Break out the cello! The Wiwi Jury turns to the next song in its review of Latvia’s Supernova 2018. This time it’s acclaimed cellist (and singer) MADARA, with her Latvian-language entry, “Esamiba“.
MADARA (Madara Fogelmane) has played the cello since her childhood, and has studied it both in Amsterdam and Brussels. It was only in 2017 that she started to perform as both a cellist and singer.
MADARA — “Esamiba”
“Esamiba” Reviews
Chris: In the last couple of years, it’s become clear that you don’t have to conform to regular pop music to do well at Eurovision — or even, to win. Latvia have flirted with the idea of doing “something different” over the last few years, but entering “Esamiba” would be their most daring entry yet. If Madara can perform this live with true gusto, then I wouldn’t dare them to send anything else. Captivating from the first note.
Score: 9.5/10
Bernardo: There you have it. A beautiful, well-crafted composition paired with an incredibly beautiful, ethereal voice. It’s classic, yet contemporary. Madara doesn’t need much, because her voice is more than enough. As we enter a new phase where all genres have a relevant place in the Eurovision stage, “Esamiba” is a recipe for success.
Score: 8.5/10
Edgars: This is the one that Latvian should send to Lisbon. It was a stand-out from the first round of online voting. Now, it’s even better in the final version with the added backing vocals and effects. It’s would be the first time that Latvia could send a song in their native language and not be ashamed of it. Moldova had their epic violin and sax guy, this is Latvia’s epic cello girl.
Score: 9/10
Luis: As long as Madara knows her entry needs a show-stopping performance, she’s got this. “Esamiba” is a fantastic composition: it has peaks, lows and it takes you to the Moon and back more than once. The drawback is that the setting isn’t the most suitable. To succeed, she needs to recreate the magic that Salvador Sobral made us feel in Kyiv. Hopefully, she thinks outside the box and brings something totally unique.
Score: 8.5/10
William: Oozing spirituality and a sense of the divine, “Esamiba” is much bigger than its three minutes. The symphonic sound seems to be gifted from the Muses, who have imbued it with godliness and majesty, rhythm and words. In a field of songs shooting for Spotify — and all the digital sounds that entails — this takes us back to basics and to our core. It isn’t music, but magic. Despite the quiet song, it would be a bold and deserving choice. And PS: This is waaaaaay better than Enya.
Score: 9/10
Robyn: “Esamiba” reminds me of “Blackbird”. It’s the kind of song that works as an intimate listening experience on headphones. But songs like that never do well in the context of a rowdy arena setting or watched at home in boozy viewing parties. It seems like a misguided attempt to follow in the footsteps of the 2017 winner, but Latvia should be doing their own thing.
Score: 6/10
Jordi: Madara and “Esamiba” are the perfect definition of celebrating diversity, in a National Final dominated by the English language. It serves emotion and calm, bringing you to a very relaxing state of mind. The whole composition, the melody, her voice and the feeling she creates, is going to stand out amongst the whole pack. How well this song would compete in a 43-song Eurovision is a worry, but it might just need a little bit more dynamism.
Score: 7.5/10
In our Latvia Wiwi Jury, we have 14 jurors but only room for 7 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Kristin: 5/10
Antranig: 9/10
Lukas: 6/10
Natalie: 9/10
Jonathan: 4.5/10
Jovana: 7.5/10
Steinunn: 8.5/10
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 4.5 and a high of 9.5.
WIWI JURY VERDICT: 7.79/10
Another change at the top of the rankings, as MADARA proves to be the jury’s favourite so far. But is she your favourite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This could absolutely be Latvia’s ticket to the final. While I, like many, worry about the possibility of a slow song overload in the wake of Salvador’s win, this and Estonia’s La Forza would be welcome additions to the final. Cool, classical, and uniquely Eurovision-esque. Latvia, good luck and don’t f*ck it up!
An impressive 8/10 from me.
Regardless whether this will win Eurovision or not, this is quality-on-steroids for 2018 Eurovision. Excellent job Latvia! Fingers crossed this translates visually.
I couldn’t say it better than William ‘It isn’t music, but magic.’
So pure and beautiful. 9.5/10 just because I don’t believe in perfection.
Her live performance in this video proves that she can deliver it live as well.
I love this song so much! It deserves to go to Lisbon this year. Heck, this could bring Latvia to a top ten position.
I wish I liked it more. The voice is there, it’s defiently unique and juries would eat this one up like candy. However, would it keep it interesting for the audience?
7/10
I’m in the middle with this one.
I like the melody, the atmoshere it creates, the voice, the cello, the originality and the fact that Latvian sound so beautiful even if I don’t understand a word.
However, I don’t really feel the song, while I believe I should, because everyone is talking about it. I’ll wait to see the live performance.
6.5/10
Pearl!
It’s a fantastic piece of music, waiting for the live performance
I’m rooting for her! It’s dreamy but also a little dark. They better chose this act.
there only similarities between this and apd are only the use of the national language and the classical theme of the songs. esamiba is a flawless entry and would easily top my list this year. we don’t hear many cellos in eurovision, if any at all- and i feel like if latvia sent this it would be something new for them and would bring them back to the top 10. electropop entries from latvia stopped working after aminata. 10/10 by far, easily my favorite song out of any selection so far
Latvia would be a damn fool to choose anything else besides this. This is boss! This is the only song I’ve heard in the national selections that screams winner.
Overrated as hell. My last. If this wins, Latvia will be one of my last places too. Sounds like Blackbird+Amar Pelos Dois. Such a boring song. Nothing special.
Overrated as hell. My last. Such a boring song, nothing special.
This song gives me goosebumps! Mix between Evanescence vibes and cello is a magical combination. 10/10 and my favourite out of all NF so far.
One word – LOOOOOVE!
Stunning. This could actually win Eurovision. 10/10
Latvian never sounded more perfect and magic. I love this, I think – if this doesn’t win – is biggest mistake of any national finals in long time!
Very good luck to beautiful Madara and this magical three minutes. Beautiful!
Vote, vote, vote for the winner!
It’s a good song…..but another dull song won’t win after a win by a dull song. She is strong vocally and the song is atmospheric. Being the only entry in Latvian that survived the cull I think makes it more endearing. Only if it were more current it would have been my favorite.
A 7.5/10
Gorgeous, emotional, enchanting! I don’t need to know Latvian to pick the emotion. It’s one of the most beautiful ones in all ESC ’18 season, a possible winner!
10/10 for sure!
This is my favorite Eurovision entry in 2018 so far. It may be risky to pick it, but what’s the joy of playing safe when we’re talking about art? Think big, Latvia!
I thought I was going to read an all-in love-fest for this. I haven’t been feeling this on any of my listens and really worry about how badly this could potentially do at Eurovision. The Blackbird-comparisons are apt and if I remember, I hated Blackbird, too!
Love this. I have no idea how well this would fare at Eurovision, but I would love to see it there.