Romania's Selecția Națională 2022 has been through auditions and semi-final, a couple od withdrawn entries and now we have the ten finalist left. Along the way we lost both previous Eurovision entrants Ciro De Luca and Cezar Oatu. But no worries there are plenty of this year's Eurovision artists showcasing their songs as well in the show's guests: Intelligent Music Project (Bulgaria), Zdob și Zdub & Frații Advahov (Moldova), Vladana (Montenegro), Andrea (North Macedonia), Ronela Hajati (Albania), We Are Domi (Czech republic) and Stefan (Estonia). Last minute addition is Eurovision winner turn refugee Jamala singing again her 1944, more actual than ever!
As it is I am a complete virgin what comes to these songs so this is going to be interesting, I haven't heard the songs that didn't make the final either so I can't say if the best ones are here. Knowing from the past this can be quite a roller coaster. Let's go!
Alex Parker & Bastien - All This Love **
Rather anonymous. In from one ear and out from another and nothing really remains. Very 80's with shaky vocals.
Petra - Ireligios **
The look and the beginning promises more than this delivers. Arrangement is the best bit, shame the rest isn't in same level.
Vanu - Never Give Up ***
Somehow I like this a bit, even all this comes across a bit depressive.
WRS - Llámame ****
What an earth was that?! First I thought he has lost his voice. Actually I had to check his other performances until I realize it IS his voice, Azucar Moreno-esque gipsy voice. I don't understand a word, not even what language it is in parts but I'm intrigued. This is so .... I don't know. I think I love it.
Andrei Petruș - Take Me ***
Generic ballad, sung well - or is it just an impression after WRS? Something that would fit nicely some Norwegian MGP. Not bad.
Møise - Guilty ****
He's giving it all, but sadly there's not much else. Pleasant standard pop tune. Sounds safe and familiar. I like his voice and the way he's on stage, he could as well get rid of everyone else and it would be more effective.
Gabriel Basco - One Night *
I know there's an audience for this but it's not me. Do I want to hear this again? Probably not.
Cream, Minodora and Diana Bucșă - România mea **
I'm aware this is the fan favorite, I suppose. And I get it why but is this good? No. We had Eurovision full of these better ones in the past, in another decade. This sounds and feels tired and old. This said should this win, it's nice it's in Romanian and some how local sounding (or is it?).
Kyrie Mendél - Hurricane ***
It's something about his voice. I am mesmerized. Literally stopped everything just to listen. Love the piano and despite all being very simple this moves forward all the time, develops and comes to a conclusion, unlike so many others. This could become a **** with further listenings.
Dora Gaitanovici - Ana ***
This is from the Within Temptation and Nightwish song book. Violin is a nice touch. As is that it is in Romanian. Still there's something missing.
This said I have no idea who's going to win. If it's WRS (with a LOL), Møise or Kyrie I'm happy. If Dora or Cream & co I'm ok. Even Andrei or Vanu for that matter. In short: I have no idea!
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