XTRA Decides returns for the Eurovison 2022 season! In this feature the team here at ESCXTRA rank the national final songs, giving our choice of the winner. We are ranking the songs using the Eurovision style 12-1 scoring system. Today we decide our winner of Czech Republic’s ESCZ national selection.
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Our Scores
| Rank | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | We Are Domi – “Lights Off” | 103 |
| 2 | Elis Mraz – “Imma Be” | 94 |
| 3 | Anabelle – “Runnin’ Out of F* Time” | 91 |
| 4 | GIUDI – “Jezinky” (Witch-maidens) | 87 |
| 5 | The Valentines – “Stay or Go” | 71 |
| 6 | Skywalker – “Way Down” | 67 |
| 7 | Jordan Haj & Emma Smetana – “By Now” | 59 |
Reviews
Isabella (12pts)
“We are Domi’s “Lights Off” is my definite winner of ESCZ. “Lights Off” is a fresh summer dance/electro-pop track that has kicked off National Finals season with a bang, and even if it does not make it to Eurovision, it will definitely remain on my playlist! I stumbled across the live performance before the studio version and Dominika’s rich tone and practically pitch-perfect vocals (which are apparently unedited and not mixed) is what sold the song to me. Aside from this, it is an ear-worm upon first listen. If “Lights Off” wins ESCZ, I believe that We Are Domi could really benefit from a simple and minimalistic staging similar to their live performance, and not detract from the song itself. However, for maximum effect in Turin, it could benefit from a revamp towards the end as it is a tad repetitive. Regardless, I believe that this song could introduce audiences to electronic dance music/alternative pop as similar songs haven’t been featured much in Eurovision.
Tom O (12pts)
This is the definite highlight from the strong ESCZ selection and a song that will very likely have many repeat listens. It’s got a good hook and Dominika performs this song really well. I don’t know if it’s just me hearing some Miley Cyrus in the vocal! So early in the Eurovision season it’s difficult to judge how would this do at the contest. There’s nothing big and attention grabbing about the package, but come the contest some strong modern lighting and screen effects could lift this electronic song.
Costa (12pts)
In a very strong field, “Lights Off” is the song from this year’s ESCZ that struck me on first listen. Even though the song isn’t the most original in the line-up, the vocal is dynamic and the production feels sleek and fresh. EDM songs have a rocky history at Eurovision. In recent years, straight-up EDM hasn’t performed particularly well, even when such songs were topping charts across the continient. This was mostly because of the inability to generate energy on stage. We Are Domi’s live-on-tape proves that there is life to this song beyond being a radio pop song.
Lisa (10pts)
In another life, “Lights Off” could’ve easily been my twelve points. So many people have this misconception that uptempo songs can’t be performed live. Which is not true if anyone has seen Becky Hill or Ella Henderson. This is high energy, as well as an accomplished vocal. Certainly not something you would expect from Czech at all! But I love it for that and it reminds me of all the Summer DJ bops from the likes of Robin Schulz and M-22 that I enjoy.
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