The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to listen to and review the eight competing acts in France’s Destination Eurovision 2018. Next up is The Voice singer Emmy Liyana, who has “OK ou KO”. Were we knocked out by her number? Read on to find out!
Emmy Liyana – “OK ou KO”
“OK ou KO” reviews
Josh: Emmy Liyana knows what’s up! “OK ou KO” oozes attitude and power at every opportunity. I love how sure Emmy is of herself on stage, with such an eclectic fashion aesthetic and a smooth, smoky voice to match. I think the final chorus needs to be elevated slightly to end the song with a bit more power. But a minor tweak would turn an already amazing song into a contender for Paris 2019. This slays!
Score: 9/10
Chris: Emmy’s charisma soars throughout “OK ou KO”. She comes across powerful, but not cold; her look is unique and really makes her pop on stage. Her tone is just different enough that it’s compelling. Anyone who can sell a song entirely in a foreign language (to my ear) deserves full credit. The song itself could do with a little more “oomph” at the end, but even now, it would do France very proud.
Score: 8.5/10
Robyn: Emmy Liyana is one of the few Destination Eurovision semi-final singers who gave a flawless performance. She oozes talent and professionalism and seemed at home both on the stage and performing to the cameras. “OK ou KO” is packed full of attitude and plenty of opportunities for Emmy Liyana to show off her vocal abilities. This has the potential to go very far!
Score: 9.5/10
Antranig: Emmy Liyana has an amazing look and the song is full of attitude that she delivers expertly. The song could use a revamp for the chorus which lacks a bit of power that could take it to the next level. In its current state, this isn’t the best song in France but I think it is the song with the most potential. I hope they can work on this one and give it the boost it needs to get to Eurovision and deliver another great result for France.
Score: 7/10
Jonathan: Emmy’s vocals were on point during the first semi-final, sounding almost exactly like the studio version. Although “OK ou KO” is a fantastic song, I still think Emmy’s performance was missing the fire and passion needed for it to reach its highest potential. Hopefully with more focused staging, she can muster this for the final. But France should definitely keep her on their list of potential Eurovision acts for the future, as once she’s developed into a great performer she could slay the pack if given the right song.
Score: 9/10
Luis: This woman gets it. Emmy Liyana is like a magnet: the song grabs you in the first note and doesn’t let you go. She brings an explosive mix of a distinctive voice, a flawless stage presence and an out-there look. “OK ou KO” is a very clever composition: you probably couldn’t sing it after the first listen, but it keeps you wanting more, so that you can press replay and enjoy again Emmy’s brilliantness. Bra-va!
Score: 9/10
In our Destination Eurovision Wiwi Jury, we have 15 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Bernardo: 9/10
Bogdan: 5/10
Deban: 7/10
Jordi: 9/10
Kristin: 9/10
Lukas: 9.5/10
Natalie: 7/10
Steinunn: 7.5/10
William: 7/10
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 5 and a high of 9.5.
This is my 2nd favourite after Mercy. Everything is just well done here and she graces the song by her looks and vocals. I can say that this isn’t the most memorable song just by melody and how it’s executed, but when it goes – it works well. This is the reason why I’m putting it behind Mercy.
After Igit, this is for me the best overall best entry. Super vocals, super image, great catchy but sophsticated tune and super powerful chorus, whith one line that everybody can understand. But… (and I know this might be controversial) I don’t see it getting many points from Eastern Europe… Should that be important? No, if all that France wants is to have a great song. Yes, if it wants to be in top 5…
James Bond theme, anyone? Only in beautiful French! 9.5/10
Erm, yes. 🙂 I wrote that below…
“…the Chorus reminds me of the James Bond theme.”
I think you might be my twin or something. 😮
“OK ou Ko” is really cool and current, and also very different to we are used to. This could really stands up in May. I’ve just read the lyrics and I must say they have a great message too. I like what Emmy is singing and the way she’s doing it. Would be a great winner. 7.5/10 1. Malo’ – Ciao (7.5/10) 2. Emmy – Ok ou Ko (7.5/10) 3. Madame Monsieur – Mercy (7.25/10) 4. Lisandro Cuxi – Eva (7/10) These four are really good songs, but I can’t give them a higher score because I don’t feel like… Read more »
I really like her. She has got great stage presence, a unique look and what seems like an impressive voice. She had no problems during her live performance. What she does not have is a particularly compelling song. The entire package she has would be enough in many other national finals but France actually does have some really good songs. I see her just missing out.
By far My fave in France, her live performance just hooked me, She is an amazing performer and vocalist, and the song is just wow. If selected, This would be My favorite French entry EVER.
She’s my second favorite (after Nassi). I like how she play with words and I like the message, but unfortunately I think the song lacks some originality, because I feel I’ve heard this beat many times before.
Strong performer but i don’t like her for some reason.
Her song is not stand out.
Middle placing for me. Not the best but not the worst either.
1) Malo – 12
2) Nassi – 10
3) Igit – 8
4) Max – 6
5) Lisandro – 4
6) EMMY – 2
7) Louka
8) Madame
There is no doubt this is song has the Bond theme element to it, I like it, but i agree something is missing to captivate Europe’s televoters and juries if it is chosen to represent France. Average song is written across it. Performance/vocals is good but I can see this ending up like Germany last year at the bottom, they had an average song to say the least with a good performance. The same with Eva this has a strong chance to represent France, but both I can see will get nowhere in May.
For me, this lacks some je-ne-sais-quoi.
I really do not see this motivating people to vote.
As much as I’d want to give this a higher score, i just can’t. While I really appreciate it and think it’s quite good, I would not send this to Lisbon. It could easily get lost on the big stage… 7.25/10 for me.
When he snippet came out, my mind was blown!
It has context, a modern sound and attitude. Definitely fitting Emmy’s personality. Vocally flawless! Everything about this performance was powerfull. Another french finalist I can see on the Eurovision stage slaying! However, compared to Lisandro, I think Lisandro can do better, if he goes to Eurovision.
8.5/10
I like the rising “protest chant” in this song very much, and the harmonic development in the Chorus reminds me of the James Bond theme. Emmy Liyana herself is a great live singer and is instantly memorable. I know some don’t like the repetitive-ness of the melody, but because it’s irregularly “patched” into the song like a recitative, it’s quite technical and I really like it. Honestly I can’t fault this. 10/10
Bonsoir Lisboa,
OK, le texte a été écrit par Zazie qui est une artiste de grand talent. La chanson est rythmée le texte est en Français. L’interprétation est superbe. Seule la voix un peu nasillarde me dérange. Plein de bonne choses mais je n’accroche pas. Le style est assez générique et ne se démarque pas suffisamment à mon goût par rapport à ce qui est présenté à l’Eurovision.
Ma note 7.5/10
Bien mais pas top. Madame Monsieur et Lisandro Cuxi sont un poil au dessus à mon goût, elle risque de perdre par KO.
Cordialement.
So now, this is the english traduction for Emmy Liyana’s song “Ok or KO” Who tells me how tomorrow will be If I’m cold, if I’m hot I’ll get OK or K.O Who tells me how tomorrow I’ll go When I’m down, when I’m up I’ll be OK or K.O, I’ll be OK or K.O I’ll get OK or K.O But it’s me who decides It’s me who draws it Half full glass, half empty glass Life, I love it or I ruin it Smile suits me well Suffering does not lead me to anything When I’m emptying, when I’m… Read more »
As much as I like Emmy and her voice, I’m not sure how much of an impression that song would make at Eurovision. Just a feeling. Good luck to her anyway, she’s a talented performer.
Wiwibloggs stop overrating all the French entries challenge, no way these songs deserve 8+/10
Agree, they overrate French entries, just like Alma in 2017. After that they forgot completely about Alma. I remember that wiwi was so in love with Alma, that in an article about Alma and Kasia Mos, when they sing in Ukrainian selection, wiwi said nothing about Kasia, but said that Alma had perfect pedicure. Now…nothing about Alma. Weird.
Kasia finished 22th Alma finished 12th, her 8+ Mark was deserved.
Dont be jealous, there is high quality on this nf
They’re not professionals. They’re just having fun. It’s in the disclaimer.
That is your opinion. For me, this was the best national final in history.
I think you may have felt differently if you understood the lyrics the songs. Almost all (maybe with the exception of Mamma Mia) were truly poetic…
Why do you assume he/she doesn’t understand the lyrics? This is the ultimate annoying accusation that KILLED Occidentalis Karma. Don’t do this again this year.
This song does nothing for France. Do you see eastern Europe voting for OKKOKAKAKAO?
Emmy>>>>>>Eva
No, just no. I hate how jury only dances on rap songs. Why France is so in love with rap songs, while the lovely Noee is out? Why? I don’t understand. France thinks that rap is so new and modern? No No No, Not this year France.
There aren’t really any rap songs in Destination eurovision lol
So are you French and you think there are no rap songs in Destination Eurovision. Really? Are you so much in love with rap, that you don’t even call it rap anymore, you probably call it ”french folk music”
It’s not a rap, it’s not a french folk music, it’s Pop-soul. Do you think Nicoletta isn’t french? But “Mamie Blue” is also pop soul.
You don’t seem to know ANYTHING about rap, if you think that this song is even close to being rap lol. Funny how some People think they’re experts when they’re actually the ones who don’t have a clue.
So, the song is on par with Lisandro’s Eva?
The song is really powerful. Just a tad bit repetitive especially in the first half!! If she can give more dynamism to the song she’d be a clear winner. A strong effort and one of my favorites.
A 8/10
Yay!! Looks like we finally agreed on a score