Serbia has always been a favorite of mine, and I fondly recall 2007 when I listened through the Serbian entries and when Molitva came on I said to myself "If this wins in Serbia it will win the whole thing" and that's exactly what happened in Helsinki 2007. Let's see how it gores with this review. Once again I have not listened the songs beforehand nor watched the semi-finals.
The Serbian Pesma za Evroviziju is a three night affair with two semi-finals with 18 songs each and half of them made to third night's grand final. There has been 50/50 jury/televote all nights.
Lift - Drama *
Ok, they've got the look. Sadly it doesn't go at the all with the song that is simply .... Well. Nothing.
Zorja - Zorja ***
This seems to have a lot of support in Twitter, at least in my Twitter bubble and I can hear why. This has all the typical Serbian Euroviison elements in one. But is this a new Molitva? No. Too much shouting and wailing.
Aca Lukas - Oskar ***
100% Balcan ballad á la Zeljko, but he's not Zeljko.Maybe missing a bit of something extra to stand out and not remind of most every other song in this genre. But I do like this genre. A lot.
Ana Stanić - Ljubav bez dodira **
The staging is very distracting and when you finally see her your only question is where's her shirt? The song itself isn't bad nor her voice. But it's better just to listen, not watch...
Biber - Dve godine i šes' dana ***
Why am I thinking this could be from Portuguese selection? Or old school Greek entry when Greece still gave us Greek music over Swedish pop. Quite pleasant.
Angellina - Origami ***
She needs more confidence and presence, maybe she was too concentrated on choreography and came across a bit down with vocals and delivery? This has all the makings of a great show, but lacks a bit of oomph. This sounds exactly like I think Serbian pop sounds. That pop that isn't Balcan ballad. The other genre.
Ivona - Znam **
Maybe the least imspired staging so far. Why the dancers? I think something else would have worked better. Quite a lot of English, was it allowed? Kinda like this though.
Marija Mikić - Ljubav me inspiriše ***
A pure Euroviison staging and a Balcan ballad with violins as only Serbs. Heard a million times before but I do like her voice. Only that I was all the time expecting her huge dress to come off at some point but it didn't. A little disappointed in the end.
Konstrakta - In corpore sano ***
Oh, the Meghan Markle song. Errr... what was that? I'm lost. First hearing or rather seeing left me kinda confused. I have no idea how this would sound like hearing it again. Or nultiple times. What was it even? Certainly original. For once I wish I knew the lyrics! I give a *** as I have no idea where this goes with further listenings....
Zoe Kida - Bejbi ***
Once you get over her hairdo this is very soothing bossanova-esque number. More suitable for those lazy cocktails under palm tree or in some cool club.
Orkestar Aleksandra Sofronijevića - Anđele moj ***
Very traditional and pleasing in a way. I kinda enjoy this. Bur for Eurovision? Not so much. But I'm glad this is here.
Chegi & Braća Bluz Band - Devojko sa plamenom u očima *
Very pretentious, lacks energy they try to display by jumping around. Yawn.
Gift - Haos **
Somehow reminds me of several 80's acts from Toyah to Billy Idol. This could have been hot in circa 1982.
Zejna Murkić - Nema te **
Nothing original yet somewhat beautiful even if there isn't quite ingredients enough for three minutes...
Sara Jo - Muškarčina **
Ok, the Eurovision veteran and fan favorite. Visually ... erm... stunning the way Maruv was. Song? Not a fan. Staging and choreography very acrobatic and visual, but then again there really isn't a song there. Just sounds. Where's the melody?
Tijana Dapčević - Ljubi, ljubi doveka ***
Another veteran. Balcan reggaeton with her dark voice. Quite catchy. With a revamp and good video this could be a huge summer hit. Driving around top down in sunny seaside and having the time of your life. That's how I see this.
Gramophonedzie - Počinjem da ludim *
This takes ages to get going and when it does it isn't very fresh or innovating nor original. On the contrary.
Naiva - Skidam *
Now she's a foxy lady! Quite promising start but then it all falls flat on chorus.
Out of those that didn't make it a special mention goes to Mia - Blanco. The studio version maybe slaps as young people might say these days. Boris Subotić - Vrati mi also deserves some attention. A little different example of the Balcan ballad. Bojana Mašković - Dama is quite wonderful, too, great atmosphere but a bit too kitchy staging and performance. Dušan Svilar - Samo ne reci da voliš got kicked out in second semi for all the foxy ladies with garters it seems with his classic song. Same goes for Marko Nikolić - Dođi da te volim .
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