TRM 28 songs reveal Moldova O melodie pentru Europa 2018

On Monday, Moldova‘s broadcaster TRM revealed that only 28 acts had submitted songs for O melodie pentru Europa, the national selection for Eurovision. And today the 28 songs were made public on the company’s website. We’re breaking them down for you.

Despite its lowest turnout ever, Moldova doesn’t fret and marches confidently on. After all, last year it had just 40 songs in competition, but the country triumphed in Kyiv, where SunStroke Project won bronze — and our hearts, once again — with their engaging performance of “Hey Mamma”.

Given that success, many expected a lot more submissions this year, but TRM producer Teodor Gutu explained, during a televised interview for Moldova 1, that artists must have felt overwhelmed, rather than encouraged by Moldova’s high placement in Kyiv. Mr. Gutu, who is also a member of the organising committee for O melodie pentru Europa 2018, opined:

After SunStroke Project’s result, many artists were fearful to try this year. Well-known singers who have a reputation to defend would not be brave enough to take a chance, because SunStroke Project are difficult to top.

He also announced that the low number of acts in the selection might become lower still, as the organising committee is currently in the process of reviewing the candidates and eliminating those who are breaking the rules. Such would be the case of Pelageya Stefoglo, who also entered her song “Let’s Start Together Right Now” in the Belarussian selection.

And Moldova’s 28 songs are…

But who are the candidates? Today, as a sign of transparency, TRM has published the 28 songs on YouTube. You can listen to them all in this playlist:

Out of the 28 songs, 15 are uptempo and 13 are ballads, which would make it an even plainfield with Pelageya’s elimination. Upbeat songs include, of course, DoReDos “My Lucky Day”, but also O melodie pentru Europa veterans Doinita Gherman, Che MD, Felicia Dunaf, and Tudor Bumbac‘s songs — although their quality varies tremendously, from very good to downright ridiculous.

Most ballads are largely forgettable, with a few notable exceptions: Sandy C‘s duet with British singer Aaron Sibley, Anna Timofei‘s ballad “Endlessly”, written by Swedish duo Ylva and Linda, Bostan‘s philosophical “Fratica” (Bro) and Sasha Bognibov‘s anthemic rock love song.

Teodor Gutu also explained, during the same interview, that due to the low turnout, the organising committee and the jury may have to decide for a lower number of entries in the sole semi-final on 22 February, when 16 songs were expected to compete for the ten places in the National Final on 24 February. A date for the live auditions is also yet to be decided. So stay tuned, because Moldova’s still working on O melodie pentru Europa 2018.

Which of the 28 songs do you think should make the semi-final? Who are your favourite acts and who do you think will win Moldova’s ticket to Portugal? Let us know in the comments!

READ MORE MOLDOVA EUROVISION NEWS HERE

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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

After listening to all 28 songs, the one that stands out to me is “My lucky day”. It’s modern and traditional at the same time, it draws you in, you want to dance and have fun. They can also have a great live presentation and slay. My personal favourite here!

In general, there are many ok songs. Apart from DoReDoS, I like:
1.Vera ?urcan – Black Heart
2.Sandy C & Aaron Sibley – Once Upon a Time
3.Ilia Sorocean & Dasha DaGro – Minds & Veins
4.Forma?ia „5 stele” – Maldavian Dance
5. Dima Gaitur – ??? ???

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I have not listen to all the songs, but WTF is Nicoleta Sava’s “Esencia del Sur”? Another crime against Spain in this Eurovision 2018 Latino music trend, but this is typical southern flamenco (Antranig will give a 10 🙂 ). Rafael Artesero couldn’t be more shabby, the Spanish Ilva & Lina. It seems this song has been in a drawer for the last 20 years and now he has decided to give it to a random Moldovan singer. It’s so dated a full of clichés… If I were him, I would be ashamed to call myself a composer. The worst… Read more »

brennan
brennan
6 years ago

I really really really love Altundeva, meanwhile Vera Turcan has a really cool and introspective song which… unexpected for Moldova? It reminds me of that song by Miss M dedicated to Robin Williams from 2015 (?)

Bianco e nero is hip (but why sing in Italian… in Moldova?,) Shvets is super dramatic but his song isn’t bad either

also aNOTHER low-quality song in spanish? esencia del sur???? what is going on???????

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

My top Five

1.Pelageya Stefoglo,
2.DeReDos,
3.Marina Cudalb,
4.Nicoleta Sava and
5.Sandy C & Aaron Sibley

Rich
Rich
6 years ago
Reply to  Rich

My Top Ten
1.Pelegeya Stefoglo,
2. Dima Gaitur
3.Nicoleta Sava,
4.Marina Cudalb,
5. DeReDos,
6. Bostan
7..Sandy C & Aaron Sibley
8. Codreanu Maria
9. Anna Odobesco,
10. Cobîlean Constantin

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

DoReDos will go to Lisbon, they are the country’s president personal favorites, and we all know how corrupt and communist president Dodon is. The good part is…the song is not that bad, at least is uptempo and contains folklore elements like Moldova had in 2009 (Nelly Ciobanu – Hora din Moldova) and 2012 (Pasha Parfeny – Lautar). We’ll see, but from my point of view DoReDos will win!

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I only liked Endlessly and Bianco e Nero. I don’t think any of them would stand out in Lisbon, though.

I don’t like DoReDos’ song, but I must admit that it could at least be a memorable entry. I still think it sounds like a bad hit song from an early 00’s Eurovision. But with the right staging and performance, it can be fun enough to make us forget about that for 3 minutes.

Nikos
Nikos
6 years ago

Hmmm, there are a lot of just OK songs this year. I very much like Lavinia Rusu’s song “Altundeva”, it has a nice flow and distinct beat to it.

I both love and hate Doredos’s song. I love the Balkan brass sections. I think the chorus is too lyrically heavy and forgettable and gets lost in the loud music. But I really hate the verses. It really bothers me that the lyrics are sung delayed or off beat.

Hunter Doerksen
Hunter Doerksen
6 years ago

“Minds & Veins”, “Maldavian Dance”, “The World”, “??? ???”, “Endlessly” and “Zâmbe?te soarelui” are the songs that stand out in a good way for me.

A few others, especially DoReDos, are memorable because they’re cheesy or flaky.

Hunter Doerksen
Hunter Doerksen
6 years ago

The question marks being the Russian one, Ona moya

eve
eve
6 years ago

These songs are legit all bad, like all of them, there are some worst than others but I honestly don’t think any of them would qualify :S

Juslin
Juslin
6 years ago

I just totally fell in love with this one song that is in Russian.

Aaran
Aaran
6 years ago

The only remotely good songs here in my opinion are Black Heart, Minds and Veins and Dima’s song. Regardless will be a steep drop in quality from last year’s. 🙁

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Albania and France are my two faves so far and by far.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

oh boy, 28 more songs. I am not even finished with the songs from Norway and Armenia. Somebody please just comment the standouts…

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Standouts are:
– Anna Timofei: Endlessly
– Sandy C & Aaron Sibley: Once Upon a Time

I guess DoReDoS’ My Lucky Day would be the most talked about song. It’s decent.

umerkim
umerkim
6 years ago

DoReDoS is good but I think I like Doinita’s song more even though I think she wouldn’t qualify to the final, still would be nice to finally see her at Eurovision.

Zach
Zach
6 years ago

It’s pretty much a given that DoReDos wins this year.

Eventually Moldova will just give up and send Bognibov though. Might as well.