Alicja is on stage alone although to either side of her is the mini orchestra used to accompany the track. She is dressed smartly in a white trouser suit, which didn't really flatter or fit her properly, and under that she is wearing a flesh coloured top which could make some people believe she wasn't wearing anything! She is also adorned which a few nice rings on her hands, which are very visible when she reaches for the microphone, and be made more of.
The "Szansa Na Sukces" studio was rather threadbare when it comes to set up but I will try and expand on it if I can. She is situated on a small circular plinth with a microphone and stand. The backdrop is an array of slowly moving hexagonal chains, slowly moving. When the camera pans across it gives the feeling they there are layers of these rather than just a flat background. Also the words scroll up on the backdrop which is a rather novel idea but when her singing got rather shouty and breathy you kind of needed it!
The song starts with a quite mournful piano and violin introduction. Most of the song follows a familiar formula of verse/bridge/chorus x2 albeit with slightly different orchestration each time. After this the song gets a bit more free form as it falls from bit to bit each time hoping it's going to be one more repeat of the chorus but never quite getting there. There is plenty of rise and fall, especially when leading up to the big finish. Unfortunately the end note seemed a little tricky for her - although I totally understand that she may have been nervous or anxious about competing - but hopefully between now and May she can get some vocal coaching to iron this out.
Unlike many of the songs I've reviewed lately this one sounds great and powerful and fresh at first listen, but the more you listen to it - the more you pick it apart - the more you sense there are holes in in its fabric. The initial time I saw and heard this I could totally see the potential but the more I've rewatched it the more I realise not is all as it seems. The last minute is a total mess and the ending couple of lines don't really work without the chorus behind it and some of the other lyrics are rather trite.
Bearing in mind that the setup of the studio was rather basic,there is huge scope for visual improvement as well as a total styling and outfit upgrade. With a couple of months prep I think she can iron out the performance and make sure he can hit the big notes. I am now just to aware of the poor construction of this song and I think that if it isn't changed its not going to flow properly.
Artist - Alicja Szemplinska
Song - Empires
Composers - Laurell Barker, Dominic Buczkowski-Wojtaszek, Patryk Kumór, Frazer Mac
Lyricists - Laurell Barker, Dominic Buczkowski-Wojtaszek, Patryk Kumór, Frazer Mac
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