Next week, the UK makes its choice for Lisbon in the final of Eurovision: You Decide 2018. The Wiwi Jury, our in-house team of music un-professionals, is on hand to give you an idea of who to look out for in the contest.
Liam Tamne will be performing “Astronaut” at You Decide. Liam’s stage work includes roles in Hairspray and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Is he sending us in to space with his song? See our thoughts below:
Liam Tamne — “Astronaut”
“Astronaut” Reviews
Kristin: Is it just me, or are there parts in the song where Liam flat out pronounces his lyrics like he´s Elmer Fudd? With that said, “Astronaut” is a little underwhelming. The spirit is there to make a good song, but it kind of just falls flat. Liam´s voice is quite good, and is by far the best thing here. The song just needs a little revamp. More power — come on, Liam, you can do it!
Score: 6/10
Deban: I love the stripped back style, but it comes with a major drawback — Liam’s personality is stripped out too. This is a distinctly average song with slightly annoying digital flourishes. Still, it’s pleasant enough for three minutes.
Score:Â 4.5/10
Robyn: This song could be cut and paste into any national final from Western Europe. It’s such a generic contemporary pop song, with no sense of personality or a story. Liam is an undeniably talented singer, but there’s a limit to the number of times one can listen to a singer asserting that he’ll be a metaphorical astronaut. I’m ok with this song being a step in the gradual improvement of the UK’s national final process, but it’s too dull for Lisbon.
Score: 5/10
Antranig: Average is the first word that comes to mind. The song feels very generic albeit very current and on trend. Liam’s vocals fit the song perfectly and that takes it a long way — that’s definitely the song’s biggest strength. Lyrically it is a bit messy — “I could be your astronaut” comes across a bit creepier than they probably intended. Overall, this is a decent effort and Liam could do well if he can perform it live.
Score: 6/10
Edd: From that Scandinavian anthemic melody, to the Alan Walker style post-chorus, this really is “generic Eurovision song” at its best. My only issue (other than the atrocious lyrics) is that the song is simply too Norwegian to be representing the UK. We have excellent musicians in our country, and I would feel embarrassed if we decide to send a song produced by Scandinavians for the sixth time in the past eight years.
Score:Â 8.5/10
William: Liam has a gorgeous voice — it’s smooth, silky, sexy and soothing. When he says “let me take you far away,” who could refuse? And while his talent is top-notch, the song feels beneath him. The lyrics are cringe and the melody generic, so much so that it renders colourful Liam into something more black-and-white. He deserves better. But no matter. He’s got a new fan in me and countless others.
Score:Â 5/10
In our UK Wiwi Jury, we have 16 jurors but only room for 7 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:
Chris: 5.5/10
Anthony: 5.5/10
Bernardo: 4.5/10
Cinan: 4.5/10
Jonathan: 6/10
Josh: 3/10
Luis: 3.5/10
Sebastian: 4/10
Bogdan: 6.5/10
Rezo: 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 3 and a high of 8.5.
My second or third favourite in the UK.
Great voice. I quite like the metaphor and it builds up quite nicely to that bigger note towards the end. Easy-to-sing-along-to, as well!
Has no-one realised that the winning song 30 years ago was also about an astronaut. Could that be an omen?
Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know where to watch Eurovision: You Decide 2018 live if you don’t live in UK? (And no, the BBC iPlayer is not available outside of the UK)
Slightly off-topic, but does anyone know where to watch Eurovision: You Decide 2018 live if you don’t live in UK? (And no, the BBC iPlayer is not available outside of the UK)
Yeahhh I hope we don’t pick this one. Happy for any of the other 5 to represent us though.
Pleasant to the ear, nice melody and beautiful voice. I could download this. However, this “I can be your astronaut” sounds cheesy. The chorus isn’t my favourite part.
6.5/10
He and Willie hit it off quite well I saw in their interview. I like the song…the beginning 30 seconds are not good. But once the chorus kicks in I really like it. His voice is nice and if he can sing that well live ill not be disappointed in him representing UK.
A 7/10.
The singer is gorgeous, but the song is not. Actually, this is my least favourite song out of the six UK entries, for many of the reasons the Wiwi jury has stated above. Sorry Liam. You are welcome to try again though. 🙂 4.5/10
Is he more gorgeous than Endi Schrotter?
Get me in the same room with both of them and I might answer you. 😛
ha ha ha great, who wouldn’t want (man or woman)
Pleasant but uninteresting. Would sink like a stone in Lisbon, I think, although I’d like to see what tweaks are made. After all, as we all remind ourselves over and over, Never Give Up on You was nothing spectacular until the revamp.
Supposedly, if I heard it correctly from William’s interview with Liam the other day, we should expect some minor tweakings done by the time the song is performed live on the 7th.
I agree with the reviews – the song is very generic and without a distinct personality. It’s very re-listenable, well sung and soothing, though. It’s my third favorite in the UK. 6.5/10