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- byAntranig Shokayan
Depi Evratesil 2020 takes place this Saturday. Armenia will be searching for a song to snap their two year non-quealification streak. There are twelve hopefuls looking to take the baton from Srbuk and fly the Armenian flag in Rotterdam. Now, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — sits down to determine their favourites.
1. TOKIONINE – “Save Me”
What a fascinating conundrum that Armenia has. None of these twelve songs could be considered guaranteed qualifiers at Eurovision. However, both TOKIONINE and Athena Manoukian have the potential to be exceptional entries, with the right performances. Neither is a typical Eurovision entry and that’s why they have the potential to be special. “Save Me” seems more at place on the soundtrack of a car racing video game than the Eurovision stage and if he can harness those vibes on stage, this could go a very long way.
2. Athena Manoukian – “Chains On You”
3. Miriam Baghdasaryan – “Run Away”
4. Vladimir Arzumanyan – “What’s Going On Mama”
5. EVA Rida – “No Love”
1. TOKIONINE – “Save Me”
In what is unfortunately a rather weak national final this year, TOKIONINE has the best potential to bring Armenia back to the final in Rotterdam. While many of the other songs badly need a revamp, this feels like the best overall product. It does feel contemporary but at the same time fits within the creative approach Armenia has taken in recent years.
2. Vladimir Arzumanyan – “What’s Going On Mama”
3. Athena Manoukian – “Chains On You”
4. ERNA – “Life Faces”
5. Sergey & Nickolay Arutyunov – “Ha, Take a Step”
1. Sergey & Nickolay Arutyunov – “Ha, Take a Step”
Oh dear, not a stellar year for Armenia. I was really looking forward to this jury but I struggled to fill my top five. Nevertheless, my favourite is Sergey & Nickolay Arutyunov with “Ha, Take a Step”. I was initially concerned with the song title but when I hit play, I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely a throwback feel (though that seemed to be the theme of Armenia this year) but I really like the anthemic chorus and I know it will sound and look great on a big stage with proper production.
2. Miriam Baghdasaryan – “Run Away”
3. Athena Manoukian – “Chains On You”
4. Vladimir Arzumanyan – “What’s Going On Mama”
5. TOKIONINE – “Save Me”
1. TOKIONINE – “Save Me”
“Save Me” is one of only two songs in Depi Evratesil 2020 that actually sounds like a product of this decade. TOKIONINE delivers a slick take on alternative R&B, like an Armenian version of The Weeknd. But while the studio version is highly replayable, my big concern is how it will come across live. In many photos, TOKIONINE is hiding behind a hat and sunglasses — does the hit producer have the rock star persona needed to really deliver the song live?
2. Athena Manoukian – “Chains On You”
3. EVA Rida – “No Love”
4. Vladimir Arzumanyan – “What’s Going On Mama”
5. Miriam Baghdasaryan – “Run Away”
1. TOKIONINE – “Save Me”
While the top three Armenian entries are clear among the rest, it’s clear each of them have… work to do. “Save Me”, while needing an edge to truly excel, does feel like a complete package. Modern production, a strong industrial, EDM-style hook and the potential for strong staging (think Japanese or Miami Vice styling and colours). Am I incredibly excited? No, but if Tokionine plays his cards right, then he can shape it up for Armenia.
2. Athena Manoukian – “Chains On You”
3. Vladimir Arzumanyan – “What’s Going On Mama”
4. Miriam Baghdasaryan – “Run Away”
5. Karina EVN – “Why?”