Zdraveite! The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has now arrived in Bulgaria, the host of Junior Eurovision 2015. After visiting the ancient amphitheatre of Serdica, we gathered to discuss Bulgaria’s entry for Eurovision 2017, “Beautiful Mess” by Kristian Kostov. Did we think the song was beautiful or more of a mess? Read on to find out!
Kristian Kostov – “Beautiful Mess”
About Kristian Kostov
Seventeen-year-old Kristian Kostov embodies the “Celebrate Diversity” theme better than almost any act in this year’s contest. Born in Moscow to a Bulgarian father and a Kazakh mother, half of his relatives are Christian, while the other half are Muslim. So where exactly is home, we asked him in April in London. “I’m from somewhere between Russia and Bulgaria,” he says. Kristian, whose voice belies his youth, rose to fame on The Voice Kids of Russia, where he was mentored by Eurovision winner Dima Bilan, and he later moved to Bulgaria to compete on X Factor. He released his debut single “Ne si za men” last year.
“Beautiful Mess” reviews
William: Among the most contemporary tracks of the year, “Beautiful Mess” is a thoughtful piece of pop that oozes soul. Rather than following a traditional formula and reaching an easily identifiable peak, this progresses somewhat linearly. It’s more cinematic and atmospheric than the typical Eurovision song, and has a smooth, polished finish yet never leans toward the sterile. Young Kristian has the face of an angel, but the voice of an established (and much older) international pop star — a mix that will serve him very well at Eurovision. Nail the staging and this is guaranteed a top-five placing.
Score: 7.5/10
Deban: This composition is beautiful but not messy. It marries subtle folk elements with current and sparse production. “Beautiful Mess” tells a compelling story using the youth and star power of Kristian Kostov. Bulgaria beat all odds in 2016. It’s great to know that although they’ve taken a different route this year, they’re still slaying.
Score: 7.5/10
Sinan: When I heard this for the first time, I was impressed by the voice and the sensitive manner in which Kristian sings this beautiful song. It’s a super modern ballad, but with a dark sound and subtle ethnic touches. My country has a huge chance to finish as high as it did last year and even to take first place — why not? I just hope Kristian will give his best and make Bulgarians proud!
Score: 9/10
Anthony: Last year Poli Genova gave Bulgaria its best-ever Eurovision result to date — and that was always going to be a tough act to follow. But Bulgaria has continued to deliver the radio-friendly goods with “Beautiful Mess”. The song is beautifully produced and wouldn’t sound out of place on the charts across Europe. I’ll be delighted if Kristian makes Eurovision history by achieving a second straight qualification for Bulgaria.
Score: 7.5/10
Chris: Remarkably talented at such a young age, Kristian is a great choice by Bulgaria to follow up their best ever result. That being said, there’s something just a little cold about this entry. The music itself doesn’t inspire and almost feels a little drab at times. By the end of the song, it’s like Kristian is having to work overtime to make it all work. Not bad at all but Kristian deserves better.
Score: 6.5/10
Jason: Bulgaria is back and ready to show that last year’s result wasn’t just a one-off. “Beautiful Mess” follows a different path to “If Love Was a Crime”, but it would still sit perfectly in any 2017 pop chart. The simplicity of the track serves it well, although at times it gets a little dull. With inventive staging, this will be a qualifier for sure.
Score: 7/10
Robyn: “Beautiful Mess” sounds like something right out of the pop charts (or a Spotify playlist). It has a very current sound and Kristian delivers a mature and emotional vocal. The song does feel a bit repetitive and it doesn’t quite reach a satisfying conclusion, but it sounds like Bulgaria has some clever staging planned that might make it all work.
Score: 7.5/10
Jordi: “Beautiful Mess” sounds promising from the very first note — and it delivers until the very last. Pure emotion mixed with a soulful, touching and fragile voice, this meaningful performance explores love and friendship but never loses sight of darkness and drama. The overall result really works. Even if I find the song quite slow, Kristian Kostov has everything to bring Bulgaria back to the grand final.
Score: 7.5/10
Buy the “Beautiful Mess” t-shirt, Bulgaria cartoon phone cover, or Kristian Kostov cartoon t-shirt
In our Wiwi Jury, we have 38 jurors but only room for eight reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Anastas: 5.5/10
Andy: 7.5/10
Angus: 8/10
Antony: 6/10
Antranig: 9.5/10
Bernardo: 9/10
Bogdan: 9/10
Dayana: 8/10
Edd: 7.5/10
Erdi: 8.5/10
Forrest: 5/10
George: 7.5/10
Jacob: 4/10
Josh: 8/10
Jovana: 7.5/10
Kristin: 7/10
Luis: 6.5/10
Marek: 9.5/10
Matt: 7/10
Mikhail: 3.5/10
Natalie: 5.5/10
Padraig: 9.5/10
Patrick: 7.5/10
Renske: 7/10
Rezo: 9/10
Sami: 6/10
Stanislav: 7.5/10
Steinunn: 6.5/10
Tobias: 8/10
Zakaria: 3/10
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 and a high of 9.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 7.25/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
Of the 3 teen acts, this one is easily the best one. It’s my personal co-winner so far!
A perfect 10 for me! 🙂
I had to look at the picture of a disgruntled Sebastian (from TLM) while listening to this; it’s that unbearable for me. The overall composition and structure of this song is quite finely handled; but there’s a huge hollow hole in the ‘dimension and personality’ area here. It feels like what you’d hear on evening radio and nightclubs. Frankly; I’m just at a loss for words because it’s just that notorious. Kristian is also partly to blame here; his rendition reeks of desperation and banality, it doesn’t feel genuine and coming-from-the-heart. He’s way too young to for show business anyways-… Read more »
“Reeking of desperation and banality?” I would say that this perfectly describes your own comment. In your case this song has been simply a mirror.
Well; I have a right to my opinion. I’m not putting down other people’s opinions, so why do you have to put down mine.
Totally agree! This comment has to be a mirror, what else to be with such perception: “it doesn’t feel genuine and coming-from-the-heart”???!!! – because he is young :))))) Kenna needs to watch Kristian’s 14-15-16 yo performances than – that blew away the juries from both countries Bulgaria and Russia… All jury members one after another didn’t stop to speak about how he sings from the bottom of his heart, from his soul… that he is “the singing heart”, and the name for his singing is “the true singing of the soul” and so on, and so on… Not one, not… Read more »
Guys can you please ask Kristian to say something in Kazakh next time you interview him? That would be just great 🙂
It’s beautiful but not mess!
This song has a modern sound, some folk elements in it and though it’s another ballad for me it’s a song I remember!
I had no idea Kristian had such a mature and powerfull voice for his 17 years old before I listen to the song! If they nail the staging, they’ll slay the pack!!
Personally, it’s a song I really liked from the start! And watching him perform at preview parties made me like it a bit more!
I’ll give it a 8!
I have heard many songs like this before.
I would like to hear a unique song at last. This year is full of very mediocre songs.
Awful score. People giving this song 3 and 4, like seriously? If you give this 3, what you gonna give Malta -10? If they hate Bulgaria as a country then yeah sure, normal score. Shame on those “expsrts”!
Don’t give it too much thought, Alex. Jacob gave this a 4/10 but gave Romania a 9/10. Just shake your head and question the sanity of the world just a little…
After superior entry last year, Bulgaria offers another trendy song so recieves an additional point for watering contest with a fresh. Most of all I like here lyrics and how they’re sung. Track overall is a good piece of music, but I’m a little fed up of these beat lines and melancholic melodies ahead of contest, so it didn’t struck me or made an instant pit stop in my head. I hope team will set up the right mood on stage for this so it will made it’s place somewhere at top 10. My 11th. | something slipped down from… Read more »
I wonder as of which date are the wiwi scores… Is this the reaction on the first hearing of the song, does it take into consideration the live performances so far, the music video and the interviews with the artists? Surely most of the songs will not stay static but move as we see more of the artist and performance. I have to say that at first hearing I thought this was 7.00 – 7.50-ish, and I was concerned that it is too flat and uneventful for a memorable live performance. That was about a month ago… in the meantime,… Read more »
Thank you for the clarification, Robyn. This is helpful:-)
My winner and hopefully the actual winner!
Kristian and the whole entry are just perfect and I wish he would win in May for the first time for Bulgaria <3
I do think this song is very close to Eurovision perfection and has every right to be the one challenging for the win. It’s easily the best ballad of the bunch. Modern without being copycat of a more popular style, expensive without being out of touch with the artist, oddly addictive… I can go on about what truly it’s great about this entry. And all of that is sung by the first ever contestant born after the 2000s. What a way to celebrate diversity. Why isn’t it a 10? The strength on a word like ‘untouchable’ kind of takes some… Read more »
I love everything about it. It is dark, subtle and delivered well vocally. I would not mind at all if this was the overall winner. I did not think that Bulgaria could top last year…but they did.
I think that the score is little underrated. This is a potential winner. Anyway Bulgaria is preparing a great staging, so that it will really elevate Kristian on the top and next year we will be in Sofia. I think Beautiful mess is gonna be the jury and the teen favourite to win. For me Gabbani is going to win the televote, but he is not going to take so much points from the jury and Eastern Europe.
I dont hate the song or Kristian, I just don’t understand the craze about this song. It’s not bad, it’s just decent entry from Bulgaria. I’m bored with all of these radio pop songs, it’s nothing extraordinary, I’d like to see any original ones that are different. I’ve listened Kristian’s song several times and well, right now, I don’t even remember the melody…
Let’s not gloss over the fact that the kid turned 17 last month, and that he is half the age of Gabbani.
This song should win and it will!
I really like ‘Beautiful Mess’ and Kristian as a singer and human being (at least what we know), he seems very mature for his age too. At first when Kristian was announced I was expecting a song with Bieber vibes and I would have hated it! But this really surprise me. ‘Beautiful Mess’ is current and has a deep message, although the song could be consider a love-peace ballad song which I normally hate hard, this one has been done beautifully, it isn’t cheesy nor cliché. I also like the concept used in the video and it match perfectly with… Read more »
Good production and beautiful melody swings. My only criticism is that it is too uneventful for too much of the song that I would have preferred a slightly faster beat.
02 NOR | 04 UK | *08 BGR* | 11 SRB | 12 SWE | 14 DEN
16 POL | 18 LAT | 19 CYP | 20 ICE | 23 GRE | 24 CZE
25 ARM | 26 NLD | 27 BLR | 33 MNE | 34 ISR | 35 GEO
36 GER | 37 MLT | 38 ESP | *41 ROM* | 42 SVN | (33 RUS)
A really good song and great production. But it feels me cold a lot of the times. I just don’t think it’s really from the heart and was written just for Eurovision… , but yeah I still enjoy it a lot Im giving it a 7.
Overhyped song with only 7.25. I love Wiwi being honest.
Personal winner of the year, by far.
I think he should win the second semi and I would be happy to see Sofia 2018 happen. Definitely top 5.
That score is too low, especially for the reviews.
“Beautiful Mess” is atmospheric, contemporary, and sleek. Kristian is good looking, has a great voice and great stage presence. He’s one of my favorites along with Italy, Latvia and Portugal.
9.5/10
8/10
Best ballad of the year.
BNT Please next year send Maria ilieva to represent Boulgaria, i think she will be the next winner of Eurovision.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_GEwT0prZA
Next year will be Kristian too, you will see, Bulgaria wants him again.
l love this song…
This is the best…
SOFIA 2018 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eurovision will stay in the East (Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Estonia and so on).
Talk as much as you want now about Alma looking like a star, Francesco’s charisma…..
Is it so important that it stays in the East?… Shouldn’t it be about the quality of the song?… Anyway, the chances that it will stay in the East for many years to come are very high, since Eastern European countries outnumber Western Europeans by many and they put so much more effort. So relax, enjoy the show and let one Western European win for once in a decade or more, if jury and people so decide
I think a lot of people are underestimating Kristian’s vocal strength. When I watched the rehearsals for the Madrid show, his voice sounded very raw and surprisingly stronger than the actual performances. Perhaps it’s the audio quality on the live performances and the talking that ruins it. The most important element in this song is clearly his voice and I think that it’s what will determine his place in the finals. If he manages to make that cinematic approach on stage that his producers want and nail the vocals, he has the possibility of actually making #Sofia2018 come true.
It’s incredible… Mostly favorable comments from wiwi jury members but they gave him 7,5…most of them :))))))) Maybe it’s me, but if I say great things about a song I give more than 7,5… I repeat, maybe it’s just me… But I really don’t understand, and they should clarify… “…thoughtful piece of pop that oozes soul” = 7,5 “..It’s great to know that although they’ve taken a different route this year, they’re still slaying” = 7,5 “…“Beautiful Mess” follows a different path to “If Love Was a Crime”, but it would still sit perfectly in any 2017 pop chart” =… Read more »
Very good good and interesting point of view… Indeed the jury comments does not really corresponds with the ratings. I will be interested to see if they have a checklist that they use to created the rating, or just look at the sky and wait for the rating to appear there. Nevertheless, the Bulgarian song is a masterpiece indeed (very strange, even a bit annoying in a moments), and I am so happy that we see such a comeback from Bulgaria after Poli last year. I absolutely don’t mind Sofia 2018 (after the JESC I am sure they can handle… Read more »
Darius this is just ridiculous. The comments we’ve written on the 7.5 scores are all very appropriate – none of us claimed it was a masterpiece. And we rank a song high purely because we like it: Sweden’s entry has by far the most streams on Spotify, so it can’t seem that bizarre that it sits at the top of our list at the moment. Don’t tell me you believe we’d rank Sweden at the top if Allyawan won Melodifestivalen!? Also, don’t forget that “Beautiful Mess” was written by Swedes…
“Also, don’t forget that “Beautiful Mess” was written by Swedes…”
Ah ah… I knew something was fishy… 🙂 Thanks for the info. I did not know that. That explains why it sounds artificial for me.
“Also, don’t forget that “Beautiful Mess” was written by Swedes…”
@Edd Keith, That’s wrong.. The authors of the song are 3 people (Borislav Milanov – Bulgarian, Sebastian Arman – Austrian, Joacim Bo Persson – Sweden). So, how is this song written by Swedes and not Austrian or Bulgarian?
Also, I am sorry to say but with your comment you more or less prove Darius’ theory.
To be fair, I think the song was written by the Bulgarian, and the other ones polished it. Many times happens that way, artists have the song, but they want a Swedish final touch.
Hmm, I somehow replied to Colin’s comment below instead to Darius… Sorry 🙂
This song is good, Kristian is an incredible singer and I am glad Bulgaria enjoys a fan success two years in a row. The melody in the chorus is simply beautiful. The ‘glitch 22’ so to say, it that despite hearing the song many times, I couldn’t repeat anything except the chorus, and even the chorus seams virtually the same every time it appears. It is undoubtely a lovely song, but for some reason, it’s yet to make a big impact on me. 9 – UK, POL, BLR, NOR 8 – MAL, LAT 7 – DEN, BUL, NET, GEO, ICE,… Read more »
@escfan sorry, you are right. I thought Alexander Vargas is Swedish too, but turns out he’s Danish. The point is that the song is just as much Swedish as it is Bulgarian. So dissing each of Sweden’s entries seems a bit silly if he’s claiming “Beautiful Mess” is a masterpiece.
Darius, I find the first part of your comment pretty interesting as a point of view, but I’m not agree that there is some kind of conspiracy around the Swedish song… it’s just a taste for music… William for example doesn’t like it and states his opinion loudly. In my case… I’m absolutely in love with Kristian’s “Beatiful Mess” from the moment I heard it… but I already knew him as an artist… It’s like I was waiting for such a song to hear him singing because I wasn’t impressed by the debut one (though it’s very catchy musically). I… Read more »
I love this song, hope it finishes top 3.
This song is very well written and very interesting musically and the production is super slick. I think it will be a killer with the jury and I am sure it will have lots of points from the televote. But for some reason this song in Kristian’s voice and persona feels somehow fake to me… I am also not convinced about his life performance from what I have been able to hear. That said, for me this is the most viable contender for victory this year if the performance is right. Not my absolute favourite, though…
L’oiseau, see my post above… This song matches perfectly Kristian’s voice and persona for sure… That was the thing that turned me into great Eurovision fan this year 🙂
🙂 OK I will have to wait and see the shows, I guess. (anxiously, I might add). Although it is not my favourite this year, (for once in my life it is actually from my home country Portugal), I would be very happy if this song wins, although I always prefer it if it is a whole home-grown team that makes the act, which is not the case, apparently. Cheers
Personal rating:
This is good on so many levels (everything I’d like to say has been said before so I won’t go into details).
9/10
Prediction:
I cannot imagine this not ending up high on the left hand side of the scoreboard in the final. I hope the visuals will be as strong as the music.
What I expect: Top 5 in the semi final, top 5 in the final.
Bulgaria result in final, depends on if Australia and Ireland qualify for the final. If we have all 3 countries in final, vote by juries and televote will split.
I feel like he’s similar in so many ways to Sergey last year. Both had a huge fan base, both songs were perfectly produced, music videos had an upper hand than the rest. I feel that bulgarias will kill it with the staging too given their interest in the contest. His vocals would do good too. My concern is the song though. It’s not bad but it lacks something that needs it to be a winner, just like with Sergey.
A beautiful beautiful song. 1 of only 4 songs I play regularly along with Hungary, Israel and Azerbaijan, but not instant enough to make any impression, will be placed about 15th I think.
I like it now but it took me about 5 or 6 six listens to remember the song. I think it is a good ballad but I don’t think it will be a contender.
I am curious what score Italy will get with all the hype.
As for Bulgaria I find the song one of the few I would listen to outside of the show and it has very good chance for top 5 finish. I don’t think its rating is undeserved even if a bit overblown.
Go Bulgaria!
I struggle with this one… Definitely not a bad song, but I don’t understand the whole fuss about it (it’s currently 2nd favourite to win according to the bookies). It leaves me between cold and “Mmh, pleasant”.
The fact that it comes from Bulgaria, one of the worst performing countries in the contest, doesn’t help. Last year was a good year for them, but overall they only qualified 2 times in the last 10 years and they are not part of any voting bloc.
They are turning things around and putting a lot of effort.
I see them being the Sweden of the Balkans in the near future.
Bulgaria do has a block voting in the Balkans. And they have a strong diaspora as well :s
When they are in finals.. they end up Top 5 (2007 and 2016). And in the Jesc we see the same scenario for them (Top 5 televote in 2015 and winning in 2014).
Bulgaria and Poland are the new Turkey and Greece.
They may have a block votes, but all of their neighbours often preffer to support each other. Romania – Moldova, Ex-yugoslavia – itself, Greece – random east and Kontopoulos.
Beautiful mess, just beautiful <3
Incredible voice, beautiful melody, touching lyrics, emotional performance.. This is extraordinary ballad, by truly a gifted talented writers and performer. Kristian has great potential, wishing all the best <3
9.5
am i detecting a crush on Kristian 🙂
btw if Bulgaria can win i would love to, they have never won eurovision before
i only want my fave to be doing great as well, and Eve support Kristian with everything you got, glad that we’re both supporting such cute and sweet people 🙂
Hahaha, hell no, I’m just supporting him!
Glad you have good taste too 🙂
okay, good enough for me 🙂
and yeah i’m watching eurovision for 15 years now 🙂
Bound to do well and it would be a worthy winner.
It’s in my top 15 at the moment
It will probably grow more on me once the rehearsals start.
Love this song and Kristin is so cute..if it’s between italy or Bulgaria i choose Bulgaria.
i find this song a bit overrated, it’s a nice contemporary song, but i actually wanted more a beautiful ”mess” than a neat tidy song
a 6.5/10 from me
The verses are grounded in E-flat major with a simple calming motif-based refrain defining the melody. The choruses are where things get more interesting. The key half-modulates to C minor, and the melody is raised by a 6th. The calm motif from the verses has been completely ditched in favour of a much more dramatic set of refrains formed by wider scales and arpeggios – the choruses therefore push Kristian’s voice over the break in-and-out of falsetto on certain notes. The effect it produces is devastatingly dramatic, enhanced by how the choruses never actually fully define the key (the chorus… Read more »
Aww, I’m so glad that you give such high score and recognize this, I respect your opinions 🙂
Impressive analysis. Thanks for sharing. In fact is a good song, I am not sure about the singer, though. He still lacks artistic personality, maybe…
Lacks artistic personality???? Do you prefer the potato that is favorite? (not Gabbani, the other one)
And not Sweden.
@ZG: Haha; remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion. 🙂 I saw Kristian at the London party. He’s youthful and was struggling with his singing on that day, but he’s definitely artistic and has bags of star quality. He loves singing the song, and he loves performing to a crowd. Probably his only weakness is his vocal development, which right now needs some refining, but he’s got a first class song to sing; if he gets it right on the night, I think he could potentially win the contest. P.S. I will save my “age-based” comments for the Isaiah… Read more »
Guess the potato is Portugal that I also hate because I wanted Pedro Goncalves. And the young age should not be an issue because people fall in love as teenagers, wonder what you said about Serhat.
Sorry to disagree, but age is a huge issue for the Eurovision Song Contest, for many reasons. I will expand on this in Australia’s jury review. It’s a way to keep you reading. 🙂
And I love Serhat; he’s adorable. 🙂
I think they meant Belgium
Well I had once posted the pic of a potato on Facebook and a pic of mine as well and the potato got more likes 😛 Just saying
Wow ! 🙂
I want this pure art to be really revealed on the stage in Kiev and seen undoubtedly at least by the jury …
Apart from maybe One Thing I Should Have Done, this is the only ESC song that has managed to make me cry. Ever. I’m honestly not obsessed with this song, but when I listen to it, I really feel the lyrics and Kristian’s emotions throughout. And remember that he’s at the whopping old age of 17. It’s such a modern, good song; I loved it on first listen.
Wow. “Beautiful Mess” is close to making me cry, but it doesn’t. Finland’s “Blackbird” does make me cry though – every time!
What is that preference for Gery-Nikol? Bulgarians will just die of shame if she will represent them.
I agree. Her songs are too provocative for ESC.
Her songs are BOPS. Wigs from all over Europe will fly to Sofia if she goes to the Eurovision.
I can’t make myself like this song. I feel like they selected Kristian because he’s very young and without a distinct artistic personality, so they could tell him to do whatever (while someone like Gery-Nikol would’ve been hard to control, also because she’s on an independent label). They’re clearly trying to reproduce 1944’s success with this sound and serious message – but I can’t take it seriously at all because if you look at Kristian’s favorite songs’ playlist it’s all EDM/pop songs that are currently slaying the charts, nothing like the sound he’s presenting. But I do appreciate the great… Read more »
Krisss <3 <3
My 1st
Better than Poli.
Don’t do the chicken dance, don’t wear weird outfit, don’t shave your hair.
It’s a nice modern ballad, but a little dull and nowhere as good as Poli’s entries. Overrated by the odds. It shouldn’t finish in the top 10, but with good staging it probably will.
6.5/10
Come on now…this is a masterpiece.
7.25 only? Its way better than Sweden.
9/10
Agreed!
Are you Thanasi kokinakis?
As a Swede, I’m ashamed of our entry. No one wanted him to win, seriously. Even Jon Henrik and Aninia would’ve been a better choice.
Well he got 3rd highest televotes too so somebody might have wanted him to win!!
Yeah, I can see why people really like this song and why it’s so high in the odds but I personally find it forgettable and too common for Eurovision. I really hope Italy wins and not Bulgaria!