The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021 is set to take place next Sunday 19 December. A total of 19 countries will present their entries for the public and juries, all hoping to be crowned the winner at the end of the show.
But, before we settle down to watch the show, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — has been busy listening to all the competing entries. Now, it’s time for them to reveal who their favourites are.
Our nine jurors hail from Australia, Croatia, France, the United States and the United Kingdom. Below, they’ll each list their top-five songs from Junior Eurovision 2021 and provide a short review of their favourite. Read on to find out who they’re rooting for.
Junior Eurovision 2021: Wiwi Jury Reviews
Diego
1. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count The Smiles”
If the Georgian broadcaster and Niko himself are counting the number of smiles this song causes, then let them count on mine! The song is addictive and interpreted in a way that stays in your head, not only for a few hours but for weeks. Niko’s attitude makes it so special because, even if it is a song by a 10-year-old boy, it makes you travel to a completely different atmosphere. The use of a few small phrases in French gives it that special touch. Combined with the subtle but effective use of a big band sound, the song leads you to imagine Niko in front of the Eiffel Tower on a spring sunset.
2. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
3. North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika – “Green Forces”
4. Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
5. Ireland: Maiú Levi Lawlor – “Saor (Disappear)”
Oliver
1. France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
Enzo is a superstar. This youngster has got charisma by the bucketload and this kitschy dance-pop number is the perfect match for his personality. “Tic Tac” is a burst of energy with all the makings of a TikTok hit, finding a comfortable niche between pure kids-pop rush and campy jazz that would leave any audience besotted. The saxophone riff and choruses are irresistibly catchy, spurring on the urge to dance along with Enzo. Meanwhile, the verse melodies maintain an element of mystery, building momentum throughout and eliminating any inkling of repetitiveness. Translate it to the stage correctly and Team France will be bang on the money. A second consecutive victory could be well within reach.
2. Ukraine: Olena Usenko – “Vazhil”
3. Kazakhstan: Alinur and Beknur – “Ертегі әлемі (Fairy World)”
4. Poland: Sara James – “Somebody”
5. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
Pablo
1. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
There’s a reason why Armenia is considered a powerhouse in Junior Eurovision — “Qami Qami” is a masterpiece no matter the context it’s in. There’s an element of mainstream space-pop meeting a uniquely artistic edge that’s all wrapped up in an appropriate and trendy Gen-Z package. Wide-appealing, but one-of-a-kind; modern, with a hint of traditional; an insane replay factor. “Qami Qami” could be nothing short of revolutionary for the contest. Plus, can we talk about how Maléna can deliver both a ballad like last year and an upbeat number like this year, both in a flawless fashion? I think we will see big things from her in the future.
2. North Macedonia: Dajte Muzika – “Green Forces”
3. France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
4. Ireland: Maiú Levi Lawlor – “Saor (Disappear)”
5. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
Deban
1. Albania: Anna Gjebrea – “Stand By You”
Despite the tough competition, this year’s Albanian entry stands shoulders above the rest. Here’s why. Anna Gjebrea’s DNA is entertainment, and she’s no stranger to televised performances. As a performer she sings, dances and is social media savvy. Collaboratively speaking, the accompanying talent pool here is global! An American songwriter, an Italian choreographer, and a leading Albanian fashion designer are all involved. And then, there’s her song — ethnic teen-pop cradled with a sense of melodic urgency. The visual treatment here is age-appropriate and helps to hone in on the song’s key message — we MUST work hard to disarm perpetrators of violence, coercion and intimidation at every level. The other entries make me dance, but “Stand By You” empowers me.
2. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
3. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
4. Azerbaijan: Sona Azizova – “One Of Those Days”
5. Poland: Sara James – “Somebody”
Josh
1. France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
For three years in a row, France’s entry has been #2 in my rankings (each time, I just felt other songs were more meaningful). This year, though, it’s the message in Enzo’s song that has won me over. The song speaks of how, as adults, we lose the ability to slow down in the same way we did when we were children (which resonates in these pandemic times). The serious message could overwhelm the song, but the jazz-tinged rhythms, plus Enzo’s happiness and charisma (beyond his years) draw you in, get you toe-tapping, and make you smile. France has a future star on its hands. C’est parfait (It’s perfect)!
2. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
3. Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva – “Mon Ami”
4. Ukraine: Olena Usenko – “Vazhil”
5. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
Natalie
1. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
Splitting this top five is one of the hardest tasks I’ve ever done in wiwibloggs reviewing. I was so close to giving it to Poland, then Italy. But I need to give it to Armenia. This is probably the most professional song we’ve ever had in Junior Eurovision. The juicy space-pop beats carry the stunning message of self-discovery and trauma recovery so beautifully. Maléna is such a talented singer who I’m sure we’ll see killing it on the adult stage as well. It’s scintillating and powerful without being remotely male-gazey. This is an empowered fourteen-year-old girl singing a superbly mature song. I love it so much.
2. Poland: Sara James – “Somebody”
3. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
4. Russia: Tanya Mezhentseva – “Mon Ami”
5. Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
Jonathan
1. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
2021 is the year of the Italian renaissance, so it’s practically written in the stars that Italy will come out on top of Junior Eurovision — it’s the only thing they have left to win this year. But superstition aside, Elisabetta would be a rightful champion on her own merit. From the very offset, “Specchio” is a raw and gritty track that Elisabetta delivers with passion — and her vocals hold up against all the guitars in the background. Måneskin’s global domination shows rock music is something that young people connect with, thus it’s about time it had it’s place at Junior Eurovision. Elisabetta will most definitely stand out from the crowd and could bring Italy’s year of triumph to a strong conclusion.
2. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
3. Ireland: Maiú Levi Lawlor – “Saor (Disappear)”
4. Kazakhstan: Alinur and Beknur – “Ертегі әлемі (Fairy World)”
5. Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
Tom
1. France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
My number one is France for a second year in a row. Enzo’s “Tic Tac” is fun, fresh, innocent and quirky. Like its predecessor, “Tic Tac” perfectly balances a fantastic child-friendly song without being overly childish. The dancing is contagious, as is the ear-worm chorus (believe me, that chorus will live in your head for a long time). Junior Eurovision is at the top of its game this year and so many songs can take the crown. But, if Enzo brings that same wonderful energy from the music video and puts it on the stage, France has every chance of being tasked with staging the contest again in 2023. Félicitations France!
2. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
3. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
4. Albania: Anna Gjebrea – “Stand By You”
5. Ukraine: Olena Usenko – “Vazhil”
Mario
1. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
It might not be the sound we’re used to hearing from Armenia at Junior Eurovision, but this is the type of music that Maléna, and most teenagers, listen to in their free time and there’s nothing wrong about it. “Qami Qami” is moody and dark, but at the same time empowering and anthemic, and I love this about music. I’d say it’s got the same polished and mystic quality “Euphoria” had in 2012 – and that certainly is one fine comparison. It’s not just qami qami, it’s a HURRICANE.
2. Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
3. Azerbaijan: Sona Azizova – “One Of Those Days”
4. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
5. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
Junior Eurovision 2021: Wiwi Jury Results
If each Wiwi Juror were to award 12, 10, 8, 7 and 6 points to their favourites, the overall top five would be:
- Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
- Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
- Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
- France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
- Germany: Pauline – “Imagine Us”
What do you make of the reviews of our Wiwi Jury? Do you agree? Who are your favourites ahead of Junior Eurovision 2021? Let us know in the comments below.
Ireland has sent a lot of songs to either Eurovision and Junior Eurovision. “Saor (Disappear)” has to be the best pop-rock anthem there is! What do you guys think of the song?
I really think with a good staging all 19 songs have the chance to win it. Look at Kazakhstan 2019 ….one of the least favourites before the show ….the video was “way too Disney like and cheesy” people said ….and then on stage ….wow. They finished 2nd and maybe would be the winner if the people knew that before they voted for the videos. Everything is possible this year ….and the clear winner for now could finish 2nd or 3rd after the final voting.
I will be sad if Armenia wins the JESC. Qami Qami is a really good song, but it has no JESC spirit at all.
And people who like Qami Qami really need to chill. Everyone has different tastes.
its interesting that the draw determined when the host country performs as well as who opens and closes the show. Maybe this type of draw should also be done in the adult contest.
The opening ceremony is over, and Who open and close the show and where France will perform.
The country that will open the show is Germany (again)
France will perform 13th in the running order
The country that will close the show is Portugal.
The rest of the running order will be determined later
Armenia is good but overrated IMHO. I hope there will be a nice surprising winner.
Italy maybe ^^
Happy to see that i am not the only one who supports IRELAND.
I love how this year’s Junior Eurovision songs are very strong, that it’s hard to even pick a winner this year. For me it’s a tie between Armenia and Ireland, but every song is appealing to listen to. Fighting to all!
Are you from India?
I’m sorry, I don’t know what I said wrong. I’m sorry if I offended anyone. Looking at the user name, I thought maybe this person was from India…
He’s from Indonesia.
Really surprised that Germany averaged out in the top five.
I don’t think it’s bad but, still very surprised you all liked it so much!
My top 5 consists of
1 – Italy
2 – Germany
3 – Ukraine
4 – France
5 – Azerbaijan
Poland, Albania, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands are also songs I like a lot.
I think Armenia is far overhyped and won’t win, if Kazakhstan couldn’t do it in 2018 as the fan fav, I don’t see how Armenia will take the crown this year, and if they do… I’m slightly tempted to say others will deserve it more, but we’ll see what happens.
My Top 5
1. Armenia
2. Poland
3. Spain
4. Georgia
5. North Macedonia
Never really listen to Junior Eurovision songs, but Italy’s entry really caught my attention. What a belter! I would like to see it win.
Why don’t more like Russia? Russia’s song is my second favorite.
So is Spain getting its first position outside the top 4 this year?
NORTH MACEDONIA IA BANGING AND THAT SMALL COUNTRY DESERVED TO WIN!!
I love Armenia as much as you do but… this is a children’s contest
When will the rehearsals start? Tuesday?
I can’t believe we are exactly one week away from Junior Eurovision 2021. It originally felt like it would be forever for the contest to come, but time has sped up, probably because of our focus on the Albanian, Czech and Estonian national finals. I hope it can be playable on Youtube internally like last year (I live in America), but if not, I’ll find an iplayer that is playable in the US. Good luck to everyone. May the best song win!
I don’t understand why you can’t watch it in the US. I can watch it live on YouTube, and I’m from Asia.
Both the junior and adult contests have been geoblocked fairly often in Canada and the US. The adult contests from 2016-2019 are geoblocked on YouTube in Canada (and I assume also in the US) so we can’t watch those on YouTube or any performances from them. I’m not able to access 2017-2019 on YouTube either, so it’s entirely possible it could be blocked again
It would make no sense to let all people worldwide watch the music videos and let them vote for it ….but geo-block the show for people from the US&A and Canada.
1. North Macedonia
2. Italy
3. Spain
Armenia is banging
I assume that word doesn’t mean what it used to mean? 😀
glad to see some have ireland in their top five, i genuinely like their entry in jesc this year and i like the teen rock sound of it as well
same! it’s my 2nd place. it gives me zach hood-pink ferrari vibes
And there is Deban giving all his support to another Albanian entry haha Just joking, it’s a great song.
Deban’s taste is so weird but ofc he would vote for Albania lol
Anyways, Italia France and Ireland are really strong and i hope Ireland does well this year!
Why would Deban vote for Albania?
Sorry, my question was weird. I do like the song, I mean does he particularly prefer Albania to the rest?
Georgian entry is my favorite but I did not expect that it would be liked by others. But what I recently noticed is really surprising, it seems to be very loved by the audience, so Georgia is really a dark horse this year. I also like Italy, see them as a very strong contender, would like to see them winning here, too. Talking about Armenia, sorry, I’m not amazed at all. I see the same story as Malta this year on ESC. Nevertheless, I think it can be televoting winner at least because of the massive armenian voting.
With the possibilities that offer this stage in Paris, ALL 19 ACTS can deliver a winning performance and I really mean ALL, look, everybody is sleeping on Bulgaria, the song is maybe very average but firstly their harmonies in live are fantastic, secondly the bulgarian delegation needs a special big truck to transport their stage settings from Bulgaria to Paris, I mean it must be spectacular, they don’t come to play as all the delegations I guess. Bulgaria is an example but I mean don’t exclude ANYBODY to take the trophy. I feel the staging will be the key more… Read more »
True, but every fan is already claiming Armenia’s already won. It’s super annoying because several underdogs could really surprise, like Ukraine or Kazakhstan
It’s always the same with the eurofans, look at Belarus 2017, Kazakhstan 2018, Belarus 2020, hot favourites overhyped and not winner at the end….we will see.
Ukraine of course could surprise, Kazakhstan too, Serbia and Portugal could bring something really emotional on stage and deliver an heartbreaking performance and got really many points, Serbia makes me emotional listening to it each time for example. Everything is still possible and nothing is done and that’s exciting.
Finally, someone who likes Serbia! I don’t get why it’s so underrated. Its so beautiful!
gosh… ‘without being remotely male-gazey‘ in jesc? OwO
Yeah… What does that mean?
I think Armenia has it, that song is very much like something they would enter the actual ESC with. While it’s good, I do worry that it will set a precedent for JESC. This is after all, a kids singing show. While there is star quality for sure, there’s no way Malena is that naturally gifted and star-esque without serious work and effort, which makes me wonder about the childhood that these people are actually having. JESC can be a great launchpad for European music careers, and building up fan bases and recognition for further participation in the main ESC… Read more »
I get what you mean. Qami qami has that ‘yasss queen’ factor that puts the breath of the whole esc community down your neck, and that obsessive stanning feels somewhat off and weird at jesc.
Exactly! That’s exactly what I’m trying to say
I haven’t heard the full songs yet, but I’ve seen several longer recaps, so I totally get what you mean, and I agree. I think that some ”heavier” subjects are okay for JESC, as long as they are still relatable to a child’s / younger teenager’s experience (for instance, Russia won a few years ago while tackling the heavy subject of domestic violence). That said, Armenia made a video and a chorus more suitable for the adult ESC (and by that, I mean that even a 17-year-old at the adult ESC would feel too young to perform it). Of course,… Read more »
I haven’t heard most of the songs, obviously don’t count on my judgment. But out of the ones that I’ve listened to, I like France, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. I still don’t think it’s fair racing children and picking “winners” and “losers” among them tho.
Georgia could really be a dark horse. I hope so.
As someone who also has Armenia on number one, please just acknowledge that there’s other songs aswell
i doubt it sis… that song screams 7th place, as much as i love it. it’s too good for jesc, as in, it’s polished and tiktok’d to the point it appeals more to teenagers and juries will discard it for something kiddy like that annoying georgia song.
i listened to the album on spotify, my favorite was azerbaijan and my least favorite was germany. i also liked macedonia, armenia and russia.
Some stats: Armenia: 64 pts , Italy: 51 pts , Gerogia: 50 pts , France: 44 pts , Germany: 29 pts , Ukraine : 23 pts , Poland: 23 pts , Ireland: 21 pts , Albania : 19 pts , North Macedonia: 18 pts , Azerbaidjan: 15 pts , Kazakhstan: 15 pts , Russia: 15 pts . 13 countries out of 19 got points. Armenia Italy Georgia appear in 6 tops out of 9 voters. Armenia France got the more of 12 pts, 3 times each others. I agree with about everything that has been said here, except the comparison… Read more »
Alright alright we all know you guys love Armenia, no need to degrade or hurt others. Not fun.
True. Those kind of fans are getting on everyone nerves, especially mine. Because of them I’m losing the interest of voting for Malena.
I don’t think Germany will finish that high , I can see Georgia doing well though
Italy , Armenia and Albania are my favourites as of now. Poland and North Macedonia is good too.
i agree on germany, but i think what penalizes them is the language, it just sounds…grim. they should get a special exemption to be able to sing in english or whatever lol.
They shouldn’t.
you’re just full of awful takes lately aren’t you