The ESC United “Expert” Panel is back once again reviewing all Eurovision songs and rank them accordingly.
You are probably asking yourself on how we pick our panel and the criteria. We looked at people from all walks of life to bring together a unique group of panelists with a wide range in taste. They all bring different skills and tastes to the table so who are they?
Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Arie – The Professional Musician
Daniel – The Noob
Katja – The Schlager Queen
Mike – The Smart One
Olivia – The Journalist
You can read more about them HERE
Disclaimer: While we picked, what we perceived individuals with a wide range in taste, it is subjective to a certain degree so just enjoy their thoughts and if you don’t agree, feel free to post your comments below.
Albania made a last minute decision to change the song that won the NF last year and replace it with something specifically composed for the contest. Let’s see if it was worth the effort.
Mike – The Smart One
Albania has a history of very strong women singers in the 2000s. This song has a bit of that tradition but the lead singer only lets her voice out occasionally. For the most part this is a fairly traditional song. However, it is clear that that this is a woman’s song celebrating what women now can and have to do. We’ll see how this is performed on stage and how Albania stages it. This is a good song, if not remarkable. The performance will make or break it. I do like it.
Points: 6/10
Daniel – The Noob
Yes! Yes! Yes! Thanks, Albania! Finally an entry finishes with a grand finale. Most often a finale reveals the marvel of beauty in someone’s voice. Well, it is definitetly the case for Elhaida. She knocks my socks off. She is awesome, her song is awesome, this entry is awesome! She made me fall into euphoria and I think you will recognize while reading my review. I was in disbelief that Iceland will get serious competition but Albania joins my list of favorites. Let’s see how this song clicks in Vienna. I’m dying to know what will happen.
Points: 10/10
Arie – The Professional Musician
You might be alive, but I’m asleep! What really, really drives me nuts is when I hear a song where the lyrics sound like the singer is making them up as they sing. That’s what this is. Syllabic emphasis be damned, it constantly stresses syllables that lead me to believe that the lyricist is A). not fluent in English or B). forcibly translating from Albanian. Either way, the end product is “eh.” Elhaida’s voice is pleasant, though not strongly featured in my opinion. The melody is meandering and forgettable. The best thing I can say about it is that people will have a chance to use the restroom or refresh their drink during semi-finals
Points: 4/10
Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Aww, I really liked “Diell” – a powerful, classy ballad with a great melody. However, Elhaida Dani’s new song isn’t too bad either but certainly a letdown compared to her initial song. The song’s melody is somewhat monotonous and uninteresting to me but it’s certainly well-produced and professional. I’m not too fond of the loud, almost screamy parts towards the end but the quiet parts in the beginning and very end are very pleasant.
Points: 6/10
Katja – The Schlager Queen
Albania was in the middle of a slight controversy this year, when the original winning entry of their annual Festival I Kenges, “Diell” was withdrawn by the composer, due to personal reasons. Instead the singer Elhaida Dani will perform this mid-00s sounding slightly r&b pop ditty. I’m VERY impressed by Elhaida’s vocals in this song, some ad libs are very hard to sing and eventhough the song is slightly annonymus, I think she will elevate it with her vocals and charisma on the night. Borderline qualifier, I think.
Points: 6/10
Olivia – The Journalist
This is a breath of fresh air. Really didn’t expect to enjoy this song so much. The song’s dynamics are tantalising – from the soft, lulling verse, to the candescent chorus. And to mention Elhaida’s vocal range. Those high notes are impressive, and at times enough to break glass. If she manages to hit those, on point, in the live shows, she should storm through to the finals. Strong, potent & different. Why no one is calling his a dark horse, I cannot fathom. Albania’s best entry yet.
Points: 8/10
Overall: 40 Points
Another song that ends up with 40 points. Albania is joining Denmark and Serbia but who wins the tier-breaker? Scroll down to find out
| “Expert” Panel Ranking |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Country | Act | Song | Points |
| 1. | Norway |
Mørland & Debrah Scarlett | A Monster Like Me | 49 |
| 2. | Australia |
Guy Sebastian |
Tonight Again | 47 |
| 3. | Estonia |
Elina Born & Stig Rästa | Goodbye To Yesterday | 44 |
| 4. | Sweden |
Måns Zelmerlöw | Heroes | 43 (9,9) |
| 5. | Hungary |
Boggie | Wars For Nothing | 43 (9,8,8,8) |
| 6. | Germany |
Ann Sophie | Black Smoke | 43 (9,8) |
| 7. | Austria |
The Makemakes | I Am Yours | 43 (8,8) |
| 8. | Italy |
Il Volo | Grande Amore | 41 (10) |
| 9. | Israel |
Nadav Gudej | Golden Boy | 41 (8) |
| 10. | Albania |
Elhaida Dani | I’m Alive | 40 (10,8) |
| 11. | Denmark |
Anti-Social Media | The Way You Are | 40 (10,7) |
| 12. | Serbia |
Bojana Stamenov | Beauty Never Lies | 40 (8,8) |
| 13. | Belgium |
Loïc Nottet |
Rhythm Inside | 38 (10) |
| 14. | Romania |
Voltaj | All Over Again | 38 (8) |
| 15. | Montenegro |
Knez | Adio | 37 |
| 16. | Iceland |
Maria Olafs | Unbroken | 36 (10) |
| 17. | Belarus |
Uzari & Maimuna | Time | 36 (8) |
| 18. | Russia |
Polina Gagarina | A Million Voices | 36 (7) |
| 19. | France | Lisa Angell | N’oubliez pas | 35 (9) |
| 20. | Portugal |
Leonor Andrade | Há um Mar que nos Separa | 35 (7,7) |
| 21. | The Netherlands | Trijntje Oosterhuis | Walk Along | 34 |
| 22. | Ireland |
Anti-Social Media | The Way You Are | 33 (9) |
| 23. | Czech Republic |
Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta |
Hope Never Dies | 33 (7) |
| 24. | Armenia |
Genealogy | Face The Shadows | 32 |
| 25. | Poland |
Monika Kuszyńska | In The Name Of Love | 29 |
| 26. | Moldova |
Eduard Romanyuta | I Want Your Love | 26 |
| 27. | San Marino |
Anita Simoncini & Michele Perniola |
Chain of Lights | 23 |
| 28. | Finland |
PKN | Aina mun pitää | 21 |
Do you think that the panel got this right?!? Share your thoughts below and join the convo on our Forum. See yah soon!