At Eurovision 2020, she planned to escape from her emotional “Prison” with a dramatic ballad co-written by Sharon Vaughn, Dimitris Kontopoulos and Phillip Kirkorov.
And now Moldova’s Natalia Gordienko is back in the studio recording a danceable Eurovision 2021 entry, which she hopes will get Europe moving.
Natalia, who sang the sensual number “Loca” at Eurovision 2006, has been getting crazy with her songwriting collaborators in Moscow at the iconic Vi Sound Studio.
As you can see in the clip below, originally uploaded by creative director and Dream Team friend and collaborator Ilias Kokotos, composer Dimitris is bobbing and bouncing — this ain’t no ballad! We’re taking this as a very good sign. Moldova does well when it leans upbeat and quirky, as seen through its best finishes on the scoreboard: SunStroke Project’s “Hey, Mamma!” (third place, 2017) and Zdob si Zdub’s “Boonika bate doba” (sixth place, 2005).
Natalia Gordienko recording upbeat dance song for Eurovision 2021
Fans who were introduced to Natalia through “Prison” may think of her as a ballad queen. It’s true that she can hit the big notes and slay emotion, as seen in her win at New Wave 2007 — the prestigious international contest for young performers. New Wave winners have also included future Eurovision stars like Sergey Lazarev (as part of Smash), Jamala, DoReDos and Croatia’s Damir Kedžo.
But beyond vocal gymnastics, she’s very much an established pop performer. In 2016, she collaborated with the Swedish R&B star and Melodifestivalen regular Mohombi. Their song “Habibi” combined Middle Eastern and Latin vibes, creating a breezy, summer feel. To date, the video has clocked up over one million views on YouTube. If she melds Moldovan sounds, a fierce beat and that voice we are already sold.
Natalia is very much a Eurovision performer doing things on her own terms. In July, she went ahead and announced she’d be returning to Eurovision in 2021 by updating her verified Instagram account. As well as noting that she’s a “singer, TV host, model and mum of a beautiful boy”, her bio also says she’s the “Representative of Moldova on Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam”. Why wait for a press release, when you can be your own publicity machine?
Are you excited to see Natalia hit the stage in Rotterdam? Do you think a dance number is precisely what we need in these strange times? Let us know down below!
i am sure this time the song will be much better, Prison was very dated and rushed, it would have not qualified like Azerbaijan 2018.
Am i the only one who’s not really a fan of the ‘dream team’? They are recycling ideas and i still don’t get what’s Kirkorov involvement other than taking photos and promoting himself? Is he the sponsor or what?
Another little sound pollution for 2021
Wow she’s gorgeous
I hope it is a substantial improvement on prison. It felt like a sentence listening to it
Prison was one of the best songs in 2020 but I understand their decision to go with something very different. I think all 2020 artists that will re enter should try not to repeat themselves.
Honestly, I really enjoyed having a good song from Moldova that wasn’t gimmicky (Sunstroke have AMAZING gimmicks).
If they were smart they should give her an upbeat pop anthem that requires impressive vocals- she’s a very good vocalist and charismatic performer in the vein of Helena Paparizou, and if she pulls it off she could score well with the juries (who’d respect the voice) and the televote (who’d embrace the sound).
this beautiful legend was so overlooked this year, can’t wait for her to prove everyone wrong next year!
If the splashing drums, bubbling bass and nostalgic sophistication from Prison make a return, then I’m in!
Prison was actually my #1 for a bit of the season. However, the dream team delivered an upbeat entry for greece 2017, and it wasn’t too great. Still hopeful however.
Prison was a very underrated song and it reminded me of 2007 Moldova ( the song is called Fight). Anyways I am supportive of her and maybe a new high record for Moldova…. 2nd or 1st place, you never know
This is going to be good…I really think she’s in for the win next year! So excited!!
I ADORED “prison” but it was really not her style of song.
I think she will serve upbeat much better.