North Macedonia National Selection Review - Matt MacDonald
Vasil's heart was broken as were so many of ours when Eurovision 2020 was canceled. Possibly as a result of that, his 2021 entry, "Here I Stand," is a much more somber song than "You" was. It is also more of a theatrical number and in a style that many have compared to being a Disney-type song.
Regardless, it is clear that this song means so much to Vasil personally. In fact, he said that "Here I Stand" was "inspired by my personal journey. They say that every human being carries at least one song within themselves. 'Here I Stand' is that song for me."
"Here I Stand" also allows him to show off the power of his vocal cords much more so than he was able to do with "You" a year ago.
It is, of course, not known how Eurovision jury members and televoters will respond to him, but, in my opinion, this has a solid chance of doing well with the jury members but likely will not grab the attention of televoters enough for that score to be nearly as high.
Regardless, "Here I Stand" is, as he mentioned at the start of the official music video, "the one" for him. He sings, "Trust your heart," and that is what he did in choosing this song.
Vasil, who lived in the United States from 1997-2004, will perform "Here I Stand" during the first half of the first semi-final on May 18.