The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 39 competing songs in Eurovision 2021. Next we take a look at Moldova, where Natalia Gordienko has “Sugar”. Were we tempted by her sweetness? Read on to find out!
Natalia Gordienko – “Sugar”
“Sugar” reviews
Jordi: The menu today does not offer you an expensive production, deep in substance or opportunity to showcase your vocals. However, Moldova’s recommendations of the day are sensuality, fun and energy. And Natalia Gordienko is taking them all. “Sugar” is the kind of fast-food music that unfolds as expected. It does not provide a sophisticated formula, is capitalized on trends and is crafted for an Eurovision arena. Despite its simplistic mission, this song is intended to make people dance and feel-good, and “Sugar” does the job. Moldova is usually underrated until Eurovision arrives. Will Natalia pound the alarm in Rotterdam?
Score: 6.5
Oliver: As a Eurovision party track, “Sugar” does the job. The post-chorus horn riff is definitely bop-worthy. But overall, it’s lacking in substance. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in some fast-food pop every now and then, but this feels like the cheapest item on the Kirkorov saver menu. The lyrics are stale, the development non-existent, and the song’s multiple sections are sloppily cut together making for some extremely jarring transitions. And what’s more, the song is completely unsuitable for Natalia’s otherwise great voice: she often goes into vocal fry as she struggles to reach the deeper tones, more suited to an alto. With that, the sultry and sexy energy this track attempts to create reads as contrived.
Score: 3.5
Antranig: If anybody still needs proof that Philipp Kirkorov is God’s gift to the Eurovision community, look no further. Natalia Gordienko knows I’ve got a sweet tooth and she’s setting up an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet. This song is everything it needs to be — catchy, sexy and infectious. The beat is instantly memorable and has spent many days stuck inside my head. Much like any other “Fuego”-esque song, its success will be determined by the quality of the live performance. If Natalia nails that, there will be a sugar rush in Rotterdam.
Score: 9
Erdi: A song from dream team, from the beginning to the end. I really enjoy listening the show and I really love how creative Moldova is when it comes to bringing it to t stage. I am sure we all will love Moldova even more, once it comes to the Ahoy Arena. My only concern is how Natalia can deliver with her live performance. The song reminds me of good Eurovision memories from the 2000s when we were listening to bops from Eastern European countries.
Score: 8
Deban: Natalia Gordienko’s previous Eurovision entry “Prison” unleashed a torrent of musical promise. Unfortunately, her renewed attempt at the contest leaves me with cavities. Hollow on first listen, and tawdry on repeat spins, this track feels overproduced, borrowed and lacking in substance. “Sugar” was fun in my teens. And although it won’t kill me, I prefer a balanced diet.
Score: 5
Natalia Gordienko – “Sugar” rankings
In the Wiwi Jury we have 24 jurors but only have room for five reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Calvin: 4.5
Diego: 6 Esma: 7 Jonathan: 7.5 Josh: 6.5 Julian: 9 Kristín: 5.5 Lauren: 7 Lucy: 6 Luis: 7.5 |
Natalie: 6.5
Pablo: 8.5 Renske: 8 Robyn: 6.5 Ron: 8 Sebastian: 8.5 Tobias: 5 Tom: 7 William: 8.5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3.5 and a high of 9.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.93/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
I just love how “Fuego” is still relevant and referenced.
That’s a winning choreography for sure.
So tacky. “Prison” was even worse but I’m so sorry Natalia decided to play as Kirkorov’s puppet. I don’t really get why it gets so hyped. I mean, it will probably qualify thanks to an over-the-top, very sexualized performance. That’s how this works. But the song has nothing interesting, original or enjoyable, not in the music not in its lyrics, and I find it rather annoying. I’m yet to discover something I like from Kirkorov’s work tbh. Everything is so pretentious, dated, tacky, cheap and cheesy. 3/10 Moldova completes my bottom 5. 2. Ireland (8.25) 4. Lithuania (7.75) 6. Spain… Read more »
How did this get a higher score than Greece, Croatia, or Azerbaijan?
This song is so cheap and tacky it hurts my feelings.
I absolutely love this song. It’s so catchy, rememberable, makes you move… it’s all that you want in euro-pop banger. I don’t care for what y’all hating it, but this song does the job it was made to do. Go Moldova. Definitely a song I’ll be listening post-Eurovision.
Here here Ted, And finally Moldova douze points
It is the epitome of kitsch. I love kitsch – however with a twist of intelligence and sense of humor. This is just cold and calculated. I don’t like it at all but it might end up high on the score board.
My comment is awaiting approval. If it appears multiple times, I can only apologise
Basically 4/10. Dancing ice cream cone gives me nightmares and I get chilled by Kirkorov.
Oliver’s comment is as if we’re having a classical music competition.
a 5 from tobias! that’s pretty much the best score you could get from him if you aren’t sweden
This is just fiercely exaggerated for what it actually is.
Stop insulting Satan! He doesn’t deserve to be compared with Kirkorov.
I wouldn’t call myself a Kirkorov fan (let alone a worshipper), but “Sugar” is the first song of his in quite a while that I candidly enjoyed. At least this time there’s no hidden agenda – Natalia’s entry is dumb, high-decibel and directed straight to the point. Romance is dead, baby, so just gimme some of that sweet sweet sugar. And I admire this honesty. Lust is really as good of emotion as any other, perhaps even better, as it doesn’t leave any room for pretentiousness or boredom (I’m glad we’ve escaped from that prison). Originally, I wanted to describe… Read more »
Nice review !!!
Rated higher than songs like Greece, Belgium, Uk, Australia. Let that sink in.
as it should
The song is catchy , it is quirky. It will be hated by many for lack of deep meaning/emotion but wanting to have fun is also an emotion. She is not a bad vocalist , she can dance . This will be staged well. I like the dance beat drop.
This could be borderline with Jury but the televote should send this through.
7/10.
“Sugar” is truly one of the most underrated songs of this year.
It’s catchy, fun and unpretentious. I hope the staging will be something really slick. I expect this to easily reach the final …
If Kirkorov managed to to get a top 10 placement for Doredos, his job will be much easier with this one, I’m afraid
not this getting a higher score than greece…..
16) Moldova –
This is pretty solid. Although it does feel like an amalgamation of about 5 different songs, it’s a fun tune with some pretty wacky effects, which knowing Mr. Kirkorov will be reflected in the stage performance. My main issue I take with it is that I don’t think this is the type of song Natalia is used to and at times I feel like it’s a bit uncomfortable to watch. I actually prefer Prison to this, but it’s still decent. 7/10
Wiwi Juries’ current TOP 32 San Marino (8.2) Lithuania (7.89) Italy (7.7) (=) Ireland (7.7) Cyprus (7.45) Finland (7.34) Ukraine (7.32) Russia (7.18) Sweden (7.14) Moldova (6.93) Australia (6.84) Greece (6.82) (=) United Kingdom (6.82) Croatia (6.75) Azerbaijan (6.57) Israel (6.45) Latvia (6.34) Belgium (6.16) (=) Czech Republic (6.16) Serbia (6.09) Albania (5.89) (=) Norway (5.89) Spain (5.34) Germany (5.14) Estonia (5.07) Austria (4.89) Denmark (4.84) (=) Slovenia (4.84) Poland (4.5) Portugal (4.32) North Macedonia (4.05) Georgia (3.82) My personal TOP 32 San Marino (My 1st) Italy (My 2nd) Greece (My 4th) Lithuania (My 5th) Ukraine (My 7th) Moldova (My… Read more »
MOLDOVA – Sugary visuals, spicy lyrics, and a nice dance routine. These are the ingredients chosen to create a perfect guilty pleasure! Inspired from artists like Maruv, Loboda, and Paris Hilton, Sugar gives its own spin on the seductive diva banger genre. The music is alluring, and the drop is injecting it with an additional rush. I feel like this song is also set-up to have a big staging potential. Can we expect dancers dressed like ice-cream cones? A giant cake for Natalia to jump out of? Whatever it is, I am excited! The song is pretty straightforward in what… Read more »
I surely wasn’t expecting a mention to the artist Paris Hilton on one of your reviews! And to think this is only the second most unexpected thing I’ve read on this post, thanks to Antranig’s controversial religious beliefs.
It only made sense for me to compare my newest guilty pleasure to my high school one. Paris and Natalia are both beautiful tall(ish) blondes performing pop songs which are often packing sexual innuendos in a seemingly playful way. Covered in pastel colors, glitter, and using a soft-spoken, seductive voice. With all the comparisons, I am surprised I’m the first one to draw this one.
I’m not familiar with her music work, I barely only know her main activity as “celebrity”. But I think it makes sense. Though I don’t know if Natalia would like to be compared with someone that probably can’t sing. I guess she was better with the Katy Perry analogies.
Hilton had an album back in 2006 (interestingly, the same year when Natalia first participated in ESC), and she made some singles since. A lot of it was about being sexy and having a good time. There were some more tender and romantic ones as well. It’s hard to say how much autotune was used (some new footage suggests not much), but I like the tone of her voice in the audio. Since many of these are fun party songs I think of with a smile, I actually meant to compare it in a good way. 🙂 But, yeah, Katy… Read more »
If I’m not mistaken, she tried to be a singer. But maybe Colin was the only one that still remembered about that. 😀
Cheap, cheap, cheap. I will be very disappointed if this qualifies over Serbia.
I think actually both of them will qualify but I get your point
So you think Serbia is not cheap 😀
“Sugar” is far from nutritional, but many viewers will consume it anyway, because it will give them a rush. Judging it solely based on music standards, it has a weird structure, cheap lyrics and a certain desperation to cover a lot of bases in no time. But it’s hard to deny that this is insanely Eurovision-friendly. Assuming Natalia can sing it well (dancing and keeping a sultry tone all the time won’t be easy) and the staging will be as lusciously absurd as its video (knowing Moldova, it probably will!), this may be fun to watch and do well. 5.5/10
Even though I enjoy her previous entry “Prison” more, this one has a lot potential for the life performance. It’s different and may stand out very much. Although both the theme and the feeling in general aren’t of my taste.
6/10
radio hit in Ukraine serious this sounds like a dated Britney Spears song.
It’s quite catchy and it technically is a good bop, but for me this song is lacking something… I don’t know why, but sometimes it seems to me that Natalia seems a bit disconnected and that she does not really enjoys singing this sons as much as she should. It’s completely different than her last year’s entry, and while it’s okay for singers to try any genres they want, I am wonder what her favorite style really is and what would be her dream song for Eurovision. I hope she is not pressured by Kirkorov to perform with something she… Read more »
Is there ANYTHING Tobias actually likes
It seems a very uncomfortable question.
I’d say: Sweden, of course
Seriously, this is higher than Greece and UK? What are people thinking?
And Croatia
Leave it to Moldova to give us another guilty pleasure xD
my winner.
It’s funny how they released reviews of both my no.1 and no.39 in the same day.
But this is the only song released today
Moldova 1/10
How hypocritical Lauren is. She gave The Roop a 3, and everyone thought she just didn’t like that type of music. But now seeing her giving a 7 for Moldova, a song that’s pretty similar in style… yikes.
this song embodies entirely the stereotype we have of eastern european taste in italy (tacky, dated, hot girls…) but she pulls it off well lol
Isn’t Italy the capital of plastic surgery?
As an Eastern European who loves Italy, this hurts.
17. Moldova: It is a song that is trashy and generic, but nevertheless extremely catchy and smart as far as the visuals are concerned. I consider it to be one of the guilty pleasures of mine.
trashy? generic? are you listening to another song? there is nothing trashy or generic in this song.
I will agree with Vanilla on this xD. Let’s be real everything from the lyrics to the beat is generic. It just is. But I am honest in saying that I enjoy the song and I want it to qualify.
We have agreed on some things in the past as well. We surely agree on Ukraine being amazing this year (I remember you like that song).
haha I am Greek and “Thanos” is my actual name xd.
thanks!
Antranig: If anybody still needs proof that Philipp Kirkorov is God’s gift to the Eurovision community, look no further.
Please…how about kicking Antranig and Tobias out of the Wiwi Jury?/hj
I think we need to tell Antranig that Kirkorov is not a fan of the Eurovision community… especially the gays. Maybe then he would stop writing these cringy remarks.
What are you talking about? Kirkorov is obviously gay
Okay but why is he so homophobic then.
his songs are always dated
Nietzsche’s “God is dead” concept works well sometimes.
I don’t understand how people can say this is formulaic and unsophisticated? I think the first utterance of the brass instrumental is super unexpected on first listen and it’s a really effective chorus to the reserved, sensual first verse. I think this song develops really well and I am sure Moldova will pull off an exceptional stage show to accompany it!
It’s not one of my faves but I can see why people like it. Lyrically it’s weak but still memorable. If Natalia will nail the vocals she will have a chance to get top 10,but if not they will struggle in the semi.
I absolutely love this song. It’s so catchy, rememberable, makes you move… it’s all that you want in euro-pop banger. I don’t care for what y’all hating it, but this song does the job it was made to do. Go Moldova. Definitely a song I’ll be listening post-Eurovision.
For once, I’m not in total disagreement with Tobias! He finally got one of them right! Only took him 30+ countries
I can’t tell if Antranig was sincerely saying that Philipp Kirkorov is god’s gift to Eurovision. or not, and that’s very worrying
literally 2 of those are good-ish songs, with the other 2 being good on stage only. even the good ones are dated and tired
ok vlad
Really enjoyed his 2007 and 2008 entries. The rest is meh
the way all these songs sound like they’re from 2007
screaming bc accuracy
Sugar sounds like a dated Britney Spears song.
Deservingly so in 2007, 2008, and 2019. I’m okay with 2016 being there too. 2018 is good, but top ten is a stretch. 2014, and especially 2013 had no business being in top ten. 2013 is the weakest runner-up in newer ESC history.
What about 1995?
The song is fun but I don’t like her vocals.
25. Moldova – Natalia Gordienko – Sugar – 6/10 – a big disappointment following the mature sophistication of last year’s entry, this feels altogether more basic and superficial. Natalia is executing a style very well, but this style is just not for me. The song gets points for the bombastic drop but this is largely the only redeeming feature. The verses and bridge are awfully safe and bland and the less said about the spoken word bit towards the end the better. I admire the obvious versatility that Natalia displays and I commend her for doing something different with her… Read more »