Latvia LATVIA 2016 - Justs - Heartbeat

[kamc]

That's interesting: What you call "gruff and raspy vocals" (and you obviously mean it positive) sounds in my (bleeding) ears like the borderline between singing and screaming. It's fascinating how different musical taste can be.
I listened to "Heartbeat" three times over the last two days (bravely in full length) hoping to find some previously undiscovered qualities...

...and failed miserably.

Sorry, I still hate it.

Well it's all subjective I guess...I mean "gruff and raspy" could also be applied to Freddy's voice but I find his tone very unpleasant on the ears compared to Justs.

 

[grazy2266]

I like this voice I can think of a better type of song for him to sing, but it's a fair entry.

 

[Gordon_Shumway]

Is a little nostalgia allowed?
Last year Latvia's entry was "Love injected", performed by Aminata. Today I watched this video from the London Eurovision event:

Even after having listened to this song so many times in 2015 I am still deeply impressed. Aminata's voice is incredible. When she sings that line "your love revives my soul", I still get goosebumps. So impressive.
And now, 2016? This guy screaming "feeling your heartbeat"... could it be that Justs would have to take a lot of singing lessons to achieve Aminata's level of quality?

But of course I continue to acknowledge and respect that obviously a lot of people like this kind of "music". It's my personal problem that I am not able to understand why.

 

[kamc]

I'll never forget being in the arena and getting goosebumps when the chorus of Love Injected kicked in. It was just an amazing feeling.

 

[bogtrotter]

"Love Injected" was hands-down my favorite entry of last year and it was such an unexpected masterstroke coming from Latvia, a country that up until last year I had still been associating with pirates and baking cakes - even though they debuted with one of my favorite Eurovision songs of all time, "My Star".

I like "Heartbeat" a lot as well and it's one of my favorite entries this year - but I'm finding it hard to give it my top spot. I like that Latvia is keeping up their momentum, but I am not as floored by it as I was by Aminata, who was just mesmerizing to watch and to listen to. Similarly, I absolutely love "Play" from Estonia, but it's also continuing on the exact same trend that did well for them last year. While I think both countries are doing a great job, I'd love for them to keep sending quality songs without having to rely on mimicking their previous successes. Though, depending on how well they do this year, we'll see what their reactions are.

 

[Terence]

I can conclude this is my #1 this year. I love the raspy vocals, the beat, the looks do help a lot too.

10 points. Too early to award a 12, unlike last year when I head Il Volo!

 

[marcumo]

To my ear, Justs is the winner of 2016.

 

[hugh]

Official music video

This is why "Heartbeat" is my favourite Eurovision song this year, and really should be the winner.

 

[Alevender]

Nice video. 2015 was a right start for our country in the ESC.

 

[Nikkita]

Official music video

The video is good and edgy, but it's just that. I'd love to see the TV static effect on stage though. Justs is still one of my favourites and i love his raspy, deep voice.

 

[aef]

So cool. So awesome. x12s

 

[carl1]

Very nice video that.
Still my favourite song this year, definite top 5 material

 

[DaFlo]

Great video, welcome back in my top 10

 

[nikolay_BG]

Werk those leather jackets Justs

 

[Sean]

Justs has upped his game slightly in terms of performance but there's not a lot of change from Supernova, it will be sailing through to the final though

 

[megzpegz]

This is my favourite song in semi final 2 by far!

 

[nikolay_BG]

My rate :

 

[Sean]

 

[hugh]

Confident rehearsal from Latvia. Justs looks to be in complete control and nails the vocals every time, great singer and a kick-ass song. Love it.

 

[Terence]

Qualifier