On Monday, Israel will decide which of three shortlisted songs Eden Alene will perform at Eurovision 2021. The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has also been listening to the three tracks and has picked their favourites. Read on to see which of the three songs we think Eden should take to Rotterdam!

Natalie

1. “Ue La La”

I was ready to hate this song with all the controversy surrounding it, but it’s honestly kinda hard. Eden Alene is an extremely talented performer who honestly can do a lot better than what she has here, but this is still a stellar pop song. It’s fun, catchy, and has an edgy, sexy undertone which will suit her energy and charisma. Those rich bass lines really make the song work. I wish I could see all the songs being performed live before judging my favourite since the performance will make or break them, but this is easily a song Eden will kill on stage.

2. “Set Me Free”
3. “La La Love”

Jordi

1. “Set Me Free”

Funky meets ballad in a pleasant manner. Eden’s “Set Me Free” is infectious with a fun throwback appeal, driving its listener into a wave of Easter drumbeats that pulsate over a soaring – but catchy – chorus. The choruses breathe amid an ocean of uplifting and hearty beats while reinforcing the meaning of “Set Me Free” relating to any suffering being experienced. The song creates provocative dynamics and has a great hook while also allowing Eden to showcase her vocal versatility, diversity, funkiness and her very own positive-spirited energy in speaking the meaning of this song.

2. “La La Love”
3. “Ue La La”

Josh

1. “Ue La La”

“Ue La La” feels like a continuation of the “Feker Libi” story — the honeymoon period of fun is over, and now Eden is looking for a man who has all the qualities she feels she deserves in a partner. The strong beat gets you from the first moment and sets this anthem of female empowerment in motion. As Eden sings, “I don’t need a boy boy boy / I just need a man man man”, she draws an unmistakable line in the sand. She’s not settling for less. Then, with the softer vocal tones in the pre-chorus, where she sings “My life, my friend / When will you come to me, honey?”, Eden’s heart shows. She’s not talking down to her love, she sees value in the object of her affection and believes in his worth, but she just wants an equal amount of validation from him. This interplay between strength, self-worth, playfulness, and love (while keeping the party energy) is something I think could be taken advantage of to make the staging connect the message of the song and bring Israel more Eurovision success!

2. “Set Me Free”
3. “La La Love”

Lauren

1. “La La Love”

Israel goes through phases. We qualified in 2008-2010, failed to qualify in 2011-2014, qualified in 2015-2019, and now we’re out once again. Eden Alene is one of the greatest singers Israel has to offer. Last year the level of the national final fit her capabilities, but this time the best song is a 5/10. “La La Love” is far from Ivi Adamou’s level. It’s quite basic but it’s fun and it puts a smile on your face. More importantly, it puts a smile on Eden Alene’s face. I can’t get myself to like any of these three songs, but at least Eden can go to Rotterdam with a song she loves.

2. “Set Me Free”
3. “Ue La La”

Tom

1. “Ue La La”

First of all, the good news is that none of trio attempt to be “Fekir Libi” 2.0. The bad news is also the same as the good news. However, “Ue La La” is definitely the strongest out of the three. It makes me want to dance! It’s a modern, club-ready track that is incredibly addictive and will keep the nightclub hot and sweaty all night. This will definitely snap up the younger demographic vote and nostalgic voters who miss the party scene. But let’s face it, that’s everyone at this point! If beats can be sexy, Eden has smashed it – excellent work.

2. “Set Me Free”
3. “La La Love”

Suzanne

1. “Set Me Free”

Eden delivers a powerful message as “Set Me Free” opens up. That message is, “There is strength in letting go and the heart beats in perfect harmony when free.” This is a love song, about loving oneself. I love Eden’s look and vibe in this video. The white pantsuit eludes to purity and innocence while the black and red braids showcase her wilder side that holds the maturity of life lessons. The lighting is cool, playing a dual role — mirrorlike and a prison. The multitude of faces, ages, ethnicities, sexes, and species (such a cute pup) represent oneness and the common goals of love and freedom. Well done! References to TikTok and 2021 degrees are current and made me smile. At the end, Eden delivers a kick before the powerful “Set Me Free” chorus. We know, in this moment, that she WILL win!

2. “La La Love”
3. “Ue La La”

Pablo

1. “Ue La La”

It’s a no brainer, “Ue La La” is the only option that can really make a statement in a Eurovision stage and by far the best song on offer; the only one that can make Eden’s talent justice. The mix of languages comes across as riveting, as well as possessing a really strong modern quality that just screams replayability. We know Eden can sass it up on the stage and can hold her notes, which makes her perfect for both the first and second half of this song. It’s a Middle-Eastern Megan Thee Stallion and I’m here for it!

2. “Set Me Free”
3. “La La Love”

Robyn

1. “Set Me Free”

“Set Me Free” is the song that gives Eden the best chance to show off her talents at Eurovision and is (probably) the most jury friendly of the three. It’s cute and funky and there’s a lot that could be done with the staging. They just need to get rid of that awful key change — it feels like a key change for the sake of a key change (or to pad out the track to three minutes) rather than to elevate the song to a new emotional level. Honestly, I don’t feel confident when the review of my favourite song is this critical, but there is potential for greatness.

2. “Ue La La”
3. “La La Love”

Rick

1. “Ue La La”

Ue La La sounds current and very international but at the same time very unusual for the contest. That’s why I can easily see this song generating new fans for Eurovision. Let’s face it: there are still many people around Europe thinking the contest is full of cheap schlager-pop songs, so I would be pleased to see a track like this on stage in Rotterdam. The revamp made this song even bigger, more polished and stage-ready. I also love the power Eden is giving us in the final minute. This is clearly the best option Israel has to stand out this year. I can’t imagine many songs at Eurovision in Rotterdam with a beat like that.

2. “La La Love”
3. “Set Me Free”

What do you think? Which song should Eden take to Eurovision 2021? Tell us your thoughts below!

Read more Israel Eurovision news here

12 Comments
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Aaaaaaa
Aaaaaaa
3 years ago

The international favorite seems to be Ue La La, but I think it’s too generic, even though it could be a potential winner if chosen. I personally would get rid of that song and simply have one of the other two. Set Me Free is narratively the best, and it fits the Israeli ear the most. It’s catchy and it feels right. It’s very creative in its composition while still fitting into the Eurovision template, and it isn’t monotone or grating. My favorite though is La La Love, it has enough melody and rhythm to catch my ears, and I… Read more »

gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago
Reply to  Aaaaaaa

Ue La La is the least generic of the 3. At least it is catchy. The other two are not memorable at all, although they do fit Eden better.

Pastora Soler
Pastora Soler
3 years ago

Ue la la!!!

The only chance Israel has to qualify

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

It seems that no matter which song gets chosen the public and likely Eden herself will be somewhat disappointed. None of the songs feel like a perfect fit for her, whereas a majority of the songs last year felt like she loved them. It is kinda sad because if you look at the odds from the bookies, last year she was ranked pretty high and now she is like in the bottom 10.

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

The odds try to predict THE winner, not the final ranking of the songs the D-day. So for the odds Eden’s songs seem not able to win but a great result is possible, look at Keino in 2019, out of the top 15 before the shows and great result, look at Albania 2018, Eugent was in the bottom of the bookies’s rankings and he finished 11th, look at Italy 2017 absolute winner for months for the bookies, and they finished out of the top 5, so the bookies can be a good indication for the songs which have the biggest… Read more »

gilpgilpgilp
gilpgilpgilp
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

She wasn’t ranked pretty high last year. Somewhere around 15-20 I think.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
3 years ago

Set Me Free could stand out at juries and have some very sophisticated staging. It seems Israelis like that song the most.

Last edited 3 years ago by Eurovision fan
Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
3 years ago

None… the three songs are really disappointing

DonutLover
DonutLover
3 years ago

The problem here is that none of these songs feel like they were made for Eden. Ethnic beats, which were added, for the most part seem forced and somethimes out of place. Last year they aimed high with Rakata,Feker Libi or Roots and this year it seems like they were out of inspiration. Ue La La would be my pick because it’s different and edgy but it doesn’t fit Eden at all… La La Love is too childish and lyrics are very risky even tho i get it but there are people who are not that optimistic Set Me Free… Read more »

Jake
Jake
3 years ago
Reply to  DonutLover

Shoulders seemed like the perfect fit for her 🙁

DonutLover
DonutLover
3 years ago
Reply to  Jake

Agree!

Grft
Grft
3 years ago

Shoulders!