On Saturday, nine acts will compete in the grand final of Supernova 2020. They will compete to see who will follow Carousel and be Latvia’s act at Eurovision 2020. But who should get the ticket to Rotterdam? The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to the competing act and picked their favourites.
Tom
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
Well, that was easy. Samanta Tina ‘s epic headbanging song is my winner. Not to say the others weren’t good, they were, it is just that this song is begging to be put on an arena stage. “Still Breathing” deserves to be given a big production to truly see the potential of the song. I am not 100% sold on the short rapping bit yet but those vocals are so on point and face-melty that I will be very surprised if this didn’t make it to Rotterdam.
2. Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You”
3. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
4. Seleste – “Like Me”
5. Katrīna Bindere – “I Will Break Your Heart”
Robyn
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
Samanta Tīna has been trying to win the Latvian national final for years and now it seems that the stars have aligned and this could be her year. “Still Breathing” is a tune. With fierce lyrics by Aminata given life by Samanta’s powerhouse vocals and her angelic backing singers, “Still Breathing” is an intense exploration of the pressures of being a modern woman. Some might not like the rap break, but “Everyway That I Can” also had a rap and we all know what happened to that.
2. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
3. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
4. ANNNA – “Polyester”
5. Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You”
Åri
1. ANNNA – “Polyester”
I am perfectly content with these nine qualifiers, and any of my top six songs would be a worthy winner. However, this t-shirt-themed bop takes the cake easily for me. ANNNA is so cool on stage, her whispery vocals make her stand above the rest, and it’s both a fun tune and a piece of social satire. She deserves to win Supernova in my book, and she’s based in Amsterdam, so it’s a short trip home if she flops in the semi. But honestly, I have hopes that this one can resonate with enough fans to finally bring Latvia to the final.
2. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
3. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
4. Katrīna Bindere – “I Will Break Your Heart”
5. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
Antranig
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
Oh Samanta, it has been a journey and we’ve finally hit the climax. She’s delivered decent songs in the past but she’s finally found the one that will take her to Eurovision and easily to the grand final and beyond. My only stipulation is she must take seven suitcases filled with oversized hats to Rotterdam and her backing vocalists must wear coloured visors that obstruct their vision. Oh, and there must be irons involved on stage. I can’t believe her biggest competition is a chick singing about a polyester shopping spree.
2. ANNNA – “Polyester”
3. Katrīna Bindere – “I Will Break Your Heart”
4. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
5. DRIKSNA – “Stay”
Calvin
1. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
In a Eurovision field of heartbroken ballads, songs with heavy messages or wannabe edgy upbeat-songs, you sometimes need a light of lightheartedness. This song is exactly it. “Heart Beats” follows no concept of how to win the contest. I feel like this song was written by people just wanting to express their happiness and it works. Apart from the song, Katrīna is an incredible vocalist plus delivers an enormous stage presence already on the small stage in Latvia. This entry is fun, authentic and not trying too hard to be polished for all audiences.
2. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
3. Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You”
4. ANNNA – “Polyester”
5. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
Florian
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
While this is not her first attempt to make it to Eurovision, it’s certainly her best effort yet. This song is in line with contemporary tracks of Triana Park or Aminata in the past. Vocally, she’s on point. The production is very remarkable on this track and will definitely be remembered come Eurovision in May. If Latvia were to choose the most modern and instantly catchy song, “Still Breathing” is the one to go for.
2. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
3. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
4. ANNNA – “Polyester”
5. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
Rick
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
This is the right direction for Latvia. They have tended to send loungy, folky songs that appeal only to a certain type of viewers for the last few years. It’s time to go more mainstream again. Even if “Still Breathing” is a bit much at first, it does convince with its lyrics and especially with Samanta’s energy. I appreciate the sick, fresh and interesting production, the powerful beat — and the strong vocals fit perfectly. I‘d love to see this getting the attention it deserves in Rotterdam.
2. ANNNA – “Polyester”
3. Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You”
4. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
5. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
Edgars
1. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
This is the only song of this year’s Supernova that stays in my head and the only performer who brings some real emotions on the stage. No plastic beats, no cheap lyrics, no fake smiles and imitations. I see that guy is telling his own story about his own experience. It feels authentic. With memorable staging and lighting, this could go to Rotterdam. Yes, there’s a strong Mumford & Sons influence but I love it and the Bad Habits frontman’s voice is an absolute standout.
2. ANNNA – “Polyester”
3. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
4. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
5. DRIKSNA – “Stay”
Luis
1. Samanta Tina – “Still Breathing”
Anybody’s got an ice pack? Because Samanta Tina just kicked me in the face so hard! This song is loud, louder, loudest, but it’s weirdly not that off-putting. Her commitment is what makes this dubstep screamfest palatable. Or maybe it’s just knowing this would be the most credible entry she has performed at Supernova ever. Anyway, Latvia, get her the ticket to Rotterdam. No discussion.
2. Katrīna Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
3. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
4. Seleste – “Like Me”
5. ANNNA – “Polyester”
Natalie
1. Samanta Tīna – “Still Breathing”
I have a big soft spot for Samanta’s song. I love a bit of woman power, and Samanta oozes it, shouts it and flashes it straight into your face. It’s big, it’s compelling, and it definitely stands out. I’m sure it will cause a lot of head-scratching and many viewers won’t particularly like Samanta’s continual high notes or weird rap verse. But given the prevalence of male singers on Eurovision in recent years, I need a bit of this on stage. Also, I like crazy electronica, so there.
2. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
3. ANNNA – “Polyester”
4. DRIKSNA – “Stay”
5. Bad Habits – “Sail With You”
What do you think? Who are your favourites in Supernova 2020? Who should get the ticket to Rotterdam? Tell us your favourites below!
Where is Markus Riva lmao
He didn’t qualify from rehearsals
Still breathing is all over the place! It’s scary
Not scary, just differently structured, kind of chaotic. It actually reminds me of Raiven’s KAOS from Slovenia’s national selection last year. All that aside though, it’s still the best song of this selection, their only chance to maybe do well at eurovision. Any other song from supernova this year, to me, is a definite nonqualifier.
Must say I liked Samanta’s song way more in the live audition than in the studio version. But I still think she’ll win. And since my original favorites (Madara and Ruta) won’t be in the final, I’m OK with that. I guess Miks would have a chance if there were a jury involved.
I don’t remember who wrote this here in the comments of a different post about Supernova, but it was true: in the last couple of years, Latvia went for what looked better on TV. So maybe someone with good staging still can steal Samanta’s thunder.
my prediction:
1. Samanta Tina is finally going to Eurovision
2. Bad Habits are the only ones who could stop her
3. Katrina Dimanta “Heart Beats”
4. ANNNA “Polyester”
5. Seleste “Like Me”
6. Miks Dukurs “I’m Falling For You”
7. DRIKSNA “Stay”
8. Edgars Kreilis “Tridymite”
9. Katrina Bindere “I Will Break Your Heart”
Madara should be sweeping this poll and Supernova…but because they were dumb and didn’t get her past the pre-selection, yes, Samanta Tina would be the way to go.
Well… That wasn’t close.
It seems I am the only one who likes Miks Dukurs’ “I’m Falling For You”. I already knew this was going to happen. Anyway I think Samanta Tina is the best option here. 1. Samanta T?na – “Still Breathing” (7.25) 2. Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You” (7) 3. Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite” (6.75) 4. Bad Habits – “Sail With You” (6.5) 5. DRIKSNA “Stay” (6.25) I must say after Triana Park’s “Line” EXTREMELY UNFAIR flop in the SF back then, I don’t see this type of songs as sure qualifiers. So it may flop too. But I see… Read more »
Wiwi Jury’s ranking (1-5 points)
1. Samanta Tina 45p.
2. ANNNA 27p.
3. Katrina Dimanta 20p.
4. Edgars Kreilis 18p.
5. Bad Habits 15p.
6. Miks Dukurs 11p.
7. Katrina Bindere 6p.
8. DRIKSNA 4p.
8. Seleste 4p.
I feel that Edgars has been misunderstood by the jury. There’s an understated beauty to this unusual song. Looking forward to seeing how it looks and sounds live.
To be honest I think the first preferences awarded to Samanta are a reflection of the fact that she performed her song with actual production, while most others had songs that sounded worryingly underproduced. The studio cut of Tridymite sounds quite good, and I presume he’ll use that version in the Supernova final. He’ll probably come 2nd
unusual? nah, it is very much usual
While it seems obvious that “Still Breathing” is the favorite to win (and obviously so), I feel that “Sail with You” could be a dark horse in the final with its more edgy and alternative sound that I prefer over Samanta’s song. Just hope the best possible song can do the job for Latvia in breaking their qualification duck.
Thanks for sharing this. Great review – this is possibly the closest to my view as it gets.
Samanta for Rotterdam. She will surely qualify and I think we can expect some stylish surprise on the big stage.
If “Still Breathing” doesn’t win the contest, I am literally going to lick a hot iron! Her song is just the right tune to send Latvia back to it’s glory days (Aminata, Justs), although I still loved Triana Park and Laura Rizzotto.
This doesn’t hold a candle to the glory days but with the total package stands a chance of taking Latvia back to the final
I love how Latvias glory days was literally just two years what a rip for them tbh
Triana Park ending up coming last, behind Omar, Slavko and Svala (objectively the three acts everyone agrees were the deserved NQs of SF1 in 2017) instantly killed the hype of Supernova.
Triana Park didn’t deserve last, Omar did, but tbh I wouldn’t have minded seeing slavko and Svala in the final
There’s no doubting the vocal talent on show and she has great stage presence. Love the colour of the backing singers outfits too. However the song itself is just not good enough. It doesn’t give me any positive vibes and quite honestly it leaves me rather cold. Sorry but if this goes to Rotterdam then I see it staying in the semi final.
It’s been a one horse race since day one, for me anyway. Love the life that Samanta brings to “still breathing“.
All energy, all in. She’s the winner.
And I thought the Supernova final last year was mediocre…this is another level. I think usually, Latvia are aiming for ESC final qualification but this year, it might be an achievement to end up with a respectable song.
I think Miks is their best chance at getting points at ESC and *could* take a run a qualifying. I don’t think Edgars would finish last in an ESC SF but his song is probably not going to qualify. After those two, I’m seeing a lot of potential last place finishers. 🙁
While I’m not necessarily *in love* with Still Breathing, I like it and I think it’s the most intriguing one for ESC. There is a lot going on, which is in a stark contrast with the recent Latvian entries. They tried to many times with songs with one idea, so to say. Why not trying with a risky song with multiple ideas? I’m not saying Samanta WILL qualify (I can totally see the song being annoying to some), I’m saying it will be a show-stopper and not forgotten. That’s a new one for Latvia.
True. Funny Girl and That Night were respectable efforts that make for pleasant listening, but weren’t that memorable- Still Breathing comes with a statement and a bang. People will love it more than those two but others will dislike it a lot more
I feel that part of the collective fan hype to get Samanta to Rotterdam is the idea that her victory would mean that she wouldn’t compete in subsequent Supernova editions…but in all fairness it wouldn’t flop in the semi. It might be a NQ but more like a Laura Rizotto case where it comes 11th-13th in the semi, and it has a chance of qualifying