In October last year, broadcaster STB opened casting for Vidbir 2018, Ukraine’s national selection process for Eurovision. With applications closing on January 15, music duo KAZKA have announced that they will enter the much-famed contest with their entry, “Dyva” (Wonders).
KAZKA is an alternative music duo made up of vocalist Sasha and multi-instrumentalist Nikita. “Dyva” is a sensual lyrical story about a girl whose love melts snow, melting away the disappointments of her past. She’s literally lit.
The track is strongly folky and atmospheric, effortlessly melding the traditional Ukrainian sopilka (an instrument which featured in last year’s Eurovision second semi-final opening act) with a current contemporary electronic sound. Sasha’s vocals are pure yet impactful, and complement Nikita’s instrumentals symbiotically. “Dyva” is best described as smooth yet intense, like a hearty borsch and pampushki on a freezing winter’s day in Kyiv.
KAZKA first broke into the music scene last March with their song, “Svyata”, which has amassed over 3.4 million views on YouTube. The pair entered X Factor Ukraine in 2017 and were coached by Andriy Danylko — the real-life man behind alter-ego Verka Serduchka, who came second in Eurovision 2007. KAZKA made it through to the live shows where they reached a respectable seventh.
KAZKA have also gained the attention of Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, who called the duo ‘magical” and an act she’d like to see enter Vidbir 2018. We can safely say that Jamala’s calls have been answered.
KAZKA join a growing list of Vidbir hopefuls. X Factor winner Melovin is back and looking for “revenge”, while 2017 runner-up Tayanna has asked fans to select her song. Ukraine pop star Alekseev had originally planned to enter the Ukraine national final, but is now reported to have set his sights on Belarus.
Vidbir 2018 will be held in the Palace of Culture in Kyiv, and will commence with two semi-finals on February 10 and February 17, and the final on February 24. Voting will consist of both a public vote and expert panel of judges.
Much to KAZKA’s fortune, the expert panel of judges will feature both Jamala and their former X Factor mentor Andriy Danylko. Eugene Filatov, who has worked with Eurovision 2009’s Svetlana Loboda and last year’s interval act ONUKA, also features on the judging panel.
Does KAZKA’s new track make you feel warm inside? Which other act would you like to see participate in Vidbir 2018? Let us know in the comments below!
Yurkesh who came 2nd in XFactor this year has also submitted. Here is the song. https://youtu.be/Lc9EvEblNlg
Na-na-na part should be rethought, it’s very childish. Apart from that, a good song.
wow! the song you posted is very vremya i steklo, and so current?? looking forward to this
This song is great! I still prefer “Kvitka” from Tayanna, but this selection is shaping up strong! These two songs alone shts on everything from Eurovision 2017, let alone Vidbir 2017 (which was a disaster, including the banal ballad from Tayanna, this year she’s much much better!).
I don’t know…I mean I like Tayanna but her song isn’t really as strong and powerful as this one. Plus her song doesn’t really give us the same magic she gave us last year with ‘I Love’ even tho it depends on the running order of this selection, right now I just think Kazka is going to win this selection unless Melovin can surprise us with his comeback song. Also Jamala and Verka Seduchka really like Kazkas song and they are both on the judging panel of this selection. I predict that Tayanna might win the fan vote but I… Read more »
I disagree. Now I like Tayanna but I think her songs are boring tbh I mean most of her songs are just ballads and I don’t wanna hear ballads from Ukraine. Angel may of been a ballad yes but it had something special behind it. Tayannas ‘I Love You’ I think is her only good song released and that song is more special than the ones on her new EP. I just don’t think she’s strong enough for Eurovision. It’s fine that she’s a big star in Ukraine but I just don’t see her doing well at Eurovision
Ukraine should send this OMG!!! Forget Tayanna. This is going to win the Ukrainian selection. I just know it ??? It has to win. I have a good feeling about this song
i don’t really think it’s super fair for jamala to say who she wants in vidbir, whether they be good or not- isn’t she a judge?
I actually love it, it seems Ukrainian NF will also be super strong, like French, Czech and Swedish one. I have high hopes on Slovene and German NF. This year is going to be TOO strong.
I’d quite like ONUKA to be in Eurovision as Ukraine’s act. I wouldn’t even care if they won, just having them there would make it awesome.
Onuka said they won’t take part in Eurovision, never.
The song is kinda boring and the Na Na Na chorus gets quite irritating. I don’t like this act, sorry! Waiting for Tayanna and Melovin…
Tayanna’s song is already known
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W228y9S8WBE
Sounds nice but would be a lot better without the ‘na na na’ part. A non-english song can still be catchy without having ‘na na na’. Still rooting for Tayanna for Ukraine.
I cringed at “She’s literally lit”. It’s 2018, wiwibloggs, catch up.