Finland, Saara Aalto, 3

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has ventured to the north of Europe. Our destination, the breathtaking landscape of Finland. Unlike most of the other national finals, at Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Wiwi Jury does not have to choose its favourite singer. Saara Aalto will be going to Eurovision — all that remains to be chosen is her song.

Today the Wiwi Jury gathered in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, to review “Monsters”. Did the Wiwi Jury find its army strong? Or were we left so numb we couldn’t feel it? Read on to find out.

Saara Aalto – “Monsters”

“Monsters” reviews

Antranig: Saara’s “Monsters” is very Lady Gaga around the “Born This Way” era with LGBT anthem written all over it. Yet this sounds very current and extremely radio friendly. This is clearly Saara’s best option out of her three songs and this is a lock for Eurovision Top 10 at the absolute minimum. The only challenge will be replicating the energy of the music video in her live performance. If Saara can do that, she might be strutting her stuff down to the trophy. “Monsters” is clearly the best song of the national final season.

Score: 10/10

Robyn: Eurovision 2018 is in desperate need of a bop and Saara Aalto has provided the perfect one. “Monsters” is amazing. It harnesses the strengths of Saara and creates a super catchy tune that creates layers of story and drama. The song has a contemporary sound but isn’t beholden to trends. And who doesn’t want to be part of Saara’s army? In a sea of “keeping it real” ballads in Lisbon, “Monsters” will stand out and slay.

Score: 9/10

Josh: Honey, oh honey. Someone hand this queen her crown. A perfect combination of a pop banger with a spooky underpinning, “Monsters” gives me life, a little bit of death, and everything in between. It’s current and radio-friendly but still quintessentially Saara, incorporating elements of camp and fun. This slays on multiple levels. The old Josh can’t come to the phone right now, ’cause he’s dead.

Score: 9/10

Cinan: I am absolutely serious — my wig was snatched at 00:05 of the song! ”Monsters” for me it is like a hymn. They should play it in every school in Finland. Perfectly produced, every time I listen to it, I feel like I’m becoming stronger and stronger. I love when a song makes me feel like this because it’s so motivating. I can easily imagine what the staging could be if they choose ”Monsters”, and of course this can absolutely win the whole thing and bring us back to Finland after 11 years. Saara, keep slaying, honey — you are and amazing vocalist!

Score: 10/10

Natalie: Yay! Epic Love Pop! This is exactly the sort of song that created all the hype around Saara in the first place. She does this strong woman house thing so incredibly well, it’s impossible not to fall in love with her. Her voice feels very mature and strong but still genuine, she’s got so much determination here. And those awesome house beats are so infectious and exciting around the theme of letting go of trauma. I feel that it could be pushed a little bit further, maybe have a little bit more energy, but still – Saara, you go girl.

Score: 9/10

Luis: “Monsters” is the only option for Finland. While it’s nothing new, Saara handles this song perfectly, and she elevates what otherwise would be a slightly dated entry. The good thing about “Monsters” is that, apart from being a bop, it’s cross-generational. There are reminiscences of this decade and the three previous ones, so it makes it really accessible to everyone. The Finns shouldn’t have trouble qualifying with this one.

Score: 7.5/10

In our Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2018 Wiwi Jury, we have 16 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Anthony: 8/10

Antony: 10/10

Barnabas:  7.5/10

Bernardo: 8.5/10

Jonathan: 10/10

Jordi: 8/10

Lukas: 9/10

Raphael: 8.5/10

Ron: 9.5/10

Sebastian: 9.5/10

 

 

 

 

 

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 7.5 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury Verdict: 8.96/10

Read all our UMK 2018 reviews and rankings here

Read more Finland news here

Get a “Monsters” t-shirt

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Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Saara’s reveals started really well with this ones, it got stucked in my head almost instantly. Sadly, “Domino” and “Queens” aren’t this good. Any way, Finland needs just one song, and “Monsters” meets all the requeriments. Do I see this winning? No. But it could easily placed in the top 10. For now, there isn’t a song like this and could really stand put and be elevated by Saara herself and a Lady Gaga-based staging. Nothing original or genuine, but enought to give Finland its best result in years.

If chosen it would go straight to my top 5.

8.5/10

dabamba
dabamba
6 years ago

I’m not fan of Saara or her songs but currently if Monsters was the song chosen, i would see it in TOP 5 among all 21 published participants. I have my doubts could she attract equally enough ppl. But sure thing i think is that she will make an impact.

Jepsulepsu
Jepsulepsu
6 years ago

Saara is winner of ESC18, just accept it!

H5rre11
H5rre11
6 years ago

Finland for the win!! ??

H5rre11
H5rre11
6 years ago

this song deserves 10s ?? who cares what haters think. This song would stand out perfectly

Martian
Martian
6 years ago

AND the others finland songs ?

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago

Sooo overrated, c’mon! The song is very fabricated, unoriginal ( lyrics copied by Rihanna’s ‘Monster’) and there’s nothing special about it. I’ve heard it like 5 times and still can’t remember the chorus. I don’t get these ratings at all!

H5rre11
H5rre11
6 years ago
Reply to  Lourdes

So you’re trying to say that Rihanna invented the word ‘Monster’?

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

Great song! The rating is deserved. This should win.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Oh my god this Rating is completely ridiculous, sorry…

Zuzu
Zuzu
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Wiwibloggs has been “promoting” her for a couple of years in case you didn’t know. The review is being made by the UNprofessional wiwi jury as they call themselves and you can see their favorite genre has always been pop (cheap or not) so you can’t expect them to be objective (they never claimed they were anyways). For them if its not pop its flop. A definite plus is that the video clip is lgbt friendly (well the Finnish knew what they were doing, its eurovision we are talking about). Meanwhile the song could not be more unoriginal and forgettable.… Read more »

Kyna
Kyna
6 years ago

I’m not confident about her live performance, I mean have you seen her outfits for Saturday’s final? They are horrible…
I don’t like any of her songs, seems too generic and manufactured. Nothing new has brought to the table. There aren’t bad, quite okay, but lacks the winner quality. There is something missing for sure. For now I’m convinced that even live won’t make me change my mind.
Good for Finland tho, they might get their best result since 2014.

Mel
Mel
6 years ago

Her outfits for the songs have been revealed and the Monsters outfit is a complete disaster: a colorful striped leotard with a weird loincloth. I get the rainbow nod but other than that the outfit has absolutely nothing to do with the song. It’s ridiculous. Trying to level the playing field so it’s not a landslide on Saturday? Risky little game. YLE has destroyed decent songs before with bad staging, choreo and styling (Emma, Siru come to mind).

H5rre11
H5rre11
6 years ago
Reply to  Mel

She said tho that there will be some surprises with the outfits tho

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

I’m sorry. I was disappointed by all of Saara’s songs. I expected more and they were just average. I think you guys are being generous with Monsters, this sounds like a Lady Gaga reject from 2009.

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

Only room for six reviews? This is the internet. You are not limited by space.

up!
up!
6 years ago

Here’s finally something for the Eurofans. I’m not only happy about “Monsters” for the sake of variety, but also because it is well written and straight produced. It’s clear that the 9’s and 10’s are poured out over this. It’s the first song this year which I would label as “Eurotrack” and in its genre, it’s a good one. Winning – a few years ago I would have said “no way”, this year, well, anything can happen, because by now, this rather expected tune became the exception and therefore stands out… For me, this could end up in the low… Read more »

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Am I the only one who likes Queens the most? Queens suits her the most.

ESC
ESC
6 years ago

Some people are just meh. All they do is whine and complain. Go find another hobby if this does not entertains you. And all your predications for the finals are lausy. You are no juries. Go Saara 🙂

H5rre11
H5rre11
6 years ago
Reply to  ESC

THANK YOU! I agree

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

One of the best produced entries for me. Contemporary, up-beat, with potential. Undoubtedly Sarah is a great vocalist, so “no fear” here. I also like Domino.
8.5/10 for “monsters”

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Some people are almost throwing stones on the spanish couple (and fans) for weeks, but the really overhyped entry of Eurovision season 2018 is this one.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Saara, as Saara, is a 10/10 singer and I am sure this will be a 10/10 performance. The song is catchy, has a good hook and sounds even more edgy than it actually is, which will attract mainstream and alternative fans alike. It might not be one of the deepest or most emotional songs this year, but it sure could be one of the most engaging to watch. Anyway, out of 3 songs Saara produced for Eurovision, this one is probably the best.

8.5/10

Jim
Jim
6 years ago

It’s a good song, but nothing original in it… I think that the great quality of the video-clip makes people be like “wow that’s a masterpiece”. But it’s not… It’s a typical song of its kind… You can listen to many similar sounds in the USA. I don’t get the hype

Ana
Ana
6 years ago

Oh God, I don’t believe it… An average song gains 9s and 10s from everyone… What a comedy 😛

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago

Predictable wiwi jury. Can’t wait to see this flop at ESC.

And can people stop using the word “bop”? It’s yet another embarrassing entry into the modern lexicon and shouldn’t be used by anyone above the age of 14.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
6 years ago

Oh calm down and trh to listen once again. If it was Ira Losco or Loreen to sing this, you’d probably melt of or**sm. The raising Saara-hate here is just so pathetic…

Daniel_2017
Daniel_2017
6 years ago

While I don’t like any of the 3 songs Saara’s proposing Finland for selection, I am very far from looking forward to seeing her flop at ESC. Saara is a very talented artist and I will root for her just because I like her as an artist :).

But yeah, the rating is exaggerated, I’ll give you that

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
6 years ago

I Love Monsters. It better go to Eurovision! 11/10

Bakingem
Bakingem
6 years ago

I mean, don’t get me wrong but I’m just not feeling any of her songs so far. There is nothing I could really point my finger at and say that’s what it makes it just another high production pop songs, but it simply lacks that oomph that you need to stand out. That doesn’t mean that won’t change in May once we see her staging and the vibe she sends from ESC stage which could bring this final touch I’m missing right now.

West
West
6 years ago

When I heard Mosnters for the first time I thought it’s kinda good. When I heard it second time I thought that it’s a bit average. Now after few more listens I think it’s just meh. It is not the best of the three imo – not the worst, it has some memorable parts, but not great.
p.s. I don’t get that hysteria about the singer. She’s good – but there are tons of other good singers.

Timo1962FI
Timo1962FI
6 years ago

Hater’s gonna hate. Are you really that scared of this song to win. This is an anthem for self confidence and liberation.10/10. Welcome to Helsinki in May 2019. Love love peace peace to everyone.

george sss
george sss
6 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

OMG, the finish entry is so promoted, ok she is talented and the songs are not bad but we all know that she wont win and thats for sure.Why such a promotion guys?

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

So people can’t have different opinions without being “haters”?

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

They can, but they can’t hate without being a hater – “can’t wait to see it flop” reeks of “hater”, sorry.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Nope. It’s the internet. =P

Y tho?
Y tho?
6 years ago
Reply to  Timo1962FI

LOL no.

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago

I think the UK selection proved that live performance is all that matters and Domino is made just for that and that song should be the favorite.

JEFFERSON LAMAS
JEFFERSON LAMAS
6 years ago

Agree, Domino is better and my favorite!!!!!

Sabel
Sabel
6 years ago

Honestly, this is so hyped up. I don’t see any of her songs win, it’s so Lady Gaga 2009. She might give a good show but that doesn’t make the song better. She just does not have a lot of charisma, something Salvador, Mans, Loic, Loreen had.. Final yeah, left side no.

Ana
Ana
6 years ago
Reply to  Sabel

On point!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I obviously think this is being overrated as I don’t even think it’s the best out of her three songs. Definitely don’t think you’d be this excited if this was sung by another singer. I mean, instrumentally, the song is just too light.
Having said all that, Finland would obviously qualify if they picked this but there is a very obvious ceiling to how well it could do.

Adrien
Adrien
6 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

That ceiling being the first place. Am I right?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago
Reply to  Adrien

I was thinking more between the positions of 7-10 in the grand final. Which would be a great result for Finland but considering that they pretty much scrapped a national final just for Saara Aalto, I still think they should go with Domino and aim for the top 5. 😉

James
James
6 years ago

“Bop” seems to be the word of the ESC 2018 season. Last year it was “Dated”.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Come on, “dated” is always trendy 😀

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

any of the 3 would make an impact in the sea of boring this year go saaraaaa

Troy
Troy
6 years ago

So typical. Eurovision fans naming average pop songs as masterpieces.

Mako
Mako
6 years ago
Reply to  Troy

They also name boring ballad as masterpieces … Who’s wrong ? Nobody. ‘Cause they love music. You just have to respect their opinions.

Marty Mc
Marty Mc
6 years ago

I am sure many people here , have never seen her live on the X factor in the UK, and what an amazing performance she can deliver. When she first appeared on the x factor, she was bottom of the televoting at the beginning, bacuse she had no fan base in Great Britain . By week 8 she was one of the favourites to win and the country fell in love with her. Believe me, this girl has an amazing voice. and monsters is perfect for her music capabilities. Top 10 material here. And yes she is very fresh to… Read more »

kalisi97
kalisi97
6 years ago
Reply to  Marty Mc

Speaking about performance see that and then tell me about Saara.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-be_Zo01DVU

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Btw, will William also release a reaction video for “Queens”, like with “Monsters” and “Domino”? Go ahead, I dare ya. 😛

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

It’s a great song indeed but I don’t think it’s suitable for a stage performance. It’s too mazy I guess.

Gav
Gav
6 years ago

I think it is hugely visual and know 100% Saara and her creative team will pull it off and more so without LED’s as PERform is what Saara seems to do best! Hopefully you will be surprised.

David
David
6 years ago

I have a feeling that Queens will win the NF. I personally find Monsters to be the weakest of the bunch…. It has no clear ID…. But of course that could all change when I hear them live. I am only scared that Monsters is a ESC fan castle of nothing that will result in nothing at ESC… It will be interesting

Zuzu
Zuzu
6 years ago

This one has got DGF (Doomed Gay Favourite) written all over it. (The ‘Same Heart’ disaster comes to mind as a classic of the DGF genre.) Send ‘Domino’ instead!

Sanningen
Sanningen
6 years ago

All of you who says “She is so overrated”, you are wrong. Saara is really underrated here in Finland. Her songs haven’t been playing on the radio, her albums have been flop after flop. She was quite unknown before X Factor UK, but after that she hasn’t released new songs before this. She have never been nominated at any music awards. She is not a star, she deserves to be. Break your ESC bubble, and see the truth.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Sanningen

Because Finland has better music than her.
She doesn’t represent Finnish music with this kind of songs.
And Finland doesn’t need a song made by Swedes. You are not Malta, Azerbaijan or Cyprus.

Toyou
Toyou
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Also the problem is that Finnish only listen to Finnish language songs. But Finnish artists like Evelina, Sanni, Jenni Vartiainen, Robin or Haloo Helsinki are not interested of ESC.

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago
Reply to  Sanningen

Because she isnt good enough…that’s why the radios haven’t!

titiuu
titiuu
6 years ago
Reply to  Cathal

But i think the main problem is the songs, not Saara. She is not a really good composer, her songs sound dated and the same. She just needs someone to make her songs

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago
Reply to  titiuu

So basically the exact same as her current 3 songs. The only difference is she is playing to a ESC fandom who are a shrine for Saara Aalto meaning she can do no wrong to them, doesn’t quite work with the finish public.

titiuu
titiuu
6 years ago
Reply to  Cathal

But the songs are different than her older songs like “Blessed with love” or “Meant to be”.

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Sanningen

Monsters was no.14 on the Finnish charts.

Mufasa
Mufasa
6 years ago

Overrated!!! This is a 7.5-8.0 but not that high like wiwi scored. Come on 🙂 this could easily flop guys 😉

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Saara, together with Fitzgerald and the Deb couple, has finally rendered all other attempts at music superfluous.

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

Come on, guys… 10/10? Is she Celine Dion? Mariah Carey? Whitney? She’s got a good voice but this song is overrated… Is not a 10/10, I mean come on…. Exaggerating too much. She may not even qualify! She’s in the same semifinal with Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Macedonia, Portugal is voting, too. Do you see the conservatory juries voting for her? Don’t think so….

Mako
Mako
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Portugal juries voted for Azerbaijan last year … You’re just a hater. Saara deserves a 10/10.

Cathal
Cathal
6 years ago

At least 2 out of the score up here has been awarded because Saara Aalto is the singer…this is actually pretty criminal tbh how overrated she and her song’s are, she will get a nice little reality check at ESC atleast

escfan
escfan
6 years ago

Nothing is perfect, a 10 is pretty too much, it’s a good radio friendly but too GAGA for me, already seen… It doesn’t deserve a 10 but 7.5 I think it’s fair.

escfan
escfan
6 years ago
Reply to  escfan

….a good radio friendly song….

Stu
Stu
6 years ago

Are you guys going to review her other song choices or has this one been chosen?

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago

The song is weak, it could do well with the singer’s approach (like with Blance last year), however I have no idea how she would sound live, this being a studio version. If she is able to sing like that live, it could do well.

Kobe
Kobe
6 years ago

I don’t get the fuzz about this singer.
Nothing fresh about it, it’s all done before and in much better way.

Denise Back
Denise Back
6 years ago

Jinxed

Oisín T
6 years ago

This is the best song in this NF and one of the best in the entire NF. If Finland send this it could be their saving grace.

jure
jure
6 years ago

Overrated all 3 songs in score, and also overrated singur

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

This needs to win. I played this song over 10 times on the trot as soon as I heard it ad still am not bored.
A 9/10

If she nails the vocals and the energy live it will be a 10/10 for sure.