Wiwi Jury results: Sunstroke Project are our favourites to win Moldova’s semi-final

On Saturday, Moldova decides who will represent them in Kyiv, via their national final, O melodie pentru Europa. But first, there’s the semi-final tomorrow night, where 14 acts will fight for eight places in the final. Based on the live audition performances, throughout February the Wiwi Jury — our in house panel of music unprofessionals — reviewed all the songs.

The results are in and we have a winner: Sunstroke Project with their dance track “Hey Mamma”.

Below, you can see the best and worst comments for our Top 5 from Moldova. If you click on the song title, you can read the Wiwi Jury’s full reviews. The rest of our rankings follow the Top 5.

1. Sunstroke Project – “Hey Mamma” (7.67)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytHfSr0Cbg

The positive: “Probably the most ambitious production in this year’s national selection, “Hey Mamma” marks the best comeback of Sunstroke Project since 2010. While I didn’t really enjoy the song at first listen, it’s a grower. I wouldn’t mind it if this wins O melodie pentru Europa 2017.” (Bogdan, 8/10)

The negative: “Sunstroke Project have refused to take the hint. Their continuous appearances at televised shows asserts them further as a one-trick pony.  The saxophone moment in “Hey Mamma” is as dated as their back catalogue. Should this win O melodie pentru Europa? Moldova, please choose carefully.” (Deban, 3/10)

2. Ethno Republic & Surorile Osoianu – “Discover Moldova” (6.87)

The positive: “I adore the traditional musical style and this is a breath of fresh air in a national final that contains too many stereotypical Eurovision entries. This is three minutes of Moldovan paradise and could have plenty of success on a tourism campaign if Eurovision doesn’t work out.” (Antranig, 10/10)

The negative: “They’ve taken a good looking girl who cannot sing, put her with four middle-aged housewives in traditional dresses, and given them all a cheap song about the wonders of Moldova. This is a mess and I’m worried that it could win, given the sub-par competition.” (Patrick, 0/10)

3. Vozniuc feat. Vio Grecu – “Don’t Lie” (6.4)

The positive: “Dark, moody gradual build-up in the verses, before they unleash an explosive killer chorus and the song bursts into life, which I found myself rocking out to. One to watch out for, the group ticked all the right boxes on their audition performance.” (Anthony, 8/10)

The negative: “As we know with Moldova, they will send this to Eurovision, they’ll make all ears bleed and will be proud about finishing last. Let’s face it, this song is completely unqualified and unnecessary to compete in Eurovision.” (Patrick, 0/10)

4. Diana Brescan – “Breath” (5.47)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4rC_HHXwJk

The positive: “This is easily one of the best entries in the national selection this year. Even with the questionable technical set up of the live audition, the potential of the song and the quality of Diana’s voice is apparent.” (Robyn, 7.5/10)

The negative: “The beginning is atmospheric and brooding, but Diana seems poised to pass out. Then from 1:10 she gets angsty and angry. In both sections the pronunciation is questionable and I had to pause to figure out if this was in English.” (William, 4/10)

5. Valeria Pasa – “Freedom” (5.17)

The positive: ““Freedom” is […] one of the better offerings in Moldova’s selection. Valeria’s vocals are pretty strong and her live performance is engaging. With some polish, this could be a respectable entry for Moldova.” (Jason, 6/10)

The negative: ““Freedom” may sound like a song Carly Rae Jepsen would have rejected, but it’s still one of Moldova’s best choices. The main problem is that the instrumentation throughout the chorus is almost non-existent. And it’s not really interesting in the rest of the song either.” (Luis, 5/10)

Places 6-14

6. Sandy C – “A Beautiful World” (5.1)

7. Emilia Russu – “If Only You” (4.67)

8. THE ONE – “Dance” (4.63)

9. Big Flash Sound – “Logic” (4.37)

10. Marks & Stefanet – “Join Us In The Rain” (4.2)

11. Samir Loghin – “Glow” (3.57)

12. Aurel Chirtoaca – “Dor de mama” (3.47)

13. Sergiu Punga – “Ne-a fost iubirea un joc” (3.03)

14. Nadia Mosneagu – “Never Give Up On Us” (2.53)

You can still vote for your favourite(s) to win the semi-final of O melodie pentru Europa in our Moldova poll. Be quick though, as you only have until Friday morning to do so.

Moldova’s sole semi-final will take place on Friday, 24 February, starting at 18:35 CET. Four of the competing acts will be chosen by the jury, whilst four acts will be selected by televote. They’ll advance to the National Final on 25 February.

Until then, do you agree with the Wiwi Jury? Which act would you like to see advance to the final of Moldova’s O melodie pentru Europa 2017? Sound off below!

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