TALLINN, ESTONIA – If there is one national final that is always full of surprises and original entries, that must be the Estonian one. “Eesti Laul” (Estonian song) has been running for a few years now, and the 6th edition will come to an end next Saturday with the election of the act that will represent the small Baltic republic in Stockholm. After 2 semi-finals, 10 songs have made it to the final. In this post we introduce the oikopanel, a feature which during March and April will review and vote for the Eurovision 2016 entries, a feature which will also be applicable next season for major interest national finals.
Laura – Supersonic: Former member of Suntribe (Estonia 2007) and Eesti Laul veteran Laura is back. Her songs are always rather modern and original, and this one is no exception. “Supersonic” is a slow (very slow) contemporary ballad with a mystical feeling in it. Laura is almost whispering her lyrics before reaching the middle of the song and getting much more up-tempo. It’s very good but I’m afraid, only Laura singular outfit could help this one stand out on an international stage.
Go Away Bird – Sally: Following last year trend, the band is proposing a retro tune that sounds very 1960’s. This song is rather blank, laking a real climax. It could go on that way for ever and ever. A bit boring in my opinion.
Mick Pedaja – Seis (Stand): A slow, very slow, very very slow ballad entirely performed in Estonian. Mick has a very interesting voice that would fit a religious choir! Once again, a very mystical performance with some electro bits. It’s not a bad song and it could get some points (if viewers stay awake ‘til the last note).
Grete Paia – Stories Untold: Greta almost won Eesti Laul back in 2013, and is now trying to reach the gold. Another ballad, but a much more modern one this time with a pleasant pop feeling. But once again, the song does not really reach a climax. But in the middle of this very peculiar line-up this year, Grete could stand out as the ‘normal” entry.
Kéa – Lonely Boy: Yes, Kéa did it. She enters the final with a mid-tempo song!!! Time to wake up then! Lonely Boy is a true pop song, with a country music flavour. It’s a good song though quite repetitive. Just like Grete’s entry, the “normality” of the song could make the difference.
Jüri Pootsmann – Play: Jüri is the crooner of this year’s Eesti Laul. “Play” is another song with a rather retro tune. The song builds from a slow melancholic ballad to an mid-tempo chorus and a nice ending. But, once again, I doubt it could stand out in a Eurovision line-up.
Kati Laev & NOORKUU – Kaugel Sinust (Far away from you): Another entry in Estonian. A very theatrical ballad, that could be the soundtrack of some soviet musical back in the 1950’s. The musical arrangement smell dust. Quite original, but outrageously outdated!
CARTOON & Kristel Aaslaid – Immortality: A very interesting song, thanks to an incredible staging during semi-final. The song is a modern, almost electro track, but remains rather melodic. The band really takes us inside a cartoon and it’s amazing. Not sure though if such staging could be brought to Stockholm. Another question is.. who’s singing? Anyway, this entry really has to be watched carefully.
Meisterjaan – Parmupillihullus (Jew’s harp madness): You think the title is weird, wait until you hear the song. You have to give it to the Estonians, only they can produce such a song. Don’t ask me to describe this, it’s just impossible…
I WEAR* EXPERIMENT – Patience: After Meisterjaan, “Patience” comes as a relief. Back to slow mystical ballad. Luckily enough, the song reach a climax this time, turning into a mid-tempo track. Not bad but easily forgettable…
Given the line-up of this final, you can tell one thing: Estonians have specific taste and the outcome of an Eesti Laul competition is very hard to predict, even if Laura can be considered as a favourite.
OIKOPANEL VOTING
| ESTONIA 2016 | TOTAL |  |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura – Supersonic | 53 points | 09 | 10 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 07 |
| Go Away Bird – Sally | 31 points | 07 | 06 | 05 | 05 | 02 | 06 |
| Mick Pedaja – Seis | 25 points | 02 | 04 | 03 | 02 | 06 | 08 |
| Grete Paia – Stories Untold | 45 points | 09 | 07 | 10 | 08 | 03 | 08 |
| Kéa – Lonely Boy | 48 points | 12 | 05 | 06 | 10 | 08 | 07 |
| Jüri Pootsmann – Play | 41 points | 10 | 07 | 06 | 04 | 04 | 10 |
| Kati Laev feat. Noorkuu – Kaugel sinust | 18 points | 02 | 02 | 04 | 01 | 01 | 08 |
| Cartoon & Kristel Aaslaid – Immortality | 38 points | 06 | 04 | 08 | 09 | 01 | 10 |
| Meisterjaan – Parmupillihullus | 10 points | 03 | 01 | 02 | 01 | 02 | 01 |
| I Wear* Experiment – Patience | 30 points | 05 | 05 | 07 | 07 | 02 | 04 |
*oikopanel is consisted of Fotis Konstantopoulos (Greece), Morten Kaiser (Denmark), Jaime Solloso (Spain), Olivier Rocher (France), Victor Cruz Lafuente (Spain) and Luka Popovic (Serbia)
