The Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is set to take place on Sunday 26 November. A total of 16 countries will present their entries for the public and juries, all hoping to be crowned the winner at the end of the show.
Before we settle down to watch some amazing young singers, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — has been busy listening to all the competing entries. It’s now time for them to reveal who their favourites are.
Our seven jurors hail from Australia, Croatia, Romania, the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Below, they’ll each list their top five songs from Junior Eurovision 2023 and provide short reviews of their favourite. Read on to find out who they’re rooting for.
Junior Eurovision 2023: Wiwi Jury Reviews
Jonathan
1. Armenia: Yan Girls — “Do It My Way”
Vibrant, fierce, powerful – “Do It My Way” is jam-packed with attitude from start to finish. Despite being 40 seconds under the Junior Eurovision time limit, Yan Girls still manage to bring the listener on a compelling journey thanks to the dynamic blend of singing, rapping and dance breaks. Nane, Nensi, Kamilla, Syuzana and Aida deliver one of the most slickly-produced songs of the year with bundles of charisma, taking the K-pop style and truly making it their own with gorgeous Armenian flourishes. There is no doubt that this will stand out in the contest and be an entry people remember. Yan Girls in your area!!
2. North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska — “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”
3. Ukraine: Anastasia Dymyd — “Kvitka”
4. Spain: Sandra Valero — “Loviu”
5. Malta: Yulan — “Stronger”
Lucy
1. North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska — “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”
North Macedonia are sending “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” to Junior Eurovision, when actually I feel most of the Eurofandom are begging for something like this at the adult contest. It gives us Balkan vibes with a powerful, gorgeous voice. There’s a modern sound to this ballad, making the more regional sounds very accessible to all watching — important in a contest aimed at kids! The music video is also giving us drama, which would transfer well to a big stage. North Macedonia deserve a win after many brilliant attempts at the JESC crown, is it finally their turn?
2. Ireland: Jessica McKean — “Aisling”
3. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life”
4. Poland: Maja Krzyżewska — “I Just Need A Friend”
5. Albania: Viola Gjyzeli — “Bota Ime”
Ruxy
1. Spain: Sandra Valero — “Loviu”
This pick comes as a surprise to me because I’m typically not drawn to this type of “cute songs.” However, Sandra’s charisma and warm voice are winning me over. What stands out the most is that it’s a perfect fit for Junior Eurovision, considering that it’s still a competition for children. I believe Sandra is a complete artist: she possesses the voice, confidence, and stage presence. The song is catchy, delightful and sweet. We all need a happy tune from time to time. I’m eager to see her performance, and mark my words, she might have the same impact that Lissandro had last year.
2. Netherlands: Sep & Jasmijn — “Holding On To You”
3. France: Zoé Clauzure — “Cœur”
4. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life”
5. North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska — “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”
Pablo
1. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life”
The UK is truly setting foot as a Junior Eurovision power player, and these three young ladies should be very proud of what they’re sending. “Back To Life” brings that vintage British girl group energy to modern times perfectly. The intensity is just right, and it might just have the strongest hook of the whole line-up. It’s a throwback for the enjoyment of many generations, it’s a modern blast of fun that can explode on social media, it’s all that, and more. Don’t dismantle the Liverpool arena just yet, because STAND UNIQU3 might just bring it home.
2. Netherlands: Sep & Jasmijn — “Holding On To You”
3. Germany: FIA — “Ohne Worte”
4. Armenia: Yan Girls — “Do It My Way”
5. France: Zoé Clauzure — “Cœur”
Sebastian
1. Armenia: Yan Girls — “Do It My Way”
Yan Girls? More like Yasss Girls! In all seriousness, “Do It My Way” is a masterclass in what Armenia at Junior Eurovision has done best. It’s Hollywood-class production, combined with a cohesive visual style, a unique personality for each star of Yan Girls, yet a perfect harmony in both singing and dance between them all. Combining Armenian ethno-beats with a K-POP undertone could have been a dangerous move, yet it flourishes. This is, by far, the best produced Junior Eurovision act to date, and I applaud Yan Girls as not a kitsch novelty, but one to be respected. Yerevan, get your stadiums and hotels ready – I have a strong feeling we’ll be back.
2. Netherlands: Sep & Jasmijn — “Holding On To You”
3. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life”
4. Ukraine: Anastasia Dymyd — “Kvitka”
5. Spain: Sandra Valero — “Loviu”
Scarlett
1. North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska — “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj”
A winning power ballad if there ever was one. The drama and the theatrical quality is just *chef’s kiss*. I adore the soaring melody and Tamara’s strong vocals carry the song perfectly, both through belts and the softer moments. With a song like this, you have to give it your all and then some, and I love that she held nothing back. I’m a big fan of the string instrumentals too, which balance out the lyrical portions of the song nicely. But beyond the drama and the instrumentals, this song has a strong message of hope and treasuring the present moment. That’s what makes this my personal winner.
2. Albania: Viola Gjyzeli — “Bota Ime”
3. Ireland: Jessica McKean — “Aisling”
4. Georgia: Anastasia & Ranina — “Over The Sky”
5. Armenia: Yan Girls — “Do It My Way”
Mario
1. Spain: Sandra Valero — “Loviu”
Spain is confidently putting Junior in Junior Eurovision this year! Sandra is the main star of this project: her playfulness clearly sells the song to every listener, in what could have been just an ordinary song if played by someone else. “Loviu” is sweet, yet full of attitude and spontaneity. It’s a mini tribute to the golden age of Spanish teen rock bands golden to me, yet it’s well in 2023 and carefully adapted to fit Sandra’s age. Spain, you’ve got this!
2. Ireland: Jessica McKean — “Aisling”
3. Estonia: ARHANNA — “Hoiame Kokku”
4. Italy: Melissa & Ranya — “Un Mondo Giusto”
5. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life”
Junior Eurovision 2023: Wiwi Jury Results
If each Wiwi Juror were to award 12, 10, 8, 7 and 6 points to their favourites, the overall top five would be:
1. United Kingdom: STAND UNIQU3 — “Back To Life” (41 points)
2. North Macedonia: Tamara Grujeska — “Kaži Mi, Kaži Mi Koj” (40 points)
3.= Armenia: Yan Girls — “Do It My Way” (37 points)
3.= Spain: Sandra Valero — “Loviu” (37 points)
5. Netherlands: Sep & Jasmijn — “Holding On To You” (30 points)
What do you make of the reviews of our Wiwi Jury for Junior Eurovision 2023? Do you agree? Who are your favourites ahead of the contest? Let us know in the comments below.
