The Romanian song was released on March 4th, via the Eurovision youtube channel. Roxen, who had been internally selected to represent Romania last year was reselected after the cancellation of Eurovision 2020. Unlike last year, where her song was chosen in a national final, this year's entry was internally selected. Her song is called "Amnesia"
The video takes place in a theatre although I don't think this particularly adds anything to the song or performance but does feel quite apt at a time where performances like this just aren't allowed. Roxen has long back hair and is wearing a dark green hoodie and black & grey trousers. Later in in the performance she changes into a slightly more intricate black jacket and trousers but if you are not paying attention you can easily miss the change! She is on stage with a number of dancers in a kind of grey/beige colour who really accentuate the rhythm and meaning of the song.
After a very minimal intro, Roxen joins in. After a very brief verse the build up to chorus begins. There is then a pre-chorus before the chorus. Unfortunately this part is highly processed with very obvious auto tuning which doesn't fill you with utmost confidence in either her or the song. We then have another cycle of verse/pre-chorus/chorus before a bridge focussing on the 'self love' part of the song before a final rendition of the chorus. The backing track is rather atmospheric and ethereal and only really the beat changes in the different parts of the song. Also, from looking at the lyrics sheet, it starts to feel like the verses are a little bit of an after thought as they take up so little of the running time and the chorus build up and finish lasts 45 seconds on it's own - and takes up almost 2 minutes of the song on its own.
Roxen is a relative newcomer to the music business but has already had three top 3 songs in her homeland, with two of those being in Romanian rather than English. Most of her songs have been in the genre of deep house although she has sung a range of different tempos. Possibly due to her age, she has also been compared to Billie Eilish, and her 2020 entry definitely backed that ideal up. However last last year she duetted with Alexander Rybak on the song "Wonderland".
As much as Roxen's 2020 entry was lyrically poor it did at least have flow, rise & fall and character ,this to me feels very one note. The use of autotune makes no sense whatsoever as it won't be used when live plus the production style and quick lyrics in the chorus almost make it unintelligible. As much as the song is about mental health and self worth, it starts to com across as moody and wallowing in the feelings rather than having any optimism or hope. That said I do enjoy the video and as much as I would adore Roxen to do something like this at Eurovision I don't think her voice would stand such a physical pounding. For a song called "Amnesia", it certainly leaves your head rather quickly....
ARTIST - Roxen
SONG - Amnesia
WRITING CREDITS - Victor Bourosu, Adelina Stinga
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