The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the 41 songs that had been selected for Eurovision 2020. Next up, we take a look at Spain‘s internally select act Blas Cantó and his song “Universo”. Did we feel the universal spirit? Read on to find out!

Blas Cantó – “Universo”

“Universo” reviews

Bernardo: My dear Spain, I love you so much, it pains me to say this year you disappointed me. Blas is such a competent vocalist and an overall excellent live performer, but “Universo” does not do the trick. While I can clearly spot quality moments, the overall package comes across as flat and meh. Blas is the right choice. Select a better song.

Score: 4

Calvin: This song leaves me behind somewhat confused. It builds up nicely and you’d expect a stellar chorus. In reality, it’s a choir with oh oh’s. The song isn’t memorable and lacks in energy, though it’s still a decent entry. I just don’t get the purpose of the song. What does he want to tell us? “Universo” is going to be among the first songs I’ll forget. However, Blas has a very strong voice and could give it a whole different feeling live.

Score: 4.5

Luis: “Universo” is not that bad, but it’s not that good either. The production is slick and Blas’ voice is always on point, but it feels too manufactured. Also, the song is not so interesting, and it would have got lost between the sea of mid-tempos this year. Despite all that, I can’t help but get a feeling of “hey, this is actually a decent song” every time I listen to it. However “decent” and “not-so-interesting” tend to mean 20th-26th at Eurovision.

Score: 7

Pablo: This is… interesting, meaning that there is a lot to unpack and digest here. “Universo” has a lot of unusual elements and hooks all across its three minutes, but nothing is outright bad or even objectable. Once you get over said elements, you get to really see a polished, well-sung and engaging song. The fact that it took repeat listens to enjoy this could have been a crux for the song — and it all hinged on Blas’ delivery and staging.

Score: 7.5

Tobias: Applause to Spain! This was unexpected to come from you. I have to say I was hooked immediately the first time I heard “Universo”. Even though I don’t speak or understand Spanish shows that “Universo” is such a universal song with the potential to reach out to non-Spanish speakers as well. The chorus is easy to remember and sing along to which is crucial in Eurovision.

Score: 8.5

 

Blas Cantó – “Universo” rankings

In the Wiwi Jury we have 22 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 7

Antranig: 5.5

Åri: 5

Barnabas: 4.5

Deban: 7

Esma: 7

Florian: 6

Jonathan: 6

Lucy: 7

Natalie: 5

Oliver: 5.5

Renske: 7

Robyn: 6.5

Ron: 7

Sebastian: 6.5

Tom: 7

William: 4.5

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 8.5.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.25/10

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

See all our Eurovision 2020 reviews and rankings

32 Comments
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Josh Sterling
Josh Sterling
3 years ago

I will give a 7/10 for this

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

Spain – 8/10 (12th/41)

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

Spain 7/10

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
3 years ago

the production is just hella dated, spain dodged a bullet this year, but they better give him a worthy song next year

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago

I can speak spanish and I´m not from Spain. The lyrics are great.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

I can also speak Spanish (as my third language), and I agree that the lyrics are pretty solid on their own. A bit general, but potentially powerful. The thing is, neither the instrumental or the performance convey any of the emotions theoretically implied by the lyrics. The delivery feels completely hollow, so the usage of potentially deeper lyrics feels like a calculated move.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago

I am not sure where I’d rank this one, but it potentially would make my top 26 by a very narrow margin. Spain put out decent entries, but when I’m thinking about the Big 5+Host songs, this along with France just aren’t to par (especially compared to Italy and Germany) IMO. Having said that, I can’t wait to see what Blas and the team will come up with for next year.

Emily
Emily
3 years ago
Reply to  Emily

NOTE: I know I always say I struggle to rank songs, but… I just can’t!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

I will attempt to be factual. This song has four chords. It has an obvious hook: “Uni-universo”. It has a typical pop-song structure. It has a “top note” melody variation in the Reprise. As for the video, it looks a bit expensive with those dancers in blue paint. It has different outfits for the singer, and some location work. The reason my opinion is so calculated and devoid of feeling is because that is exactly what this entry is. Pardon me, universe.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

At first, I was a bit confused on why this song doesn’t do anything for me, since it has good elements (good singer, memorable hook, decent lyrics, expensive production). But something huge was missing – any deep emotional response. Now I see I’m not the only one, as you, Kosey, Skiwalko and others decscribe the same emotional vacancy. I am glad that Blas will be back to do hopefully do something with an actual impact.

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

Such a good song.. True, expecting a lot more from Spain, especially with the neverending trend of Spanish songs in the charts.. But Universo is amazing still, regularly play it and sing along in my best Spanish.. Of course leaving the high note to Blas 😉 His voice is great.. With an even better song, Spain can get to great heights.. Universo was in my top 10..

Helio
Helio
3 years ago

It’s the most generic song of 2020. Or as they would say in spanish, such a mi.erda, I don’t like it at all.

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

People is being too harsh on this one while they are praising other mainstream generic pop songs. Maybe with an Eastern diva singing it would have grabbed more points (?). I was expecting more from Blas tbh, but the song isn’t bad. I would even say it is one of the best produce songs we’ve sent in years. In this weak year, and with a good staging, this would placed top 15 or even top 10. But Spain is always critized and that’s a fact. Anyay, I think the cancellation of Eurovision gives Blas the opportunity to come up with… Read more »

Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I want you guys to succeed (you’ve been waiting 51 years for a win, you really do deserve it) and I love many Spanish entries (“Vuelve conmigo”, “Bandido”, “¿Quién maneja mi barca?”, etc.), but this song does nothing for me, and any Eastern diva wouldn’t change it. I’m sorry if I was too harsh, it was not my intention.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I am also sorry, Hector, it’s just that I find this song kinda hollow. It’s still very well produced and highly listenable. I think that Blas is a great singer and I can’t wait to hear what he has to offer next year. Note that I rated both La venda and Tu cancion with an 8/10, so I definitely don’t have anything bad to say about Spain. If anything, I think it’s a wonderful country. I’ve been there a long time ago and have some fond memories from there. All the best. 🙂

Hipp
Hipp
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I see you put all ”Eastern divas” at the bottom of your list, now tell me more about bias, but I’m not offended like you, crybaby from ”Big 5”.

Toewa
Toewa
3 years ago

It’s underrated. Best Spain after 2014.

Helio
Helio
3 years ago
Reply to  Toewa

That doesn’t mean too much, haha.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

It’s solid rather than spectacular. I really grew to like it though and Blas was a much better singer than I expected. Like the UK, I feel this song is better than what Spain usually sends but still, probably not enough of a standout to actually accrue a lot of points. I like the structure of it and as an ESC song, it makes structural sense as it builds up to that big note. The ah-ah-ah chorus is something that is better avoided but that is the weakest part of the song. It sits comfortably in my teens.

Mia
Mia
3 years ago

That high note still cracking me up tho. Too bad we won’t see the staging, it could be epic moment rising in the sky like with Azerbaijan last year 😛
5/10

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Mia

Indeed, that high note provokes the only feeling I get out of this song: hilarity.

Skiwalko
3 years ago

“Universo” is like an empty, lifeless desert of musical averageness. You hear the first 10 seconds and you already know how it’s gonna end. Listening to this song is as exciting and amusing as waiting for your bus to arrive or watching TV adverts – it’s a compilation of clichés loosely connected by vague and repetitive lyrics. I didn’t much care for “La venda”, but between a fun party anthem and a joyless pop number, I choose Miki. Better luck next year, Blas! 5/10

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

SPAIN – It’s a well-produced song with a catchy (but repetitive) hook and a skilled performer. At first, it seems like an ideal crowd-pleaser, but leaves me stone-cold. I believe it has to do with the fact that the lyrics describe a dramatic inner struggle, while the music arrangement plays it like an arena banger. Also, Blas never feels like a man who actually seeks forgiveness. What he wants to redeem from is also never said, probably wanting an individual listener to insert their own reasons. Having an universal message is fine if one can feel that it still has… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Agreed, sadly. See above for mine.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

It’s a mid table entry for me. For sure not bad, but also not amazing. It would actually crack my top 20 if the high note wasn’t there, but unfortunately it is.. Glad he has another chance same as for Stefania, both deserve better songs. Love him as a person though… my score: 6,5/10 1. Romania 10/10 2. Belgium 9/10 3. Australia 8,5/10 4. Portugal 8/10 5. Italy 8/10 6. Israel 7,5/10 7. Russia 7,5/10 8. Albania 7/10 9. UK 7/10 10. Ireland 7/10 11. Spain 6,5/10 12. Cyprus 6,5/10 13. Poland 6,5/10 14. Serbia 5,5/10 15. Moldova 3,5/10 16.… Read more »

Polliu
Polliu
3 years ago

The definition of a generic pop song.

KESC
KESC
3 years ago

The song grew on me, but it’s still very bland. There is nothing interesting in it.
Though, I appreciate the fact that Spain keeps sending songs in their language.

Hope for a stronger entry next year.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

This song is weird for me, because whenever I listen to it, it shoots into my top 10 and I realise that I love the song. And then when it ends, I immediately forget it. It’s strange, like musical amnesia. This song really isn’t bad, and I look forward to see what Blas does next year (I hope he does something like El No Soy Yo, which is a much better song than Universo tbh).

Skiwalko
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

“Silence will fall”

Odysseas
Odysseas
3 years ago

It is nothing special. Doesn’t stand out at all unfortunately. From instrumental to vocals it’s all mediocre. Spain keeps disappointing since 2017
Overall:2/10 (35th)

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

36. Spain – 4.5/10 – everything about this entry screams smooth and slick. The production is polished, the melody is polished, Blas is polished, like the man who polishes his polished car every polished Sunday. I am however left emotionally vacant when listening to it. The instrumentation and composition feels very familiar which means it doesn’t engender any sort of unique connection to the song.

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago

Glad he’ll get a 2nd chance.