MOLDOVA

The Moldovan Final was held on March 2nd at the TRM TV Studios in Chisinau. There was due to be a semi final but this was scrapped in favour of a one-shot final. The winner was chosen by a 50/50 split of by televoting and jury. The winning act was Anna Odobescu with the song “Stay”.

Anna is right at the front of the stage whilst 3 backing singers are to the side on her left. She is dressed in what seems to be a gold shimmery leotard with a belt tied around her middle with strips of white cloth tied around it. It doesn’t look too bad when still but as soon as she moves it the skirt starts to look very cheap. Behind her the video screens start off with a dark shimmering setting then turn into puffs of white smoke. There is also the odd moments of redness too as well as shots of a mouth (possibly hers) lip syncing the lyrics.

The song a mid tempo song, slightly tipping towards the ballad side. The backing track is quite synthesised although I think the whole thing could be beefed up by making it more rocky by using electric guitars Straight off the bat, Anna is singing full blast, which at first provides an initial bit of power but becomes quite tedious quite quickly. The chorus flows nicely in and out of the verses but you almost miss it when it’s gone. There is a quiet part around the 2 minute mark which provides some light relief but goes back into shouty mode very quickly. The last chorus also comes with a key change. The ending would also work much better if there was more light and shade in the rest of the song.

Anna has a very strong voice but in this song it just comes across as a bit too angry and loud. Maybe if there was more scope, tone and the ability to show off different parts of her voice it would not come across as so one-dimensional. The staging is also quite boring and doesn’t really have any hook to memorise it by. The only thing I can really remember is that really bad dress. When Moldova goes full out on something it’s done with energy and attack this has none of that. That’s not to say it couldn’t change things around. Ideally I’d make it more rock influenced, make the first verse a little softer so the chorus gives the power blow and I’d give her a much better wardrobe.

It’s not a bad song but the attention is in the detail and this is seriously lacking. Unless this is gone through with a fine tooth comb it’s not qualifying.

ARTIST –  Anna Odobescu

SONG – Stay

MUSIC -  Georgios Kalpakidis, Thomas Reil, Jeppe Reil, Maria Broberg

LYRICS - Georgios Kalpakidis, Thomas Reil, Jeppe Reil, Maria Broberg