National Finals Reaction: Eesti Laul 2023

So here we go then. Another reactions blog post which is once again my reactions on Twitter just transplanted over here and packaged a bit better. If it reads like real-time reactions, that's because it is. Let's go. Semi-final 1. I'm going by the order posted on Eurovoix, although I don't know if it's the running order or not.

1. Sissi - Lighthouse

Interesting progression.

I do wonder how this would be staged.

Quite nice lyrics, although it does come off a bit patchy and Swedish (derogatory) in some places.

Very sudden ending.

In general it's alright, but doesn't progress as much as I'd perhaps hoped.

2. Wiiralt - Salalik

Woah, country.

A bit old-timey perhaps, and dare I say outdated.

No clue what they're saying but it's cool.

The structure for this is even more monotonous though.

3. Carlos Ukareda - Whiskey Won't Forget

See, the problem with a lot of countries is that you can't uniquely identify them in ESC because there's no "identity" attached to them as such.

There is NOTHING here that says Estonia- wait, guy with guitar, but still.

Yeah it's just not special at all.

4. Alika - Bridges

Ooh, strings.

Those long notes are great.

LMAO yea, stereotypical person falling into dark water shot.

Why does it sound like "regions" rather than "bridges"?

OK low-key this could be a moment?!

Not gonna lie, that was quite nice, but it depends on final staging of course.

5. Janek - House Of Glass

Oh hi Mørland.

Lol, I thought it was a ballad and then the drumbeat comes in.

I don't get this metaphor?? How does a house of glass save what's left of us?

Song is alright though, nothing too unusual about it.

6. Ellip - Pretty Girl

Well, to put it nicely, at least this gives the NF some variety. The song doesn't really go anywhere though.

That was...definitely one of the songs in Eesti Laul of all time.

7. Kaw - Valik

I'm not sure what the burger making scene is supposed to represent.

I don't know what they're saying, as usual, but the song's catchy.

8. Andreas - Why Do You Love Me

Great, now I get subtitles for the language I can actually understand.

Ew that head voice, can't imagine it live if it's this terrible even in studio.

Patchy instrumentals at best; these lyrics are incredibly cringy...yeah no.

9. Meelik - Tuju

Ooh nice word play there: "Tuju know what I mean".

So which one of them is Meelik?

I like the chaotic-ness of the MV.

Song is okay, but I don't know, I feel like something's off, maybe it's just that it doesn't change very much.

10. Elysa - Bad Philosophy

OK, less Cyprus this time, more retro(?).

Of fucking course Stig Rästa is one of the songwriters.

The lyrics just don't work, I'm sorry.

TF she's gonna do in the guitar solo?

There's no punch in this song.

I swear to God if she gets into the superfinal again...

And semi-final 2:

1. m els - So Good (At What You Do)

Cool beat, nice voice.

I don't know how I feel about the kalimba/xylophone in the back though.

Yeah it's nice. No winner, very little variation (if any) between the choruses but it's solid.

2. Robin Juhkental - Kurbuse Matused

That piano is something else.

What are these instrumentals??

Kinda vibing with this despite its...uniqueness.

Yea, 0 chance of this winning the selection, but if nothing else it stands out.

3. Neon Letters & Maiko - Tokimeki

WTF Japanese in Estonia???

You can tell the track is not at all east Asian though.

Who's holding the camera if shes spinning around with two hands off the phone?

Yea, it's unexpected, but a pleasant surprise.

4. Bedwetters - Monsters

OK, the MV isn't exactly visually appealing, but the song is cool.

Is the black water drop drummer a reference to that Japanese red children's figure thingy drummer?

It's not bad, but genre-wise doesn't bring much new to the table.

5. Anett x Fredi - You Need To Move On

Ooh I like these chords, especially the bit of dissonance on some of the piano bits.

Trumpet??? Saxophone???

OK but I love this, this is RIGHT up my alley.

I do worry about how it'd be staged, but aw those instruments !!

6. OLLIE - Venom

Starts off very Green Day-esque.

OK, yeah, very Green Day.

Would like to see how this is staged.

Wouldn't mind this going to Eurovision actually, quite nice.

7. Linalakk & Bonzo - Aeg

Ooh, cool guitar.

I like it in principle but it feels...too wholesome? That feels weird to say but that's how I feel about it (how I feel about).

I doubt it'd even make it past the semi-final; but don't get me wrong, I like it.

8. Merlyn - Unicorn Vibes

Jesus Christ.

Oh my God.

I'm sorry but this is the most I've laughed throughout this listening session.

If the assignment was "disastrous disaster bop", then this just graduated with first honours.

OK but that ending is weird, hi-hats and then just...nothing?

9. Mia - Üks Samm Korraga

OK, the drumbeat came in unexpectedly early.

What is this graphic design with the words? Where did these dancers come from?

Random piano?

Is this supposed to be a depressing ballad or a self-empowerment track? I can't tell.

It's neither here nor there

10. INGER - Awaiting You

Interesting vocal quality.

This is giving Brendan Murray, very aggressively so. It's not terrible though.

And that's what I think initially about the Eesti Laul songs this year! Here's the Twitter thread in case you want to see my full top 20 ranking of the songs: