Slovenia, Lea Sirk 1

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we journey to Slovenia where EMA winner Lea Sirk has “Hvala, ne” (Thanks, no). Did her song make us want to say “yes please” or “no thanks”? Read on to find out!

Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne”

“Hvala, ne” reviews

Antranig: Never have I been more pleasantly surprised in my life than the day “Hvala, ne” won EMA 2018. This is the most attitude and personality Slovenia has served at Eurovision since the great Maja Keuc. Lea Sirk brings this to life and a little touch of female rap is certainly much appreciated at Eurovision. This is definitely my guilty pleasure of Eurovision 2018 and Lea has the potential to get Slovenia back to the grand final.

Score: 9/10

Bogdan: Judging just by the audio track, Slovenia’s entry goes by almost unnoticed, but it comes alive on stage: I love the fresh beats, the live performance, the choreography, and Lea’s stage presence and stunning beauty. It’s one of the more current songs this year and, despite its repetitive chorus, I hope it will do well. There’s not a dull moment and the three minutes fly by. Hvala, yeah!

Score: 8/10

Cinan: This song is unique — the sound itself is very different. I did not expect that from Slovenia, and I am happy about that. Every different thing in the song is impressive. I like the “Hvala, ne” very much and I’m sure it will qualify this year for the grand final.

Score: 8/10

Luis: Let’s be honest: “Hvala, ne!” is a hot mess. An absolutely enjoyable hot mess, but still weird af. I’m not sure how Europe will respond to one of the sassiest women in this year’s field, almost rapping in Slovene over breaking beats. The best thing about Lea is how much she believes in her entry and how she sings it with conviction. That alone could perfectly lead her to the final.

Score: 7.5/10

Renske: “Hvala, ne!” screams feminine power and is very contemporary. Though the song tends to become a bit repetitive after the first chorus and it’s difficult to catch which story she wants to tell.  Overall, I love Lea’s style and she is the living proof that rapping and Eurovision can go along.

Score: 7/10

William: I follow Lea on Instagram, where she frequently shares adorable and tender photos of her with her daughter. And then I watch this performance and she’s a total badass with an attitude dropping it like it’s hot with her posse of equally badass dancers. Yes, Lea contains multitudes! And that comes through in this wackadoodle performance which features one of the best pre-choruses of the year, which is followed by one of the worst choruses ever. From the constant thrusting to singing through fake windows to repeatedly saying no thank you, she has opened up a can of crazy and overdosed. It is giving me life! I really hope to see this in the final.

Score: 7.5/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 4/10

Anthony: 8/10

Bernardo: 6.5/10

Chris: 4.5/10

Deban: 4/10

Jonathan: 6.5/10

Jordi: 4/10

Jovana: 5/10

Kristin: 7/10

Padraig: 4.5/10

Robyn: 7/10

Ron: 7.5/10

Sebastian: 8/10

Steinunn: 8/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 4 and a high of 9.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.58/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2018 reviews and rankings

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Matt
Matt
6 years ago

To be honest, this song is completely horrible! I’ve been listening to music for like 30 years now, and I love more than a thousand different bands, so I’ve heard many different types of music. However, I must say this is one of the most boring type of music, so commercial, repetitive and above all it lacks soul.

LCH
LCH
6 years ago

This is pretty cool. I like the beat… but I think it may ultiately fail in the contest because it’s too niche and it lacks a good chorus.

I’d be happy if it makes it to the final, as long as no other favourites of mine suffered for it. I think this has a place in Eurovision.

Digital Style
6 years ago

I’m very in the middle on this song. It’s a good song with thoughtful lyrics and an interesting beat drop, however I do find this song slightly monotonous and anticlimactic. It’s very repetitive, though not necessarily in a bad way. This song can be elevated greatly with a good performance in Lisbon.

Kimino Nawa
Kimino Nawa
6 years ago

I don’t care what anyone says, this is qualifying. This year is all about one thing and that is q-u-a-l-i-t-y. This is just really fun and interesting. Sure it’s style is different, but it is authentic to her and in the end that is what matters.Slovenia is gonna slay on stage so everyone better be ready to see Lea in the final.

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago

To the people who thinks this song is in a another weird-ass genre like K-pop or Disco…
… Let me tell you now that this is Bounce Music.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Escphbelgium

🙂

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  Escphbelgium

thank you for expanding our knowledge, but no matter the style… it’s just awful.

poison
poison
6 years ago

In all seriousness – were we listening to the same song? This one is in my bottom 5.

Alison
Alison
6 years ago
Reply to  poison

Ever heard of something called different tastes in music? I despair each year at the number of people who can’t understand that their opinion isn’t the be all and end all. If we all liked the same songs there would be no point in music competitions.

mayaesc
mayaesc
6 years ago
Reply to  poison

b**** what oh no…… you are so wrong, its something new, but you know what it is your opinion so… Alison well said!!

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  poison

It falls right in my 1st bottom place.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Fortunately, it is better than most K-Pop offerings so that comparison isn’t the deathblow that it could be. As far as drops go in songs (I really do hate them – I think they’re lazy), this one is not so bad. Lea is a great performer, looks fantastic and has attitude for days. I like the build-up to the drop and the production is pretty good. This probably doesn’t qualify but Slovenia shouldn’t feel bad about this. Solid offering but not really my cup of cha.

Maya G
Maya G
6 years ago

I LOVE it!
Great song, great performance, Lea is awesome and I’m so glad they kept it in Slovenian. Hope Slovenia makes it to the final in May, it won’t be easy for them but they totally deserve it.

Andrea
Andrea
6 years ago

When I heard it for the first time, my initial impression was that it was a shame that the lyrics didn’t fit with the song’s style. She sings better than what she raps. The backing track is too monotonous and doesn’t help.

The impression hasn’t changed one bit.

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago

It’s bounce music

CharlieChan
CharlieChan
6 years ago

I find the song very interesting and even catchy, but it can get super repetitive at the second chorus. Also, the song feels very messy sometimes. This said, I appreciate a lot that she’s singing in her own language.

CharlieChan
CharlieChan
6 years ago
Reply to  CharlieChan

7/10 BTW

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

While most pop songs on this year’s Eurovision sound too safe and lab created, Slovenia joins Israel on the (very small) group of countries that brought an experimental touch to their dance tracks. So why “Toy” is a frontrunner and “Hvala, ne!” a predicted non-qualifier? Netta’s song has a solid melody tying up the sound effects and the singer’s quirkiness, while Lea’s song structure is a mess. A very charming one, but a mess. This is the most difficult song for me to rank on this year’s contest. I would say that from the original entries we have this year,… Read more »

Josh Kennon
Josh Kennon
6 years ago

Her commitment and energy and the staging are the magic of it — this isn’t in my top 10 by any means, but it’s not in the bottom 13 for me either…it falls somewhere between 15-25 for me — good enough to get to the GF but not good enough to do much once there

Bøsse William
Bøsse William
6 years ago

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

How the hell can this absolutely piece of crap get a better review than Denmark!
Maybe gays are afraid of Vikings! Open your eyes and ears!
Slovenia not even has a chance of qualify!

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
6 years ago
Reply to  Bøsse William

Denmark ISn’t a piece of crap, but comes very close of being one. It’s just a wishy washy anthem that doesn’t really deliver what it tries to deliver. I do not understand how can people like this.

Mel
Mel
6 years ago
Reply to  Bøsse William

Wow, no need to be rude. If someone prefers to listen to this song over Denmark’s, why should they rate it lower?

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Bøsse William

I hope Denmark will not qualify. Those cheap GoT references are boring.

Camilla
Camilla
6 years ago
Reply to  Bøsse William

I actually like Slovenia better than Denmark this year – and I’m Danish. I don’t think Denmark’s song is crap but it’s like something is missing, like if he doesn’t believe in himself on stage, it lacks stage presence and that last thing that makes it great. It’s just lacking. This one got it all, ok so it’s weird but it’s not like any other entry this year or previous years and she’s got great personality on stage.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Hvala Ne is an unique entry and quite underrated. Lea is an excellent performer and I am confident she fill up the stage in Lisbon. I particularly enjoy the infectious and dry rhythm of the chorus is brilliant and lift up the song and compensates for the rather ordinary melody. The bridge to the final part of the song is also a nice add-on. Unfortunately the whole melody doesn’t keep up to the rhythmic base, which is a shame. 6/10

Mel
Mel
6 years ago

My guilty pleasure song of the year. Her vocals are pretty awful but I really like that the song is in Slovenian and I actually dig the drop. 7.5/10. Hope it qualifies.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  Mel

Her vocals are pretty awful? Are you serious, she has beautiful voice! This is definitely not ”guilty” pleasure for me 🙂

emma
emma
6 years ago

Did Chris change his score? He gave it 6.5 in the video. If he hasn’t changed it then shouldn’t the overall score be 6.69?

Alison
Alison
6 years ago
Reply to  emma

Yeah I noticed that too!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Alison

“What’s the verbal equivalent of a typo?” – A cock-up. 🙂

Anita
Anita
6 years ago

It is the package that makes Slovenia for me a desired candidate for the final.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

It’s sassy and it’s in Slovenian, which I like. However, this chorus is annoying after some time.
5.5/10

Niel
Niel
6 years ago

This is the most unusual composition that Slovenia have ever sent to Eurovision. The song is modern, current yet also quirky and weird at the same time. The dance and the whole performance was a bad ass until heres come the beat drop… THE BEAT DROP IS KILLIN THE SONG !! The drop really drag down the song for me. It is unenjoyable and make me sick and even sicker the more I listen to that drop. However, other than that stupid drop thing, I actually think that this song could be one of the underdog of this competition SCORE… Read more »

Mari(o)Vision
Mari(o)Vision
6 years ago

Not a fan of Slovenia’s song.
Non qualifier if you ask me..
3,5/10

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

I did NOT like This at All When it was released, but it has really grown on me. She has Sass and attitude and the performance is great. The song is also good except for that drop, wich takes quite Some time to get used to. This is not in My personal final, but I would love seeing it in the final.
7/10

jowncarlo
6 years ago

Interesting production and I can see fans loving this. With that said, it can be quite tiring and I’m not really into it in the first place.

4.5/10

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

I endorsed this song after checking up lyrics. But some things that keep confusing me as of now are: 1. Visually it’s always in dark or shadowed colour tones. Is it really necessary for a whole song time? At least if there’s an anthemic pre-chorus, team could give some life to my eyes there… I doubt it compliments lyrical punch and it actually hides choreo during cough*choruses*cough. I hope they’ll improve on that… 2. The questionable chorus. It wouldn’t be a real trouble to have it stripped out of melody and trappy. But cool trap stylisation is not supposed to… Read more »

mrflamboyant221 (Kenna)
mrflamboyant221 (Kenna)
6 years ago

E.D.M tracks aren’t usually my preference, but this one’s relatively well crafted. It doesn’t help that the song has the most boring and overused time signature (4/4; thanks to Purple Mask), however, it’s rap-like verses and a cold and energetic beat keep it lively. Lea Sirk also gives a good attitude filled performance of it and gives the entry more visual personality.

Final rating : 6.5/10

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
6 years ago

This is definitely the best danceable track this year. I wish they would qualify.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
6 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

I would rate this sing (8,5/10)

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

Honestly, for me that’s Poland.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
6 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

Nope, Poland is just bland & generic.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

”Hvala ne” and ”Dance you off” are the only songs this year which made me dance. I like choreography in ”Hvala ne” very much, it’s amazing, hope she will have these dancers in Lisbon too.
”Light me up” is good song too, it gives me relaxing summer festival vibe.

Alison
Alison
6 years ago

I love this song, admittedly the live performance more than the studio track but that’s no bad thing for Eurovision. I love the pre-chorus and while I get that some people find the chorus jarring and repetitive I think it’s really cool and different – certainly for Eurovision anyway. It reminds me of Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’. Lea has a great voice (check out her recent Adele cover on Instagram!) so Ive got no doubt she’ll deliver live. She is also a great performer and I think the fact that there are dancers and choreography will… Read more »

Joris
Joris
6 years ago
Reply to  Alison

well worded my friend, this is exactly what I like about this song. i do hope this goes trhough to the final because this really deserves it wholeheartedly.

Azotman
Azotman
6 years ago

Bonjour Lisboa,
La chanson est pas mal. Elle ne fait pas partie de mes préférées, mais pourquoi pas une qualification en finale. La première fois que j’ai entendu, j’ai pas trop aimé. Après plusieurs écoutes, je trouve que c’est pas mal. Elle chante dans sa langue d’origine, ce qui est toujours bien. J’aime bien les danseuses dans la vidéo.
Ma note 7/10
Bisous.

Ana
Ana
6 years ago

Modern, quite interesting + in a native language, which is good. On the other hand, the chorus is weak (definitely weaker than the pre-chorus = disappointment) and repetitive.
For me, it loses with time (I liked it more at the beginning).

5/10

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Slovenia – Lea Sirk: “Hvala, Ne” Keys: E-flat minor Time Sigs: 4/4 Song structure: Intro – Verse 1 – Pre-Chorus – Chorus – Verse 2 – Pre-Chorus x2 – Chorus – Bridge – Final Pre-Chorus – Chorus Harmony: Mostly ground tonic, with four chords in the Pre-Choruses, development in the Bridge and final Pre-Chorus Influences: K-Pop, Rap, Disco Music comments: Most unusual. The Pre-Choruses and the Bridge contain the most musical content, while the rest of the song is grounded to the tonic note. The melodies are more like rapping in the Verses and the Choruses, again leaving the only… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

[my first comment was lost somehow]
‘Fans of K-Pop’ I just wanted to add that I can’t recall any cases for last year when for renown concept of K-Pop group there were title MVs with this type of chorus… It’s way too risky I guess.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Zebb

Indeed, the Chorus is most… unusual. I think the K-Pop elements in the rest of the song are quite strong though.

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

When I first listened to this, I was thinking “This is something a K-Poper or J-Poper would listen to”. Like one of those Korean girl groups who have pseudo-rapping songs with manufactured coreographies. We’ll see how it’ll do in May.

schuyler
schuyler
6 years ago

BOP AND A HALF RIGHT HERE
My #6

Nicola
Nicola
6 years ago

How is the order of the songs determined? Is it just random?

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Nicola

Running order in semis or order they are released in Wiwi jury? Actual SF running order is determined by EBU, usually taking care that songs of similar style aren’t presented in a row.

Wiwi Jury shares their scores ‘on random’, but also carefully planned. Usually, middle tier songs get released first, and very top and bottom get released in the end. Most hyped entries usually get released among last ten to further the curiosity on who’s gonna win the Wiwi Jury.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thanks, Robyn. I was mistaken.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Here is a song that SHOULD be in the final, but probably won’t because it’s Slovenia in Slovene. If this song were send by Sweden, Russia or Poland, it would make the cut for sure. But for the Slovenes the competition is tougher. This ex-Yugoslavian bop is not any masterpiece, but it still better than many songs that will be in the final, including the likely winner of the second semifinal. 6.5/10
Prediction: Non-qualifier, but could sneak through. If she makes it, could be a candidate for the 26th.
Previous scores: 2.5 (2017), 4.0 (2016)

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

spent the holy holliday writing reviews, so you’re all gonna hear me out……….

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Slovenia could do it. I mean songs like the one by the Georgian Lolitaz were almost certain non-qualifiers and they did. We never know, but it’s true that it seems more leaned to NQ. Their best chance would be getting the borderline ticket.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

I’m sucker for risky entries in ESC, so I’m fan of this, and pleasently surprised by positive reviews of Wiwi jury, I think it’s really underrated. Amazing performance and love the lyrics!

Stan
Stan
6 years ago

One of my favourite songs this year… the kind you worry about being overlooked by the juries and televote. She has lots more attitude and girl power than Netta, but less publicity unfortunately! Please put this one your play lists 😉

Rd
Rd
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Hear hear. This is real girl power.

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

This song is growing on me. The chorus is just really catchy and I love the beat as well. It is a bit repetitive but I would like to see in the final. 6/10

Lewis S
Lewis S
6 years ago

For me a 5.5/10. On first listen this is has good buIld and a good beat. Then the course drops and it loses all of it. However as time has gone on I do find myself humming it; and getting used to the chorus change.

Lewis S
Lewis S
6 years ago
Reply to  Lewis S

*chorus not course…

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

It’s a bop but it would have better chances with English lyrics and the hvala ne hook in Slovene.

Truth needs to be told
Truth needs to be told
6 years ago

This song will rot at the bottom of the semi-final just like that horrible song they had in 2013.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

SLOVENIA – This is definitely not the type of music I am used of listening to, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. It uses K-pop, rap and disco influences, but blends them in a strange way. Still, it adds to this year’s big diversity panel. For those who didn’t bother to check the lyrics: She sings about rejecting life’s negativity and toxic social norms, not a guy. The chorus gets repetitive and short. The beat is interesting, but it’s intensity can verge on annoying. In the very strong line-up we have, this is not very high on my list. However,… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Yey. We agree on this one. 🙂

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

We definitely do! Good review, Purple. 🙂

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

This is one of the most interesting ones out there. For the time it’s on, I’m bopping to it, I don’t get it but it’s enjoyable, frothy fun, a while since we’ve seen this from Slovenia. But I don’t find myself yearning for it or remembering it when it’s off, which is odd for a somg that aims to be more of a crowd pleaser than a jury one. The beats can become tiredsome, but the song cuts at rhe length it has to cut. This is risky, and should be rewarded regardless. I want to believe it’ll be in… Read more »

M_K
M_K
6 years ago

I don’t know what to do with this song. Even though Lea is a great performer and brings “Hvala, ne!” somehow to life, listening to it I’m not quite moved in any way. It’s not dancy, it’s not really emotional, it’s not empowering… it just feels like a bunch of beats aligned that are supposed to be “catchy” just for the sake of being catchy. I also think that this is the main contender for last place in the televoting. While there might be some people who enjoy it, I don’t think that there are many who consider this their… Read more »

Levi21
Levi21
6 years ago

My winner of 2018 has finally gotten a review <3

Lea is sassy, the song is really catchy and interesting (not to mention that it's a major bop) and the stage prformance is just amazing, what else do we need. 😀

I'm quite shocked though that the average is so low because I've seen a lot of high scores so I'm a little bit confused xD

Nonetheless if Lea makes it to the Final I'll already be happy. 😀

Alison
Alison
6 years ago
Reply to  Levi21

It’s quite a marmite song. Although it’s modern it’s not mainstream pop and even though I love it (including the chorus!) I can see why people don’t.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

I honestly prefer Omar Naber And On my way to this. There is no underlying melody, it just sounds like she is arguing with her ex husband over the phone in Slovenian. It will pick up some Balkan votes from Serbia and Montenegro but that’s it. I do not see any hope for the final. 3/10.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Wow after doing Denmark(my 23rd place), we’re doing Slovenia(my 22nd place). I really like this, I love the beginning of the song, and the chours is interesting, I think it’s good to have a different beat and not just the same thing all over again. Will it qualify? This is so hard, I hope it will it’s my 7th place in 2nd semi, but again this will depend on staging(which I have high hopes for) and running order, but it’s good for them that they are in the second half, so I give it a 50% chance. 7,5/10 for me.

allexo
allexo
6 years ago

Not qualifying sorry.

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

Similar to Denmark when it comes to level of quality. Good verses and pre-chorus, repetitive and annoying chorus. Overall, it could qualify but I am not a fan of it.

4.5/10

Kaz
Kaz
6 years ago

I really like it! An 8.5/10. Lea has such an amazing stage presence. Btw I was wondering is there an order for when the songs are the songs reviewed or is it random?

M
M
6 years ago

To be completely honest the song is just fine. I hate the verses, but I really like the bridge and the pre chorus, and the drop doesn’t annoy me the way I know it annoys a lot of people, even if the beat is incredibly repetitive. Lea also has attitude and sells the song well, but I don’t think it really has a chance of standing out. I do really like the way the stage show was put together, and the quick cuts work really effectively. A respectable entry, and a step up from the past couple of years (though… Read more »

Taerio
Taerio
6 years ago

Are you guys still going to be releasing videos for the jury videos?