SKELETONS

DIHAJ

SECHUK JURY

Rating

 225/320 (70.3%)

INTERNATIONAL JURY

AZERBAIJAN

INT

JURY TOTAL

116

Amar

Dihaj has much more potential than this song, but she does deliver! There's a bit of en edginess to this entry that helps it stand out among the ballads. I can see Azerbaijan and Poland fighting for the same votes. 

7.5

Benedek

This is a very contemporary song, fresh and it has a good quality. I love it. Azerbaijan is bringing again the A game and it will work. It is a potential top 3 contender maybe even win the whole contest. It will depend on the live performance, but the staging i think will help it because this country is always bringing good stuff.

10

Christos

My beloved Azerbaijan is trying every year to find the receipt. A really good effort this year and I am sure that they will upgrade it on Kiev ’s stage. I find the title a little bit scary but maybe it is my sense of perception. Another one year that the Azeri’s  will watch their flag coming out of the envelope. I am sure that too many Azeris will travel to Kiev this year for supporting their entry….It is so close….Nice but nothing exceptional

4

Daria

I expected so much more, so it’s a bit of disappointment. The song itself is nice, but without wow effect. Good pop music but I’m not sure people will remember it years later.

8

Douwe

'Skeletons' is a dark and dramatic electro-ballad with a heavy beat. This year we have an Azerbaijani composer and a Swedish lyricist. The verses have the aforementioned dark sound to them but the chorus sounds safe and catchy, almost as though they realized that experimental tracks were popular but didn't want to take as much of a risk as say Belgium. A distinct lack of emotion, very clumsy lyrics and her poor English are the negatives here and I am left with the feeling that something is missing. A fortune will be spent on the staging but will it be enough to maintain their perfect qualifying record ? 

7

Elena

I really like the levels on this singer voice. The verses aren't much, but the chorus really pics up with her voice and makes this song noticeable. I expect a powerful performance and a top 10.

8

Frederico

I like this. Great song and great singing, lyrics are however a bit silly. This is contemporary and well-produced but the song is not (completely) formulaic. I think it will do quite well.

7

José

Something I appreciate from Azerbaijan , it's their songs in Eurovision don't sound too regional, only in 2009. Even when this song sounds a simple pop song, I'm sure they will do a wonder in scene in Kiev , so I expect to end falling in love for the song. I just hope the vocals of Dihaj are not as horrible as the ones of the azeri singer in 2016

7

Mark L

I think this song (which could be really good) is completely overworked, and as a result has become an absolute mess. Will struggle to qualify

4.5

Melissa

Wow! This is excellent and memorable. I'm struggling to find anything wrong with this at all. Brilliant entry from Azerbaijan !

9.5

Octavio

A very modern song.  I like so much the voice and the sound is very modern and mysterious. Love this song more and more each time I listen to it! It's really a good song, touch of alternative music, in their own wave.

10

Paul C

It's not a bad song but there is something about it, don't really like her voice. Probably will qualify to final.

5.5

Pia

Dramatical , powerful, fine melody and a good singer. That´s all you need to get to the final !

8

Roberto

After an interesting start, the song seems decreasing its fascination and its mysterious frame, becoming a monotonous thing and rising messy feelings. I hope in a good staging, with relevant vocals.

5

Roy

Do not like the title SKELETONS but the song is actually quite good, one of the really good ones coming from Azerbaijan . I think it will be well, probably top 10 in the final.

7.5

Samantha

Very modern, a bit dark, slightly creepy...my biggest hurdle is her English pronunciation, but that can be refined in time for the show. ("Sweem against the strim", anyone?). All in all, a strong entry by the Azeris. 

7.5

UNITED KINGDOM JURY

AZERBAIJAN

UK

JURY TOTAL

109

Andrew G

This is rather good, should make the final, good voice and good quality song

7

Danny

The Land of Fire does it again! This is a fantastic slice of indie-pop, and questionable lyrics aside has one of the best productions of the year. This is a song which you want to hear more of and I think this could do very well. It’s dark, mysterious and inviting and I am really looking forward to the live performance from Dihaj who is definitely one of the most interesting performers of the year. Fantastic!

10

David B

I really like her vocal but it seems a little wasted another soulless, generic slab of 'modern' pop. There's nothing special going on here, no unique twist. A probable finalist though.

5.5

David E

Hot on Blanche's tail for the best dark and moody modern track of the year, I'm adoring this superb entry.  I'll be interested to see how this is presented, but right now it's certainly a stand-out. 

9.5

Dean

A dark and brooding song.  This feels epic and very well produced.  A definite qualifier (of course) but might get a little lost in the final. 

7

Eddie

Fab modern pop song. I like how they have tried something different this year. I like her voice, hope it sounds just as great live!

8

Edward

This is exciting and dramatic, and also rather catchy.  It should stand out and do well as a result.  I have to assume Dihaj can deliver the performance live as this is critical!  It also needs the right staging to complement a grown-up entry (no men in Perspex boxes please!)

8

Gary

Who do we have the blame for one-word song titles repeated over a beat? Rihanna? Ah well, this is pretty uninspiring stuff, although we can be sure plenty will be spent on the special effects. Its OK, but not a stand out for a good position. Once again, where’s the fire?

4

Joe  

this is a nice song and certainly grabs attention.

8.5

Kevin

Another safe entry from Azerbaijan performed by Dihaj.  The song Skeletons remains a popular favourite of mine; since the first entry back in 2008 they have had a string of successful entries, I don’t see Skeletons being any different

7

Lloyd

Electro, dark, forgettable, disappointing!

4.5

Mark M

Some of the lyrics in this are really strange (who says alchemy?!) but it's otherwise a really strong pop song.  I like the chorus better than the verses.  

8

Martin

The heavy electro synth beats make "Skeletons" pound in your head throughout and is contrasted beautifully by Dihaj's dulcet tones cutting across the thumping bass.  This could be one of the wow entries in Kyiv, another "Rhythm Inside", but that is very dependent on the staging that accompanies this intriguing song...

8

Matt

I think I would like this however, unfortunately, for about 90% of it I have no idea what she is singing about. The music is very atmospheric though

2

Nico

After the screechy atrocity of a song last year, the Azeris are back on form this year. Another modern pop song, with a bit of an edge. Good job.

8

Sally-Ann

Azerbaijan's place in the final is almost always assured, no matter what they put forward.  A nice enough ballad but this one will be on skip once the big night is over.

4