Wiwi Jury Results: Gabi Toth is our favourite to win Hungary’s A Dal

Tomorrow Hungary will decide who will represent them in Kyiv via the grand final of A Dal. Ahead of tonight’s final, the Wiwi Jury — our in house panel of music unprofessionals — reviewed all the competing songs. Now it’s time to go through the results and see who is our favourite to win A Dal 2017.

You can read snippets of our reviews below. If you click the song title, you can read the Wiwi Jury’s full reviews.

1. Gabi Tóth & Freddie Shuman feat. Begi Lotfi – “Hosszú idök” (7.22/10)

The positive: “Gabi delivers a great performance — even if she has borrowed IVAN’s face paint. If A Dal can sort out the staging (and they are good like that) this would be fine going to Kyiv.” (Robyn, 8/10)

The negative: “I can’t help but feel like it’s missing something. Something dynamic and new to make it interesting rather than creating something that looks like Loreen and Jamala’s love child. Perhaps the stage in Kyiv could give this lift. Still, slightly underwhelming.” (Josh, 7.5/10)

2. Joci Pápai – “Origo” (6.5/10)

The positive: “Songs like “Origo” are what Eurovision should be about: showcasing your country by fusing its traditional sounds with something unexpected and modern. It is so interesting and different from all of the other generic songs being served up by most national selections.” (Jason, 9/10)

The negative: “The rap part is actually pretty good, but on its own, because it does not combine well with the rest of the song. It’s just like two different songs in one. It could’ve been high on my list with something more consistent and cohesive.” (Mikhail, 4.5/10)

3. Kállay Saunders Band – “17” (6.34/10)

The positive: “”Seventeen” is a decent modern pop song, but it lacks the magic that made “Running” such a strong entry in 2014. This would be an ok entry for Hungary in Kyiv, but there are better songs in A Dal 2017. (Robyn, 7/10)

The negative:  “I’m sorry, but this is so blatant a take on “Sorry” that it’s almost untrue. Kallay Saunders is a good performer, but he’s not on Bieber’s level. The faux-vulnerability at the end also clashes with the ironic-cool vibe he’s pushing for at the start. It’s awkward.” (Chris, 5/10)

4. Gigi Radics – “See It Through” (6.25/10)

The positive: “I really liked the song. This year we might have many ballads, but “See It Through” is one of the songs that I really would like to see in Eurovision. This song might be a good option for Hungary.” (Erdi, 9/10)

The negative: “We’ve heard it all a million times before. There is just nothing in it to grab my attention. Gigi’s voice is nice, but that’s about it. The song itself is bland, it has no identity and it manages to be a ballad without any emotion behind it. I’m tired just thinking about it.” (Mikhail, 4/10)

5. Soulwave – “Kalandor” (5.69/10)

The positive: “”Kalandor” is really warm and cute for three minutes but it never gets anywhere beyond that. It is a delightful entry but it’s not one of the more memorable A Dal entries. I praise them for a very good effort, but unfortunately this will end up being filler — albeit very enjoyable filler. (Antranig, 6.5/10)

The negative: “This is closer to a YouTube copyright-free background video than a Eurovision entry. They are called Soulwave, but I can hardly feel a breeze, and very little soul. The song itself is not bad at all, but it’s a) not memorable and b) too plain. You’ve already heard in 30 seconds what they offer in three minutes.” (Luis, 4/10)

6. Leander Kills – “Élet” (5.25/10)

The positive: “When “Élat” lets rip, it’s mighty — full of emotion and attitude and a proper guitar solo. It’s the quiet verses that don’t work. They sound borrowed from a sweet easy listening tune and badly jar with the rest of the song. Still, a good metal effort overall.” (Robyn, 6.5/10)

The negative: “This is more dated than vintage and I’m bored within the first 30 seconds. The lead singer has solid vocals and seems to leverage his anger management issues well. Even so, this is an uninspiring dirge that screams karaoke night blunder. Hungary can do better.” (William, 4/10)

7. Gina Kanizsa – “Fall Like Rain” (4.75/10)

The positive: “I’m a sucker for jazz piano and interpretive dance, so I am loving this. I don’t think it would do all that well at Eurovision. Gina has quite a light voice which somehow sits strangely with the music. But I’m very happy for “Fall Like Rain” to be part of A Dal 2017.” (Robyn, 6.5/10)

The negative: “The first problem: Gina doesn’t seem comfortable in this register. The second: The song is dire, dated and more suited for Broadway than Eurovision. The third: The stunning rain sequence is ruined by a woman dressed as a bird in a cheap tin-foil cape. This doesn’t work for me on any level.” (William, 2.5/10)

8. Zävodi + Olivér Berkes “#háttérzaj” (4.47/10)

The positive: “Aside from the textbook Eurovision burning fake piano, “#háttérzaj” has a cool jazzy feeling, but it’s not quite captivating enough. And to be honest, I’m not quite getting why Olivér has transformed himself into Benny Andersson.” (Robyn, 5/10)

The negative: “This song starts off very mediocre and it never gets any better, although he absolutely kills that big note. Funnily enough, I was thinking of The Makemakes even before the piano was set on fire. Being compared to a song that finished on 0 points is never a good thing and I can’t see this doing any better.” (Antranig, 2.5/10)

Do you agree with the Wiwi Jury? Which act would you like to see win A Dal 2017. Sound off below!

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