After reviewing the first eight semi-finalist acts in this year’s O melodie pentru Europa, it’s time for Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of musical unprofessionals — to listen to the next four songs. And it’s a ladies only affair: four female voices with high chances of advancing to the national final of Moldova. But let’s see what our jurors think!
9. Big Flash Sound – “Când vrei”
Luis: Oh wow. Attitude. Sass. Movement. With all the other songs, I thought that had been forbidden in Moldova. Luckily isn’t, and so we have Big Flash Sound. I actually like it, but in a specific context: as a jam session at a bar or as background music in a pub. It would be hard to find this a place at Eurovision. But it’s a nice try, and I’d like to see it in Moldova’s final.
Score: 6.5/10
Robyn: This is enjoyable for as long as I’m listening to it, but as soon as it ends, it’s instantly forgettable. That jazzy funk-pop sound is pleasant and the singer has a decent voice, but there’s just nothing distinct about it. Bravo, though, for a song with Romanian lyrics, sung by a confident vocalist.
Score: 5.5/10
Anthony: First off, I absolutely loved the band’s eye-catching name. As for the song itself, the retro sounding instrumentals instantly grab your attention, although the chorus sounds as if someone’s pressed the fast forward button on Portugal’s “Há Um Mar Que Nos Separa”. Despite all that however, it lacks that wow factor even though it’s delivered by the group’s experienced lead singer, Tatiana Turtureanu.
Score: 5.5/10
Patrick: Ehmn, excuse me? What is this? Nothing good, if you want to hear my opinion. I like the fact of singing in the native language and it is a nice language indeed, but with this it is a total disaster. She makes the same sounds as a cat does when somebody steps on its tail. Naaaaaaaah.
Score: 1/10
William: You are not Alicia Keys, so please remove the hat. You are not Britney, so please remove the leather trousers. You are not Moldova’s Next Top Model, so please cover the bra strap. You are not going to win this national selection, or make the final, so I think we’re done here.
Score: 1/10
In the Moldovan Wiwi Jury we have 13 Jurors, but only space for 5 reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Bogdan: 6.5/10
Deban: 3/10
Denise: 3.5/10
Edd: 2.5/10
Bernardo: 3.5/10
Kristin: 4/10
Antranig: 6/10
Mikhail: 3.5/10
The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 1 and a high of 6.5.
WIWI JURY SCORE: 4.05/10
10. Doinita Gherman – “Irresistible“
Luis: Doinita is full of energy and I enjoy her song. I’d lower her enthusiasm a bit though, because so much movement is a bit distracting, but overall it’s a good act. I can see a good performance fitting this song, and with a good revamp, this can be a very decent entry for Moldova, and will probably get them back into the grand final.
Score: 7.5/10
Robyn: This is my absolute favourite from O melodie pentru Europa 2016. Doinita gives it everything, really selling that big pop experience, a pleasing mix of Swedish pop and hints of Moldovan folk sounds. If Moldova sends this to Stockholm, we can just forget that the Ukrainian hot cops ever happened and go back to loving Moldova, OK?
Score: 9/10
Anthony: Moldova’s very own Sanna Nielsen is back for an eighth attempt with more uptempo catchiness, and this time Doinita’s in irresistible form. Traditional Moldovan folk fits in harmony with the verses, before that killer chorus is unleashed. With songwriters Ylva and Linda flocking over to national selection shows across Europe this year, it’s the strongest entry the Persson sisters have composed.
Score: 10/10
Patrick: I don’t know how you can give the screaming of that blondie any high votes. This could be a good prototype of a song really but she messes it up totally with her shitty vocals. Life is cruel, especially when you write a okayish song and the artist ruins it. This is a total scream-feast and, yes, that’s not positive, Doinita.
Score: 2/10
William: Drop those blonde locks and then whip ya hair back, gurrrl! I love Doinita’s energy (and not just because she repeated that word 54 times in her 2014 entry). The woman represents pre-jury Eurovision — her song is fun, frothy, totally un-self-conscious and has a strong ethnic identity. She’s doing Eurovision her way and that’s the right way.
Score: 9/10
In the Moldovan Wiwi Jury we have 13 Jurors, but only space for 5 reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Bogdan: 10/10
Deban: 6/10
Denise: 9/10
Edd: 6.5/10
Bernardo: 7.5/10
Kristin: 8/10
Antranig: 10/10
Mikhail: 7.5/10
The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 2 and a high of 10.
WIWI JURY SCORE: 8.18/10
11. Valeria Pasa – “Save Love”
Luis: Valeria is a nice performer, and she gives it all, but her song is so dated. I can feel some emotions while listening to her, but it’s as if I was watching a romantic movie premiered the year I was born. (What am I saying? I hate romantic films!). But well, you get the idea: it’s correct, but not outstanding.
Score: 6/10
Robyn: “Save Love” reminds me of a Whitney Houston song from the 1990s. Valeria has a great voice and she nails the vocal, but the song itself is so dull, so old-fashioned. I’d be happy with this making the final, but if it went to Stockholm it would struggle to stand out.
Score: 6/10
Anthony: I was impressed at Valeria Pasa’s second place finish last year but sadly, coming close simply isn’t enough. “Save Love” is another song that fits into the pop ballad genre Valeria feels most comfortable at delivering. She’s a talented singer and those lush vocals of hers ooze out gracefully, but it’s a slightly weaker song than her previous attempt. Going for top spot is a big ask, but who knows what could happen this year.
Score: 7/10
Patrick: Okay, I can see where this should be going. It finds its way, but soon loses it after a few seconds. Valeria’s vocals are decent, the lyrics are the usual love soap and the melody is not memorable enough. Though I find it nice, so at least that’s something!
Score: 5/10
William: At times I get the impression that Valeria is auditioning for a black gospel choir in the southern United States. This is a good thing. Her voice has flair and attitude and she seems to believe every note she sings. At times she is poised to lose control, but always reels her voice back in just in time. Unfortunately the song is a tad dated and leaves me feeling rather uninspired — despite all the noise Valeria is throwin’ at me. A strong effort, but not a winner.
Score: 6.5/10
In the Moldovan Wiwi Jury we have 14 Jurors, but only space for 5 reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Bogdan: 7/10
Deban: 6/10
Denise: 4/10
Edd: 6/10
Bernardo: 6/10
Kristin: 5/10
Antranig: 7/10
Mikhail: 3.5/10
The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 3.5 and a high of 7.
WIWI JURY SCORE: 5.86/10
12. Lidia Isac – “Falling Stars”
Luis: Argh, my ears! Can someone tell her the difference between her screaming and singing? THANK YOU. Much like with Polina last year, I’m not impressed with this song. By itself, it lacks any personality, and I doubt Lidia can be anywhere nearly as good as Ms Gagarina last year. Pretentious is the word.
Score: 2/10
Robyn: The song starts out with a tiny bit of restraint, but once the chorus hits, Lidia ain’t holding back. Yeah, she can hit those notes, but there’s more to a good song than just delivering a whole lot of big shouty notes. Two minutes into the song, the battery of loudness becomes very unpleasant to listen to.
Score: 3/10
Anthony: From some of the same composing team behind “A Million Voices”, Lidia Isac really has brought out the big guns. And unsurprisingly, they’ve worked wonders with the returnee. The haunting build-up from the intro keeps you on the edge of your seat, before the chorus explodes into life and Lidia delivered it with such welly on her live audition. It really is her best chance ever of representing Moldova at Eurovision.
Score: 10/10
Patrick: Olala… Another scream feast! I’m dissapointed because the song has big potential but that voice… She tries to put so much power in it but the result doesn’t sound good at all. I would prefer a lighter voice for this song. Don’t overdo yourself, missy!
Score: 6/10
William: I really love this and I’m praying that the pitch problems and patchy spots are down to the cheap studio rather than Lidia. Decent verses lead to a strong and memorable chorus, and with a few tweaks the bridge will give this the dynamism it needs. My greatest concern is that Lidia appears stiff — a no-go if you’re performing a club banger. She needs to have a few drinks and let the real her (or at least the inebriated version) shine through. Give her a few astronauts and lasers on her LED and she’ll be ready to take us to those stars!
Score: 8/10
In the Moldovan Wiwi Jury we have 13 Jurors, but only space for 5 reviews. The remaining scores are below:
Bogdan: 3/10
Deban: 6.5/10
Denise: 6/10
Edd: 7.5/10
Bernardo: 8/10
Kristin: 6/10
Antranig: 9.5/10
Mikhail: 6/10
The highest and lowest scores are removed before calculating the final score. We have dropped a low of 2 and a high of 10.
WIWI JURY SCORE: 6.32/10
Do you agree with Wiwi Jury? What do you think about these songs? Which one is your favourite? By the way, don’t forget you can still vote in our Moldova 2016 poll!
These four are better than the other 8.
How on earth did “Irresistible” make it to an 8.18 average?
Tbh I don’t like any of the four.
Here is my top 11 so far!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3h0FS5Nhxw