34 artists started their journey in the Lithuanian selection for Eurovision 2022: “Pabandom iš naujo 2022!” (Eng: Let’s try again).
After 3 heats and 2 semi-finals, only 8 of them are left in the race.
In this article, I will give my personal review of 8 songs in the final.
The 8 songs will be reviewed in alphabetical order:
#1. Augustė Vedrickaitė – ”Before you’re 6 ft under”
It’s a country pop rock song.
The song starts with an acoustic guitar singing. After the short instrumental part, the first verse begins. The melody is based on acoustic guitar and bass. Augustė sings it with a mid-low voice, while she is equipped with high self-confidence and some “rocky” vibes.
Pre-chorus is faster. The chorus is energetic and upbeat, her singing sounds like it is taken from a live performance of a rock star from the 1990’s-2000’s. The second verse starts in a calm way, her voice is soft and the only guitar we can hear is the classical one. In this part, we can hear some female backing vocals as well. We’ll have another uplifting chorus and then a rock-rap part arrives. It combines well with the drums and guitar playing. Towards the end, we see the hear moving on stage with the female backing vocalists. The last part of the song is the chorus.
The performance is dynamic. We can see Augustė, the players and the backing vocalists move on stage.
The song sounds like other pop rock songs from the 1990’s and the 2000’s, but it still has some magic, that’s namely created by the performance itself.
#2.Gebrasy – “Into Your Arms“
It’s a mid-tempo love ballad.
The song starts with an instrumental part composed by keyboards playing.
Gebrasy opens the song with a soft and high voice. The rate is slow and we can hear some fading voice effects. The chorus is captivating by its simplicity. He even goes a little bit higher with the tone of voice. There is something comforting and tender in the chorus. The musical measures are longer and permits him to wrap the song up with his own interpretation. In the chorus, we can hear his voice move in a wide range. When the second verse arrives, it is calmer. The main motive is the keyboard playing. However, we can hear some violin playing as well. When the second chorus arrives, this time we hear more fading voice effects. The string instruments are included in the second chorus as well. At this time, Gebrasy is more free and abstract with his singing, he let himself decorate the singing with some improvisations towards the end of the chorus. It sounds like a trial of someone trying to get out of trouble or something strong – this time he is aiming into the arms he sings about.
The song ends with emotional singing.
It is a powerful and emotional ballad that has a simple message. On the other hand, it has the advantage of polished production. Gebrasy knows how to deliver emotions on stage. In addition, he might stand out as the only man in the grand final (considering Lolita as a female).
#3. Ieva Zasimauskaitė – ”I’ll be there”
It’s a pop soul ballad.
The song starts with piano playing and Ieva’s soft and high voice. The melody is basic, but it fits the simplicity the song should deliver. The first verse is a little bit too slow. The pre-chorus makes her sound more special. She uses a higher tone of voice in this part. The chorus is more personal, but still keeps on relying on Ieva’s unique voice and piano playing. The second verse is more dynamic and the melody consists of a light drum beat. We can hear some backing vocals as well.
Pre-chorus permits her to use the more powerful side of her voice. The chorus includes the same beat. Thereafter, she repeats the words “I’ll be there” in a more optimistic vibe. The song ends with a more emotional vibe, while she is about to cry.
I’m a little bit disappointed, because the song should have moved me but that wasn’t the case.
I think the problem might be that the song is quite expected and it progresses in a linear way.
#4. Justė Kraujelytė – “How To Get My Life Back“
It’s a mid-tempo dark Indie pop song.
The song starts with Justė‘s unique voice with piano playing in the background.
The first verse is performed with some mystery, her pronunciation is built on lengthening some of the words. The pre-chorus includes some electronic elements that make it sound modern as well. Her singing is more effortless in this part, and can sometimes be considered as reciting.
The chorus is a little bit more dramatic, as the the backing vocalists get an important role.
The chorus is short. Right after this, we get the second verse.
The second verse is different. The melody has a different flow that allows her to perform it with some improvisations. It is still electronic in the “character”, but this time with a different flavour.
Afterwards, Justė, her backing vocalists and the dancers are standing in a row and reciting some words. The song ends with an echo singing.
In my opinion, the chorus is too short and could have been longer with some more elements.
I think this performance is one of the best staged songs this season. This setting creates some inticimy and at the same time a feeling of suffocation which is a good thing as this is the message of the song – the singer wants to get her life back, after being overloaded with all the life in the modern era has to suggest. Well done!
#5.Lolita Zero – “Not Your Mother“
It’s an electro-techno song.
The song starts with an instrumental past that is composed of an electronic beat and electric keyboard playing. The singing part starts with an echo effect and the sound of censored words.
The singing itself is reciting, while she gets some support from backing singers.
Then again, we get another long instrumental part which is catchy, uplifting and sticking to your mind. This is the moment when the dancers pop up on stage. There is a house beat that is added. The lyrics change a little bit, so we have more chances to know about the message of the song.
The “chorus” is performed in a low deep voice which stands in contrediction to the style of the song and stage presence. The querky beat reaches high speed. Then, we can hear her laughing loudly. The song ends with an additional verse.
I must confess this is not my cup of tea. But this song has something in it. It is meant for entertainment and there’s no shame in it. The stage concept is unforgettable.
The weak part is probably the singing itself, but to begin with it isn’t the act you’ll for when a good singer is required. I can see some similarities to the techno sound that Hatari suggested, but this act is more aware of what it has to suggest, and therefore I appreciate it much more.
I think it creates a moment that you can’t avoid. Not sure if that is enough.
#6. Monika Liu – ‘‘Sentimentai”
It’s a cabaret pop song with foundations from 1950s and 1960 music.
The song starts with a fast beat drum sound that represents the sound of someone knocking on a door, like suggested in the lyrics.She uses sensual low singing and moves surprisingly between low and high notes. Her interpretation is very theatritical and it also can be seen by her moves. Pre-chorus includes a non-uniform beat. The chorus goes in a different direction, we can hear plenty of sound effects, one of them is a short-amplitude dance beat as well as ringing bell sound. The chorus ends with some long notes that are built on voice vibrations. She sings a particular part with elements of opera singing. Then we get a second verse which is more rhythmic. This time the melody is based on the beat from the beginning, as well as bass, violin and keyboards. She is accompanied by backing vocalists. The chorus arrives and again we can hear the same beats from previously. This time it sounds more like a disco song. She ends the song with some vocal improvisations.
I know the song is the favorite song is the selection for many fans.
But honestly, I just don’t get the magic in it. Yes, she has an impressive stage presence. She stays faithful to her own identity and personality during the song. But at the same time I must confess, the song is dated and even boring in some parts. It is a matter of taste, but I can’t see it doing well at Eurovision. I would most appreciate the use of the Lithuanian language here.
#7. Queens of Roses – “Washing machine“
It’s a trap pop song.
The song starts with an instrumental part which is composed of playing with string instruments.
One of the singers opens the singing part with fast singing while the beat from the introduction gives the melodical basis. Therefter, we have solo singing from another member of the band, until all of them sing together. They sing the pre-chorus together. The chorus has a very thin production to begin with, it is based again on guitar strining that was sampled as a beat. This time, they sing in a higher tone of voice. The singing part is paused and we get an electronic beat alongside some dance moves. The second verse is very short and very fast, we move forward to the chorus. This time the melody is based on keyboards as well. The electronic beat comes back and this time it has some more layers. They sing the other parts together like a typical pop band.
The song is OK. But I wasn’t impressed mucically. I think the girls did their best, having this song. Some changes in the melody and arrangement would have improved this one.
#8. Rūta Loop – ”Call Me From the Cold”
The song starts with piano playing. Rūta opens the song with a soft and high tone of voice. She strokes the listener’s ears. The first verse is simple, while the melody is based on piano playing. IT is like magic that steals your attention slowly, without you even having noticed. The note value is being sped up a little bit. The production puts the focus on her voice. Afterwards, we get the pre-chorus which has the same lyrics as in the introduction. The chorus in this part of the song, is still based on the fragile voice of the singer as well as piano playing. In the chorus, we can hear some beautiful moments of her voice. The second verse has a different arrangement. The melody is based at this time on guitar and piano playing, as well as more rhythmic production. She sings it with a slightly lower tone of voice. However, she is back to the high notes and fragilitiy in the pre-chorus and in the chorus. Towards the end, it becomes emotional and it looks like she holds her tears back.
The stage performance was amazing. First of all, the lighting helps to tell the story. Rūta is waling on the stage and reveals more elements. Each part of the stage tells another component of the story.
There’s an imaginary door she walks through, as well as a character of a giant man that holds her hand. What I like here is the authentic production that blends wonderfully with her voice.
This is a song that can conquer the listener’s heart easily, and that’s what Lithuania needs. This is what Europe needs.
My Personal Ranking
- Rūta Loop – Call Me From the Cold
- Gebrasy – Into Your Arms
- Justė Kraujelytė – How To Get My Life Back
- Lolita Zero – Not Your Mother
- Augustė Vedrickaitė – Before you’re 6 ft under
- Ieva Zasimauskaitė – I’ll be there
- Queens of Roses – Washing machine
- Monika Liu – Sentimentai
My Prediction
Predicting Lithuanian selection’s results this year seems like a simple challenge.
Only one artist has won both jury voting and public voting in every single show she participated in. Therefore, we can assume that the trend will be kept in the final as well.
My prediction is that Monika Liu will represent Lithuania at Eurovision 2022.
Lithuania will compete in the first half of semi-final 1 which will be held on the 10th of May 2022.
If the country qualifes, Lithuania will participate in the grand final on the 14th of May 2022.
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