Tonight Moldova will select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. Ten acts will compete in the final of O melodie pentru Europa 2019 after advancing from last month’s live audition round. But first, the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — is here to give our take on the songs.

Antranig

1. Che-MD feat. Elizaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pământ”

I’m pleasantly surprised at how high the quality is in Moldova this year. I would be happy with any of my top five representing Moldova. However, Che-MD and Elizaveta Ivasiuk are a couple of steps ahead of the competition. This has a distinctly Moldovan flavour, building into an epic rock chorus. A few other songs may appeal more to Eurofans but after a couple of great pop entries, it’s time for Moldova to dip their toe into another genre. This is top ten material!

2. Tinna Gi – “Virus”
3. Marcela Scripcaru – “Meteor”
4. Anna Odobescu – “Stay”
5. Vera Țurcanu – “Cold”

Barnabas

1. Che-MD feat. Elizaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pământ”

Che-MD is back! Last year’s effort “Inima-n stinga” was already very good, but they’ve raised the level and brought a killer track to the stage! “Sub pămînt” is quality folk-rock track, with the violin adding a whole new flavour to it. It’s going to be a hard competition, with the musical quality in Moldova being the highest in years, but I wish them the best.

2. Diana Brescan – “Lies”
3. Maxim Zavidia – “I Will Not Surrender”
4. Siaj – “Olimp”
5. Vera Țurcanu – “Cold”

Florian

1. Tinna Gi – “Virus”

“Virus” has a strong beat supporting its melody. The fact that it’s sung in Romanian gives it a type of unique atmosphere that will instantly click and stand out among the rest. The transition from verses to pre-chorus is well executed before going into the big chorus. Accompanied with good staging, this could score another good result for the country in Tel Aviv.

2. Vera Țurcanu – “Cold”
3. Marcela Scripcaru – “Meteor”
4. Diana Brescan – “Lies”
5. Anna Odobescu – “Stay”

Luis

1. Tinna Gi – “Virus”

Sultry, strong and inviting, “Virus” would be a bold move for Moldova after two ‘happy-clappy’ entries. Tinna’s breathy vocals add a bit of spice to this entry, which progresses in a linear way, but still manages to keep the interest until the end. Moldova hasn’t sung in Romanian since Aliona Moon, and this would be a great choice to go back to their language at Eurovision

2. Vera Turcanu – “Cold”
3. Aurel Chirtoaca – “La cinema”
4. Che-MD feat. Elisaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pâmânt”
5. Siaj – “Olimp”

Mario

1. Marcela Scripcaru – “Meteor”

Okay, this is far from sensational, but out of these 10, “Meteor” has the most “good-sides”. It is another Eurovision national selection song by the books, but Marcela’s deep rich voice makes it a stand-out. “Meteor” gives us a lot of drama and serves quality verses – live it will definitely sound better. Besides, no one has ever sang “I’m not gonna die” so chill like Marcela.

2. Vera Turcanu – “Cold”
3. Maxim Zavidia – “I Will Not Surrender”
4. Anna Odobescu – “Stay”
5. Aurel Chirtoaca – “La Cinema”

Oliver

1. Anna Odobescu – “Stay”

Unfortunately, the two entries that I was rooting for did not make the final line-up but still there are a couple of credible songs which did advance. My pick for Moldova is Anna Odobescu and her dramatically performed “Stay”. This song may have a rather typical structure but it builds nicely as it progresses and uses a well-placed key-change to take it to another level. Overall, the song is memorable, especially the bridge, which could be what helps get people behind this song.

2. Diana Brescan – “Lies”
3. Che-MD feat. Elizaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pământ”
4. Vera Țurcanu – “Cold”
5. Tinna Gi – “Virus”

Pablo

1. Maxim Zavidia – “I Will Not Surrender”

I don’t know what happened in Moldova that makes it feel more subpar than other years (outside of eliminating what could have been the better entry out of all 28), but the situation needs help. In case of emergency, aim for potential, and the one falls on Maxim Zavidia. With his team and this song’s potential, “I Will Not Surrender” can take off into being something great, capitalising in the extra, in the power behind the African-inspired tunes on this, and juice Maxim’s outré persona. Moldova, you need to put work on your entry, so get the best grounds possible.

2. Tinna Gi – “Virus”
3. Anna Odobescu – “Stay”
4. Che-MD feat. Elizaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pământ”
5. Siaj – “Olimp”

Robyn

1. Marcela Scripcaru – “Meteor”

There are a few strong contenders in O melodie pentru Europa 2019, but “Meteor” is the song that stands out the most. It’s strong and dramatic and lets Marcela show off her vocals. At times the lyrics feel a little repetitive, but there’s also enough going on with the music that it doesn’t drag. From all the finalists, “Meteor” is the only Eurovision-ready song at this stage.

2. Vera Țurcanu – “Cold”
3. Aurel Chirtoacă – “La cinema”
4. Diana Brescan – “Lies”
5. Che-MD feat. Elizaveta Ivasiuk – “Sub pământ”

Which juror’s opinion do you most agree with? Who do you think should win O melodie pentru Europa and represent Moldova at Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comment section down below!

Read more Moldova Eurovision news here

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Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

“I’m pleasantly surprised at how high the quality is in Moldova this year”.

We are reviewing different songs or we have a completely different taste…

Anyway, I would go for either “Virus” or “Cold”

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I’ve been listening to the revamped versions and I must say I quite like Lemonique’s “Gravity”. I hated then, but now it is really catchy and uplifting, I wasn’t expecting that. So it has to be “Virus”, “Cold” or “Gravity” for me. The three have something interesting.

tom
tom
5 years ago

Aurel, Anna or Maxim

Pablo Nava
Pablo Nava
5 years ago

#FormatiaLumeRIP

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

“High quality selection ” Lol

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago

Maxim or Anna for me

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

I guess that I’m the only one who likes Gravity XD. LUME wouldve easily won, but Cold, Sub Pamant, Virus, Stay and Meteor would all be good enough entries. Idk if Moldova will qualify with any of these songs, but they can surely make themselves stand out if they select the right song with a good staging.

Evan
Evan
5 years ago

It shoulda been “Ca Adriano Celenano”…

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Must resist urge to make LUME comment…
Seriously, has to be Vera. Or it could be a case of Moldova’s selection being so bad this year, that they should just send Diana Brescan and get her turn over and done with (If Latvia didn’t do this with Markus, then I don’t think Moldova are going to but whatever!).

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

Moldova might struggle this year no matter which song they pick. Olimp and GravitTy are just awful. Other eight songs have more or less similar potential to succeed based on what Moldova does best – staging. So far, all eight are between 4/10 and 6/10 to me. I am rather curious on who will nail the live best and my money is on Vera Turcanu. She did it last year.

sunny
sunny
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Vera + perfect staging = another good year for a wonderful ESC country. (I secretly want Maruv).

sunny
sunny
5 years ago

Vera – “Cold”

escfan1999
escfan1999
5 years ago

sub pamint should win

Klio
Klio
5 years ago

Weak quality of songs. No final for Moldova this time.

beek
beek
5 years ago

Interesting that Vera Turcanu is nobody’s #1 but in most of the top 5s and frequently at #2… foreshadowing what may happen in the voting?