North Macedonia has made the decision to send a duet (of sorts) as its Eurovision entry this year. Esma and Lozano will sing Pred da se razdeni (Before the Sunrise : Пред да се раздени).
The North Macedonian entry has not been without controversy. Originally, the pair were to sing the superior Imperija (Empire), but the video upset their Greek neighbours and a substantial section of its own population. The song was dumped and replaced with this disjointed duet.
Apparently, Esma is of Gypsy descent and the track endeavours to blend her ethnic vocals with Lozano's pop sensibilities. Unfortunately, for me, it does not work. What could have been a likely qualifier has been substituted with this incoherent mess. It has the sound of two songs mashed together, but instead of blending, it has become a Frankenstein's monster of a track. Quite frankly, Esma adds nothing to it apart from much wailing and should have been dropped like Imperija.
I'd be surprised to see this in the Final. Should it make it through, it's likely to finish on the bottom right of the scoreboard.
Esma and Lozano take to the stage on May 16, performing third in the second semi-final.
Do you think the duo will qualify?
I agree, this is a mess! Lozano is a superb vocalist and if he alone was singing, this would be a definite finalist. Add Esma to the mix here and it is a nightmare that even FYR Macedonia's neighbours won't vote for. Its awfulness will be compounded on the night as it is between San Marino and Azerbaijan - ouch!
ReplyDeleteIt won't reach the Final - if it does, there will be several acts in SF2 that will (deservedly) feel hard done by...