Brave newcomers for Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015

  Newcomer (and amateur) Stefan Alexandrescu aka Angel just placed his bid for representing his motherland, Romania, in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 to be held in Vienna. If the song passes the pre-selection, we will hear it live at Craiova on March 8th, due the National Final. 

  The song is extremely stripped-down, it is a very raw and natural composition, as it only incorporates a guitar. The lyrics are very well-crafted and innovatory, urging the audience/listeners to 'sing along to [my] guitar' if they've ever dealt with heartbreak or sorrow. The song is indeed healing and self-empowering, although the verses allude to lamenting and longing for someone's unrequited love. 

  The vocals on the other hand, are not that good... at all. They are correctly delivered but we can barely catch an emotion from Angel's voice. He does have a unique and special timbre, but his voice is too raspy and it pleads for voice lessons. As soon as possible! Also, the echoing effect is highly exaggerated on this one. 

  All in all, we recommend the singer-songwriter to work on his future career, as he has a bright future in front of him, and it would really be a nice surprise if this interesting and different acoustic song gets through to the National Final. 

  Music: 7

  Lyrics: 9

  Voice: 5

  Total: 70% approval 

Will you be voting it, will it pass the pre-selection? 

Poiana Brasov

TOP 10 NEW YEAR'S / FIREWORK-RELATED SONGS

So, as we wrap up 2013, with all its good and bad... let's recap some of the most famed New Year (or fireworks - related) songs and videos.

10. John Lennon - "Merry Xmas (War Is Over)"

While the title certainly alludes to the holly jolly celebrations 7 days ago (Christmas), its lyrics recall about the passing of yet another year.

9. Paula Seling - "A mai trecut un an"

The title itself says it all in this magnificent Romanian tune about the time and how it flies. "Another year over", she chants, reminiscing to the song above.

8. CRBL ft. Adda - "Petre"

This one is clearly a party track, perfect for the midnight celebration, Its music video depicts the countdown to the new year, as it is set on December 31st.

7. Britney Spears - "Till The World Ends"

"See the sunlight, we ain't stoppin'..." this right here challenges everyone to a dance-your-a**-off-till-the-world's-gone-hoedown. And this is the perfect feeling you can get on a night like this!

6. Hurts - "All I Want for Christmas Is New Year's Day"

It's unknown to date why the singer wants to escape from the Christmas period and skip to Jan. 1st, but the beautiful song and its deep lyrics make it a good listen.

5. Rihanna - "Only Girl (In the World)"

Notice the firework burst throughout the middle eight and towards the end of the video.

4. Katy Perry - "Firework"

Katy Perry here urges you to "own the night" like a firework on the 4th of July, but the song can be related to any public holiday with a display of fireworks and lasers included.

3. Jennifer Lopez - "Waiting for Tonight"

The song was used frequently as a celebratory anthem for the dawn of the new millennium. The music video was well known for featuring a Y2K dance party... So, practically, people used to rock to this tune on this occasion. And they still use to! 

2. ABBA - "Happy New Year" 

Arguably the most famous New Year original song in history, ABBA's "Happy New Year" became the soundtrack to many people's NYE celebrations since its release date, in 1979. 

1. Mariah Carey - "Auld Lang Syne"

"Auld Lang Syne" is the most famous New Year's hymn. It is well known in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, its traditional use being to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. One of the best known renditions of it was done in 2010 by Mariah Carey, who was also titled the "Queen of Winter Holidays" for the release of her two multi-Platinum Christmas albums. 


HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!!!

Romanian Digital Chart: Miley comes in like a wrecking ball !

For the week-ending September 15, 2013 we have a new number-one hit single! Rocketing from 66-1, up by 1,200% with 2,340 downloads, Miley Cyrus' second single taken off her forthcoming album 'Bangerz' , "Wrecking Ball" becomes her first Romanian number-one. It also scores the biggest single-week sales in Romanian digital history, as the only track to move more than 2,000 copies in a sole week.

At number-two we encounter Passenger's "Let Her Go" (1-2), losing 2% of its sales, at 1,105 this week. Nevertheless, it becomes the biggest-selling single week runner-up in the chart's history. At number-three, Avicii's "Wake Me Up" holds steady, but with a 25% loss, down to 412 units. Nicole Cherry's "Memories" falls 2-4 and loses 39% of its sales, down to only 321 this week. Vama's "Perfect fara tine" also falls (4-5), but it gains 3% and moves 295 copies. Check the complete top 10 below:

1. "Wrecking Ball", Miley Cyrus (+65), 2,340
2. "Let Her Go", Passenger (-1), 1,105
3. "Wake Me Up", Avicii (=), 412
4. "Memories", Nicole Cherry (-2), 321
5. "Perfect fara tine", Vama (-1), 295
6. "Roar", Katy Perry (-1), 218 
7. "We Can't Stop", Miley Cyrus (-1), 188
8. "Summertime Sadness", Lana Del Rey (+3), 156
9. "Applause", Lady Gaga (+1), 120
10. "Dear Darlin'", Olly Murs (-3), 98

Romanian Top 100: May 12

1. "Ecou", Elena Gheorghe ft. Glance (-), 516 plays
2. "Marabou", Antonia (-), 454 plays
3. "Thrift Shop", Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (up 2), 427 plays
4. "Iarna pe val", Cabron ft. What's Up & Iony (down 1), 374 plays
5. "Te pup, pa pa", J. Yolo (up 12), 367 plays
6. "Dincolo de cuvinte", Smiley & Alex Velea (down 2), 365 plays
7. "Amandoi", Matteo (up 2), 362 plays
8. "P.O.H.U.I.", Carla's Dreams ft. INNA (down 2), 348 plays 
9. "C'est la vie", Khaled (down 2), 342 plays
10. "Girl on Fire", Alicia Keys ft. Nicki Minaj (down 2), 306 plays
11. "In lipsa ta", Andreea Banica ft. What's Up (up 4), 304 plays
12. "Just Give Me a Reason", P!nk ft. Nate Ruess (-), 301 plays
13. "Diamonds", Rihanna (down 3), 268 plays
14. "Stay", Rihanna ft. Nate Ruess (down 1), 230 plays
15. "Try", P!nk (up 1), 229 plays
16. "Inevitabil va fi bine", Andra (up 11), 222 plays
17. "Pic Pic", Voltaj (up 1), 220 plays
18. "Pernele moi", Corina ft. Pacha Man (down 4), 216 plays
19. "Vedeta mea", Cortes ft. Connect-R (up 2), 214 plays
20. "Feel this Moment", Pitbull ft. Christina Aguilera (up 14), 212 plays

Romanian Top 100: May 6th

    For the wee-ending May 6th, 2013 "Ecou" by Elena Gheorghe ft. Glance spends a third week atop the airplay chart, with 494 plays.

1. "Ecou", Elena Gheorghe ft. Glance (-), 494 plays
2. "Marabou", Antonia (-), 471 plays
3. "Iarna pe val", Cabron ft. What's Up & Iony (-), 459 plays
4. "Dincolo de cuvinte", Smiley & Alex Velea (-), 402 plays
5. "Thrift Shop", Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis (-), 379 plays
6. "P.O.H.U.I.", Carla's Dreams ft. INNA (-), 344 plays
7. "C'est la vie", K'haled (up 13), 343 plays
8. "Girl on Fire", Alicia Keys ft. Nicki Minaj (down 1), 304 plays
9. "Amandoi", Matteo (down 1), 300 plays
10. "Diamonds", Rihanna (-), 285 plays 

Romanian Top 100: April 28, 2013

    Here we are again, with brand new information about music charts and statistics about the Romanian Top 100. Elena Gheorghe extends her reign over the singles chart with a second week atop. Also notable is the greatest gainer of the week - P!nk ft. Nate Ruess' "Just Give Me A Reason", which vaults 29-10 on the chart.

    Here is if the top ten for this week;

1. "Ecou", Elena Gheorghe ft. Glance (-), 485 plays
2. "Marabou", Antonia (up 1), 464 plays
3. "Iarna pe val", Cabron ft. What's Up & Iony (down 1), 448 plays
4. "Dincolo de cuvinte", Smiley & Alex (up 3), 393 plays
5. "Thrift Shop", Macklemore / Ryan Lewis (up 3), 368 plays
6. "P.O.H.U.I.", Carla's Dreams ft. INNA (up 3), 347 plays
7. "Girl on Fire (Inferno version)", Alicia Keys ft. Nicki Minaj (up 4), 308 plays
8. "Amandoi", Matteo (up 6), 308 plays
9. "Diamonds", Rihanna (down 3), 274 plays
10. "Just Give Me A Reason", P!nk ft. Nate Ruess (up 19), 265 plays GREATEST GAINER

    Outside the top-ten, "Pernele moi" by Corina and Pacha Man fall 4-11, while "Chiara daca ai plecat" by DJ Rhynno & Sylvia falls 5-15. The song "More Than Friends" by INNA, nonetheless, moves from 24 to a new peak position of number-nineteen. Also inside the top thirty we find P!nk's top-two hit single "Try", falling 16-24 on the chart. Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko's "Stay" moves upwards, towards number-fourteen approaching its initial peak (#12).

    Don't forget to check Mediaforest.ro to find out the week's hottest chart news from Romania and more!