The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — is reviewing and rating the 37 competing songs in Eurovision 2024. Next we review Azerbaijan, who have chosen FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov with “Özünlə Apar”.
Were we taken away to a joyous place when listening to the song? Read on to find out!
FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – “Özünlə Apar” (Azerbaijan Eurovision 2024)
Review: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – “Özünlə Apar”
Ruxandra: The traditional elements present in this song are brilliant. They effectively showcase the cultural heritage while maintaining a contemporary sound. The chorus stands out as particularly strong, although there are moments where transitions between song sections feel somewhat abrupt. I’m uncertain about the role of the violins, as they seem to get lost amidst the percussion. Ilkin’s vocals are truly impressive! This song has great potential in a live performance, and hopefully FARHEE will deliver it with full emotion. It would be beneficial to see him more engaged and expressive throughout the performance.
Score: 6.5
Georgia: I appreciate the cultural essence and the vocal performance in this piece. It is a pleasant mid-tempo pop song. It carries a calming and tranquil energy that transports you to serene and comforting spaces. Its soothing vibes create a sense of relaxation, allowing listeners to unwind and find solace in its melodies. However, it lacks a distinctive quality that sets it apart from the other powerful ballads this year. While the ethnic vibe and vocals contribute to its charm, it falls short in making a lasting impression.
Score: 3.5
Tom: Cool, smooth and relaxing. Listening to “Özünlə Apar” feels like I have joined a peace cult and am dancing topless, chanting with colours bouncing all around me. Annoyingly, I can see this not making it to Saturday. I can imagine to others it could sound like another boring ballad, so they make themselves another cup of tea and wait for the next song. But it’s so much more than that. It feels like I am on a trip and entered another dimension. Lovely.
Score: 7
Youyou: FAHREE’s vocals are great, but there’s something so bland about this song that I have a hard time even remembering its melody after a few listens. This is probably not appropriate for a song that was entered in a contest. I was expecting a last-minute upswing in the song, but unfortunately it wasn’t there.
Score: 4.5
Azerbaijan Eurovision 2024 ranking
In the Eurovision 2024 Wiwi Jury, we have 17 jurors but only have room for four reviews. The remaining scores are below:
|
Antranig: 5 Cinan: 7 Deban: 7 Jonathan: 5.5 Lucy: 3.5 Pablo: 5.5 Ron: 4.5 |
Scarlett: 6 Sebastian: 4.5 Simon: 5 Suzanne: 3 Tomas: 8.5 William: 5 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 8.5.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 5.33/10
What do you think of Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2024 entry? Share your own score and review for FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov’s “Özünlə Apar” below!
Not bad, but what I’m feeling in regards to this has nothing to do with music. *hangs head in shame*
This is in my top 5 this year. Absolutely love this!
Hey wiwibloggs team,
I think you guys are so wrong on this entry. I think they will qualify and do well in the finals. There’s a brief snippet of their rehearsal of this song, and it shows that both of them can sing well live, and the mugham was well delivered by Ilkin.
who cares about mugham gibberish
I do
Im shocked to see how Eurofans praise a country which is blood-socked in war crimes.
Songs are rated, not countries.
Song titles should probably be used instead of country names. (Except, Estonia’s song title is….long, so that might be a challenge.)
Basic b!tch
Not bad song, with structure, good melody. But the delivery is flat. 6/10
Azerbaijan 8/12
AZERBAIJAN – I am glad that Azerbaijan has sent their local music for a second year in a row. Also, first time featuring some lyrics in Azerbaijani. Regardless of the result, I hope that this trend continues. This is a very relaxing and atmospheric song. The chorus in Azerbaijani and Ilkin’s chant in the third minute are the highlights. While it’s quite nice to listen to, the song misses an immediate hook, and needs several takes to stick. That’s not the most competitive thing for a song contest. Another aspect that makes it feel more stagnant than it is, is… Read more »
Boooo
I appreciate the ethnic elements and Azerbaijani language finally being used, but the song still sounds weak in general.
Sounds like a Melodifestivalen reject.
Oh wait–
that is what all azerbaijan entries are, melfest rejects lmao
non-existent country
By pure coincidence, I am reviewing this song on the day that Aisel has released what was her submission for the Azerbaijani Eurovision selection. That has me asking serious questions about the process they used this year, because although I do like “Özünl? Apar” a lot more than most, it is clearly inferior to both of the other entries that were believed to be the finalists in that selection. It feels as if Özünl? Apar was patched together at the last minute, and although there are some elements to the song that I think work individually, it is clear that… Read more »
There are aspects of this song that I really like, and other aspects that are not to my taste. I like the string tracks, and I Iike the blending of the sound of cultural heritage with a modern beat. I also love how I’m drawn into relaxing by the sound. Also, here’s a word I don’t see very often in a Eurovision song structure summary: “Vocalisation.” There are two of these marked. Ooo, shiny 🙂 However, there are three obvious problems with this song being at ESC: Lack of memorable melodies or “stand-out” moments (apart from a hook that goes… Read more »
Sounds like we like the same aspects of this one, PM!
Not outstanding but a nice addition to the line up. Very pleasant and relaxing. I like this kind of atmospherical songs. The ehtnic flavour really adds a new layer to the song and makes it a little bit more captivating. This could be elevated by a wise visual work. Though I’m not sure how the televote will receive it. Maybe the Turkish diaspora could help with getting Azerbaijan in the final.
6.75/10
1. United Kingdom (7/10)
2. Australia (6.75/10)
3. Azerbaijan (6.75/10)
4. Serbia (6.5/10)
5. Georgia (6/10)
6. Israel (6/10)
7. Luxembourg (4/10)
8. Cyprus (4/10)
Azerbaijan seems to have the goal of blending into the background of the contest in the last two years. Occasionally I vibe with it, but even then I wouldn’t say it leaves any impact. I have this in 34th place.
Will I listen to it – yes. Do I remember a single thing about it – no. Once it’s off it is out of the memory, but I don’t instantly want to turn it off, I will listen to it and bob along to it.
Score 4.5/10.
i still can’t remember how this one goes, also the attempt to include the azeri language is weak. the song is still mostly in english which doesn’t do it any favors. azerbaijan has lost its magic touch.
At first I wasn’t keen but this has grown on me a lot. Love the ethnic elements and he’s got a great voice. I seem to be a minority though so sadly I don’t see it qualifying
I like it a lot would love to see them advance there is nothing like this in the contest, very contemporary and great use of the ethnic singing voice that elevates the song so much, well done azerbaijan
NQ and not because of the song, more because how hated Azerbaijan are (even more hated than Russia) by the fandom
The only “hate” I’ve seen towards them on here is from you. We in the West generally have a positive attitude towards Azerbaijan. Much more positive than towards Putin’s doormats in Armenia.
Armenia are good people, victims from evil azeri
Good song. I think this will qualify despite wiwi review
wiwi’s have overscored them tbh, should’ve more gotten a 0.0
what does this add to the music industry, absolutely nothing
get a job
The song is decent enough, it has some traditional elements that I appreciate, and a pretty good instrumentation.
However due to the recent September events in Artsakh and the subsequent forced flight of over 100.000 Armenians from the region, I will not be ranking Azerbaijan this year just as I won’t be ranking Israel.
The Earth keeps spinning, you know.
Sometimes it’s best to just stop spinning with it and go the opposite direction.
amen, i will not listen to this stench of a gibberish song, azerbaijani language does not exist honestly
One of my favourite Azeri entries in years. I wish it didn’t come out so late in the cycle because it seems like it really got overlooked. Much better than what theyve been sending lately (and tbh besides Always and Mata Hari I’ve never really liked Azeri entries, especially running scared)
Who did like Running Scared?!?
They look like they’re doing esc just to get out from Azerbaijan to have some fearfree same sex intercourse…
Disgusting comment.
Much of the Islamic world, including Azerbaijan, had far more enlightened views of same-sex attraction while, in Europe, we were still being locked up (at best!). Just because a people don’t wrap themselves in the rainbow flag doesn’t mean that they don’t understand love and desire.
Yeah, right. Sure it’s like that… I assume all those hanged would agree with you…
I never said it was like that now (though I haven’t heard of any Azerbaijanis being hanged). I said “had”. Unfortunately, the Islamic world has had a massive push towards religious fundamentalism in recent decades. Much of it instigated by the Americo-British and their paymasters in Israel.
Buddy, don’t play this game explaining common sense topics to a people that won’t and doesn’t want to understand you. Leave them in their small circle.
Can you give me please just one example of guy on guy action appreciation in the islamic world in their history?
The Ottoman Empire was the first non-Napoleonic nation in the world to decriminalise homosexuality way back in 1858. Some scholars argue that adopting the Napoleonic code actually regressed how homosexuality was treated, that is how liberal attitudes were before 1858 in the Ottoman Empire. Educated Muslim Andalucíans often openly celebrated homosexuality (look up the Hispano-Arabic tradition of homoerotic poetry). Sufism was so closely associated with homoeroticism in Persia, Egypt and the Levant that many of these schools held love between men in higher regard than heterosexuality. A decent book on Sufi theology will reveal many links, as will the works… Read more »
Just awful, always skipping this when it comes on.
I can’t decide which of them is more handsome.
This is one of my favourites this year. There’s mysterious, spiritual vibes here and Fahree is beautiful to listen to and look at. It reminds me a little of Madonna’s ‘Frozen’. In other words, it’s classy music for adults so it’s not a surprise that Eurofans have slept on it.
poor Madonna getting compared to vile azerbaijani’s
Haha. Scoring absolutely non authentic, unoriginal, unmemorable trashy music higher than this one is a crime.
I would understand and expect Ireland’s sh!t higher than this. There is something original even there. But Cyprus, Georgia, Lux and many others higher is a pure non sence.
Sad to see such fans of the contest are making it cheap blink excitement and nothing else.
The reason Hurricane is so low is obvious. Won’t even comment it. It shows you are just a forum scribble randoms with absolutely no sense of quality music.
Wiwibloggs are a team of diverse and open-minded individuals and everyone is free to express their views and preferences. If female uptempo ballads with dancebreaks are scored high it is because they meet people’s needs, tastes and expectations.
Or maybe people just have different opinions/taste to you? Music is COMPLETELY subjective, you can’t dictate what other people can enjoy and why they can/can’t enjoy it.
I agree with you. But when you have claims to be a music critic and judge, the expectations of an adequate ranking are higher.
No, because you have your own definition of “adequate” that might not be the same as everyone else’s. No opinion about music is “right” or “wrong”
Btw “subjectivity factor” doesn’t make Suzanne’s taste any better and her music expertise any justified.
It looks like my problem that I thought the people here enjoy quality music. Sorry, bye.
Each their taste ofcourse.
I saw a video of a esc youtuber in her 40s, with her reactions and rankings, and she sat there ice cold for warm or meaningful songs,
but when Finland came along and she saw that man with his underwear, she got totally excited and was tripping on her chair…
They can vote too you know..
Let’s see how wiwi will vote for that one.
I’m sorry, zero stars.
Not even a Coper medal………??
It’s ok. Good on them for staying local.
I like to see that as a bare minimum requirement, though. Sad that we see it as impressive on itself.
Totally. A sad state of affairs. As far as I’m concerned, I have no representation at this year’s contest.
Wiwi Jury Ranking
Thanks a lot for doing this list 🙂
You could at least write Israel… You know, we exist.
You don’t have to like us but come on now
Why so negative in your response?
Maybe the creator of this list wants to show he or she considers Israel as a Hurricane??
You also could take this as a compliment?
Ok
@Armen K; I do like you are making this updated lists with the Wiwi-jury scores.
Really nice Thank Tou!!
Thank you
32) Azerbaijan – First of all, props to the delegation for not going back to their usual shtick after last year’s entry NQ’ed. It’s nice to see something a bit more chill from Azerbaijan and I do love that that the song is mostly non-English. I do however feel that this song will get a bit lost, but I appreciate what they are doing here – it’s pleasing, but I’m not sure if it will have much of an impact. 4/10
I’m also struggling to see in what they this is going to move televoters to actually give it votes. It’s not a bad song by any means, but it’s a puzzling choice for a music contest with almost forty entries.
27th place – Azerbaijan I enjoy this song. It sounds smooth and relaxing somehow. However I placed it so low because I think there are many better songs than this one this year. As in overall song it is nice, but we are yet about to see the staging and how they perform it live. I’m sure the vocals will be on point, but the staging will be the main thing that depending on it might qualify or not. I won’t be surprised if this song goes through, because it isn’t bad, but currently I think it’s more of a… Read more »
I like it, but I don’t think it will qualify. Azerbaijan aren’t helping themselves by always leaving their reveal to the last minute.
Unsure how I feel about this one.
I do like the Azeri elements, I do like that they haven’t bought something from the Melfest factory.
On paper, I should like everything about this entry. But something is missing and I just can’t put my finger on what it is.
wish they’d just disappear for good from this contest
I feel the same as you stated in the last two sentences, even if I still somewhat enjoy the song. I *should* like it more. I do wonder if the thing that isn’t clicking with me is how it is separate parts being put together, rather than a truly coherent song.
14. Azerbaijan – Fahree – Ozunle Apar – 7.5/10 – understated and gentle, this is a track which gradually sucks the listener in during the verse until they are lifted up into the air during the chorus. The ethnic elements add a spiritual flair, generating a calmness more so than perhaps any other entry in the contest. Whether calmness is an emotion that the audience wants to experience in Malmo remains to be seen, but this song benefits from being different from the crowd and a pleasing juxtaposition from the more immediate entries.
Haven’t finished my review yet but, did want to note that we have this song in the exact same placing. ^^
I enjoy Azerbaijan’s entry this year and I feel like he could qualify for the final