Well, I wasn't planning to review the Eurovision entries of 2018 in depth like I did for a few years because it is hella time-consuming and I honestly didn't have the courage either.
But for [MENTION=15070]John1[/MENTION] , I will leave my comment on the Estonian effort.
Song: You know guys I love Estonia in the contest, to me they've sent some truly awesome songs this last decade, most of which did very well, yet ended up being underrated imo: Rändajad, Kuula, Goodbye To Yesterday,
Verona... Estonians know how to come up with songs with wide appeal that aren't bland or uninteresting. Of course, they make some mistakes from time to time (Tanja's "Amazing"...), but it happens to everyone. After getting my life with Verona last year - and because I always found in Eesti Laul two or three songs that deserved to be heard in the contest besides the winner - I decided to follow their national selection live for the first time ever: a decision that I don't regret because I enjoyed the three shows a lot. I even think it's the best NF on every aspect, hence why I'd be thrilled to see Estonians win and host. So, let's talk about the winning song "La Forza", which I rooted for from day one. To me, even though there were other interesting efforts in the final lineup (like "Laura (Walk With Me)" and "(Can't Keep Calling) Misty"), it was a no-brainer. The song had a great production, thoughtful arrangements and most importantly, a wonderful melody. Many criticized the fact "La Forza" was just an excuse to show off Elina's voice - and I don't judge - but I do disagree, since a gripping tune is what one cares about first, and this song definitely has one. The first reason why I fell in love with it is that it has a very cinematic atmosphere, I could totally picture it in a video game for instance. Secondly, I always respected operatic efforts in the contest but wished someone would someday come up with more than a lyrical voice paired with a pop tune. My wish was fulfilled because "La Forza" is melodically on the classical side and probably as close to an actual aria as one could get in the contest. For more appeal potential - apart from the strings - drums were added to the composition to give it a bit more oomph and thus make it more "palatable" to the average listener. For once, we got arrangements that didn't cheapen the whole thing. Special mention to the additional sounds used to great effect - like the space-like throbbing - which subtly enhance the dreamlike nature of the song. I appreciated the fact there was no random dance beat or key-change, because that's how a song could quickly be turned into something cliché and/or tasteless. To sum up, "La Forza" is a classy and dreamlike classical music-infused entry: the perfect operatic crossover I was waiting for. It's an eleven out of ten for me.
Voice: Despite her young age, Elina Nechayeva is an accomplished opera singer. I thought her live performances in Eesti Laul were great already, but she managed to polish her vocals and interpretation for the better afterwards. I mean, come on! That grand final performance was her best one, perfect and mastered from start to finish. Apart from the obvious vocal technique, I like her vocal tone: it's very round and clear during the choruses, while it's almost sultry and misty during the verses. I'm not sure if this dichotomy exists on purpose or if her voice does that naturally, but I like it a lot. As expected, she never disappointed live and even managed to outdo herself for the grand final. Well done!
Staging: Lisbon 2018 was a worry to many due to the lack of LED screens and - although I liked the former presentation in Eesti Laul - I was amazed by the major upgrade they went for in the end. Yes, we lost the whole "angel-coming-from-outer-space-to-bless-us-all" vibe to end up with a "goddess-of-love-emotional-journey" one. In hindsight, all the changes they made visually were for the better, it looked way more high-end and impressive with the epic projections. The camera work could have been refined (Eesti Laul was more immersive in this regard), yet there were striking angles like the close-ups of Elina's face during the verses. I appreciate the fact they maintained a balance between her and her dress, and didn't make the mistake of making it all about the dress. Regarding the projections, they looked awesome: from ice to water, from seeds to flower, the symbols nicely summed up the meaning of the song and the phases one goes through when falling in love. Even if the song was strong enough to "stand" on its own, I feel like it demanded an epic but balanced staging, which imo the Estonian team got right. Personally, I had two highlights only during this edition, one being the moment when the first chorus begins and ice spreads out on Elina... It was both visually and musically an arresting moment imo. Goosebumps guaranteed! That's what I thought would make her reach the first place.
Conclusion: Estonia qualified for the final after two years of non-qualification. Eventually, they placed 8th in the grand final, due to juries ranking them 6th and viewers ranking them 9th. Yes, it felt good to see Estonians making it, yes an eighth place is an achievement... but I can't help thinking it wasn't enough and they were once again underrated. I mean, bearing in mind juries tend to prefer standardised entries, 6th place from them was pretty decent, even though Elina received way less points than their top 5. However, I was really disappointed with televoters who voted for her more or less the same way they supported Jacques Houdek the year before. I really wanted Tallinn 2019, but nevermind, I'm glad at least "La Forza" wasn't butchered by anyone. For the first time since I follow Eurovision, Estonia was my absolute number 1 this year: there was Elina, then the rest. I hope you guys were happy with your result nonetheless, and I look forward to your contribution next year because you're lit! You really are!
You and Hungary are on my radar for a potential victory in the years to come.
This review was really short compared with what I could say about it. I would have to dissect it entirely to do it justice, but it would take hours and hours I fear
Anyway, long live "La Forza", another iconic moment for the contest posterity.