the chosen songs from Poland yet, but at the moment it’s very much my favourite.

Score: 10/10

Natalie: The pretty and self-assured production has a lot going for a lot, but everything else is so repressed. Carmell’s delivery especially has so little energy to it that it’s near-impossible for me to understand what she’s on about. I don’t know whether the lack of strength is intentional or not, but it seriously doesn’t work and just makes for a half-baked song that goes nowhere.

Score: 2.5/10

Antony: Faces exudes a beautiful and dreamy song. The singer matches the song very well making you feel captivated. It is also aided by exceptional lyrics that makes you feel empowered and inspired.

Score: 7/10

In the Polish Wiwi Jury, we have 12 jurors, but room for only 6 reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Antranig: 5.5/10

Dayana: 7.5/10

Forrest: 5.5/10

Jordi: 6.5/10

Josh: 7/10

Luis: 3.5/10

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 2.5 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.41/10

SEE OUR LIST OF KRAJOWE ELIMINACJE 2017 RANKINGS HERE

READ MORE POLAND EUROVISION NEWS HERE

33 Comments
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Liam Keith
Liam Keith
7 years ago

Lanberry seems like the best option, it sounds modern, fresh, and isn’t another ballad. Poland don’t waste your chance, she has huge chances to get a good place in Kijev.

tt
tt
7 years ago

Martin Fitch is a poor copy of Shawn Mendes – intentional or not – it should be DSQ

Gefühllos
Gefühllos
7 years ago

Lanberry (shame on you Marek), Kasia Mos or Martin Fitch to win! Eventually Agata Nizinska if she’s good enough singing live. I don’t get how so many of you like Isabell’s song! it’s sooo cheesy and i want the song to the end after first 30 seconds of listening… cheap production! ‘Faces’ is boring and wouldnt stand out…the other songs are… just bad.

Alan
Alan
7 years ago

“FACES” is definitely outstanding song. Carmell has got really nice, unique voice!
Lanberry seems to me “over-processed” but still catchy…

Good songs Poland!

Marzycielka
Marzycielka
7 years ago

Please review Isabell Otr?bus’s ” Voiceless” and Kasia Mo?’s ” Flashlight” as well! 🙂

ddd
ddd
7 years ago

Marek – lecz si?
Pozdrawiam

Lukas
Lukas
7 years ago

To Sara I can’t see anything wrong with translating song if it’s a good one?! Sometimes it’s better to go for something what we know and like than an average (my opinion) song like from Isabell. We have done similar thing in 2014 with “My Slowianie” and Polish nation destroyed a chance of even better result by slagging their own song.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Just out of curiousity, why would Lanberry be allowed to perform at Eurovision if it was released before September? Did the EBU also give an explanation?

Luis
Luis
7 years ago


This is not RTVE.You can’t get away with giving good songs horrendous scores.

sg
sg
7 years ago

EBU said, that Lanberry with “Only Human” can represent Poland at the Eurovision, so what is your problem Marek?

eurovision6
eurovision6
7 years ago

Lanberry for Eurovision! Please dont vote for Kasia Mos, she will flop at Eurovision..

tt
tt
7 years ago

Kasia Mo?, Lanberry, Carmell or Isabell – I will be happy with any of these four

Eleonor
Eleonor
7 years ago

Marek are you crazy? Are you more competent than EBU? EBU said that Lanberry could perform during Krajowe Eliminacje. Your argumment is siutable to the mountain of trash :*

Napaw
Napaw
7 years ago

I had no idea there was a Polish version of only human, and I really it better than the English one O_O its the same with all English translated songs, they ends up sounding awkward and unnatural.
If Lanberry actually entered the original version I’d be a big fan.

Considering that will not happen I’m rooting for faces. Great vocals and the instrumental part has some interesting tunes compared to the other songs.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

I agree with Lukas. Poland has sent dated ballads for the past two years. They were good, but let’s hear something different! As for Isabell, her vocal performance on that badly-produced song is awful. So Lanberry it is.

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

Lukas, why each of them must have a new songs if Lanberry only translate her ‘Piatek’, is it fair? I don’t think so. This song is annoying. Lanberry maybe sing good, but good is not enough. We always have televoting points and he must try to get jury points and I think with ‘Only human’ we can’t do it.
Really you think that people judge Poland on song that we send for Eurovision?

Lukas
Lukas
7 years ago

When I hear no to Lanberry and yes to Isabell or Kasia, comments like this makes me giggle. Isabell: I did try to listen to this song few times and I didn’t last till the end forwarding song anyway???????????? on the other hand Kasia, love her like the song but I think Poland is becoming a country of sad people. Most of the songs from Poland were slow or ballads I think it’s time for something fresh like Lanberry. Don’t make same mistake like with “Cool me down” last year.

Sara
Sara
7 years ago

Lanberry? No, no, no, nooo! Poland, don’t do this. Only Kasia Mos or Isabell.

Bart
Bart
7 years ago

Carmell – ‘Faces’ is definitely the best song in Poland. It shows also in the marks by the wiwi jury. You either get really high marks or quite low and a polarising song is definitely the best choice for Eurovision as people don’t pick up the phone to vote against a song but they do when a song stands out and Carmell’s song does!

Kuba
Kuba
7 years ago

Marek shouldn’t be a jury! He’s unprofessional!

Josh
Josh
7 years ago

Just shows how unprofessional Marek is – get him out!

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

Marek is the worst from the jury! He either gives a song a 10 or a 0. Dude, if you don’t know that EBU gave Lanberry a permission to perform this song, you should shut the f*** up! Your opinions are based on your thoughts – okay, that’s how it should be, but such a tendency to either love or hate… Marek, STAHP!

Mae
Mae
7 years ago

Aneta deserves a better song. She’s a gorgeous lady and an incredibly talented singer. She won German Idol a few years ago, by the way.

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

He he.Good for us though , we get to listen to a good song 😉

zyciemoje
zyciemoje
7 years ago

@Kris I dont know. I’m not TVP. Our broadcaster contacted EBU and they allowed it 😛

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

@Zyciemoje
oh because it was a different version?
Why couldn’t the A Dal people take similar permission for Szerelem Kell?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

Aneta’s song sounds like a beach remix from 2012, but it would stand out.

Lanberry’s is the only good song in the selection, but whew, I didn’t know about the rule breach.

Carmell’s song lacks energy. Forgettable and weak.

hkyon
hkyon
7 years ago

Marek, you were meant to REVIEW the song. Only Human didn’t deserve a zero.

riggedObjectivoEurovision
riggedObjectivoEurovision
7 years ago

The songs are not bad.Still prefer voiceless to these.Why does the Only human girl keep saying we are “dick-tits”? Or is wiwibloggs last year’s misheard lyrics to blame 😛
: It’s not drama.we will not let RTVE’s corruption bring shame for the entire nation.They should come clean if they are Only human and not ‘dick-tits’ like the song says.

zyciemoje
zyciemoje
7 years ago

@Kris, “Only human” won’t be DSQ. EBU allowed it to take pare in Eurovision

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

Also Dunja’s Ulalalala was better than this one and even she finished last in the JESC.Not a good choice by the Polish Jury I’d say.

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

I like Only human.Will it be disqualified?
I’ve seen the rules being bent previously.

xavi
xavi
7 years ago


Nothing will be bigger than the drama in Spain…..because no other broadcaster has the audacity to rig the NF so blatantly and still not own up to their shameful corruption.