Album Review: "Best Of" by Mihai Constantinescu – A Romanian Pop Gem That Still Shines
If you’re into catchy Europop vibes with a touch of Schlager and some serious vocal chops, Mihai Constantinescu’s Best Of (2007) is the kind of album that sneaks up on you. Released under M.C.D. Music in Romania, this collection feels like a warm hug from an old friend—cheesy at times, but in the best way possible. With tracks like Sus În Deal and Mambo, it's hard not to get sucked into Constantinescu's world of nostalgia and charm.
Let me tell ya, Sus În Deal hit different for me. It’s one of those songs where you can almost smell the pine trees and hear birds chirping while sipping homemade țuică. The orchestration by Gabriel Mitran and Lucian Darie gives it this lush, cinematic vibe, and Mihai’s voice? Dude sounds like he was born to sing about hills and memories. You don’t even need to understand Romanian to feel the emotion—it’s just there, pulling at your heartstrings like a well-played violin string.
Then there’s Mambo. Oh man, if you’ve got two left feet, this track might fix that. It’s upbeat, fun, and makes you wanna grab someone (anyone!) and spin ‘em around the room. The backing vocals by Lucian Darie add this extra layer of energy, like he knew exactly how to crank up the party factor without going overboard. I remember blasting this during a road trip once, and let me tell ya, my friends were not ready for my impromptu car dancing session. Good times.
What stands out about this album is how polished yet personal it feels. Sure, it’s pop music, but it doesn’t try too hard to be cool or edgy. Instead, it leans into its Romanian roots, celebrating simple joys like nature (Simfonii În Natură), love (Iubire), and even stray dogs (Iubiți Câinii Vagabonzi—yes, really). And honestly, who wouldn’t appreciate lyrics reminding us to care for our four-legged buddies?
The credits deserve a shoutout too. Kudos to Gabriel Mitran and Lucian Darie for wearing so many hats—they orchestrated, engineered, AND provided backing vocals. Talk about multitasking pros! Plus, seeing Mihai himself write the liner notes adds a nice personal touch, like he’s inviting listeners into his creative process.
Looking back, Best Of isn’t perfect—it has moments that are cheesy enough to make you cringe—but maybe that’s why it works. It’s unapologetically sincere, a snapshot of mid-2000s Romanian pop culture that still holds up today. If anything, it reminds me how rare it is to find artists who wear their hearts on their sleeves without caring what others think.
So yeah, give this album a spin if you’re feeling nostalgic or just want something light and uplifting. Who knows? Maybe Mambo will inspire your next dance-off—or at least put a smile on your face. Just don’t blame me if you end up adopting a stray dog after listening to track twelve.
