It’s been an exciting couple of days in Estonia! Whilst some of the Eesti Laul 2018 songs were released early, we finally got to hear all 20 songs this week. Not only that, we found out which songs would compete in which semi-final.
Y’all have had some time to listen to the songs from the first-semi final now, and we want to know: just who is your favourite? Well now you can have your say in our poll!
You can find all songs below if you click on the link in their title. You’ll also find a snippet of Wiwiblogger William’s first reaction. After you’ve had a chance to play them all again, you can vote in our poll.
Eesti Laul 2018 — First Semi-Final
Vajé — “Laura (Walk with Me)”
William: “We don’t know who Laura is, but if she has half a brain she’s going to take these guys up on their offer of a walk (so long as they sing). Stefan’s voice is smooth, resonant, sweet and sexy — and the production is very now. He mixes electronic sounds with a smooth dance beat that seems to nod to Shawn Mendes. He doesn’t just sing, he smoulders.”
Iiris & Agoh — “Drop That Boogie”
William: “Iiris oozes attitude and that comes through in her sound, which flirts with genres from electronica to garage to pop. She’s pretty but gritty, yesterday but today — and she appears to be singing about a same-sex relationship. The song lacks the predictable peaks and troughs of a typical Eurovision song, but it’s funky edge could lend itself well to staging.”
Etnopatsy – “Külm”
William: “Bringing indigenous sounds and some undeniable authenticity to the contest, this track bridges the ancient with the modern to create something intoxicating, mystical and spellbinding. The repetition of hell-la, hell-la, hell-la, hey really drills into your ears. Bonus points for their fierce dreadlocks, ladies!”
Sibyl Vane – “Thousand Words”
William: “Sibyl — which actually consists of Helen, Heiko and Hendrik — brings straight-up alternative to Eesti Laul. The first minute builds really nicely, but the chorus, while pleasant, ultimately feels a tad flat. Word has it they’re great live, so there’s plenty of reason to feel positive about this one.”
Aden Ray – “Everybody’s Dressed”
William: “Aden has crafted a current, sensuous sound. His high-pitched vocals sound choral, religious and sexy all at once — a strange mish-mash that is surprisingly inviting. The use of synth and digi-sounds give him contemporary flair, yet I can hear 80s greats like Annie Lennox in there.”
Tiiu x Okym x Semy – “Näita oma energiat”
William: “Mr Saxobeat seems to open this track, promising sunshine, sand and plenty of pina coladas. But things get very grunge very quickly and our saxophone friend is swallowed by a garage-warehouse-hip-hop group that has no sense of melody, shape or form. This feels messy and rather unfortunate.”
Stig Rästa – “Home”
William: “Stig goes for something sweet, tender and dreamy — a love letter to his special someone. Sleepy to some, totally romantic to others, it isn’t a clear winner or even a clear contender — but Stig doesn’t care. We have to give him props for the line “Sleep on the balcony, watch a little GoT” — I love the Game of Thrones!”
Miljardid – “Pseudoprobleem”
William: “If Franz Ferdinand were re-born in Estonia, they may sound something like this. Miljardid strike the right balance between mainstream and niche, radio-friendly and slightly alternative. The track progresses somewhat linearly, but changing instrumentation, rhythm and accents keep it interesting.”
Desiree – “On My Mind”
William: “Desiree sounds fab. She’s a breath of fresh air — and one with a very Spotify-friendly sound. The snare drum is a simple yet effective flourish, and for me the song speeds by. But at the moment it — like so many other songs here — feels flat and lacks a proper climax.”
Elina Netsajeva – “La Forza”
William: “Wow. Elina can sing. Her operatic flourishes will no doubt divide the fandom. But this much is clear: She’s managed to take opera and make it slightly more accessible with some contemporary production that gives it a slight pop vibe, without moving into camp territory. Live she should rightfully blow people away.”
There’s all ten songs: now it’s time for y’all to have your say. You can vote for as many songs as you like in our poll, but remember – you can only vote ONCE. So make sure that vote counts!
We’ll update you with results as Eesti Laul gets closer in the new year!
[polldaddy poll=9902807]
Right now, On My Mind is currently my favorite to win Eesti Laul SF1.
1. La Forza – Simply a masterpiece! I can easily see it winning ESC alltogether. 10/10
2. Kulm – Very lovely, calming and melodic!
3. Everybody’s Dressed – Nice song with a good, specific voice.
La Forza
(big gap)
Laura
Home
There is no hope for Estonia. They can send the best song like last year and still not qualify to final.
Never lose hope. Not even San Marino have lost hope! 🙂
Iiris is perfection. 12 points from Netherlands
AGREE AGREE AGREE
I like this poll results – my two favourites are 1 and 2 and the two songs i hate are last 😀
I love a thousand words but I feel like it’s not that much appreciated.
Külm, La Forsa, On my Mind and home are some of THE best songs from the Baltic this year.
The quality of “La forza” is light years ahead of any other entry in Eesti Laul this year. It’s only four whistle registers away from sweeping the competition and taking its place as a very dangerous competitor in Lisbon.
Soooo! My humble opinion: 1. Etnopatsy “Külm” – I really enjoy folk. There’s a great hook here, the singers do their job perfectly, their voices blend together amazingly, the music is peaceful and strong in the same time. Love it! 2. Elina Nechayeva “La forza” – Oh yes, she can sing, absolutely. Hopefully she can repeat it in the live performance. The chorus is amazing, the first verse builds up atmosphere quite nicely. The second verse is a little (just a little) underwhelming though, most probably because of the huge drop from a gorgeous chorus to a quiet piece. 3.… Read more »
1. La Forza – It is scary to think how good this will come across if everything is right on the night. With a flawless vocal and appropriate staging, potential Eurovision winner. Juries should eat this up. 2. Everybody’s Dressed – The voice is amazing, sounding a little like Mai Yamane (Not a resemblance I would expect to come across in Estonia) and the sound experimental. The gospel choir gives me chills! Definitely my cup of tea if not everybody else’s. 3. Drop That Boogie – A long way behind my top two and whilst Külm, Laura and Home are… Read more »
1 Home
2 Laura
3 La forza
I was most excited to hear what Stig had to offer this year however I was floored by La Forza. Which for me is a magnificent entry, light years ahead of the rest of the selection.
Good luck to the rest because I have my Eesti Laul, and potential Eurovision winner.
My top 3 are: Kulm, La Forza and On my mind! The rest are okay to boring to annoying. 🙂
My top 4 are all from the first semi-final:
1. Drop That Bogie
2. Laura
3. Külm
4. On My Mind
It’s hard to say which other song I would like to also qualify from this semi-final – either Thousand words, La forza or Everybody’s dressed I guess.
La Forza, Külm, Home, Drop That Boggie and On My Mind should qualify. Thousand Words is too bad as well.:)
E.D., La Forza and then randomly Kulm, Walk With Me and something else…
Elina is OUT – standing! Everyone else is avarage unfortunately. Quite disappointed with Stig Rasta, I expected him to win with ease.
Also I can’t get ” Drop that Boogie ” from my head. Guess that is good lol.
Y’all better not send that lame cover of Give Me Love by Ed Sheeran. I get it that Stig Rusty was successful three years ago, but now it’s time to look at the BEST song. It’s either another bop in the basket, or another flop in the casket for Estonia.
The only three good songs of the competition are all in the first semi:
– La forza (personal favorite)
– Külm (song with the best chances at the contest imo)
– Everybody’s Dressed (other one I enjoyed a lot)
1. Kulm
2. Home
3.Laura
Generally, this year’s selection is weaker than last year. However, there are some good songs there.
esti laul is so underwhelming this year
Last year was much stronger! I suppose it will be Stig’s “Home” for Estonia in Lisbon. We’ll see what the other countries send, but Estonia could qualify if “Home” has the same effect as other similar “sweet” entries like “Running on Air”, “Da Da Dam”, … I don’t remember more right now (and I don’t have time to search for them), but you know what I mean 😛
Out of SF1:
1. Stig Rästa “Home”
2. Sibyl Vane “Thousand Words”
3. Aden Ray “Everybody’s Dressed”
4. Vajé “Laura (Walk With Me)”
5. Desiree “On My Mind”
OMG La Forza is Head and shoulders above the rest. LOVE IT! Its got a slight ‘Nocturne’ feel about it which they had ramped up even a little bit more.
This has an X Factor, which is what you need nowadays to win.
“La Forza” and “Home” are my favourites. 🙂
Hey this are my both faves as well 😀
My favourite is Elina Netsajeva with “La Forza”. I wonder if she can really really sing that high. If yes, than she deserves to sing in Lissabon because these are the highest notes ever.
Yes, she can. Do some research and you’ll find some videos of her handling her whistle register with mastery.
Rona and Malena have previously failed on giving a good whistle sequence live in Eurovision before – maybe Elina can? After all she is a full soprano.
None of the songs this year are as good as any of the 7 songs I like last year!! But atleast this semi has 5 credible candidates for the Eesti laul final!! I can’t seem to find many in the 2nd
My vote goes to Eesti Laul’s theme tune. Way better than most of these songs.
Ouch!
I absolutely love La Forza. It’s very sophisticated and professional and could even potentially win Eurovision. It’s my number one.
Though I like Kulm as well.
La Forza.
Not that I really love it, I wouldn’t download it. However, when compared to the others, Elina’s song is the one (in the whole selection).
Honourable mentions:
– Everybody’s Dressed;
– Külm.
Funny that my three favourite songs are in three different languages:
1.- Külm (Estonian)
2.- La Forza (Italian)
3.- On my Mind (English)