MOLDOVA

The Moldovan Final was held on February 27th at the TRM TV Studios in Chisinau, hosted by Sergiu Beznitchi & Olivia Furtuna. Before the final there were 2 semi-finals of 12 songs where 8 qualified from each. The winner, chosen by 50/50 televoting and jury was Lidia Isac with the song “Falling Stars”

The song is an upbeat pop song with a simple repetitive stricture. The verses are slightly down beat whilst the chorus backing track is more emphatic but the lyrics, more sparse. The bridge builds up towards the chorus but emphasis the title of the song. You do get a bit of a shock when the first chorus kicks in as it changes the song instantly. The whole thing feels a bit odd, like all the parts of this performance just don't fit. In some ways it has a bit in common with last year’s Belarus entry. Lidia is backed by 2 backing singers, a drummer and guitarists which not only looks odd but also feels redundant considering this is a synthesiser-led dance number. The back drop is also a bit lacklustre having a murmuration style light show, ended by a pointless pyro curtain and the words ‘falling stars’ on the back drop.

Lidia is a testament to the old adage “if you dont’ succeed, try, try again” having participated in every Moldovan preselection since 2013 and finally winning the ticket this year. Previously, she was part of the duo Glam Girls what was a successful act in Moldova although their style was more rockier that this entry. She has also participated three times in the New Wave competition as well as taking part in many other competitions in Eastern Europe.

The song itself has Moldova written through it like a stick of rock. It has a rawness, almost naïve-amateurness, that Moldova constantly seems to choose for Eurovision. It is a song that delivers a bit of a punch but not a killer blow. It’s a competent song and one that could qualify IF it has the right look. What is lacking from this is any sort of stagecraft. Lidia needs to move around the stage, even if just walking. Her dress is not the most inspiring thing and she could possibly get away with something more dramatic or something obviously relating to the title of the song.  She can dump the musicians on stage and get some dancers to live the whole thing up.  I won’t even start on the lighting and backdrop as they are so cheap and uninspiring anything will be better than this in Stockholm. Iron out the creases and you have a fine entry which could qualify. As is, it won’t go anywhere.

ARTIST – Lidia Isac

SONG – Falling Stars

MUSIC – Gabriel Alares, Sebastian Lestapier, Ellen Berg, Leonid Gutkin

LYRICS – Gabriel Alares, Sebastian Lestapier, Ellen Berg, Leonid Gutkin