Milan Stankovic – “Od mene se odvikavaj”. Photograph courtesy of YouTube

Eurovision 2010 saw a fresh-faced young man Serbia with a memorable haircut – Milan Stankovic – take to the stage of the Grand Final of the Contest. “Ovo Je Balkan” is still a firm favorite of the team here at the site and with fans. Many a night has been spent dancing to that song!

Yesterday was the young singers 26th Birthday – Belated Happy Birthday Milan – and he decided to release his new song “Od mene se odvikavaj”. What can we say about this song and video? Firstly Milan has directed the video himself. It is fresh and accomplished and suits the song perfectly. One could have been tempted to take the Schlager route and be all dancing with hundreds of dancers. Thankfully not! Just Milan on his own connecting with the camera with some animated graphics for effect. Pure and Simple and memorable – for all the right reasons!

As for the song – this is a Balkan song at heart with the instruments carrying the melody along. I am happy that the song does not fall into any generic ethnic/pop/Schlager genre of music. This is a song that  Zeljko Joksimovic would love to sing. It has mixtures of pace and tone and wonderful Balkan rifts and hooks that pull you into the song. A mature song from a young man and I like it a LOT!

Question for Milan – Eurovision 2014? Your country needs you back with songs like “Od mene se odvikavaj”.

The boy has become a man with this accomplished song.

A recommendation from us here at Eurovision Ireland. After 2 listens to the song we are hooked.

Bravo Milan

Author/Website co-founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source – YouTube, Violeta Andrei and Eurovision Ireland