Albina Croatia Eurovision 2021 Tick Tock

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 39 competing songs in Eurovision 2021. Next we turn to Croatia, where Albina has “Tick-Tock”. Did we feel her rhythm? Read on to find out!

Albina with “Tick-Tock”

“Tick-Tock” reviews

Antranig: I don’t think “Tick-Tock” is the type of song you hear and immediately fall in love with. I thought it was enjoyable when I first heard it but as all the songs started coming through, I was surprised to find Albina steadily remaining among my favourites. The chorus is unassuming and subtle but it definitely packs a punch when you throw in the slick choreography. Throw in a little bit of Croatian at the end and you have yourself a fantastic Eurovision entry. Easily the most complete package Croatia has sent to Eurovision in recent memory.

Score: 8.5

Jonathan: Call your song “Tick-Tock” if it’s a bop. Albina takes Croatia in a vastly different direction to what we normally expect from the country, but she also brings them their best chance at climbing the scoreboard in a while as a result. Although the first part of the song feels ever so slightly underproduced, once those deep thumping horns come in, much is forgiven. Add in a language change at the bridge to spice things up further, as well as a performance from Dora that is almost ready to go, and it’s only a matter of the tick-tocking clock before Albina starts racking up the points in the grand final.

Score: 8

Jordi: The beginning of Tick-Tock sets up that something big is coming up. And Albina is not wrong. Disco beats and high-powered rhythms with horns included drop next. Despite how much I want to like this song, my hook disappears as the song progresses. The construction of the song is often repeated as it flows and feels like dancing to a never-ending loop. I love it at the beginning, but if don’t stop, I will get tired. This is not a bad song and I am certain it will grow on stage. As for now, it’s on my dancing playlist.

Score: 6

Sebastian: Well, this is a very pleasant surprise! In a region that specialises in sticking in its lane re traditional ballads, its great to hear new sound emanating from the region. Albina’s definitely earned her place at Eurovision this year with a solid pop song, strongly performed and staged already at the national final. Where the song could fall, is whether people look past its seemingly simple-pop façade.

Score: 8

Tom: In a year with many upbeat songs, I think “Tick Tock” will get lost among them all. The verses promise a big chorus but it never really goes anywhere. Even in the latter part of the song where one might expect a big finish, it never materialises. Though I do not doubt Albina’s quality and really enjoy the brass elements in the chorus, “Tick-Tock” regretfully doesn’t do very much for me. It’s also in the tough first semi-final so I would be impressed if this makes Saturday night.

Score: 5

Albina – “Tick-Tock” rankings

In the Wiwi Jury we have 24 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Calvin: 5

Deban: 6

Diego: 7

Erdi: 8

Esma: 6.5

Josh: 8

Julian: 6

KristĂ­n: 6.5

Lauren: 5.5

Lucy: 9

Luis: 7

Natalie: 7.5

Oliver: 4

Pablo: 7.5

Renske: 7.5

Robyn: 7

Ron: 7

Tobias: 4.5

William: 6.5

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 9.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.75/10

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

See all our Eurovision 2021 reviews and rankings

60 Comments
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Sarah
Sarah
2 years ago

If I’m being honest, this is one of my favorite entries Croatia has done in a while. I’m pretty sick of the formula they used to use all the time, and I’m so happy we have something new! Hoping that Croatia qualifies.

Lujxk
Lujxk
2 years ago

This is a simple TRASH. Still can’t handle the “hype” its literally one of Croatia’s baddest entries ever.

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Lujxk

Why is it trash it is a good produced pop song are you the little brother of Salvador Sobral?

Sapphire
Sapphire
2 years ago
Reply to  Roodi

I could compose a song in two minutes and it would sound more in-depth than this. This song is so basic and uninspired. The fact Croatia had nothing better to send is a sad one

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
2 years ago
Reply to  Sapphire

So good to know that you are not just music critic but composor too.
Wow.
Basic doesn’t need to be bad, and it might be uninspired to you – still its not polite to said its trash.
It tells more about you than about Croatia either artist that represented the country.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago
Reply to  Sapphire

Yeah and when Croatia one year earlier served QUALITY, everyone had it in it’s bottom 5

HĂŠctor
HĂŠctor
2 years ago

Another generic uptempo song that gets overhyped to end up in a flop. I see nothing special or interesting here. It is kind of enjoyable but just that. Her live isn’t amazing but is consistent so I hope she has work on her sustained notes. Given the fact that Croatia is in the 1st SF I think they will struggle to qualify against all the favs and will be, at best, a borderline qualifier. The staging might help because her performance in Dora was better than expected. 4.5/10 Croatia falls down to my bottom 5: 6. Spain (7.5) 7. Finland… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by HĂŠctor
Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
2 years ago
Reply to  HĂŠctor

Another person who finds Croatia’s song generic, but still have Cyprus higher on the list.
You dont need to comment and finding yourself in stupid position. Its ok that you dont like the song. There are 38 other songs you can vote for.

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
2 years ago

She is amazing and Croatia deserved Top 10 results in the final. She is fresh, cool, great vocal.. love it! 9,5/10

Steven
Steven
2 years ago

She is a beautiful lady with a really decent song. I found the staging at Dora surprisingly good, which only indicates how seriously she takes the competition. With Dietmann as the choreographer, she will definitely elevate the song to another level.
I think that Cyprus can learn a lot from this entry. 😉

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Steven

Cyprus is also taking it seriously

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

I agree with Tibor (in the comments below). This song has a natural flow that is a lot of fun all round. And, to my great surprise, when reducing the music to piano only, all of the chords are rich with added sevenths and fourths. So there is added detail in this song that makes it work well. Personally I really like it, and I think it deserves more love than it is getting.

Alo
Alo
2 years ago

It’s a fun and nice song, but doesn’t represent something we haven’t seen before.
I feel like in another year it would have been more successful, but in this year it will be hard to compete against all the bops of semi 1.
The strong point here in my opinion is the performance of Albina which was quite strong in Dora.

Zztop
Zztop
2 years ago
Reply to  Alo

We’ve seen it all… other bops are equally unoriginal

Alo
Alo
2 years ago
Reply to  Zztop

I agree with you 100%. It’s time to give the more original and “risky” songs their moment. I really hope that this year the juries won’t go only for the mainstream stuff.

Last edited 2 years ago by Alo
Mr X
Mr X
2 years ago

Croatia 1,5/10

Shelly
Shelly
2 years ago

Personally, I think this is one of the better bops this year. It’s catchy, the instrumentation is really nice and I really like the Croatian part. My only criticism with this song and it applies to any song which contains similar wording is the “Oh no” “Don’t go” sections. It sounds a bit lazy and I would’ve preferred if it was changed. Other examples in other songs this year would be the older version of Israel’s song with “oh oh oh”, malta’s song “nuh-uh-uh-uh” and last years Irish song “na na na na na”. However, I do think this song… Read more »

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

CROATIA – Soothing and sultry, this low-key club banger has an interesting composition, and it’s further elevated by Albina’s great vocals and stage presence. The song is more about creating a vibe than it is about having a big moment. Thus, its hook is also more subtle than dance songs usually have. Yet, it is present, and makes you move. The Croatian part in the bridge adds spice just at the right time. The lyrics are about a woman who uses her charm to turn tables on her toxic partner. It’s a bit complex, so the act needs to find… Read more »

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
2 years ago

“Tick-tock, vrijeme curi…” is the lyric I find myself humming practically every day. It’s quite ingenious – I love how in that moment every other instrument goes silent and all we hear is the beat, immaculately imitating the ticking of a clock. It’s one of the scarce instances of sound mimesis appearing in a Eurovision song, and a beautiful one at that. The way it plays along with Albina’s almost whispered vocals and underlines the crucial theme of “Tick-Tock” – that is, the passing of time – is just jaw-dropping. Well, let’s talk about the theme then. The rhythm of… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Skiwalko
Ivar
Ivar
2 years ago

This song is not among my qualifiers from semifinal 1, but I won´t be surprised if it just manages to squeeze through. An ordinary pop song, not good, not bad. 4/10

pooky1001
pooky1001
2 years ago

If this song qualifies i feel it will sneak in in the 10th position with only a tiny difference in score to whoever finishes in 11th. Its going to need some work to make it stand out in this semi. I would give it 4.5/10.

Sot
Sot
2 years ago

Wiwi Juries’ current TOP 17 Cyprus (7.45) Finland (7.34) Ukraine (7.32) Russia (7.18) Sweden (7.14) Croatia (6.75) Azerbaijan (6.57) Israel (6.45) Latvia (6.34) Belgium (6.16) (=) Czech Republic (6.16) Serbia (6.09) Albania (5.89) (=) Norway (5.89) Spain (5.34) Germany (5.14) Estonia (5.07) My personal TOP 17 Ukraine (My 7th) Belgium (My 10th) Finland (My 11th) Estonia (My 12th) Russia (My 13th) Serbia (My 14th) Cyprus (My 17th) Czech Republic (My 18th) Albania (My 25th) Azerbaijan (My 26th) Israel (My 27th) Croatia (My 29th) Sweden (My 31st) Germany (My 34th) Latvia (My 35th) Spain (My 37th) Norway (My 39th) Opinion on… Read more »

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
2 years ago
Reply to  Sot

On you list Cyprus is in 7th position and you are talking about unoriginal Croatian entry. If it is not hilarious it will be sad.

Hope that you respect my opinion, too. But suggest you to leave your comments under the article on artist you prefer as here it doesnt no sense what you talking about.

Emily
Emily
2 years ago

17) Croatia –

When I first heard this song, I wasn’t 100% on board with it. I still think that the “oh noooo”/”don’t goooo” parts are out of place, but I have grown to appreciate it a little more. The verses are pretty reminiscent of some 2000s pop songs I’ve heard as a kid which I like. As for any prediction of ranking, it could very well qualify but I don’t think it’ll be in contention to win. 7/10

Last edited 2 years ago by Emily
Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago

I vaguely agree until you said ‘she hits her notes’…….each time she does the ‘breaking free from YOU’ or the ‘oh no, oh no, oh NO!’ she is either sharp or flat. there hasn’t been a single time that I can remember where she has been consistently on the note she needs to be on for that section.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Weirdly, I think I can agree with both of you. I believe Albina hits her notes, but they don’t sound as pleasant as they could (or should, if we think of not alienating voters). It’s one of the things I think could be improved with a quick re-visit to the recording room.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago

31st: Croatia. I can respect that there are good things here. While I won’t necessarily forgive Croatia for not picking Rijeka and getting a certain top 10, that’s isn’t the main reason why Tick-Tock is so low for me. To me, it feels so….plastic. And slightly off. From Albina’s vocals, which get VERY screamy without a lot of vocal control at moments, to the beat, which is all over the place especially in the introduction, Tick-Tock is just…not great. I find the chorus to be repetitive and annoying in English (I like it in Croatian), and the bridge with Albina… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Ashton Schier
Euterpa
Euterpa
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Nina was also imperfect with her vocal delivery and despite her claim – there was nothing particulary Croatian in that song (belive me, I’m Croatian. She promised people something very Croatian, we didn’t get it, people were disappointed, and the result reflects that). Bernarda missed one part badly as well, and Mia looked quite insecure on that stage. So why is it that you think Albina’s mistakes were worse than any of these mistakes!?

Last edited 2 years ago by Euterpa
Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
2 years ago
Reply to  Euterpa

why can I not just have my opinion, euterpa?

Euterpa
Euterpa
2 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I didn’t say you can’t have an opinion, I just asked why you think so. We can’t have an argumentation for an opinion?

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

Someone finally said it. The constant ‘Oh no, oh no, oh no’s is the most annoying hook I heard all year. Odds place this at 10th for the semi, but I expect Israel to make the final instead. What Croatia intends to go for with Albina, several other countries do better.

Shelly
Shelly
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

I mean I agree, I don’t like the “oh no” and “don’t go” but the beat of the chorus is really catchy and a lot of first time listeners seem to really like that. Tbh I think and hope both Israel and Croatia qualify.

Aeria
Aeria
2 years ago

The bookmakers think Croatia has a 66% chance at making the final. I think it will be much lower. Albina’s live vocals are weak, to a point where she had to resort to lip-syncing, and both the song and staging at Dora had no unique inputs at all. The only thing Croatia has going for them this year, is to show Europe “Hey, we Croatians can also do pop!” For me though, this is lifeless and boring. I don’t see the hype.

Roodi
Roodi
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Her vocals were good in Dora

Euterpa
Euterpa
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Check out this performance and think again. https://youtu.be/RJLo1zIYobM

And…Croatia does pop all the time. We love pop. And we can be very very good at it. It’s just because that Europe seems to really want us to send Balkan ballads that we’ve been trying to send them. And it’s just that we haven’t been sending our best pop to Eurovision lately. Stop judging the whole music industry of one country based on 10 songs they sent to Eurovision. #OpenUp

Last edited 2 years ago by Euterpa
Lujxk
Lujxk
2 years ago
Reply to  Aeria

Totally agree with you!

Zztop
Zztop
2 years ago

Very cool song… simple; yet powerful sound arrangement …i do think this type of effectiveness is hard to achieve so i do admire producers who created such a strong entry….

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

You like it more than me, but it seems we were paying attention to the same things. Maybe there was a lack of buget, but it feels like this was just one resourceful person in the recording studio away of becoming very competitive. Imagine the wonders Benny’s bass line or Dadi’s synthesizers could do for it.

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

If it’s the who we were discussing the other day, I think both tracks are equally entertaining and I rated both the same way. But this one has space to grow, while the other hardly will. Those 2 and the diabolic who would fight for my last qualifier spot in their semi.

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

I can see Croatia in the finals for sure, but in the they will be so underrated, I suspect to see them finish in the bottom 6, together with countries like Spain, Netherlands, maybe Germany and some few more countries

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

It’s always a good sign when you read the title of a pop song and the chorus immediately starts playing in your head. As we witnessed in Dora, it can bring fun to the stage and there’s still a lot of room to improve aesthetics and choreography. Singing and moving at the same time isn’t a problem to Albina, so controlling the high notes will be her challenge. What concerns me is how the production of the track is not at the same level of its competitors in the same lane, which may hurt its chances with the juries. 6.5/10

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago

Albina is a great performer actually. The problem is only in the song. “Tick Tock” is actually a song like 100 more cheesy pop songs, I would imagine this to be a hit of Rita Ora, Ava Max or any other famous artist in the US, but it lacks originality. The most original element of this song is the only one chorus sang in Croatian (which is so cool by the way). I give this a 7/10, cause even if this doesn’t scream “Croatian Song”, I would still have it on my dance playlists

notyourtoy
notyourtoy
2 years ago
Reply to  notyourtoy

By the way, I give to those hot dancers 100/10 and I’m glad that they will be in Rotterdam to join Albina

Sapphire
Sapphire
2 years ago

For me the song is lifeless. You hear this kinda stuff everywhere else. People highly overestimate it, and I doubt this will make the final. 3/10 for me

Hector
Hector
2 years ago

I find myself liking this song a lot more than what I expected. The chorus is such an earworm that gets stuck in your head, and Albina certainly delivers on stage! Out of the “diva songs” (for the lack of a better term) in this semifinal, I find Tick Tock ahead of Mata Hari and El Diablo, and up there with Je me Casse. I really hope she gets through the bloodbath, best of luck!

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

20. Croatia: It’s a song I would normally dislike but it really got stuck in my head for some time and I can recognise it is catchy as hell. Nevertheless this doesn’t change the fact that it is an average pop song and a repetitive one indeed. I don’t mind it but I wouldn’t vote for it either. It is a borderline qualifier as of now and its qualification chances are 50-50 for me.

Whoareyou?
Whoareyou?
2 years ago

Definitely the most boring of the dance pop songs. It does not go anywhere, there is too much screaming, it’s flat…Really can’t see what people like in this.

Grft
Grft
2 years ago

Did it really get a better score than Belgium… bye

Darren
2 years ago

Not a bad song, probably the strongest Croatian entry if recent years and I commend them for that. Probably going to be downvoted now though for saying that I just don’t feel it stands out in the class if 2021. It doesn’t feel competitive enough in comparison to other songs this year. I suspect it will qualify, but I don’t think it will do as well in the final. But it is nice to see Croatia start to make an effort after some very naff entries of recent years. Good luck Croatia.
6/10

Zztop
Zztop
2 years ago

Score suggests that this song is actually better than Azerbaijan or Israel…

Zztop
Zztop
2 years ago
Reply to  Zztop

Read the article above comment section

Shelly
Shelly
2 years ago
Reply to  Zztop

I actually think Azerbaijan is not as good as Croatia, Azerbaijan has a somewhat empty beat in the chorus whereas Croatia has a catchy, full beat for the chorus. I think also the last section of the Azerbaijani song where it speeds up doesn’t sound good whereas Croatia adds variation in the form of Croatian. I think atm Israel and Croatia could be on par with each other, they have a similar vibe. I personally prefer Tick Tock but I still like the revamped version of set me free. I am aware that Azerbaijan has language variations in the song… Read more »

Anita
Anita
2 years ago

This is quite refreshing and fun. There could have been a little more variation but the core ideas work for me and she is a really good singer. I hope this will get through!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

the song is completely 2017’d but i can see why the gays are stanning, especially the balkan gays, considering the main pop girl power albina exudes and the visuals she delivers

Ende
Ende
2 years ago

When you have nothing positive to say about a song, you should remain silent, therefore here my comment stops.

Patrick
Patrick
2 years ago
Reply to  Ende

And still you had to comment to make your opinion known!

Ende
Ende
2 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

Did I do an “apophasis” ? My bad, this was not on purpose 😛

Last edited 2 years ago by Ende
Donkey
Donkey
2 years ago

The biggest grower this year for me. I’m not surprised with the score but I wish it got at least a 7.

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

37. Croatia – Albina – Tick-Tock 3.5/10 – perhaps the most frustrating song in this year’s contest. There are elements of promise but just too many irritating faux-pas’. “Play zones” remind me of sex dungeons and this is too safe a song for that sort of vibe. And the “oh no, oh no, oh no” is grating and doesn’t fit with the grittier, lower register parts of the chorus. Albina also has an oddly nasal vocal delivery. I also absolutely hate that it tries to ride on the coat-tails of the teeny-bopper TikTok trend. And then there is the gratuitous… Read more »

Kristian
Kristian
2 years ago

When Tick-tock got selected , it was the only True pop song selected and it was my number 1 out of 6. However , with better songs of the same genre released my liking of the song has greatly diminished . Also , the Croatian hijacking of polls didn’t help. The song is good. The verse in Croatian is a welcome addition. It just doesn’t appeal to me as much as the other songs in the same genre. It’s in direct competition with Malta , Ireland , Australia , Israel, Cyprus and Azerbaijan for votes and currently despite the odds… Read more »