Re: LATVIA 2018
I haven't been following this NF, but I thought i'd listen to the songs seeing as it's the final tonight.
Laura Rizzotto - Funny Girl I appreciate certain aspects of this but the whole thing comes off as a bit hollow, despite it's different vibe. I think I don't like her voice. Too one track and shrill. I'm really not connecting with this. I don't feel the urge to listen to it more.
Sudden Lights - Just Fine I'm a weird one with accents and bad English. Sometimes it can be song enhancing, other times I want to dive out of my window. With "Just Fine" the accent and awful pronunciation makes it a terribly hard listen for me. I think the composition is actually rather lovely but i'm struggling here. It should be in Latvian.
RITVARS - Who's Counting? Interesting composition. This is giving me Leonard Cohen vibes. I'm surprised to hear something like this in the selection, and learn furthermore that it managed to advance to the final. I think I like it.
Liene Greifāne - Walk The Talk What da fudge even is this!? My lord it's unreal. Those beats, those synths, that fashion, those dance moves. This is the stuff of legends. Work it. Please win.
Lauris Valters - Lovers Bliss Another shocking song here. I can't work out if i'm perturbed or deep down enjoying it. Edging more towards the first.
Edgars Kreilis - Younger Days Not bad. I like the beat and synths. This is nothing special though and it feels kind of throwaway.
Markus Riva - This Time Ah good ol' Markus Riva. This is probably the worst song of the bunch. It's basic and he sings it poorly. Furthermore it sounds like he's battling the English language throughout the entirety of the performance. Avoid this one.
MADARA - Esamība The only song i've heard prior to this day (thanks to one million "listen to this" spams from several people
), and I saved it until last to listen to again. I still dislike the staging and styling, though if this look is her thing then of course keep it cause i'm not here to change anyone. I'm softening on the song though. There's something in it's melody that's quite exuberant and hopeful. It's a lingering piece as well that stays with you long after you've listened to it. I appreciate what it's doing and bringing to us. I really don't understand why i'm being so stony and hard to reach this year. But i've decided Madara is someone i'd welcome very much seeing at Eurovision.
You won't give me "Walk The Talk" but that's ok. You've got "Esamība" there and it feels like very much the right choice to make. Good luck for tonight.