The 2015 “Expert” Panel – POLAND

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.

Sweden is always a force to be reckoned with in Eurovision. And they’re back this year with the song “Heroes” which will (most likely) have an elaborate Staging. But how does our panel like the song? Let’s find out!

Mike – The Smart One
Although last year’s butter churner certainly got attention, this year’s song is much better.  Like so many songs this year, a ballad, but like so many of the ballads this year a real improvement over the past.  Very nicely sung by the attractive lead singer.  Not a difficult song and no vocal pyrotechnics but melodious and catchy.  I really appreciated the crisp piano playing that began and ended the song as well.  Percussion was appropriate and not intrusive as well.  Unfortunately in a year with so many good ballads I am afraid this song will get lost in the shuffle.
Points: 7/10

Olivia – The Journalist
Wow. This is a contrast to last year’s entry. Seemingly the Eurovision balladic orthodoxy has been reestablished in the Polish entry this year. The song is sewn together well. It contains some beautiful piano staccato riffs, and even includes a surprising pop/rock end finish. Ironically, the verse is stronger than the chorus. It’s a real shame because the first thirty seconds is really quite beautiful, but the refrain is just so generic and banal. There is a lack of passion and oomf. It feels like we’ve heard it all before. I’m sure Monika Kuszynska, an experienced singer in Poland, will hold the stage well, but on the recording she sounds a little lost within the loud accompaniment music and feisty lead guitars.  So in all, I’m going to put it out there – I think voters will be longing for last year’s entertainment after they hear this year’s bland entry. I don’t dislike it, but it’s certainly one of the weaker ballads in the competition. Shame.
Points: 4/10

Arie – The Professional Musician
The rhythmic piano lead makes me think “Could this be a Celine Dion-type power ballad).  Alas, it could not.  While Monika has a deep, resonant chest voice, her high notes in the chorus seem almost raspy at most and breathy at least.  The melody line is just really boring and adds to the anticlimactic feeling we have when we get to the chorus.  To recap:  Verses = decent  Chorus = eh.  It’s needs more oomph, it needs more dynamics, it needs more….well, just more would be great.  Middle of the road earns:
Points: 5/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Now this is quite a contrast to Poland’s butter-churning and cleavage-heavy action from last year. This year, however, there really isn’t much to say about the Polish entry. ‘Nice enough’ would be a fitting description. It’s a solid ballad but not remarkable in any way. Both melody and arrangement don’t sound very interesting to me either. I like how it picks up pace towards the end though
Points: 5/10

Daniel – The Noob
I will never forget the entry of Poland at last year’s ESC: “My Slowianie” by Cleo & Donatan. It was so outstanding that it has burned into my mind. Now having watched this year’s entry of Poland, Unfortunately there is nothing special about it. The song is ok but in no way oustanding or unique. This is why there is not much to say about it.
Points: 4/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
gee, thanks ORF, for improving our chances even more! Because what follows next (and closes the semi) is nothing more, but a sob story without an actual song. I mean, kudos to Monika, for proving that despite the disability, one can take part in ESC like everyone else, but my gosh, this song is a snoozefest. So cliched and cheesy and not even a good cheese. It should probably hit home with the juries, but I don’t think televoters will be that blinded. It can qualify and finish somewhere in the middle in the final, but me personally I’ll just listen to a song by Do-Re-Mi and Kerry McGregor “A Yodel In A Canyon Of Love”, from UK selection 1997 (youtube it! It’s epic!) to balance the whole thing out.
Points: 4/10

Overall: 29 Points

Poland didn’t make it past the halfway point mark unfortunately. The panel agrees that the song is, for the most part, rather underwhelming but it’s not disliked, either. But it’s pretty far down in the ranking as you can see below.

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