Tonight six acts will compete in the grand final of Vidbir 2019, as Ukraine decides who it will send to Eurovision 2019. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to all the finalists and ranked them. Which songs were our favourites? Read on to find out!
Luis
1. MARUV – “Siren song”
“Siren song” is the banger Eurovision 2019 needs. A top-notch production, confidence, killer choreography, heavy horns… can this get any better? It’s impressive how a performance like MARUV’s in the semifinal — with evident flaws such as dodgy vocals in some points and extremely basic video projections — can work so well. Despite this, MARUV is an outstanding performer and an extremely talented composer/banger purveyor. This is Eurovision top-three material.
2. Yako – “Galyna Guliala”
3. KAZKA – “Apart”
4. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
5. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
6. Anna Maria – “My road”
Antranig
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
Emotional ballads and vampires inside pianos are fun but it’s time for some Ukrainian slutpop at Eurovision. This is high-impact, sultry and seductive — everything Ukraine need to storm up the leaderboard in Tel Aviv. While Freedom Jazz are also serving up an incredible performance akin to something Moldova would send, MARUV has it all. She’s the school librarian after dark and the semi-final performance was one of my all-time favourites. I just hope the stadium in Tel Aviv is also designed in a manner that will allow MARUV to gyrate against Jon Ola Sand’s table.
2. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
3. Anna Maria – “My Road”
4. KAZKA – “Apart”
5. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
Oliver
1. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
Choosing a favourite from this bunch of formidable songs was on par with the 12 tasks of Hercules. Every day my favourite entry would change from one to another but in the end, I eventually settled on “Freedom Jazz”. There is something so quirky yet professional about this entry that makes it stand out from the rest. Its tongue-in-cheek-enthused attitude make it instantly likeable and the chorus is memorable and gripping straight from the offset. Ukraine has completely blown me away this year and I would be thrilled whichever entry ends up travelling to Tel Aviv.
2. KAZKA – “Apart”
3. MARUV – “Siren Song”
4. Anna Maria – “My Road”
5. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
6. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
Deban
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
“Come to me, come to me….” says MARUV and the critics all assemble at her feet. “Siren Song” is a provocative pop number with a strong visual identity. After watching the Ukraine national selection with keen interest, only one act truly stands out. This act would appeal to trendsetters, pleasure-seekers and all citizens of the fabulous rainbow nation.
2. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
3. KAZKA – “Apart”
4. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
5. Anna Maria – “My Road”
6. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
Barnabas
1. KAZKA – “Apart”
Vidbir 2019 has given us many visually captivating entries, and we had some quirky stuff going on as well. Then we had KAZKA, the perfect blend of ethnic instruments, dark pop, and electronica. The performance that got my feet moving. And although the final is already packed with quality acts, KAZKA are the act who will take Ukraine back to the left side of the scoreboard.
2. Anna Maria – “My Road”
3. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
4. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
5. MARUV – “Siren Song”
6. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
Natalie
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
Vidbir is once again still filled with quality. And while I’m disappointed that Tayanna didn’t participate this year, her replacement is still pretty awesome. “Siren Song” is filled with juicy heavy beats, attitude, and a magnetic connection that is perfect for the contest. I could really do with a song that has this much personality this year. And I would love to see her getting up and dancing for Jon Ola Sand too.
2. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
3. Anna Maria – “My Road”
4. KAZKA – “Apart”
5. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
Josh
1. Anna Maria – “My Road”
The ladies of Anna Maria may not have the best song or the best vocals on the surface, but their ease and comfort with each other in performance is evident from the first notes. They’re the only entry here whose semi-final performance didn’t make me hesitate supporting them. Go with the performers that already look comfortable and have delivered solidly, and just polish up their look and the staging to make the performance pop!
2. Kazka – “Apart”
3. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
4. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
5. MARUV – “Siren Song”
6. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
Patrick
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
Well Ukraine, if you really want to be a contender then you’ve found your act. I did not see an act in a very long time like Maruv. She definitely is the full package: filled with attitude, sex, poise and raw talent. Eurovision craves acts like this and that beat could definitely be a hit on the radio too. If they make the performance even more slick and she works on her vocals then you have a contender that will impress whole Europe. Wanna now her secret? She’s going to win it with a Bang!
2. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
3. Anna Maria – “My Road”
4. KAZKA – “Apart”
5. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
Robyn
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
The perfectly titled “Siren Song” is an attitude-laden sexy-love song. The song and staging have a kind of co-dependent relationship, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. MARUV owns the stage, bringing a confident, bisexual aesthetic. It has a fresh, cool sound and brings the sort of energy that could wake up an audience after a run of ballads.
2. Anna Maria – “My Road”
3. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
4. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
5. KAZKA – “Apart”
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
Pablo
1. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
At first I thought I was going to choose between MARUV and KAZKA, but then this trio came along trumpets blazing, unafraid, brash, headstrong and confident. I was won over. This has everything great about Ukraine: talent and strength in quirkiness. If you ever want to aim to do a retro, roaring-twenties entry, it better be like this. No less! They have a big chance to go to Tel Aviv and show all Eurofans how to REALLY party. Mes amours, attention with this one!
2. MARUV – “Siren Song”
3. KAZKA – “Apart”
4. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
5. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
6. Anna Maria – “My Road”
Renske
1. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
Ukraine’s music industry is a very wide spectrum which runs from rich producers and their proteges to indie garage bands. Brunettes Shoot Blondes might be such an indie garage band on paper, but they have something special about them. Eurovision from time to time needs this type of innovation and creativity, which they serve us with “Houston”. The lyricist was a genius as well, because using Brexit as a metaphor of a “break-up” is perhaps the cheekiest lyric of the NF season.
2. Anna Maria – “My Road”
3. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
4. MARUV – “Siren Song”
5. KAZKA – “Apart”
6. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
Diego
1. MARUV – “Siren Song”
Ukraine is one my most expected entries from Eurovision every year. There’s no doubt they know how to level-up year after year. Maruv is not just an amazing singer, she’s sassy and gives a magnificent ambience to the song with her performance. The lyrics are not as deep as I would love them to be, but I love the vibes of the melody, from the ethnic sounds at the beginning to the electronic beat throughout. I’m excited to see how can she turn the party on in Tel Aviv.
2. Freedom Jazz – “Cupidon”
3. KAZKA – “Apart”
4. Anna Maria – “My Road”
5. YUKO – “Galyna guliala”
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes – “Houston”
SuperB! But i still think they have some better stuff))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTwiB1uw9sQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qW5iB3Z3Qg
SuperB!
But i still think those two are somehow better))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTwiB1uw9sQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qW5iB3Z3Qg
Welp, congrats fans! You got one! Cool one, too.
One down, three to go.
No fan favorite’s curse in Ukraine, MARUV it is. Good job, Ukraine, I don’t think we’ll have anything remotely like this in Tel Aviv.
Maruv won as do Ukraine, congratulation!
MARUV IS THE WINNER!
We finally got a fan favourite to wiN!!
Maruv won! Juries didn’t slash her after all…as people been speculating, 167.5 k viewers have voted wow!
People were afraid that juries would put Maruv on 4th or 5th place but they put her second, its not bad, so if she won televote she come to Tel Aviv, now its all up to viewers
The only bad thing about Vidbir is the lenght of the show. They have a fantastic production, I’m amazed how they always find the best possible way to stage all of their songs. All the finalists would be great additions to the Eurovision lineup. But I would go with MARUV (the full package is the ultimate sex bomb) or KAZKA (the best song and her vocals were much more confident tonight).
What a quality! I’m leaning a bit towards Kazka, but honestly they’re all great!!
Well said, Tibike!
Totally agree with you!
I found KAZKA by accident some time ago and fell in love with “???????” and “????”. I wish she sang “Apart” in Ukrainian too, it sounds much more familiar to my ear and the English version is just not the same. Maruv…I won’t even comment this one.
Looks like this site doesn’t support cyrillic alphabets in comments, I meant “Plakala” and “Dyva/Diva”.
Well, thank goodness for the televote recap. Now I’m up to speed. And I like them all! All I know is that whoever gets picked, people are probably gonna hate anyway, so I’m just gonna enjoy them all.
I don’t think show. Most of the entries are great
Wait a minute. This Ron Huldai? They bring him on???
Whoever he is, he’s a blast. And I’m glad I understand something for a sec.
Host is not exactly overwhelmed w charisma, is he?
Is it still going on or do we have a winner?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJLlSj5Xj9A
They’re talking to these two ladies. They win? They just feeling chatty? I’m lost.
Jamala sounds very passionate about something.
Jamala talks about Crimea all the time. Emma No comments
Oh Joe you started watching? 😀
thats how you do a great national final. take notes bbc
It’s been outstanding*, really impressive.
*Apart from all the talking and Jamala going all Hard News and asking contestant’s views on Crimea. What next, an essay on the Second World War?
Bloody hell Jamala. Why are they asking her about Crimea? Talk about the music !!
I still don’t now , but Jamalas song talked about that so I think now Jamala kind of likes Maruv
I mean, it’s kind of her thing. Crimea is to Jamala as the Orange Revolution was to Ruslana. If Ukraine wins again, it’s probably gonna be w someone who’s passionate about a political cause that’s pretty specific to Ukraine (and will probably annoy the Russians).
I get that’s her thing but she specifically said 1944 wasn’t about current politics, because it would have been disqualified from ESC 2016 if it was.
It seems unfair to ask a singer about heavy issues in current politics after they’ve just performed and want people to be thinking about their performance. It’s meant to be about the music.
True. Wild Dances wasn’t about the Orange Revolution either, but they both informed each performance a lot.
Ukraine currently in war with Russia and question about Crimea is very principal for all Ukrainians and for Jamala even more cos she cant visit her home becouse of occupation, its just a sad reality , Maruv answered so its no more tension between them, its a good sign
Oh I think the host asked MARUV about Hatari? Please can someone confirm/translate?
Man, that’d be a pair if they both got through.
Are you watching too Joe? What do you think? 🙂
My impression was that MARUV wanted to distance herself from Hatari when she replied to the host. I can understand that, they’re have some similarities but they have a completely different purpose and they’re very different acts.
Sadly no, but I am following the conversation. I will have to watch semi four of Melfest when it happens bc I have to write about it for a fanclub page, but I actually haven’t watched any of the NFs live. College and time differences. What can you do?
The only songs I’ve heard are Siren Song (crazy, hide-your-kids stuff, but entertaining) and the Brunettes Shoot Blondes song (I think it’s cool, but I could see juries hating it).
Oh here is MARUV 😀
She’s fab, I really hope she wins this!
This is such an amazingly strong national final. Honestly, I’d instantly kick out six of the songs already chosen and replace them with the whole Ukrainian package. It’s so hard to pick a favourite, but I think I’m on team MARUV.
The Vidbir production is outstanding. Great job!
A lot of taking but the stage and overall production value is epic — and all the acts have been good. Ukrainians should be proud.
1. Maruv
2. Kazka
3. Yuko
4. Anna Maria
5. Freedom Jazz
6. Brunettes Shoot Blondes
MARUV!!!
1. Kazka!!! They can be my winner this year.
2. Maruv
3. Brunettes Shoot Blondes
The rest is unlistenable.
Spoiler alert: If Ukraine goes the same way other selections have been going neither Kazka or Maruv win . Houston wins and we will all be complaining again
I feel KAZKA could win. I mean they have a large following in Ukraine and maybe since there will be a wider audience watching in Ukraine tonight they could pull through and if they place second in the televote and high in the juries they could do it. Im scared for MARUV shes my fav. Juries dont bash her tonight
I’m sorry, I like Maruv’s staging and presence but I don’t think the song is good. She’s had better songs and although I like the staging its too sexy for Eurovision. The song is repetitive, doesn’t grace much depth and the lyrics are just like “huh?” sometimes. This is devil’s door? What does that mean? I’m rooting for Anna Maria , YUKO and Freedom Jazz.
If Lithuania pick Monika or Jurijus, I’ll be happy. Honestly the only song in Ukraine I dislike is yuko’s but I’m still hoping MARUV will win. I have no favs in Hungary really so…….And in Denmark my fav is Leonora, I’m really hoping that overrated league of light song doesn’t win
My top 6:
1. Maruv
2. Yuko
3. Kazka
4. Ana Maria
5. Brunettes shoot blondes
6. Freedom Jazz
The first thing I would like to say is that there were two songs stuck in my memory. These were Maruv’s and Kazka’s songs. It is very interesting to look at Maruv, when she is on stage. She can attract people’s attention. Kazka’s song is pretty good, but no connection with the audience. It seems to me that she turns inwards and cannot cope with her excitement.
If Maruv, The Middletonz, Monika Marija and Julie&Nina don’t win tonight, I will quit national final season!
We have exactly the same bets for each NF. I’ll keep my hopes super low given the results of previous NF.
The Middletonz stand no chance as they barely passed the semifinals so… :p
My top 6:
1. Maruv
2. Ana Maria
3. Kazka
4. Brunettes shoot blondes
5. Yuko
6. Freedom Jazz
Ukraine is the place where juries and televoters never agree. Due to this I think that Freedom Jazz will be selected as first of jury and second or third of televote.
1) MARUV (She would go into my 1st)
2) Anna Maria (They would go into my 5th)
3) BSB (They would go into my 5th too)
4) Freedom jazz (They would go into my 6th)
5) Kazka (Hard to place this cause as a song it would go into my 4th but that vocal is really bad so….
6) Yuko (They would go 10th-14th)
I would go for MARUV or KAZKA. I like Anna Maria (they would rivalry with S!sters) and Brunettes Shot Blondes too. Anyway, I’m prepared for another disappointment.
MARUV would be my choice too. I completely agree with Natalie: this is a compelling performance full of personality and it would be pretty fun to see a contestant interact with Jon Ola Sand. If the EBU can facilitate Sweden’s staging so that Robin Bengtsson started his performance off-stage, I hope Ukraine’s staging can be facilitated too if MARUV wins Vidbir. It’s a very cool performance. MARUV is confident, controlled and fierce. She knows what she wants. „Komm zu mir“, she says softly. She doesn’t need to demand it. She understands the power of a whisper. „Bang“ is not necessarily… Read more »
we all know maruv is not going to win
MARUV’s sexiness plus Hatari’s BDSM appeal would be a nice combination in Tel Aviv.
It is a family show!!!
I’m such a fan of MARUV and her song, but I’m afraid that a different act is going to travel to Tel Aviv. I think she’s going to top the televote whereas the jury will give her a 3rd or 4th place like they did with Mélovin in 2017.
I don’t have anything against juries, but they have – as we have seen in many national finals – a different taste than the public. I guess they prefer, especially in Ukraine, a song that has a “deeper” message, something more complicated than for example “SIren Song”.
I didn’t listen to this selection till today to see what Ukraine had to offer because so many were going on and I wanted to wait it out. I was going to not listen at all and only hear the winner but since the clips are here ,I decided to listen. I think it’s strange that everyone is so keen on MARUV to win. Yes it’s not bad ,some nice elements in it , but the song as a whole isn’t really working smoothly for me at the moment. Production is pretty decent but needs to be more atmospheric it… Read more »
Since so many favor Maruv… we’ll have winner no one has had even in the top 3. Or will Ukraine prove to be different from this years trend? xD
Russia!! Sergey Lazarev for win.
Belarus!! Daz Sampson for the win
My first comment here disappeared?
Maruv without any doubt! If not, Kazka would be a great choice too 🙂 please Ukraine, save this ESC
Hmm… I’m not sure who’s my fave, so I’m gonna say Brunette shoot Blondes cuz I like the group’s name.
There’s nothing super strong in this selection, but it seems that ESC semi-final 1 isn’t very strong either, so I don’t see any scenario where Ukraine can be left behind.
It’s probably going to be MARUV vs Freedom-jazz in the end. MARUV is popular, shocking and sexy while Freedom-jazz is harmonious, entertaining and almost humorous (pregnant singer rubbing her belly on stage while singing? Only in Ukraine).
Justice for Letay’s “Myla Moya”. I hope we comes back next year.
Otherwise, I’m leaning on Freedom Jazz and BSB. 🙂
Letay and Khayat were my favorites, hope they both come back next year.