Alright, let’s dive into 12 Șlagăre by Various – a little gem of an album that brings together some classic vibes with Romanian flair. Released under Electrecord (big shoutout to them for keeping these tunes alive), this one's got a mix of pop and rock, leaning heavily into schlager and pop rock styles. It’s got that retro feel-good energy you didn’t know you needed.
First off, gotta say, Dimitrie Sbiera nailed the design on this cover. Super simple but catchy enough to grab your attention in a record store—or, ya know, back when people actually flipped through CDs or vinyls instead of just scrolling Spotify playlists.
Now onto the tracks. There are twelve songs total, all covers of well-known hits from around the globe—but they’ve been given that special Romanian twist. Two tracks really stuck out to me: “Those Were The Days” and “Hey Jude.” Let me tell ya why.
“Those Were The Days” is one of those timeless bangers that everyone knows at least half the lyrics to, even if they don’t speak English fluently. This version has this raw, emotional delivery—it’s like hearing someone sing it after a long night reminiscing about old times. You can almost picture yourself sitting at a cozy pub somewhere in Romania, sipping something strong while nodding along. Feels authentic, heartfelt, and kinda makes you wanna call up an old friend.
Then there’s “Hey Jude.” I mean, c’mon—it’s Hey Jude. How do you mess with perfection? Turns out, you don’t have to. This rendition keeps things pretty close to the original but adds this subtle layer of folkiness that sneaks up on you halfway through. By the time the chorus kicks in, you’re ready to belt it out loud, no matter where you are. Honestly, it’s impossible not to get swept away by it.
What surprised me most about this album was how smooth it flows despite being such a mashup of different genres and eras. Tracks like “Lady Willpower” and “I Gotta Get A Message To You” bring that classic '60s vibe, while others like “On The Road Again” lean more toward upbeat rock. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane without ever leaving your couch.
But here’s the kicker—the whole thing feels kinda nostalgic yet fresh at the same time. Like finding an old VHS tape in your attic and realizing it’s still got some magic left in it. And honestly? If you’re looking for music that’ll make you smile without trying too hard, 12 Șlagăre might just be your new favorite guilty pleasure.
Oh, and fun fact—this album proves that sometimes, simplicity wins. No fancy gimmicks, no autotune overload…just good ol’ fashioned storytelling through melody. Now excuse me while I go listen to “Hey Jude” again.
