You can almost tell that Defend Moscow have been reading a generic handbook on how to create a mediocre single. Except they obviously havent read carefully enough. Manifesto sounds like a cheesy 80s throwback almost like something that came straight out of Duran Durans reject pile. A repetitive guitar drones on throughout with the odd jarring synthesiser thrown in here and there for good measure. It is described as Your typical pop song about love and heartache more like despair and earache!
Singer Sofie Storass has a rather weak voice and paces through the song with a lack of passion, almost as if she was reading lyrics from a page shed never seen before.
Male singer Jon Beck has a voice much like the singer from Alphabeat. But unfortunately when you get this notion in your head you fail to shake the image of the cheesy pop band trying to be edgy.
If you want to remain optimistic about Manifesto you could give the two added remix versions a chance. Both the KGB and Lenny Picko versions attempt to make the song dancey, but it needs more than a few extra synthesisers and robot sound effects to do this.
The second single, Bittersweet Destiny has a similar vibe; rushing through the lyrics as if they do not understand their meaning. If I didnt know better Id swear Tatu had reformed with one half replaced with a male counterpart.
At best Manifesto would provide great laugh its so bad comedy value in the Eurovision song contest, and at worst (which is it is) provide great padding for the bottom of the bargain bin at Woolies (RIP).