The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has been busy exploring Finland. We already know who is going to represent Finland at Eurovision — that’s the one and only Saara Aalto. But with three songs to choose from in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Wiwi Jury has had a lot to say about the potential entries.

Today we finish with Saara’s third song “Queens”. Is Saara the queen of our nation? Or is her castle crumbling brick by brick? Read on to find out.

Saara Aalto — “Queens”

“Queens” reviews

Antranig: “Queens” has a very similar message to “Monsters” without quite packing the same punch. This is still an incredible song and any other national final would be lucky to have “Queens” in the mix. It has the same anthemic potential of “Monsters” with a slightly less gripping hook. My biggest criticism of “Queens” is that is does get a bit repetitive but when a song is this good, that’s not a bad thing. It might not have the big impact of “Monsters” but “Queens” matches Saara’s personality best of the three songs. If Saara’s forming a nation, get me a passport.

Score: 9/10

Josh: The Eurovision fandom were quick to write off “Queens”, but this is so campy and entertaining and the stage translation could be absolutely phenomenal. The track works perfectly with Saara’s musical theatre background, and the lyrics tell a tale of self-empowerment and self-love. Spread that message and spread it good! Also, wouldn’t it be fab if the House of Edwards accompanied her as backing dancers on stage for this? Sign me up for that!

Score: 7.5/10

Bernardo: From the three entries, “Queens” is the weakest but for some reason, it’s also the one that stands out from the others. It may sound contradictory but it isn’t. The chorus is probably the strongest of all three songs, but the verses fall short to the chorus amazingness. It shouldn’t win and it probably won’t.

Score: 6.5/10

Jonathan: “Queens” is a nice addition to Saara’s UMK song choices and perfectly fits the quirky nature that we grew to love over her time on The X Factor. The calmer verses combined with the danceable chorus provide the song with good dynamics that keep you interested throughout. While it doesn’t feel quite as unique and special as “Monsters”, it still has a great empowering message that deserves to be heard at UMK. The biggest takeaway from the music video, however, is that Saara isn’t afraid to take on some serious choreography herself. This queen won’t settle for being outshined by the backing dancers, which will put her in good stead for her live Eurovision performance.

Score: 8/10

Barnabas: “Queens” is the biggest letdown from a project with zero originality. The verses build up a tension that just collapses like a house of cards in the chorus. It’ll probably have a memorable staging though – and I can see this a dark horse in the UMK final. But still, Finland deserves better than this.

Score: 4.5/10

Robyn: Compared to “Monsters” and “Domino”, “Queens” isn’t as good. But it’s still a really good song and that shouldn’t be overlooked. “Queens” is laden with pop hooks and seems tailored to Saara’s style and attitude. But is it a good Eurovision song? The last minute of “Queens” is very repetitive and it even feels like it drops the ball near the end. “Queens” would go off at Euroclub, but it would be less successful as Eurovision entry.

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: 7/10

Antony: 7/10

Cinan: 8.5/10

Jordi: 7/10

Luis: 6.5/10

Lukas: 6.5/10

Natalie: 6.5/10

Raphael: 7.5/10

Ron: 8/10

Sebastian: 8/10

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Wiwi Jury Verdict: 7.29/10

Read all our UMK 2018 reviews and rankings here

Read more Finland news here

48 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

My least favourite of the three.
6.5/10

Costa
Costa
6 years ago

I love the other two but this is such a weak and tacky effort. It has no impact and the hook isn’t even annoying in a memorable way.

With Fuego in the same semi (plus the spooky fact that Finland and Cyprus have never both qualified in the same year), this screams non-qualifier.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

This one I don’t like! But it appears to me that this is Saara’s favourite for some reason and that this was released last. Not bad but a bit too repetitive
A 6.5/10.

traviata
traviata
6 years ago

Oh my… lyrics are such a cliché from pop songs, just too generic. Love her voice though!

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Irritating, I’ll go with irritating.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Sorry wrong space. That was for Purple Mask’s suggestions below. 😛

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

I wish that Saara had considered this version of herself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym4DA4CFKkw

I realize that she can’t wear something like that for a song like “Monsters” but this is way prettier than the outlandish costumes she choose for tomorrow’s UMK. Although, I gotta say, after the first shock I don’t mind them anymore, if she’s going to pull off great performances in them.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

My comment is the same as Colin’s. 6.5/10

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

It would still qualify and I quite like it. Definitely got the most of the Saara’s personality in this one. But yeah, lacking a bit when it comes to quality.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I don’t understand why she’s pushing this song so hard. It’s pure radio poison. Domino and Monsters are both excellent, this one is just not good.

Ffs
Ffs
6 years ago

Love it. Love her.

West
West
6 years ago

I think this is the best of the three – unlike Monsters or Domino, I can listen to it again and again and I still enjoy it every time. Is it the best song this year? No, but it’s good.

lundibleu
lundibleu
6 years ago
Reply to  West

I like all three, but agree that this is probably my favourite. Monsters is a great track, but will it catch people’s attention enough at Eurovision for those who watch once? Don’t know… and if Brian Friedman is working on the staging and choreo it could all go horribly OTT.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

This is an example of an entry trying too hard and going overboard. It’s grand message comes off a trite and cheesy. That said, it’s very well polished, well produced and catchy. Saara always brings a good energy on stage. If it was in this year’s Melfest, it would be high enough. This way, Saara has two better options.

6.5/10

duckhunter
duckhunter
6 years ago

Again article about Saara Aalto…:)

123
123
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

yeah…at least some votes are more realistic this time…

Hsinaps
Hsinaps
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

I dont’t even like her songs, but what do you expect? I mean, they usually make reviews of NF songs, so wiwi is just doing their thing.

People like to be bitter for no reason…

duckhunter
duckhunter
6 years ago
Reply to  Hsinaps

But there are other countries too, and not only MF, Saara, Norway, Iceland, Spain…

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

Can you give an example of a country where this is something to report and they have not done so? They are reviewing the National Finals from all countries from Portugal to Lithuania so not sure what the issue is. They can’t write about countries that haven’t released a song and have no news.

Stig
Stig
6 years ago
Reply to  James

@Roxy wrote: “So is Krajowe Eliminacje. But I don’t see any reviews about that.”

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Stig

I know. It’s hilarious as in 2016 people like you complained there were too many articles about Poland due to the buzz around Margaret (just like Saara this year..). Perhaps they listened to you?

Or perhaps it’s not a conspiracy theory and they didn’t have time for a full review set – there are still several articles about Poland this year.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

Because UMK 2018 is happening this weekend, hence the Wiwijury reviews for Saara’s three songs.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  James

duckhunter, you are equally boring. They love it, get over it, ffs

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

So is Krajowe Eliminacje. But I don’t see any reviews about that.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

They have posted several articles on Poland, revealing the songs etc. Granted they have not done a review for that one, I would imagine it is timing as the songs were released late and if they do one they have to do all ten.

They did review all Polish songs last year. In 2016 people like you complained there were too many Polish articles because of Margaret…..lol

duckhunter
duckhunter
6 years ago
Reply to  James

“They have posted several articles on Poland”??A few?? 2 from the beginning of the year. 14 articles this year about Saara Aalto. wiwi is not objective…

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

Have you prepared yet which country you will be whining about next year
2016: There’s too many articles about Poland, Wiwibloggs is not objective. What about other countries like Finland?

2018: There’s too many articles about Finland. Wiwibloggs is not objective. What about other countries like Poland?

LOL.

duckhunter
duckhunter
6 years ago
Reply to  James

James troll
lol

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  duckhunter

Didn’t have a proper comeback huh? Awww.

by the way Trolls are the ones who cause issues and complain about everything.

aka you lol

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

It’s not about one country but it’s just not nice to unjustly promote one artist over all the others. It wasn’t fair with Margaret either but see how that ended up. They will probably post a all-in-one review for Poland. And I mean it’s fine, they can’t review each and every song from all NFs. There is nothing wrong with that. Yet we already have an article about Saara’s hideous costumes. So don’t try to use time constraints to justify that. Of course, that’s how I feel about all these. They can do whatever they want. It says, “Eurovision news… Read more »

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

But what else do you want them to say about Poland other than the reviews? There are no huge names, but when there was attention on names last fall when Edyta and Lydia were making statements about participation, Poland had 3 articles in one week. All the time and effort they have put into huge selections like Lithuania, reviewing every single song when the quality is so low, means they clearly do pay attention to other countries. Saara is doing the heaviest promotion and trying to create buzz, so Wiwibloggs reflects that just like it does with anyone else who… Read more »

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  James

And yes the costumes are hideous, but costumes are part of Eurovision, rightly or wrongly. Any artist that publicly announces a series of crazy costumes for their show is going to get Wiwibloggs attention.That kind of article is done by one person, while a review set takes 15 or so people to listen to 10 songs. Hardly a comparison.

I can guarantee you if Ieva for Lithuania had Instagram’d that she was going to wear all three of these costumes at once in her performance, Wiwibloggs would have mentioned it. lol.

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

You get me wrong. I’m not asking for more coverage of Poland. You asked which country is not getting enough attention and I gave it as an example. It has nothing to do with Poland. I think what bothers people here the most is not the number of articles about Saara but the fact that the bloggers here seem to overly praise everything about her. As if nothing bad can come from her. As I said, that’s how I feel. They are free to cover whatever they want. It just feels good that there are people agree with me in… Read more »

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

*no words

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

Right but I was also replying to DuckHunter as well. I dont disagree that she is over hyped but that is part of her promotional vehicle. She is a bookies favorite and is gaining much attention in the media generally. That is going to reflect on the websites. Saara is being extremely active and creating stories more so than other artists. Both her and Czech Republic are getting higher attention for being favorites and being social media or news active. I understand its not just about Poland…I also mentioned Lithuania which is a national final they have covered extensively as… Read more »

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Fair enough. It’s clear that Saara is very active with her promotions and there is nothing wrong with that.

Also I’m not questioning what Wiwibloggers have done or the way they have done it. It all seems pretty reasonable. For example I can see why they have covered Lithuania extensively, the songs were available earlier and they have like 6 heats. I get it.

What I’m saying is I’m not the only one who cringe over all these. So I guess it’s not that usual.

Steven Roy
Steven Roy
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

I do agree with you there, and I completely agree that Saara is overhyped. I’m just saying it’s not fair to critisize the site. This is a review thread so if they like the song which they do, they will praise her. There are not any other artists who have their own national final just for themselves this year, with a different costume for every song. The closest is Waylon (without the costumes) and we have had multiple articles about him too. If they review all his songs in the next week that will mean he has had 10 articles… Read more »

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

BTW that was James, my auto field changed to another name who uses the computer. Must stop replying from my phone. Written so many posts here I’m turning into Saara. LOL

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

Np. I think we’re finally settled. :=)

Btw, I don’t think there will be enough time to review all of Waylon’s songs one by one. It will be announced tonight.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

Ah i didnt realise it was tonight. Yes i suppose he only released them this week. Not too excited about that one personally. Thanks for the civilized discussion its refreshing 🙂

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago

Even though it is nice, it doesn’t look like a qualifier to me. ”Monsters” the best of the bunch

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

But what else do you want them to say about Poland other than the reviews? There are no huge names, but whenthere was attention on names last fall when Edyta and Lydia were making statements about participation, Poland had 3 articles in one week. All the time and effort they have put into huge selections like Lithuania, reviewing every single song when the quality is so low, means they clearly do pay attention to other countries. Saara is doing the heaviest promotion and trying to create buzz, so Wiwibloggs reflects that just like it does with anyone else who does… Read more »

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  James

sorry Pavel replied to wrong post, this was for the one above you

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Right but I was also replying to DuckHunter as well. I dont disagree that she is over hyped but that is part of her promotional vehicle. She is a bookies favorite and is gaining much attention in the media generally. That is going to reflect on the websites. Saara is being extremely active and creating stories more so than other artists. Both her and Czech Republic are getting higher attention for being favorites and being social media or news active. I understand its not just about Poland…I also mentioned Lithuania which is a national final they have covered extensively as… Read more »

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

The thought of her as queen of a nation singing that rubbish really makes me appreciate my country’s government. Before signing up for that rainbow trash, I’d rather join the right wing.

Zuzu
Zuzu
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Well you sound like a lovely person. I presume that “rainbow trash” means “gay trash”?

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Zuzu

You’re right, I am a lovely person 😛 Actually no, I was looking for a term that would describe worn-out, walking clichés accompanied by annoying music.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Possible descriptive words:
“Irritating”
“Contrived”
“Demented”
“Benny Hill” 😀