FYROM - reloaded

The day after the Macedonian song was presented on TV, the video for "Imperija" disappeared from official MRT internet sites and channels. The channel initially announced that this was because the video was not up standards (The video featured buildings connected to the controversial Skopje 2014 project). They then revealed that song was to be replaced, due to bad reviews written by the Macedonian public on socal media sites. since the reveal. Within a few days it was announced that Lozano and Esma would be singing a new song. On March 15th the duo presented their new song "Pred da se razdeni" (Before the dawn).

The song was performed on the set of the Macedonian version of "Strictly Come Dancing". Unfortunately they were both miming. At the back of the stage are 2 female backing singers. Lozano is to one side and Esma is nowhere to be seen until her part starts up. While she enters and sings Lozano, changes sides and then sings the next part on the opposite side. For the final chorus Lozano joins Esma on the central platform. The stage is a blue colour while Lozano sings and is multicoloured and flashy when Esma sings. This also brings out more distinction between the two parts of the song.

I quite like this idea and I think this kind of 2-sided stage could work for Eurovision. I can imagine one side of the stage in darkness while the other part is performing. However it does limit the interaction between the two and so at the end it feels a little bit uncomfortable, like the chemistry isn't really there and one doesn't really understands what the chemistry should be like...

The song is basically in two parts - Lozano sings the balladeer parts in Macedonian, Esma sings the up-tempo parts in Romani. His parts are very clear and seem easy to sing. This is also the part of the song you will remember and hum along to. Esma's part are really over produced, with a very sever echoing on the beginning of her parts, which she will be unable to replicate on the stage. It is a very difficult song for a non Eastern European to access and it might come across as a bit too freakish.

I think it was a shame that "Imperija" was replaced. Although it had its faults, the song  had a great rhythm and had a memorable chorus. However this new song is very strange - this could be its good point or bad point. It does sound like two different songs mashed together but I think many will think this works, just as many with think it will not. Another big factor is whether they can sing this live. I am not sure this will gain enough votes to progress.

Artist - Esma and Lozano

Song - Pred da se razdeni (Before the dawn)
Music - Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Cvetkoski, Simeon Atanasov
Lyrics - Magdalena Cvetkoska