ESCXTRA’s 2018 Hopefuls: Lithuania

Welcome to our brand new weekly series, ‘ESCXTRA’s 2018 Hopefuls’, in which we will tell you who we would like to see in Eurovision next year! This series will keep you entertained with new music from across Europe every Monday until the national final season begins next year, and may give you somebody new to root for to represent your country!  Today, we look at who we want to see represent Lithuania in Eurovision 2018. Let’s get started!

Greta Zazza

Greta Zazza was one of the big fan favourites to win the Lithuanian selection last year with Like I Love You. However, fans were shocked when she came second to last! Perhaps trying again would be a good idea for Greta, and Lithuania might see how good she could be for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy_L6mq4JmA
Prior to Like I Love You, Greta had released Let Him Go in early 2015. The song shows that Greta can combine different genres like country and EDM, and still have a fantastic result! We think that Greta could do wonderfully for Lithuania in Eurovision…if only they’d give her a chance!

GJan

Greta Jančytė, otherwise known as GJan, began as part of the Lithuanian rock group Second Riot. In 2011, she left the band due to disagreements and began her solo career. This proved to be the perfect move for her, as she has since had many number one singles in Lithuania!

GJan’s music is incredibly catchy, and she has been nominated for several MAMA awards because of it! She would be a very good choice for Lithuania in Eurovision, and could give them their best result ever! GJan knows what she’s doing, so she’d be able to give us a fantastic performance.

Leon Somov & Jazzu

Leon Somov & Jazzu began as an electronic band with 5 members, although now there are only two: Leonas Somovas (Leon Somov) and Justė Arlauskaitė (Jazzu). They have won countless MAMA awards, and an EMA award for Best Baltic Act too! Somebody with this many awards could only do well for Lithuania in Eurovision.

Leon Somov & Jazzu’s music uses elegant melodies and has a gentle and yet so powerful feel to it. Jazzu’s voice is beautifully warm and smooth, even when performing live. They would bring something new for Lithuania in Eurovision; their experimental jazz-y sound is something that we haven’t heard before!

Paula

Paula Valentaitė was, like Greta Zazza, one of the big fan favourites to represent Lithuania in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest with her song Let U Go. If you thought Greta’s second to last place was shocking, you’ll be even more shocked to hear that Paula came in last place in the final! We hope that this hasn’t put her off trying again in the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASrwb6ZXy3c
Of course, this song coming in last place was a massive surprise; it’s so great, catchy, and could’ve took Lithuania to the final this year! hopefully Paula will try again next year, and Lithuania will be able to see how well she could do for them in Eurovision this time! Since her participation in the Lithuanian selection, she’s released her new single So Fine, which is another incredible song!

Alina Orlova

Alina Orlova’s style is very unique; she sings sung poetry and “Daina”, a type of Baltic folk music. She usually performs in Lithuania, Russian, and English, so we could see a non-English song represent Lithuania with her! Alina’s became famous even before releasing her first album, after being awarded an A.LT award and being named Breakthrough of the Year 2006!

Alina could give Lithuania a completely stand out entry for Eurovision. Her unique style would stick in viewers heads, whilst the haunting melodies of her songs follow them for days! It would definitely be a wise choice for Lithuania in Eurovision to pick Alina as their representative.

Evelina Young

Evelina Young was born in Vilnius, but is now based in Los Angeles. She has been singing since she was only 7 years old, and has now performed at over 300 concerts worldwide. She has even been the warm-up act for Seal in 2006! Evelina has done very well in several other international competitions, and we think that she could keep up this record with Eurovision.

Evelina has a wonderful voice, and her music is incredibly emotional. She would be sure to captivate the audience for Lithuania in Eurovision! It’s clear that Evelina knows how to perform as well, so we would see something truly spectacular. We hope that Lithuania will one day consider her!

Next week, we will look at who we want to see represent Estonia!
What do you think of our hopefuls? Is there anybody else you’d like to see for Lithuania in Eurovision? Do the idea of any of these artists excite you? Tell us in the comments below!