Azerbaijan, Aisel, 2

It didn’t take long for Azerbaijan’s Aisel to make an impression.

Days after the official release of her Eurovision 2018 song “X My Heart”, she’s already clocked up more than 3,000 likes on her official lyric video. She’s also topped the iTunes charts in Slovenia, and entered the top 100 in both Norway and The Netherlands. Not bad, eh?

And today she keeps the momentum going with the release of her official video clip, directed by Roula Koutroubeli.

Roula, a dance theater performer and director, has built up a solid reputation in Greece over the past two decades for her work in the National Theater of Greece and Epidaurus. You may remember her work from 2004, when she was the assistant choreographer at the Olympic Games in Athens.

The video showcases Aisel’s natural beauty in a series of outdoor settings. Wearing an all-white outfit and a pair of black ankle booties, she looks fresh and pristine. Luna would be silly not to moon her up!

In a statement sent to wiwibloggs, Roula said:  “When I first heard the song I felt optimism, happiness, innocence and a tingling feeling of excitement. It was immediately clear to me that I had to use a child in this video clip. The child symbolizes the inner child of Aisel and helped me depict all the above feelings that I originally had when I heard the song.”

“When in contact with our inner child we feel that everything is possible — we can ‘cross our heart and tear down firewalls’… as the song says. I was really happy to work with the multi-talented musician and singer Aisel and I wish the best of luck to her in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

The song is written by Sandra Bjurman of “Running Scared” (Azerbaijan, 2011) and Dimitris Kontopoulous of “You Are The Only One” (Russia, 2016). It was recorded in London and arranged by Tim Bran of “City Lights” (Belgium, 2017), and the stage design will be looked after by Fokas Evangelinos of “This Is Love” (Greece, 2017). So yes: You can expect great things.

“X My Heart” was decided upon by Aisel herself, as well as the team behind Aisel conducting a focus group including 300 people from 31 countries that didn’t know the purpose of the song and what it was being used for. It was met with an 87% approval rating, and there’s no doubt that the Azerbaijan delegation will be seeking a similar approval rating from the juries and voters come May.

What do you think of “X My Heart”? Are we heading back to Baku in 2019? Sound off in the comments below!

READ MORE AZERBAIJAN EUROVISION NEWS

74 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Her voice doesn’t fit in this song, it sounds out of the line.

Jasmine
Jasmine
6 years ago

I LOVE this song
It’s catchy it’s contemporary it’s current
It’s a song I can imagine listening in the radio.
Eurovision needs this kind of songs

Harvey Skuse
Harvey Skuse
6 years ago

In my opinion I think the song is great! I love the build up and then the chorus comes and BOOM! Loads of people are saying they expected more from Azerbaijan but I am more than satisfied!
Good luck Azerbaijan!

Donald Duck
Donald Duck
6 years ago

The song really is not that good , sorry , i was like Azerbaian other years much more

Currikitaum
6 years ago

Such a bland, uninspired and boring video. Imagine spending so much money on a expensive choreographer to get THIS.

Disappointed but not surprised.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Ranking of my favorite Azeri entries of the past 5 years:

1. 2017
2. 2016
3. 2015
4. 2018
5. 2014

So, given how the other entries performed, I think this will be on the right side of the scoreboard although as mentioned by others, this year’s entries are significantly weaker.

eurovision6
eurovision6
6 years ago

Beautiful video, the song isnt that bad but it needs some adjustment I think

ArmRus
ArmRus
6 years ago

It’s a decent entry with catchy melody, in my top 10 for now.

Karl Fradgley
Karl Fradgley
6 years ago

I really like this

EH UK
EH UK
6 years ago

Some of the songs this year are quite bad let’s be honest, but Azerbaijan’s song is quite memorable and catchy. She has a nice voice but I’m sure live it sounds much better so she could be memorable for the international juries. But after last Azerbaijan entry this is an improvement. It’s got Russia 2016 catchiness to it.
If all goes well Azerbaijan may be top 10 again. I’ll be looking out for this song.

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago

Its really hard to see this song in top 5 , even top 10 is in question , its a qualifier for sure , but that makes it “a safe bet” and not “go for the win” kind of song. Its not on the level of skeletons from last year , but it can get a better place at the end considering the quality of this year songs is lower then those of the previous 2 years.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

This song appeals to a much wider audience than Skeletons

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

I actually disagree , skeletons appealed to mutch wider audience , some people even compared skeletons performance to Lady Gaga , while Aisel is strictly a safe pop song with loud chorus.

Conan
Conan
6 years ago

I’m so glad that we have a lot uptempo pop songs in Eurovision this year. It was so boring with all those dramatic ballads in the recent editions of the contest. About this song, I really like it as it’s too catchy, makes u sing along at some parts. Plus she’s a very beautiful woman. One of my favorites together with Cyprus, France and Belgium.

Ay Jo
Ay Jo
6 years ago

I am shocked and appalled. Such an original video-clip. Nobody would be able to shot it in Azerbaijan.

Vland
Vland
6 years ago

This song is like the only up-tempo song of the year that could do well by the juries. We already know that she is very good live. a Very good jazz singer and she looks really good. I think she will be the comeback Top 10 for Azerbaijan. Probably she will do very well with the juries ( Top 7) but only top 15 by the televoters.. Remark my words. But in the end I can see this in top 10.. But anyway I´m not a big fan of the song but in compare to the other uptempo song this… Read more »

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I was so excited that the music video was shot in Greece! However, I expected to see some beautiful landscapes and instead I see a park or whatever that is. Don’t get me wrong, we have beautiful parks and forest down here, just my personal taste.
Overall the music video is beautiful and Aisel looks amazing!

P.S.: I predict a tough competition in “Next top model” this year! All female singers look fabulous!

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

“POP is coming back to ESC. ” – Really? Had it gone somethere from ESC? Did I miss something 🙂
Thoughts about this song/video – ROFL

Wes
Wes
6 years ago

From what I see yes it has gone. Only 4 pop songs this year.

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  Wes

Let’s count together. Let me know if I mention a rap, hard rock, rock songs
Finland
Azerbaijan
Poland
Armenia
Ukraine
Belarus
Spain
Denmark
France
UK
and all the songs so far except Hungary, Albania, Estonia (popera), probably.

Dani
Dani
6 years ago

Spain’s song is a Latin ballad. Slovenia, idk what it is, but it isn’t a pop song as well as “Oneiro mou”. The Frech song is electropop. “Higher ground” is epic folk. Netherlads is sending a country song. And some more.

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago
Reply to  Dani

A latin ballad? It’s almost a Waltz lol

Shaun
Shaun
6 years ago
Reply to  Dani

Electropop is still pop, mind you. Higher Ground’s production is everything but folk, even when the song is folk-infused. And yes, Slovenia’s song is pop. K-pop inspired, in fact. If we stick to “commercial pop” alone, there’s 12 entries already (Czech Republic, UK, Denmark, Belarus, Moldova, Slovenia, Cyprus, Finland, Azerbaijan, Croatia and Australia), with some other pop songs on their way.

Ed
Ed
6 years ago

Poland is EDM, Spain is Salvador V0.5 and to call Estonia popéra shows that you’re best bet is to stop acting like you know stuff cos yk you kinda don’t

Shaun
Shaun
6 years ago
Reply to  Ed

It is popera. An opera song would not have the instrumentals employed from the second bridge onwards. Also, a chord-infused ballad is not a V0.5 of a violin-driven chanson with barely any change of key.

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago

The song and now the music video are nowhere close to what I expected from her given my first impression based on her earlier work. So I’m not very optimistic about this one. This can make it only because it’s Azerbaijan, if it will ever do.

Coca_cola
Coca_cola
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

Well average viewer has no idea who she was. It’s a good pop song and I love the fact that they are not trying to sell her as a “pop diva”

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Coca_cola

Ya, I guess there will be many people who will appreciate the song, I do too in a way, but it’s just disappointment for me. She has done better than this before, Azerbaijan has done better than this before. And she will face a strong competition sharing the same semi with Cyprus, Finland, and Croatia. It will be a challenge for her.

Gudrun
Gudrun
6 years ago

I waited so long for such a good pop song in Eurovision. Thank you, Azerbaijan!!! One of my favorites.

NickC
NickC
6 years ago

I just have an issue with ‘Luna moon me up’. What the hell does that mean, can anyone explain?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

Am warming up to it. I think once I was over the disappointment considering the expectations I had, it is actually a decent entry.

Wes
Wes
6 years ago

I am so happy good pop music is coming back to ESC.
Måns, Lazarev I miss this kind of songs and stagings.

Jon Olalala Sand
Jon Olalala Sand
6 years ago

The song is so catchy. The music video is nice too.

Anabela
Anabela
6 years ago

She’s so beautiful. I really like this song, I had this on repeat yesterday. There’s Top 10 potential if the performance will be strong enough. Once again Azerbaijan has a very good entry, well done.

Maya
Maya
6 years ago

When you realize that many singers share their culture using traditional music, language, but the only one country try to show a national flag in the music video with “empty lyrics” at 2:11.XD
change that ” blue heart” ,please. Show your best.

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
6 years ago

Will end in the final for sure. She’s a good singer and the song is not bad.

jorge
jorge
6 years ago

One of my favourites along with France, Belgium, Cyprus and Poland. Love it!!!

SpirK
SpirK
6 years ago

Semi final 1 has four “pop divas” , Aisel, Eleni, Saara and Franka. I think I don’t see everyone of those four qualifying, even though none has a bad song. I believe at least one of the four will not make it cause they will cancel each other out. Who will be the potentially unlucky one remains to be seen.

Amber
Amber
6 years ago

I am not into pop songs to be honest. But this one is really catchy. It will do well.

Nikos
Nikos
6 years ago

If this song was the entry of singer like Paparizou for example I would LOVE IT. For Aisel it sounded weird taking into consideration her style.
Having said that I really like how they kept her style at the music video. I hope they will do the same in ESC

Matt
Matt
6 years ago

This songs growing on me, I thought it would do about as well as Dihaj, but didn’t realise it was hitting iTunes Charts internationally. With good staging, and I feel like she’s got a good team behind her for it, it could be left-hand side or top 10

Saska
Saska
6 years ago

Bad video,pretty girl, nice song

PeteLouis
PeteLouis
6 years ago

I love it! It reminds me a little of ‘Unconditionally’ from Katy Perry. You can sing it at those chords if it was instrumental. It’s stuck in my head and i love this! I bet this is going to do a great job in the grand final! 😉

Anja
Anja
6 years ago

Greece’s clip took place in Greece, the same with Azerbaijan’s (Haidari suburb of Athens) and Moldova’s (Santorini island). Who’s next?? 😀

onar
onar
6 years ago
Reply to  Anja

The video clip of Cyprus was shot in Greece as well. :p

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Man, I expected cannonballs in the music video. Meh.

Seriously though, it’s number one in Slovenia? How? Why? I still think the song lets Aisel down so badly.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

Just imagine if the video had fire walls, cannon balls and a moon lifting her up “to the top”. 🙂
Oh, how we like to take things so literally when it comes to choreography. 😀

Bastian
Bastian
6 years ago

I love this song, its so catchy, so uplifting. I can see them doing very well with this song 🙂

David
David
6 years ago

I have it on my spotify list. Amazing song!! 😀

Anita
Anita
6 years ago

This is not what I expected from her, but it’s a very good catchy pop song. With the right stage performance I see it doing really well.

JadeICE
JadeICE
6 years ago

OMG! I seriously can’t get this song out of my head. This is so catchy. LOL!

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

I don’t understand why people are berating this entry so much! It is nothing path breaking but it’s quite good and certainly not bad by any standards. I feel like I’m in the minority that likes this song.

PeteLouis
PeteLouis
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Yeah, i have the same feeling… I’m pretty okay with this song. It’s catchy and stuck in my head and i don’t get it why people compare this to Dihaj. It’s another artist, another song. People have to deal with that. I wouldn’t mind if this ended high up on the scoreboard… I’m sure they will qualify for the grand final.

gg1982
gg1982
6 years ago

Love the video clip and the song.

Sanna N
Sanna N
6 years ago

one of the few songs that I have added on my spotify list.
POP is coming back to ESC

Robert
Robert
6 years ago

Mediocre at best!

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
6 years ago

BREAKING NEWS Swedish songwriters blown on Eurovision Hotar sue the EBU: “Appease for damages for fraudulent proceedings” A Swedish songwriter team threatens to sue the EBU after blowing in a seat in Eurovision. “I will talk to our lawyer about how to proceed and claim damages from EBU and Belarusian television for fraudulent procedures,” said Tim Norell. Tim Norell , Ola Håkansson and Alexander Bard have written the song that came second in the Belarusian version of Eurovision. But the winner has violated the EBU rules of the Radio and Television Union and should therefore be disqualified. According to the… Read more »

escESCesc
escESCesc
6 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

In that case it’s the same for Italy this year….

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
6 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

BREAKING NEWS – part II Released on biggest Russian streaming site However, the winning artist in Belarus , Alekseev , presented a Russian-language version of his song “Forever” at a number of concerts to thousands of audiences in May 2017. At the same time, the song was released to both streaming and download sites, including the largest Russian music site Yandex Music, with over 20 million active users each month. It has got Belarusian Eurovision fans to go to bed. According to the Nöjesbladet experience, they have collected amounts of evidence of the rule breach. These evidence has also been… Read more »

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
6 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

BREAKING NEWS part III

The EBU delegation chief meeting will take place on March 12, 2018.
NEXT WEEK !.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  LEO ESC AUT

Not that it matters….but I agree Alekseev should definitely be disqualified. But the winner should be Khmarki no?

LEO ESC AUT
LEO ESC AUT
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

– *Kris*
“Not that it matters….but I agree Alekseev should definitely be disqualified. But the winner should be Khmarki no?” –

YES, OF COURSE !
According to the EBU rules , a song to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 “has not been released commercially before September 1, 2017”.

Marios Cy
Marios Cy
6 years ago

Dark horse 2018. Mark my words

EmilyG
EmilyG
6 years ago

if the song was released with this video clip reactions would be much better.
I love the way she keeps her “alternative” style singing a pop song.
I hope she will do the same in Lisbon.

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

I would say that the song is more radio friendly than “eurovision” since it’s a catchy pop song.
On the other hand even Pink released a pop song so I can’t find anything wrong with this.
Its well produced, it has a good melody and she is a a strong singer.
I can see her doing VERY well.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

10/10 for production and concept.
Well done to everyone involved.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

The song really grew on me. It wasn’t maybe what I expected from Aisel, since she is a jazz singer, but still it’s one of the best entries this year.
The video clip is also really beautiful.. I like the scene where Aisel is running with the little girl, so cute!

a good person trust me
a good person trust me
6 years ago

this year will be the first time azerbaijan won’t qualify

VlaD
VlaD
6 years ago

Won’t qualify? LOL
This is top 10 material

Pandaman
Pandaman
6 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Having collected some information from people’s comments on this site, more or less 25 songs so far are top 10 material, so you know…

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Keep dreaming. This is much better than most of this year’s entries.

its a me
its a me
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

nah fam azerbaijan is in sf 1 competing against most fan favourites and just overall better and more original songs 🙂 but dw the pain will pass

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  its a me

Better and more original songs? You mean Belgium? Cuz, so far Belgium and Estonia have the only really original songs.

Where is the difference betwees Monsters/Fuego and X My Heart?

coca_cola
coca_cola
6 years ago

Nice clip and nice song. Depending on the staging this can bring Azerbaijan back in the top 10 after 5 years.