The 2015 “Expert” Panel – HUNGARY

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.

Hungary has been on a roll these past few years but the question is, can they continue the streak? Boggie sure hopes so, let’s find out what our panel thinks of “Wars For Nothing”

Arie – The Professional Musician
I like the effect of the opening of this number.  I really feel like I’ve stumbled into a coffee shop somewhere and discovered a ragtag group of musicians playing their latest song.   The guitar strums unhurried until a clear solo female voice is heard. Now I don’t know if it’s because I’m particularly emotional today or because the simplicity of the piece made it feel so real, but I was actually moved by this number.  The lyrics don’t feel preachy, the simple addition of one harmony at a time adds excitement, and I just don’t know what to say except that I really, really liked it.    The only little thing that bugs me a little bit was where the breaths/breaks were taken don’t always lend themselves to the lyrical phrase.  My brain says 8…but my heart says 9.
Points: 9/10

Mike – The Smart One
I’m going to give this song a much higher score than the rest of the panel probably.  I really respect this serious song.  While it isn’t quite as serious as last year’s song, which probably should have won the contest with its choreography as well as performance, this is a very good song.  The flash mob video of the song points out how there is almost no accompaniment and that this is almost a purely a cappella song.  The layering of harmony that coincides with the arrival on stage of the rest of the core singers is semiotically beautifully done.  Kudos.
Points: 8/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
So here’s another one from the category of growers. At first I thought the song was forgettable and the lyrics beyond cheesy (okay, they still are to be honest). After a few listens, however, I grew to like it a lot – the melody is really pretty in a very modest way. Another positive thing is that it doesn’t have some kind of overblown climax but rather stays low-key throughout the whole song. I wish she’d had the chance to perform her Youtube hit “Parfüm” at Eurovision though since it’s simply a better song.
Points: 8/10

Olivia – The Journalist
It seems new wave folk/acoustic music is making its return to Eurovision this year. Everything you think Eurovision stands for – bright neon lights, fancy clothing and pumping beats – is swept clean in this entry. Fancifiul synths, and overpowering drums are gone, and the song is stripped to its bare essentials: vocals, harmonies and guitar – something which is so rare in the competition nowadays.  Being the cynical analyst that I am, when I first saw the title of the song. ‘Wars For Nothing’ I was ready with my pen and paper to tear the song to shreds. But, thankfully, that is not the case. I was pleasantly surprised to find, as hopefully the rest of Eruope are too,  that this is actually a very thoughtful song. It’s message is clear – the world is full of vice, and overwrought with violence, and we need to sweep it clean, and distill it back down to its most important elements – life and acceptance.  And the song’s simple form stunningly compliments this message. This has the potential to stop Europe in its tracks, and give the audience shivers. But, being Eurovision, it is also at risk of falling off a cliff. I hope the latter is not the case. Beautiful and different – nice.
Points: 8/10

Daniel – The Noob
When the guitar started playing, I was expecting a slow song once again. Therefore I was annoyed at first. Actually this is one of few slow songs I like though. Maybe I like this song because it contains a message and it talks about freedom and peace. This is not the typical sentimental song about a lost love. Nevertheless, there is no change of winning
Points: 6/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
Oh dear, Hungary – what happened here? After the fabulousness that were your entries of the past 4 years (it all started wit La Wolf, obviously!), you now send this piece of boredom. Cheesy lyrics (which is not so wrong, if the rest of the song were actually good) and the lack of proper tune are a big no-no from me. Is Zoohacker (Zoltan Palasti Kovacs, the genius, who turned ByeAlex’s snoozefest into a proper dark horse to win) available to remix this? No? Are you sure? Well, then you have a problem. Sorry, but yeah, better luck next year.
Points: 4/10

Overall: 43 Points

The 43 point saga continues. Hungary is the fourth country to end up with these points so let’s see how Boggie did with the tiebreaker.

Do you think that the panel got this right?!? Share your thoughts below and join the convo on our Forum. See yah soon!