Tonight five acts will compete to represent Montenegro at Montevizija 2019. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to the five songs and has plenty to say. Did we find an act that can take Montenegro to their first grand final since 2015? Read on to find out more!
Luis
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
“Ja sam ti san” picks some ideas that worked in 2018, and takes them in another direction to form this futuristic Montenegrin bop. There’s the power of all of last year’s Eurovision divas, and an undeniable intention to create a dance-floor crasher. Andrea conveys all the energy and power of the entry with some killer vocals. Her deep and sometimes low vocals blend perfectly with this kind of Mission Impossible-ish track. In “Ja sam ti san”, Andrea is the villain of the film, and the only thing you want to do is join her in the dark side and kicking the hero’s ass.
2. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
3. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
4. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
Antony
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
So much power and attitude! Attitude in the song, lyrics and singer — and all in a positive way. The song also displays a marked degree of complexity with many levels of sound. The song is a stand-out in this national final, that it should win because the song gives the country the best chance at Eurovision. I don’t want Andrea out of my life again.
2. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
3. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
4. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
5. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
Patrick
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
No song really impressed me very much from this selection, but of course there has to be a favourite. I have a soft spot for Eurovision veterans trying their luck again. Andrea was heavily underrated back in 2009 and I loved her to bits. Her entry this time is very strong when it comes to the sound of current music mixed with good vocals and a passion that you can hear coming through. Despite having a little fear of it getting lost in Tel Aviv, I still do think it’s the best choice and a great staging can do miracles!
2. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
3. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
4. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
Barnabas
1. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
“Uzmi ili ostavi” wasn’t easy to be picked as my favourite in the Montenegrin national selection (“Ja sam ti san” being the reason why), but the dynamics of this alternative rock tune have taken me with them. It should get a slight revamp though in case it wins — some heavier guitars would possibly push this into my top ten.
2. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
3. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
4. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
5. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
Antranig
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
It must be noted that the Montenegrin selection is of such high quality that all five entries are stronger than anything they’ve ever sent to Eurovision, sans “Adio”. That said, I’m glad Andrea did not get out of my life in 2009 — she’s back with a song that straddles modern and traditional. The electronic sounds here give this plenty of international appeal, despite its very Balkan core. The other entries all offer a good regional sound but Andrea dares to dream beyond the borders of Montenegro. This will definitely be a contender to reach the grand final.
2. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
3. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
4. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
Mario
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti San”
I was far from having high hopes of this selection, but RTCG proved me wrong! Andrea met all my expectations from her — and the bar was already set ruul high after her iconic 2009 performance. “Ja sam ti san” takes you several places — you could hear this in a club, house party but also in a dodgy cafe somewhere in Podgorica. Though the lyrics are a bit of nonsense here, Andrea packs it with attitude and high energy and for that I’m proudly keeping my fingers crossed for her. Montenegro, please!
2. Ivana Popović Martinović – “Nevinost”
3. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
4. D-Moll – “Heaven”
5. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješivo”
Pablo
1. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
Out of the five songs in competition, this is the only one that I returned to listen to. While it has ways to go to be perfect, the fact is that it’s fun and well sung. But there is something worth highlighting: Vladimir Graic, the man who wrote “Molitva” and the man whose revamp of “Beauty Never Lies” in 2015 took it all the way into the top 10. “Nepogrješivo” has potential, and with such a name behind Monika, this song could be revamped into something spectacular. You’ve got the pieces, Montenegro, now it’s time to put them together.
2. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
3. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
4. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
Oliver
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
She warned us that her song would be completely different to anything sent by Montenegro and she definitely wasn’t lying. Andrea’s ensemble is bringing a similar vibe to that of Lea Sirk’s last year – a strong and sassy female vocalist serving punk infused pop. What pleased me more is that the song, despite being marketable across Europe, retains its regional identity not just through language but also by Andrea’s vocal flares and techniques. A definite improvement upon last year’s attempt and hopefully with the help of fitting staging Andrea can be rid of the demons of non-qualification.
2. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
3. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
4. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
Robyn
1. Andrea Demirović – “Ja sam ti san”
Montevizija 2019 has a pleasingly strong selection of songs, but the one that really stands out is “Ja sam ti san”. Its inclusion was perhaps inspired by the success of “Hvala nej”, but Andrea brings her own take on the genre. “Ja sam ti san” is loaded with energy and attitude and seems a perfect match for strong visuals. While Montenegro has traditionally done well at Eurovision with ballads, this song could at last be the exception.
2. Monika Knezović – “Nepogrješiva”
3. Nina Petković – “Uzmi ili ostavi”
4. Ivana Popović-Martinović – “Nevinost”
5. D-Moll Band – “Heaven”
What did you think of the reviews for Montevizija 2019? Who is your favourite act? Let us know in the comment section down below!
OK as much as I love Montenegro and all they have really screwed up this time. That song is so poor and average it is incredibly likely for it to flop in Tel Aviv. I can even see Christer Björkman putting this 2nd in it’s semi, after Cyprus.
Well, Montenegro’s taste is Montenegro’s taste. I’m just here to watch, in the end.
D-Moll has potential with their harmonies. If they nail it in May, they would probably get enough jury points to go through, since I’m unsure if their song is eye-catching enough to get much televotes. But that music, though, that music.
I mean… Iriao’s harmonies were amazing, and they were last with the juries :p
D-Moll first with televoting. Andrea – last.
That’s… interesting, to say the least.
Whoever Montenegro choose, I’ll be fine with that, but I have to admit, “Heaven” was the first song this whole Eurovision season (so far) that I had trouble listening to the end. It’s just that unenjoyable.
What is wrong with this year? Andrea is doomed! ;_;
Well I watched all of these live. Surprisingly I thought Ivana was the best live. I have no idea who they are gonna choose.
Andrea or D-moll, but please do something with the staging/choreography for both, so it is a fair choice.
Also sorry to Colin – again we seem to be in disagreement. It’s turning into an awkward year for us! 😀
Please Crna Gora, bring KNEZ at the last minute and save us all!
What a wonderful song and performance “Adio” was at 2015 Eurovision in Vienna
Best from Spain
I’m gonna go ahead and predict that Andrea could get Montenegro it’s best result ever at Eurovision.
I’m so into Monika’s song. It’s giving me Balkan pop vibes combined with some Kim Possible-esque vibe, literally as if it’s the theme song to a secret agent movie in the 2000’s. That being said, I’m totally aware that at this point, this isn’t what would get Montenegro very far, but it’s just plain old fun. And then I have to see Andrea’s performance in order to fully understand what artistic concept she’s going for. For now I’m really surprised by the praise it gets. If she herself wouldn’t have praised it so much before the entries were revealed, I… Read more »
I don’t think that they will select Ja Sam Ti San (it’s far too left- field for Montenegro) but I do reaaaaally hope they select her, it’s basically thier only choice if they want to qualify.
Further left-field than rapping astronauts?
Aaaand Slavko Kalezic!
How can you say that this is a strong selection?
This is weaker than Czech Republic’s was.
I know. It’s beyond me what anyone sees in any of these songs.
I like the three best ones a lot.
lol, I’m Czech and these songs are much better than those which were in our national final
This is my top 5, but I’ll be nice and spare you the reviews:
1. Nevinost
2. Ja sam ti san
3. Heaven
4. Uzmi ili ostavi
5. Nepogrjesivo
Heaven, I’m in heaven falling, save me from the other awful choices here.
Andrea is best, but we all know that winner will be D Moll band.
I will say, my position on Andrea has improved over the days. This one could also be a great Montenegrin offering. I still believe Monika can reavmp hers into something spectacular and I can’t get it off my head though!