Estonia might be small in size, but it is certainly not short on talent, and this year’s selection for 'Eesti Laul' is strong proof of that. This is a national selection that has gained momentum and has delivered a great variety of entries over the past years. This year will certainly deliver once more, and the competition to see who will carry on the 'Espresso Macchiato' legacy will be wild!
Grete Paia – 'Taevas Jäi Ãœles'
William: "This song brings traditional European disco to the stage, with good vocals, and it certainly adds to the mix with Estonian-language lyrics. While the song is good, it is hard to believe it will be enough to stand out from the other entries, as it offers very little that is new to fans."
Laura Prits – 'Warrior'
William: "I am personally torn on this song. It is a track that would surely make it to my regular playlist, and I absolutely applaud the strong vocals and strong female rock energy. However, if I analyse whether this is what fans would vote for, there is certainly some hesitation, as for many it might feel a bit dated. Still, let’s hope that strong staging can elevate this a lot!"
Ollie – 'Slave'
William: "Yeeeeessss!!! There is nothing to dislike here: a magnificent song, great and versatile vocals, impeccable songwriting, and most importantly (at least to me) a great representation of hard rock and heavier music, which is often under-represented in national selections. It is tasteful, modern yet classic. Simply the best entry of the year, and certainly one of the best songs overall!"
Robert Linna – 'Metsik Roos'
William: "This song somehow transports you to a different time. Clean vocals and a catchy rhythm make this an interesting entry. However, when analysing the song as a whole, it feels like a demo, like it is perhaps missing something to elevate it to its full potential. Hopefully they can find what that is and bring it to the stage in Tallinn."
Uliana – 'Rhythm of Nature'
William: "This song captivates you immediately, and Uliana is for sure a talented singer. You can also almost instantly hear the Ukrainian folklore influences, and this is a great display of her culture. With that being said, the song sounds stereotypically Balkan and Ukrainian without adding many new ingredients to the mix."
Minimal Wind & ANT – 'Wounds'
William: "Simplicity often works, and this song is testimony to that. Beautiful work with the vocal harmonies, and in general the song feels fresh without trying hard to be. It is the perfect combination of vulnerability and temperance, which hopefully can be translated onto the stage. If they manage to do so, they might be a contender."
Clicherik & Mäx – 'Jolly Roger'
William: "Catchy and modern, and not much more to say about this entry. I understand that for a lot of fans this can tick many of their boxes, but it does not tick many of mine. It might be trying too hard to sound like 'Espresso Macchiato' and to be the 'success joke entry' that is catchy enough to land a victory."
Getter Jaani – 'The Game'
William:"Quoting her song: 'I think I like it'... and to be honest, I can’t explain why. This is a traditional pop song, but it is playful enough to take the listener on a journey, and that is why it somehow resonates with me. It is daring and joyful, and after two or three listens it gets even better!"
Noëp – 'Days Like This'
William: "This song really stands out from the rest this year. It offers the perfect balance of electro-pop with flawless songwriting. I have very high hopes for the staging here, as the song offers the right combination to connect on an emotional level, while also making you dance as you do it."
Vanilla Ninja – 'Too Epic To Be True'
William: "This song really lives up to its name. It is great to see these ladies back, and they came with everything they have. What a song. Pop-rock at its best: memorable and easy to sing along to. If the energy is right in Tallinn, they might be coming back to the international stage!"
Marta Pikani – 'Kell Kuus'
William: "Country music is hard to digest for some people (me, certainly), so while I can obviously hear her vocal skills and an appealing tune, I can’t help but find the entry overall a bit boring and overdone. Perhaps Estonia will disagree with me, that remains to be seen this Saturday!"
Stockholm Cowboys – 'Last Man Standing'
William: "Perhaps the most disappointing entry from any of the returning artists this year, not only in Eesti Laul, but overall across all national selections. The song is a weird mix between country music, dance, pop, and a million other things that do not belong together, and this is why: messy attempts to sound modern while providing zero substance."
Alongside this overview, readers can also find below the full ranking of the Hashtag Eurovision team, offering a collective perspective on the competing songs.
Those who wish to explore the individual opinions of our correspondents and discover who each of them considers the strongest contender can do so here, through a dedicated piece:
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