The Wiwi Jury reveals their favourites in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021

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:

1. Armenia: Maléna – “Qami Qami”
2. Italy: Elisabetta Lizza – “Specchio (Mirror On The Wall)”
3. Georgia: Niko Kajaia – “Let’s Count the Smiles”
4. France: Enzo – “Tic Tac”
5. 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.