The Wiwi Jury reveals their favourites in Lithuania’s ‘Pabandom is naujo 2020!’

On Saturday, the grand final of Padandom is naujo 2020! will be held, and with it, Lithuania will decide its act for Eurovision 2020. Eight acts will compete but only one can win the ticket to Rotterdam. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has listened to all eight finalists and listed our favourites. Who do we think should win the national final?

Florian

1. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”

Moniqué’s vocals are instantly creating a unique and delicate, at points even vulnerable atmosphere. She performs the track with a very strong yet minimalistic approach. The reduced staging plays to her advantage before she puts all her emotion into the final chorus. The light on her jacket at the end is a nice addition which wraps it all up nicely.

2. THE ROOP – “On Fire”
3. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”
4. Meandi – “DRIP”
5. KaYra – “Alligator”

Tom

1. THE ROOP – “On Fire”

Sometimes, you have to sit back and think, what will make the biggest impact at Eurovision. The majority of the songs from Lithuania this year are all in all, very good. However, the one that stands out both as a sore thumb and genius at the same time is “THE ROOP”. The song’s crazy choreography and an undeniably catchy chorus plays with the line of joke act, and brilliance. I think it’s brilliant.

2. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”
3. Monika Marija – “If I Leave”
4. Aistė Pilvelytė – “Unbreakable”
5. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”

Antranig

1. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more visually compelling presentation at a national final outside of Sweden. Moniqué sells everything about this song and her robotic movements ironically inject so much vulnerability into the performance. This is very much a calculated effort, combining a great song and performance — yet all of it feels genuine. “Make Me Human” needs to be discussed as a potential Eurovision winner.

2. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”
3. THE ROOP – “On Fire”
4. Monika Marija – “If I Leave”
5. Aistė Pilvelytė – “Unbreakable”

Barnabas

1. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”

It would be a huge mistake from Lithuania not to send this package to Rotterdam. And it’s not just that we’re talking about a household name here, but the song itself is great. Despite being minimalistic in the arrangement, it (together with the innovative and creative visual concept) pulls you in and keeps you focused. And with all this, it remains fresh and authentic. Lithuania has a prospect of a historic result at Eurovision in their hands. Let’s hope they won’t blow it.

2. Monika Marija – “If I Leave”
3. THE ROOP – “On Fire”
4. KaYra – “Alligator”
5. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”

Lucy

1. THE ROOP – “On Fire”

Lithuania’s answer to Hot Chip is giving me life! Not only is the song pretty darn unique when it comes to national finals for Eurovision, but the choreography is remarkably eye-catching whether you want it to be or not. Soulful vocals, with an indie edge, I’m here for every single second of “On Fire”. It seems the Lithuanian public are too with the track consistently winning the public vote in the rounds, not to mention its success in the Lithuanian Spotify charts. THE ROOP, quite simply, I’m obsessed.

2. KaYra – “Alligator”
3. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”
4. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”
5. The Backs – “Fully”

Luis

1. Moniqué – “Make me human”

“Make Me Human” is an excellent example of how to create strength from vulnerability and fragility. On stage, Moniqué manages to give life to an otherwise simple pop song, and she takes this into a new dimension. The live performance has gravitas and it keeps you watching for the three minutes, which is something that doesn’t happen with the studio version. This would make Lithuania’s first-ever serious threat to Eurovision victory.

2. THE ROOP – “On Fire”
3. Meandi – “DRIP”
4. KayRa – “Alligator”
5. Ruta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”

Robyn

1. THE ROOP – “On Fire”

The higher/fire/desire rhyme is one of the most tiresome in the English language. And yet it’s not entirely unwelcome in THE ROOP’s song. “On Fire” is a tense, stylish number, a setting that lets that rhyme scheme settle in and feel necessary. With the quirky choreography of the previous performances, “On Fire” comes with a unique style that would make it stand out at Eurovision.

2. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”
3. KaYra – “Alligator”
4. Meandi – “DRIP”
5. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”

Lukas

1. Moniqué – “Make Me Human”

I like all eight songs in Lithuania’s selection, however, I have one clear favourite which I would love to see in Rotterdam. Moniqué was my favourite going into the Eurovizijos Atranka even if her song was not yet released and she did not disappoint me. “Make Me Human” is a strong and powerful song with very memorable staging and styling. While the song is not your usual Eurovision pop song, something like this would stand out on the big stage. If Lithuania picks this act, I would be very proud of my country.

2. KaYra – “Alligator”
3. Aistė Pilvelytė – “Unbreakable”
4. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”
5. Monika Marija – “If I Leave”

Pablo

1. THE ROOP – “On Fire”

Anyone who can take all the lyrical cliches and make them feel necessary and fresh gets a plus in my book. THE ROOP has an undeniably cool, Berlin-art-kids vibe to them that makes the entire package feel eclectic but accessible. There’s this commitment from every band member that convinces you that what you are seeing is actually the new rage. “On Fire” is the only entry I feel strongly for here, and sending it would be such a statement in Rotterdam. We will all throw our arms around with no regard and be joyous with them.

2. Monika Marija – “If I Leave”
3. KaYra – “Alligator”
4. Aistė Pilvelytė – “Unbreakable”
5. Rūta Loop – “We Came from the Sun”

Read more Lithuania Eurovision news here