Following the cancellation of Eurovision last year, the majority of the class of 2020 received the comeback ticket to sing again at Eurovision 2021. A massive 26 artists will return to represent their countries at Eurovision 2021. But as per the standard Eurovision rules, they’ve all got new songs.
Thus, comparisons to their previous entries are inevitable. So, we want to hear from our readers. We’re running a series of polls to ask — do you prefer the returning artists’ 2020 or 2021 songs?
Today, we’re shining a light on Moldova. In 2020, Natalia Gordienko was set to take “Prison” to Rotterdam. This year, she’ll be singing “Sugar” at Eurovision 2021. But which song is your favourite? Vote in our poll now!
Scroll down to vote in our poll.
“Prison” (Moldova 2020)
Natalia Gordienko earned the right to represent Moldova at Eurovision for the second time after winning Finala națională 2020 (Natalia previously competed at Eurovision in 2006). Her song “Prison” was a dramatic ballad that explored a woman tormented by the different emotions she feels towards a complicated lover.
The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — awarded “Prison” a score of 5.75/10. Wiwiblogger Natalie had the following to say when reviewing the song:
“Eurovision wouldn’t be Eurovision without some way-too-dramatic pop music from Eastern Europe. Those dark pulsating beats always need to see some life, and Natalia is great at this. Maybe I’ve just acquired a taste for this kind of music over the many years of Europop in my life, but I have a big soft spot for this song. Maybe it’s just my love for the thick bass line, but when Natalia shouts “PRISON”, I just swallow it up. And then the woodwind comes in… and it’s just so good. I’m sure it would’ve crashed in the semi-final but I’ll still replay it over and over.”
“Sugar” (Moldova 2021)
For 2021, Natalia was re-selected internally by broadcaster TRM. This time, the Moldovan star will hit the Eurovision stage with “Sugar”.
In contrast to the darkness of her 2020 entry, “Sugar” is a sweet and syrupy upbeat pop track filled with plenty of instrumental dance sections.
Poll battle — Moldova: Which Natalia Gordienko entry do you prefer?
In this poll, you can only vote for one song — so choose wisely. And as always, you can only vote once. Let the battle commence!
[crowdsignal poll=10776128]
Which of Natalia Gordienko’s Eurovision songs did you vote for? Are you Team “Prison” or Team “Sugar”? Let us know in the comments below!
I would love some of Natalia’s sugar ngl
Well, “Sugar” is my 8th at the moment, it’s such a feel-good, catchy song and, most importantly, such a guilty pleasure! I’m 90% sure it’ll qualify.
About “Prison”, now, I feel it was an ok song with some potential but it was just too bland and pessimistic for no reason, so it didn’t fit Natalia…
gimme som sugahh
2020
I actually love both song.
Sugar has wannabe Loboda/Maruv vibes, don’t know if it’s bad thing though,
but Kirkorov must go, his open adoration for two bloody dictators is disgusting and shouldn’t be tolerated
My favorite is Prision, bc I can’t stand more than 20 seconds of sugar
She definitely turned me into a sugar addict.
Was I the only one who regularly listened to “Prison”? I thought apart from some of the generic lyrics the song was really good. Sugar is awesome as well but it seems a bit too forced, like it took all the qualities of different qualifying songs and mixed them in a blender. Still hoping it qualifies though!
My number 1 this year, the beat just hits me where its good, but with all uptempo songs the staging and outfits will be make or break
Sugar is the better song, but, that’s because she took it straight from Loboda ?
And Maruv.
Thank you Natalia for bringing some lightness and brightness ! The song is not a winner but could be a surprising top 10 and might totally please the public.
Team Moldova !
Am I the only one who thinks this will have a hard time to qualify? I don’t think sugar has a wide appeal. It’s supposed to be a maruv like sexy song but I feel like serbia beat them to that + I think san marino, czech republic, greece, iceland and serbia all are uptempo songs with more televote appeal in the first half.
But don’t forget that Moldova is capable to create a staging with much more televote appeal than some other countries..
I think that too.. Most of the countries that gave them high marks in the past are in the first semi(russia, Ukraine, Romania, Israel, Azerbaijan and maybe more).
Now they have Greece and Georgia for juries and televotes points and maybe France and the UK for televotes.
But, if it will get to the final, I’m expecting them to get top 10.
“Prison” was ok, but “Sugar” is much better. Moldova’s entries are often underrated before the contest, they usually do better in the contest itself than in polls and betting odds. I’m quite sure it could be the case with “Sugar” too.
For me Prison is a better song, but Sugar is more competitive.
I know I’ll probably the only person – but I loved both!
Sugar is likely the best song Natalia has had in Eurovision. Prison was much better than Loca. If she continues upgrading like this, she might be a contender to win by her 4th attempt. 😉
sugarrrr i cant escape from this sugar
sponsored by mcdonalds
Easy choice here, Sugar for me. it doesn’t feel really moldavian but it’s a fun song.
I really miss the class, the sophistication, the maturity of Prison.The splashing 80s percussion, the internal conflict, the power and the poise.
Sugar is ok. It just lacks the oomph of last year..