PLAY

JÜRI POOTSMANN

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 221.5/320 (69.2%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

ESTONIA

INT

JURY TOTAL

115.5

Amar

Another great entry from Estonia ! Sounds like a radio friendly James Bond anthem. I appreciate the fact the Estonia keeps it classy and original every year. With a charismatic performance in Stockholm , I wouldn't count this entry out from another top 10 placing for Estonia !  

8.5

Benedek

This song and singer it is a good package for Estonia . It is different and going back a little bit in the 60 s but that is not a bad thing. With a good stage construction this could go top 10-15 I think, but it can go badly to because of the semi final in which he is. I think it will be borderline for Estonia , but if it will go on the final it will do middle table.

7

Christos

A nice performer and a good participation. Estonia evolved into a descent country espressing great love for the contest. They will struggle to qualify for the final but anything is possible this year. Estonians took a very unfair  victory in 2001 and it seems very difficult to transfer the Contyest's organization to the Baltic Sea . A Good Effort

6

Daria

Estonia at Eurovision last years = quality music. Visually “Play’ performance reminds me of Hurts, keep it this way! I’m excited to watch it in Stockholm !

9.5

Douwe

Jüri and his soul ballad, 'Play' is by composer Stig Rasta. His beautiful silky, soulful vocals drip with drama, cool and attitude and he also looks the part with his impeccable sense of style. There is a touch of melancholy, darkness, quirkiness and allusions that are cleverly woven into this intimate song. 'Play' reminds me somewhat of Malcolm Lincoln’s 'Sirens' (2010) which was even more experimental and ahead of its time. This years song has a broader appeal though and should sail into the final.

8

Elena

This is like James Bond meets commercial pop musik. Not bad, and Ive heard this song on the radio here in Finland . The singer has a very good voice, and I wished he used it more to bring a bit more boom to the song.

6

Frederico

I'm usually a great fan of Estonian entries. This is an interesting choice though far from Estonia 's best. I think it will struggle to qualify. 

6.5

José

When a song has good lyrics, powerful singer and nice musical arrangements, doesn't need mimic dances and fire on stage. That's why Estonia doesn’t have any of them. Congratulations Estonia !

8.5

Mark L

I don’t know what it is about this performance but it made me feel slightly uncomfortable watching it. Jüri just doesn’t look very at ease with the song and I would have to agree with him, it’s terrible.

1.5

Melissa

I like this song a lot, and I'm totally in love with his bass-baritone voice. It's pretty forgettable though - have had to play it 4-5 times already just to write a review. This should qualify easily though.

7

Octavio

Jüri has a low baritone register, which seems unexpected with his appearance. Nevertheless, the focus is clearly on vocals, making them the selling point. Great voice, great stage presence and I like the chorus, although it loses me a bit in the verses, but a nice song overall.

8

Paul C

That's a song with class - I like it a lot and what a nice voice Jüri has. This one should be in the finals no problem if well staged and performed.

9

Pia

A little bit odd.Very weak at the beginning, but it gets better. I had very difficult to hear the words....

7

Roberto

A stylish song, undoubtedly, but there's something that slips out. Sometimes it's nice, sometimes it's dull. I like the 60's sounds and echoes, his voice is rather remarkable. Probably you need some time before appreciate it or some parts of it. 

7

Roy

The singer looks so typical Estonian. He had a good strong voice and I like the title PLAY – well, hope he plays well on the Eurovision stage and gets to the final.

7

Samantha

Slick, bluesy, unique voice, builds incredibly well...right up my alley

9

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

ESTONIA

UK

JURY TOTAL

106

Andrew C

Eesti Laul had a greater number of entries this year than last but the ten chosen for the final didn't have anything as a stand out winner for me on first listening. Play, instantly identifiable as being written by Stig Rästa is accomplished but lacks the impact of 'Goodbye to Yesterday'.

7

Andrew G

Something retro about this and i like it - this is rather good, I want it to do well, will it, who knows

8

Daniel

Brilliant! It was my favourite song at Eesti Laul and I was so glad it won. Stig Rästa should write the Estonian song every year.

8

Danny

6

David B

Lots to enjoy here, from the 'chug-chug' verse, to the random bell and that wonderful downbeat feel to the whole thing. With so many male soloists taking part though, can Juri impress the juries? I think so. Another quality entry from Estonia .

8

David E

This is nice and quirky. A bit electro and a bit indie. This will qualify easily and do some good business on Saturday night.

8

Dean

Another serious, grown up song! Pretty good this with a memorable chorus. It's a grower and with some nice, subtle staging it'll do well.

7.5

Eddie

A really good pop song from Estonia . A great feeling - very radio friendly. I really like it. A qualifier for sure.

8

Gary  

Nice one Estonia ! Great to see the Saku Suurhall again and Juri has an appealing voice with a rousing song. A good solid sound that will do OK for them again. I like it!

8

Joe

This is good, the jurors in the Estonian selection compared it to a bond theme. Not sure I can see a bond theme commissioned with this as the title song though. His voice belies his boyish looks, and he controls it very well. The song builds nicely. (But I still prefer zebra island!)

7

Mark M

I'm not sure what to make of this. It's ok - if forgettable. I think Estonia will struggle to qualify with this.  It will probably grow on me.

4.5

Martin

With a passing nod to the vocal style of The Divine Comedy, Jüri brings chic and coolness to Eurovision with a very laid-back and confident performance, a song that builds nicely and has a memorable chorus.  'Play' just lacks a wow moment that would push this into the top ten.

6.5

Matt

I'm afraid what I have heard of this is pants. I feel it could be good but he sings so deep and gravelly for most of it I couldn't understand what he was saying.  It might well be a grower but not much use to the masses who'll vote.

4

Nico

It's all great in the Baltics this year eh? Estonia once again brings us something sexy, cool and off the well-trodden Eurovision track. Watching the live version, Juri performs this with a style and understated intensity, that really enthrals in a way that the pre-recorded version doesn't quite match. This is for me a great entry, but from the highly competitive 1st semi I fear this may be one of the good songs that will make room for something weaker from semi 2.

8

Sally-Ann

I don't think anything could surpass the brilliance of last year's Estonian entry, and they've obviously not tried to.  A very odd sort of song - half-drama series theme, half-musical number.  Generally speaking, a bit dull. 

4

Tristán

Nooo! My least favourite of the Estonian hopefuls. Misterjaam should have walked away with this. This is really a load of nothing. There's nothing inoffenive about it but when you listen to the amazing tunes that could have represented this country one cannot but feel cheated. This is poor, very poor.

3.5