Eesti Laul – With Two More Quarters Done, What Remarkable Songs Did Come?

Can you believe Eesti Laul has had three quarter-finals already? Me neither! But there sure is a lot of great songs to react to!

If you want to read my reaction to quarter-final one, it is linked here. Otherwise, let’s dive right into my thoughts on the second and third quarter-finals of Eesti Laul! As always though these are just my views and sharing your own with me on social media or in the comments will add immensely to the discussion.

But that’s enough waffle! Let’s talk about the songs:

Wiiralt – Kuradile

This is yet another rock song (the theme of national selections this year it seems) but with a very distinctive vocal. Saying that, I can’t say the vocal is to my taste at all. The song is also extremely repetitive. Often this isn’t a bad thing but here I feel like it is going beyond making the song catchy and more just drawing out the song for the sake of it. The melody itself though flows well and overall the song should stand out.

Desiree – Siiani

Time for the song 2 ballad, I’m guessing this is a producer made running order. The verses and build up in this song are everything I’m looking for in a ballad and convey a lot of emotion. I guess the chorus then aims to release this emotion in the chorus but it is a tad screamy for my liking. I think this song would have been better if they saved those big notes in the chorus for a final chorus and started off with a more toned down (even sing-a-long) chorus.

Silver Jusilo – Elu Rüpes

Well this sounds sweet and is certainly very pleasant to have on but is this a song for a competition. Beyond the parts where he sings ‘Elu Rüpes’ I struggle to remember any of the melody. So whilst this song is lovely, it screams album track over single to me and that worries me for its chances in Eesti let alone Eurovision. I wouldn’t skip it but I certainly wouldn’t vote for it.

Kaia-Liisa Kesler – Vaikus

A very classy sounding song, I can see this performance totally appealing to Europe’s juries. The song builds beautifully from a simple piano ballad with more stripped back vocals to a more choral arrangement. The song being in Estonian only adds to its charm and potential jury appeal.

Helen – Vaata Minu Poole

In contrast to the past few songs, Helen now has us grooving the night away. With a nice punchy beat, this song certainly wouldn’t be out of place in any club across Europe. The song has an infectious energy that really draws you in, though maybe it could have a little more wow factor to keep the listener engaged throughout? But truth being told it got me vibing so I’m not complaining.

Jyrise – Plaksuta

All I have to say about this one is I need to see it live! Estonian rap would be such a massive risk (and not necessarily a bad one) but this type of song would live or die based on whether they could translate it to stage. I can see potential in it though, surprisingly.

An-Marlen – Lõpuks Muutub

This song sounds modern and fresh, which is always a useful thing for Eurovision. To me this could be a double-edged sword though, as the production whilst modern takes over a lot in the chorus and makes it slightly harder for me to engage with. Still a great little number though and I did enjoy it.

Andrei Zevakin ft. Grete Paia – Mis Nüüd Saab

Nice tropical vibes bring this track to life. It’s definitely got a groove and this kind of music always has an appeal. For me the thing holding this song back is that the duo’s voices don’t totally blend for me and I enjoy their solo parts so much more. The song itself though is probably one of the better ones of the night.

Meisterjaan – Vahel lihtsalt

I have no idea what he is singing about or frankly what is going on. But that’s good right if this is a novelty song? I’m extremely confused but it kept my attention throughout at least.

Triin Niitoja & Frants Tikerpuu – Laululind

Whilst maybe a bit screamy (yet again) for my liking, this song does have a really calming vibe to it. The harmonies are a real plus in my book and the song just works. It’s not screaming to me as a song which is going to be someone’s run-away winner but surely this should have enough love to advance further in Eesti?

So what’s my ranking?

Well after my first listen, when it is all still raw in my head I would probably go for this:

1. Vaikus

2. Lõpuks Muutub

3. Vaata Minu Poole

4. Laululind

5. Mis Nüüd Saab

6. Siiani

7. Elu Rüpes

8. Plaksuta

9. Kuradile

10. Vahel lihtsalt

So which five songs did the Estonian public (and juries) see advance to the next round? These were:

• Laululind
• Vaata Minu Poole
• Mis Nüüd Saab
• Plaksuta
• Vaikus

Interestingly enough we only disagreed on one qualifier (though sadly my runner-up). But that’s only one semi down! Let’s take a look at the third quarter-final:

Stefan – Hope

Country and Western is nine times out of ten really not my thing. Unfortunately this is no exception to that general rule of thumb for me. Putting my own personal biases to one side though, the song is distinctive and could be a real crowd pleaser. I can see people chanting along with this song and that could end up a real moment. It’s certainly not a bad song, just nothing I would ever choose to listen to.

 deLULU – Music Saved My Soul

No we aren’t in 1969 this is deLULU, but is this a track worthy of winning Eurovision? Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves, all it has to do is get to the next round at this stage. That would be pretty deserving in my opinion as the song definitely creates a calm atmosphere that would be perfect for winding down after a party. My biggest critique comes simply from the structure of the verses feeling a tad messy and hard to follow.

Goodreason – Three Days Ago

Oooh that vocal! The lead singer of this group has a very rich voice that adds a lot of character to this track. That really is the stand out with this song for me because whilst the song is nice, it isn’t doing anything special. The biggest drawback on the other hand is the almost competing backing vocals, which just don’t feel necessary and distract a lot from the song. Maybe that is deliberate and necessary because the song is pretty simplistic in nature. I’d like to see this group perform a different song because it could be something special and this just isn’t quite it for me.

Elina Nechayeva – Remedy

She is back, Estonia’s popera queen of 2018 is trying Eesti Laul again! With all her previous success to follow my expectations were high and I can’t say they weren’t met but I can’t say I’m completely blown away either. The song is a lot more pop this time around but in the best sense for Elina. It’s dark, moody nature definitely is captivating enough to do well. As for the opera elements, well they are confined to smaller sections where she can show off her vocal capabilities. This can mean they felt a little sporadic to me but it does help give the song that unsettling vibe it needs and obviously will be a tick in a box for many jurors.

Lauri Pihlap – Take Me Home

Hoping not to be sent home just yet is Lauri Pihlap, although you might not gather that from the title. The song has a groovy rhythm but lyrically I do feel like this song should be ‘left behind’. Singing ‘please take me home’ four times and calling it a chorus grows grating rather fast. This is a pity but the song just doesn’t feel finished to me as a result.

Levvis – Let’s Talk About

That title, ‘Let’s talk about’… what? I shouldn’t have asked haha! It’s nice to have such an experimental song in the line-up, the high energy rhythms and highly artificial sounding instrumentation just work with this song. Throw in the semi-spoken seductive vocal and you create a very intimate feel of almost a whisper over a heart-beat. Of course this track would also be epic on the dancefloor. Saying that it is clearly a love it or hate it song and a massive risk for Eurovision.

Merilin Mälk – Little Girl

Piano ballads are always appreciated here! But is this one any good? Well the chorus definitely! You can hear the emotion in her voice and get invested in that chorus. It should simply be jury bait. Saying that the verses are what holds this song back, I can forgive the cheesy rhyming scheme but the melody just feels a tad boring and besides its drowned out from the instrumentation being too loud. But the chorus slaps, hard!

Anna Sahlene – Champion

The build in this song from the get go is captivating. The chorus on the other hand is a bit safe and cliché. But it should be quite the moment on stage. It’s always a great sign when my mind is buzzing with lots of different ways this could be sold live and this just sounds ready for Eurovision. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, over the past decade but it does what it does well.

Alabama Watchdog – Move On

One of last year’s most controversial groups is back and whilst I don’t really remember the previous Eesti Laul entry I don’t remember it being as rock influenced as this? As a rock song this is fine, I guess, the chorus certainly has enough going on to be memorable. Where my issue comes in with this song is the synthpop elements just don’t gel very well at all. I didn’t think I was getting that old at only 21, but that loud repetitive keyboard into a not so heavy rock song is just annoying and random? To its credit it stops it from being just another of the endless churn of safe rock songs in delegations’ shortlists this year but it just doesn’t work in my opinion.

Shira – Under Water

Another recognisable name from previous Eesti Laul’s (and my winner of that edition too for that matter). Shira’s voice is just everything and adding some jazz elements into this song was an inspired choice. A perfect match for her voice and we all know the jury has a soft spot for jazz. This will be going on my playlists… Enough said.

And it is ranking time again!

1. Under Water

2. Remedy

3. Little Girl

4. Champion

5. Let’s Talk About

6. Music Saved My Soul

7. Three Days Ago

8. Hope

9. Move On

10. Take Me Home

Ultimately, Estonia decided that the following should advance:

• Hope
• Remedy
• Champion
• Move On
• Little Girl

 Oucha! Well you will be on my playlist anyway Shira… Hopefully your favourite did make it through though?

Want to join in the discussion on either show? Please comment, share, e-mail in…. whatever? Eurovision is a community sport and I’m glad to have you all hear to share the music with!