Review of the estonians finalists for Eurovision

Girls in pearls and their song Spellbound is my
fauvorite in the estonian preselection for Eurovision. 

Today I listened to the estonian songs for their preselection for Eurovision. My first impression is that many of the songs seems a bit desperat in their attempt to sound very modern and original. The result is that it is hard to stand out. But their are in fact one or two songs that appeals to me, and which I consider as having a rather good chance in Lisboa in May.



I will give all the songs a personal score from 1-10.  I will also score their chances to do well in Lisboa.

In the first semifinal you can hear and see these nine songs:

Marju Lenik: "Täna otsuseid ei tee"
https://menu.err.ee/649632/kuula-laulu-marju-lanik-olen-suure-vastutuse-ja-koormusega-elus-treenitud
A sort of messy song for me. Maybe there is a kind of tradition or culture in Estonia that I don´t understand. But this songs goes nowhere for me. I simply dont understand it.
My review: 2/10            Will certainly not qualify in Lisboa

Rolf Roosalu: "Show a little love"
https://menu.err.ee/649639/kuula-laulu-rolf-roosalu-enam-ei-ole-et-pean-saama-eurovisioonile-muidu-suren
A kind of retro song that brings my mind to George Michael and Wham. A sort of disco-feeling with brass band and a catchy refrain. Stands out. But will the younger fans vote for this? It depends a lot on Rolfs performance and his ability to stay relaxed and cool, at the same time he´s doing the challenging vocal.
My review: 6/10           Could qualify for final, but propably not a top ten candidate. 

Frankie Animal: "(Can´t keep calling) Misty"
https://menu.err.ee/649648/kuula-laulu-frankie-animal-tahame-eesti-laulu-kinni-panna
I like this song a lot! Some cool vibes in it, and some interesting turns in the melody. It is both comfortable to listen to, and at the same time it´s quite powerful and the rhythm is massive, but not annoying.
My review: 7/10         A likely qualifier for the final, could do well in the final. 

Elis Pärna ja Gerli Padari: "Sky"
https://menu.err.ee/649652/kuula-laulu-eliis-parna-ja-gerli-padari-voistluslaul-sundis-viie-minutiga
The first real ballad. This is not a typical ballad with verse and chorus. The melody is therefor not a very available at the first listening. But the vocal is very crispy and clear. Could be a grower. But, I guess i have to listen to it a few more times.
My review: 5/10         This is not an obvious qualifier. But it could be a grower. Difficult to predict.

Indrek Vintmann: "Tempel"
https://menu.err.ee/649660/kuula-laulu-indrek-ventmann-tombab-eesti-laulul-pidurit
Cool and exoctic atmosphere in this song. But the lack of a clearly melody doesn´t make this a great fauvorite. But after all this is a sort of interesting piece of musik.
My review: 6/10       Will propably not qualify 

Evestus: "Welcome to my world"
https://menu.err.ee/649674/kuula-laulu-evestus-hea-lugu-ei-soltu-zanrist
This song emerges a bit desperat to me; Se how crazy we are! There is no melody here, there is no rhythm that catches me. Maybe I´m just to old and grumpy. So, Evestus, thank you for your invitation to your world, but I have to reject it for this time.
My review: 1/10         This is not a qualifier

Karl Kristjan & Karl Killing (feat.: Wateva): Young
https://menu.err.ee/649685/kuula-laulu-karl-killing-on-eesti-laulu-noorim-ja-pikim-voistleja
I have the feeling that these guys has been inspired by JOWST who participated for Norway in Kyiv. A playfyul song that combines a sort of sing along verse and a modern "remix"-chorus. But the energy is not quite there. But afterall a nice try.
My review: 4/10         Likely not a qualifier

Metsakutsu: Koplifornia
https://menu.err.ee/649693/kuula-laulu-metsakutsu-toestab-et-koplist-californiani-on-uks-samm
Maybe I´m too conventional for this estonian hip hop. Or I´m far too old. I don`t find any qualities in this. But some people does obviously like it, if not it wouldn`t be in the semifinal. But I, I don`t get it.
My review: 2/10         This is not a qualifier

Girls in pearls: Spellbound
https://menu.err.ee/649701/kuula-laulu-girls-in-pearlsi-kaksikutest-soliste-ajab-segamini-ka-nende-ema
For me, this is by far the best song in this first semifinal. This very slow, sferic but modern song is just down in my alley. My only concern is how this will work out live. Many people find these kind of songs a bit boring. But I like to listen to it when I want to relax.
My review: 8/10         Likely a qualifier

Nika: Knock Knock
https://menu.err.ee/649451/kuula-laulu-nika-sattus-lennujaama-turvakontrollist-eesti-laulu-poolfinalistiks
This is a sort of sticky song. It develops during the three minutes in different directions. But I kinda like it. Even if it turns out a little bitt messy and tame. There´s a kind of lack of energy in it.
My review: 6/10         Likely a qualifier


Here are the songs from the second semifinal: 

Vajé: Laura (Walk with me)
https://menu.err.ee/648917/kuula-laulu-vaj-tugevuseks-on-eesti-armeenia-kooslus
This song stands out for sure.This is a kind of easy-listening elctro-counry with some nice guitarsonds as well. It reminds a bit of songs that Avicii could have released. I like it quite good.
My review: 7/10        Could be a qualifier. 

Liris & Agoh: Drop that boogie
https://menu.err.ee/648933/kuula-laulu-iiris-ja-agoh-purgivad-koos-eesti-laulule-juba-teist-korda
For me this song also lack that energy I`m looking for. It´s not boring, but leaves me empty. Sorry
My review: 5/10        Propably not a qualifier

Etnopasty: Külm
https://menu.err.ee/648934/kuula-laulu-etnopatsy-tuli-kokku-eesti-laul-2017-voistlusel
What a relief! A song with acoustic instruments and a sticky chorus. I´m not sure if this is able to qualifie, but in the estonian preselection this will stand out. Maybe it will collect a huge amount of voices especially from the older part of the voters.
My review: 7/10       Propably a qualifier

Sibyl Vane : "Thousand words"
https://menu.err.ee/649478/kuula-laulu-sibyl-vane-lubas-sopradele-et-saadab-oma-loo-eesti-laulule
The closest to a rock song we get in the estonian preselection, so far. Helens voice suits the song very well. Her kind of weird vibrato puts a personality in the performance. But after all this is i little bit to anonymous melody to do very well.
My review: 5/10     Likely not a qualifier

Aden Ray: Everybody´s dressed
https://menu.err.ee/648935/kuula-laulu-aden-ray-rohkema-rahaga-oleksin-maailmakuulus
This could have been so good. But to me this is very overproduced. That said, behind this wall of strange sounds there is a cool song and a cool voice.
My review: 6/10     Could be a qualifier if the simplifies it a bit

Tiiu Okym & Semy: "Näita oma energiat"
https://menu.err.ee/648950/kuula-laulu-tiiu-okym-ja-semy-tahavad-inimesi-energiaga-nakatada
At least theres a lot of energy in this. In fact so much that it leaves me exhausted. I don´t like it all. But, to be honest. This is propably more suited for the younger people.
My review: 2/10      Likely not a qualifier

Stig Rästa: Home
https://menu.err.ee/649427/kuula-laulu-stig-rasta-ariliselt-on-eesti-laul-kasulik-raha-tiksub-juba-aastaid
A straight forward song that could appeal to both the younger and the elder. A pure pop-song that is okey and pleasent to listen to. Theres is also a decent melody here, and a chorus that sticks to my mind.
My review: 8/10     Likely a qualifier

Miljardid: Pseudoproblem
https://menu.err.ee/648966/kuula-laulu-miljardid-naitavad-kuidas-pseudoprobleemid-laval-mangivad
Another kind of rock song. A little punk, a little indie. I don´t understand this. That is my biggest concern. It doesn´t bring up any emotions. Boring.
My review: 3/10       Likely not a qualifier

Desiree: On my mind
https://menu.err.ee/649694/kuula-laulu-desiree-tahab-noori-inspireerida
Another song where the vocal is packed in much echo-effect. Too much in my opinion. The song is also just middle of the road.
My review: 5/10       Likely not a qualifier

Elina Nechayeva: La forza
https://menu.err.ee/649433/kuula-laulu-elina-nechayeva-armsa-naeratuse-ja-malbe-oleku-taga-peitub-ka-midagi-muud
For sure, this is one of the songs that will fight in the top in the estonian preselection. It has a kind of dramatic to it that makes it impossible to neglect. But, opera is risky business in Eurovision. Many people loves it, or hates it. And I´m fraid that this song is not beautiful enough to do well in Lisboa. But this is a kind of song, and performance that makes people think: This is the winner! Beacause it stands out. But for me this is a great voice in a medioce song.
My review: 6/10        Likely a qualifier

I have only heard this songs once. And my first impression is that Girls in Pearls and their Spellbound will be the best pick for Estonia this year. But, unfortunately I`m quite sure that we are not going til Estonia for Eurovision next year. There are no Eurovision-winners among theses songs.