Moldova MOLDOVA 2024 - Natalia Barbu - In The Middle

[ESC United Mod Team]

 

[Leydan]

Moldova is always one of them countries that flies under the radar and then randomly pulls out a decent result at Eurovision. Personally I think it's because the production and sound quality of their NFs are absolutely horrendous, so it makes it hard to fairly judge the winner. I listened to the live and studio and tbh the song isn't bad at all, I think it needs some work because it feels a bit like a demo but it was probably the right winner in this line up and is pretty good really. Matching with Connor, it would probably sound far better in Romanian though

 

[MAD20]

This is... let's say, interesting. I love Moldova for always trying with something different (except for tragic 2019). I guess this song will grow on me with time, but for now it's a .

 

[esc87fan]

It's the 4th consecutive year that Moldova has sent a returning artist

 

[astatine86]

The vocals were not it. Surprising, because she's got the range, but oh well. An ok song. I give it a 5. Would have been a 7 if it were in Romanian.

 

[ZoboCamel]

This is... fine. Unremarkable, with a hint of "forgettable and meh." I'll join the train of people saying "the song title describes the song's quality and likely Eurovision result"

In current form, I'd give it a 4, and I don't think I'll be listening to it much over the next couple months. This being Moldova, though, I'm expecting a revamp, much-improved audio in May when the song is performed through a less potato-quality sound system, and proper staging. for now, though depending on just how big the improvements are by May, this could range anywhere from, say, "14th in the semi and 32nd in my rankings" to "maybe 12th in both."

 

[Looren]

https://vxtwitter.com/escdiscord/status/1758998471552417870?s=46

Must say that I agree that televote SHOULD be the tiebreaker

 

[Chalphon]

No matter if people like your songs or not Moldova You are usually at least entertaining with your entries. Not this year though, this was boring, sorry.

 

[Ajeje Brazorf]

This Is probably NQing, sorry Moldova. This will be the year your qualifying streak ends: it was a good run 'til it lasted.

 

[gigi_copp3]

This year we have:
Isaak that says he is nothin' but average;
Natalia Barbu that titled her song "In the middle".
This is so funny since both are mid/average

 

[Realest]

I fear Moldovas Momentum is over this Year.

 

[crashworld]

God, this is pretty dreadful. I thought it started off pretty interestingly then it just went down like a lead balloon.
Giving this a for the fake violin playing.

 

[Sabrewulf238]

https://vxtwitter.com/escdiscord/status/1758998471552417870?s=46

Must say that I agree that televote SHOULD be the tiebreaker

I think it's a good thing that she's appealing it. I feel like it won't have any effect this time but I do agree that the televote should be the tiebreaker.

Maybe if more artists contest these kind of outcomes it'll change in the future.

 

[Looren]

I think it's a good thing that she's appealing it. I feel like it won't have any effect this time but I do agree that the televote should be the tiebreaker.

Maybe if more artists contest these kind of outcomes it'll change in the future.

Yeah I checked the rules and it said nothing about tie-breakers, there's this tho :

That 4.9 rule is (from my interpretation) basically like : yeah if you're not happy we can just cancel the whole results, go internally and select Natalia

Valeria had already lost before the show

 

[Mainshow]

I don't want to defend the "tie-breaker" rule but something like 4.9 can be found in each and every contract.
Companies, institutions and employers just want to make sure that they can't be sued (especially if something happens, e.g. political songs, APPs and televoting crashes, the artist basically not being able to follow rules etc.).

 

[CPV4931]

Not happy about how Natalia won, but she was my favorite in that NF... nevertheless I doubt, "in the middle" will be in my top 10 after all songs selected

 

[BorisBubbles]

I didn't give Moldova any attention beyond Antiprincess and I don't have any regrets whatsoever. "In the middle" is loud and aggro, but also kind of devoid of charm? it's off-putting and strange? Maybe that's the way into enjoying it? The problem specifically, is Natalia and not the song. I don't think shouting at a mic from a group of five women that all look like you is a way to win televoters over.

But idk, she has money to hire a stage director and maybe eke out a qualification? But on this occasion Moldova, I am not invested in the journey.

points in the poll.

 

[EscGeek]

I'm sad for Valeria because she was my #1 and when i found out she won the televote i got shivers from excitement thinking that she won after all, but i don't think that "poking the bear" is a good idea. Especially because she has a solid team behind her. (songwriters that TRM had alredy sent int the past to esc)

We need Anti-Princess 2.0 in 2026 (because at this point i assume Aliona already secured a deal with a devil for next year )

 

[MopManMoss]

Barely a song to me, Moldova at eurovision is a bizarre quality roller coaster

 

[RainyWoods]

I think @BorisBubbles has already described how I feel about the performance. It is indeed somehow off-putting and devoid of charm. The song was already for me in a this is ok but I don't care about it ballpark but now I'm leaning dangerously close to disliking the entry. I know Moldova aren't the only country to do this but it rubs me up wrong how the jury had the final say here for the tiebreaker especially how it happened. The stoney faces of Natalia and her team after it was revealed Valeria won the televote, the big celebrations.. then a couple of minutes later, "well actually Valeria, you lost." Each of the jury giving their 12 to Natalia too. Hmmm...

I don't know what it is, but Moldova almost welcomes the wearing of our tinfoil hats, year after year.

points

 

[rasmuslights]

Well, yeah. It's there.

4.