Eesti Laul, the Estonian selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest is a fan favourite of National Finals, and tonight we got our first listen to the 24 songs that will be competing during February 2020.
The first semi final takes place in Tartu, Estonia on February 13, from which 6 entries will progress to the Grand Final which will take place at the Saku Suurhall in Tallinn on February 29th!
Let’s have a closer look at the entries competing in semi final one – you can hear them all on the broadcaster’s website
Anett x Fredi – “Write About Me”
Anett x Fredi are Anett Kulbin and Frederik Kuuts . Anett competed in Eesti Laul 2016 as a solo artist, failing to qualify from the 2nd semi final with her song “Strong”. Frederick is just 19 years old but burst onto the music scene when at 16, he recorded his album “Lights & Lies”. “Write about me” is a 3/4 tempo ballad
Egert Milder – “Georgia (On My Mind)”
Egert Milder is a new name to Eesti Laul, his music is described as “soulful indie sounds” which have been inspired by his world travels, including the Caucasian mountains in Georgia, which has no doubt influenced his song for 2020. The songwriting team he is using are the same as on his previous releases, including “U” from June of this year. “Georgia (On My Mind)” sounds very contemporary male solo singer, think George Ezra
INGA – “Right Time”
Inga Tislar is a returnee from Eesti Laul 2019, where she competed with the production duo Lumevärv on the song “Milline päev” which came 5th in the grand final. Inga was a member of the fantastic La La Ladies, alumni from Eesti Laul 2016, and she has co-written this year’s entry along with Peter Põder, Allan Kasuk, and Raul Krebs. “Right Time” is a radio friendly low key bop.
Jennifer Cohen – “Ping Pong”
Jennifer Cohen appeared in Eesti Laul last year with her song “Little Baby El” which sadly did not qualify from the first semi final. “Ping Pong” is sort of mid tempo and it’s ok, sounds like there has been production on the vocals.
Kruuv – “Leelo”
Kruuv finished 6th in semi final 2 in 2015 with “Tiiu talu tütreke”
“Leelo” is a chirpy little number, very enjoyable!
Laura – “Break Me”
Laura Põldvere – well, we all know Laura, most recently from her 2017 duet “Verona” which made it all the way to Kiev. She was a member of Suntribe, who made it to the big Eurovision stage in 2005, and has also appeared in Eesti Laul as a solo singer in 2007, 2009 and 2016. “Break Me” is an R&B based ballad, but there’s a banjo!
Little Mess – “Without a Reason”
Little Mess are a three piece girl band with members Karmel Üksväravast, Johanna-Elise Kabelist and Viktoria Koljaginast. The band were put together after the split of the very popular band La La Ladies, when Tanja (EST 2014) and Timo Vendt held an open competition which had over 150 entries. “Without a Reason” is very harmony based, think OG3NE
Rasmus Rändvee – “Young”
Rasmus Rändvee is another returnee. He first appeared with his band Facelift Deer in 2013 where their song “Dance” came 6th in the Final. As a solo artist, his song “This Love” came 3rd in 2017. “Young” is another radio friendly song, might get lost
Renate – “Videomäng”
Renate Saluste is another first timer to Eesti Laul. With her song being self written, we have little to go on at the moment, however she has released some proper bangers in the past – check out “Tsunami”! “Videomäng” is yet another mid tempo, but has an interesting chorus
Revals – “Kirjutan romaani”
Revals‘ song was described as “country rock” and if their appearance on ETV back in November 2017 with “Peatumatu” is anything to go by, we will be treated to more diversity from Eesti Laul 2020. “Kirjutan romaani” is definitely country rock, has a great hook though!
STEFAN – “By My Side”
Stefan Airapetyan has finished 3rd for the last 2 years, 2017 as part of Vajé with the song “Laura Walk With Me”, and last year as a solo artist with “Without You”. “By My Side” is another ballad from Stefan.
Synne feat. Väliharf – “Majakad”
Synne Valtri of course competed last year, finishing a very respectable 11th in the final with ‘I’ll Do It My Way’, whereas Väliharf are a duo who play guitar and harmonica. “Majakad” is the old-style schlager we have been waiting for!
Our Baltic team have listened to the songs now, and in a quick poll between us, our initial thoughts are that the following six should qualify for the final!
*Synne feat. Väliharf – “Majakad”
*INGA – “Right Time”
Rasmus Rändvee – “Young”
Little Mess – “Without a Reason”
Laura – “Break Me”
Renate – “Videomäng”
*Both these songs were voted as qualifiers by everyone in the Baltic Team!
Obviously it’s early days, and these songs will sit with us for a while for a more in-depth comparison, but a strong start! Once you listened to all of the songs, make sure you vote for your own favorites in our poll right here:
Stick with us at ESCBubble as the preview of songs from semi 2 is coming up shortly!
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