She first displayed her fantastical side at Eurovision 2013, with the Disney-like ballad “Gravity“. Her bright, mystical performance brought Ukraine their first bronze medal and continues to be lauded.
Four years later, we’re happy to report that Zlata Ognevich has lost none of that whimsical energy.
Scroll down for video
Her latest video, “Za litom Za Vesnoyu” (or “Chasing Summer and Spring”) makes the fairytale “Gravity” look like the Doomesday Book.
The clip — set in a Times Square filled with elephants, red balloons and blimps — is about as random and playful as you can get.
The former Ukrainian parliamentarian models herself, for some reason, as an Indian princess backed by the Hindu God Shiva.
We also have buildings full of dancing business people, and a basketball player joining in on Zlata’s Bollywood fun.
It might be a bit too much for some, but there is very little to fault fun-wise. In any case, it’s awesome to see Zlata herself really enjoying all the randomness and happy atmosphere. Our girl definitely has an incredible imagination!
Zlata Ognevich Za litom, Za Vesnoyu (Official Music Video)
The song itself, originally released in the middle of last year, continues Zlata’s journey away from her Disney days.
This change in direction, however, is not misguided. Her beautiful silky vocals compliment both the subdued verses and the strident chorus perfectly.
The track is a definite voyage into the unashamedly weird so it can be a bit of a confusing listen. But underneath all that, there is a sense of fun coming through and no one should hate our Zlata for being experimental.
Since slaying the stage in Malmö, Zlata has never rested.
Aside from hosting Junior Eurovision 2013 and dabbling in politics, she’s been fearlessly playing with music. At the end of 2015, she gave us the similarly Hindu-inspired video “Kruzheva”, and last Christmas she stunned us all with her disco outing “Novorichne Disco”.
The multi-talented diva remains one of our most beloved Eurovision alums, and is one of our top picks to host the contest in Kyiv. We are definitely hoping for great things for her this year!
So what do you think? Do you like Zlata’s new video? Do you like her new direction? Let us know in the comments below or record your reaction on our new app.
FOLLOW ALL OUR NEW MUSIC REVIEWS.
Listen to our new music playlist on Spotify.
I hope she and Ani Lorak represent Ukraine again at Eurovision .
For once a zoo animal is not coming to Eurovision … and I say thank you!
The story about juicy pop and video crew that wasn’t promptly fired, I’d say.
Also it would appear she is trying to do Kathakali……a dance form of south India and not bollywood dance
That’s not Bollywood princess……its keralite bridal wear 😐
So people want to see feet, that explains why Loreen won, and why the very next year Emmelie de Forest won barefoot too. It seems that this was the secret all along.
YAAASSSSS I DIE FOR HERR FOOTJOB CANT STOP PLease more foott
Cultural appropriation, no doubt all the eurovision queens will ignore this because she slaaaaaaaaaaays
the music video has more CGI than jurassic world.
YIKES is the only word that comes to mind.
Talk about occidentalis karma .