The second semi final of fan favourite national selection Eesti Laul will take place in Tartu, Estonia on February 15th 2020. The top 6 songs, chosen by a televote and jury, will progress forward to the Grand Final, to be held at the Saku Suurhall on February 29th.
Last night, ERR have released the songs, and we have put together a comprehensive guide for you, and include our thoughts on the entries! You can hear all the songs here
If you want to see our thoughts on the songs in the first semi final, click here
German & Violina – “Heart Winder”
German & Violina’s inclusion has caused a ripple of excitement among fans, Violina are a three piece girl band who serve string bops! Among their array of violin bangers they served ‘Me Calientas’ with Emily J (Eeest Laul 2019 finalist with the band Xtra Basic) We are struggling to find out too much about German so far, but the songwriters include Timo Vendt who produced both “Et uus saaks alguse” in 2013 and “La Forza” in 2018. Its a good uptempo bop with some great strings but basic lyrics!
INGER – “Only Dream”
Inger Fridolin is another 2019 graduate, where she finished a brilliant 6th in the final with “Coming Home”. She has again this year collaborated with Karl-Ander Reismann. “Only Dream” is of the same tempo as last year’s song, but has a stronger hook.
Jaagup Tuisk – “Beautiful Lie”
Jaagup Tuisk may be new to Eesti Laul, but is certainly well known having competed in Estonian Talent ( TV3 , 2010);”The Singing Capital ” (with Koit Toome , TV3 , 2011);” Song Carousel ” ( Estonian Television , 2015); and ” Estonia Seeks Superstar ” (5th place, TV3, 2018). “Beautiful Lie” has an amazing video and it’s a beautiful song, I’m sure that any similarities between this and “Arcade” are purely coincidental 😉
Janet – “Hingelind”
Janet Vavilov is appearing as “Janet” and has in the past covered Martin Garrix & David Guetta’s “So Far Away” . Her team of co-writers includes Marek Rosenberg who is an Estonian musician and DJ. “Hingelind” is another mid tempo pop number, but it’s got some interesting musical backing.
Mariliis Jõgeva – “Unistustes”
Mariliis Jõgeva competed in 2015 under the name Mari, with her song “Kolm päeva tagasi” which sadly came 9th in semi final 2. “Unistustes” stays with the mid tempo theme, but she’s got a fantastic voice, and the video being filmed right in the centre of Tallinn brought back some great memories!
Merilin Mälk – “Miljon sammu”
Merilin Mälk is just 18 years old but has already come 3rd in Estonian Superstar and has released 3 singles to date, including the fantastic “Honestly”. Her team of songwriters include Jana Hallas, who was responsible for “Milline päev” last year and many others including Eurovision entries “Once In A Lifetime” in 2000 and “Runaway” in 2002. “Miljon sammu” sticks firmly in the radio-friendly category, with a good build and sing a long chorus.
SHIRA – “Out In Space”
SHIRA is a new contestant, her song is co-written by Karl Ander Reismann, who also co-wrote Rasmus’s song this year as well as all of Stefan’s previous entries, and the 2019 entries from Inger and Sissi, all of who finished in the top 6. “Out In Space” is the second of the 3/4 waltz tempo ballad’s included this year, the difference here is SHIRA’s voice, it’s incredibly contemporary and there’s some great strings included.
Traffic – “Üks kord veel”
Traffic are making a welcome return after appearing in Eesti Laul in 2009 with “See päev” and 2012’s “NASA”, followed by 2014’s “Für Elise” The band, includes Eurovision alumni Stig Rasta, who writes most of their songs. He teams up with 2019 winner Victor Crone to write this years entry. “Üks kord veel” marks a welcome return for Traffic (minus Stig Rasta) but this song sounds like a natural progresser to Victor Crone’s “Storm”, it’s got that familiar Stig Rasta sound and should do well.
Uku Suviste – “What Love Is”
Uku Suviste has appeared in Eesti Laul in both 2017 with “Supernatural” when he finished 7th in the first semi, and last year’s “Pretty Little Liar” which finished 2nd behind Victor Crone. Uku’s song this year is co-written by Sharon Vaugh who is very well known in Eurovision circles, most recently co-writer of Sergey Lazarev’s “Scream” which finished 3rd in Tel Aviv this year. “What Love Is” see’s Uku going back to his rock power ballad ways , although you wouldn’t guess from the first 30 seconds.
Uudo Sepp – “I’m Sorry. I Messed Up”
Uudo Sepp is our last entry, and at 22 years old, it is his first attempt at Eesti Laul. He won series 7 of “Estonia is looking for a Superstar” and his acoustic guitar led songs have include the big hit “ Sinule”. “I’m Sorry. I Messed Up” is another radio-friendly contemporary number, thinking again of your George Ezra/Ed Sheeran genres.
Viinerid – “Kapa Kohi-LA”
Viinerid are an unknown at this time, although the songwriters of Peter Põder, Hardo Hansar and Martti Kask were part of the group Merwis who described themselves as Explosive, emotional and energetic! “Kapa Kohi-LA” is this year’s bonkers entry, a rap entirely in Estonian, in the vein of a Red Hot Chilli Peppers song, until you get to what I guess is the chorus – and sausages!
Ziggy Wild – “Lean On Me”
Ziggy Wild is a band fronted by Laura Prits, who appeared in Eesti Laul 2017, where her song “Hey Kiddo” finished sixth in its semi final. “Lean On Me” is an old school rock song which certainly brings some energy to the playlist!
Our Baltic team, having listened to the songs now have made an initial poll, and based on that first listen impression, we have the following six songs qualifying from this semi final!
* Jaagup Tuisk – “Beautiful Lie”
INGER – “Only Dream”
Merilin Mälk – “Miljon sammu”
Traffic – “Üks kord veel”
Uku Suviste – “What Love Is”
Mariliis Jõgeva – “Unistustes”
*Jaagup is the only artist who received votes from every one of our Baltic Team! Honourable mentions must go to SHIRA and Uudo, who narrowly missed out being in our top 6
Once you listened to the participating songs, make sure you vote for your own favorites in our poll here:
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