William: Elnur Huseynov created a mysterious, other-worldy atmosphere during his first rehearsal. The principle colours are black and blue, perhaps to symolise the battering we all face in relationships and in life. This opens with a close-up shot of Elnur’s face and a moon in the background. It’s night — a time of self-reflection — so it’s only natural we see a tortured dancer (with no shirt) wearing a dog collar and writhing on the floor. A female dancer soon joins him and they embark on some very physical back-and-forth, culiminating in an explosion of red. Elnur is working with three backing vocalists to give this a spiritual, choral sound. It will take a bit of time for them to meld perfectly but this was a fantastic start. They blended better with each take, perhaps because audio technicians sorted out the volumes on their mics.
Azerbaijan’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2015
Chris: Elnur is far and away the best part of this performance right now, although he’s still playing around with some vocal tricks that haven’t always worked in his favour. The backdrop is also very fitting for the song, but unfortunately it’s hard to notice with the questionable dancers flinging themselves around the stage. This is interpretive dance that we’ve all seen before at Eurovision and doesn’t do anything to help the act: they’re “Amazing”-meets-“Running” from 2014. The final shot, with the two dancers flanking Elnur and panting makes it look like they’ve finished their routine early and are waiting for him to be done so they can leave.
Padraig: The Azeri wolf howls again. Any worries of a repeat of 2014 were wiped away with Elnur’s rehearsal. Vocals were on point and the staging was wonderful. Elnur emerges from the dark, shadowy background as a male/female dance duo battle it out behind him. Are they wolves? Are they Farid Mammadov style human representations of sexual confusion? All I know is that the whole performance gives me the feels. Not quiet Boggie or Aminata level goosebumps, but chills nonetheless.
Elnur Hüseynov: Reviews and Reactions
YOU CAN READ OUR REVIEWS OF ALL OF THE REHEARSALS BY CLICKING HERE.
Photo: Thomas Hanses (EBU)
Very wonderful show show this year Azerbaijan. Elnur talented guy with wonderful voice. He ought to win.
May be, right here, is the birth of the most successful singer of EC. Azerbaijan – rule!
I love this song so much because it is so romantic and it tells a wonderful story. Elnur are the best. He must win!
LOVE IT! I do hope this song will go through all finale and win
Azerbaijan deserves victory!
People may say different things about the scene with dancers but Azerbaijan did a great job with composition to join moves with words. Elnur brings together great things, wish him good luck!
Really unleashed man. Elnur always can impressed. This song – octarine of ESC 2015.
probably the worst azeri entry ever… and that’s saying a lot, if this qualifies, well then there is no justice. the dancers are not needed at all, and are OTT. Good bye azerbaijan
Is this a Sia – Elastic heart music video parody?
@Rashad – Dude, I’m really sorry if my comment came across as offensive or insensitive. Didn’t mean that at all. And, I’m sorry for the presumption that you’re the same Rashad that votes Israel down. My bad.
Its Azerbaijan, We all know how this is going to do regardless.
I liked the performance and I already liked the song, the first Azerbaijani entry I liked in years actually, since 2009. Elnur is a great performer and I have no doubt he will rock it next week. Qualifying in second place Im sure. Azerbaijan will be back in the top 10 after last years miserable but deserving placing.
@Leon, are you seriously out of your mind? You’re accusing me of anti-semitism by just assuming from my name? Do you realize how offensive that is? FYI, I’m not even in the wiwi jury. I feel ashamed of breathing the same air with someone like you.
Yeah, you’re from New York and I’m from outer space, “nice” to meet you.
What’s the point with those dancers?!?! Why?!
@Rashad – I’ve actually praised many Azeri entries and even have had most of their entries except 2011, 2008 and 2015 in my personal top 10. I do like Armenians more than I like Azeris, because of cultural orientation not national orientation. I just find it a little hypocritical this criticism coming from a person who has been giving 1/10 on every single Israeli entry as part of “wiwi jury” review due to obvious reasons (your name says it all). I’m from New York and years ago we had a billboard that read “In a war between a civilized man… Read more »
Well I don’t know about Leon but I think Armenia is even worse than this. They do have a better chance of making to the final though, thanks to all the ex-soviets and countries with big armenian diasporas like France and Greece voting in that semi.
Otherwise there was no way for them to survive second position in the ranking order with what they’ve got.
@Leon, don’t you think it’s a bit annoying when you throw up all your negativity when it comes to Azerbaijan, while you praise every f*cking thing that is Armenia-related under every damn post? I’ve got a lot of Armenian friends, but I haven’t met a single one as annoying as you are. Don’t get me wrong, not trying to insult you or anything. It must not be news for you though.
@ct – For a second I forgot that Azerbaijan is in the second semis. You’re right. This actually might not make it to the final. That would be a refreshing change…not hating
@ Leon
There are no turkish diaspora votes. Of the countries with a big turkish diaspora, only Germany votes in this semi. Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Austria all vote in the other semi. Plus, with Turkey not participating, their interest has waned considerably. Just check Azerbaijan’s result last year.
Of course there are still some small countries that might be “persuaded” (ahem) to vote for them. San Marino, Malta, maybe Cyprus? So perhaps you are right 🙂
It’s like every mainstream music elements have been all compressed to this performance. I still wish good luck to Elnur.
What can you see in this videos that are less than 40 seconds, please, don’t judge artist and song by these videos, however, i don’t know why they even bothered with dancers!!! hour of the wolf is already contemporary, contender and matches well with elnurs voice..do they need dancers to support this song!!! whatever the show is I am wormed up to this song ans its my number 1 this year, I believe Azerbaijan gonna do their best to bring fantastic show on stage for 3 minutes. Best of luck.
Nice edukated vocal and god sound from Elnur. The staging and the dancer are great. 12 points
@ct – I’m waiting on the backlash your post is going to get. Brace yourself. Azeris have no mercy when it comes to “Armenia related comparisons”. Hahaha….I do think Azerbaijan will go through thanks to Turkish diaspora votes (he won The Voice of Turkey after all), but it will finish on low ride side of the scoreboard
Azerbaijan = Land of Cheaters. And cheaters don’t deserve any point IMO.
It’s just a rehearsal and pressure rising with every hour
Can’t say I agree with all reviews at this topic. Choreography well played, maybe at some point not totally fit to the song, but I do love background and how Elnur passionately moves on stage. Hope the conflict of backsingers and vocalist sound will be fixed, please sound producer – work on that! We want to hear Elhur!
Little bit disappointed
Hey, is that the guy who won Got To Dance UK? Vocals are rough, like a lot. I hope Elnur sorts it out before the SF.
I have predicted that Azerbaijan will not qualify and this brings them closer to that fate. I love the red moon in the background and the forest (of course it has to look sinister just like Armenia’s tree) but that’s about it really. Terrible vocals, Aram MP3-levels of awkwardness in those close-ups and those dancers? Well if you want to put a shirtless man up there, at least find someone who’s nice to look at.
This is so much like what they did last year (swedish song, interpetative “dance”, reds everywhere) it’s painful to watch.
Completely agree with Robyn about the Moldovan props lmao <3
You can argue endlessly about singing but I think there is charisma. It is a powerful argument for win.
You can argue endlessly about singing but I think there is charisma. It is a powerful argument for win
Elnurs vocals are off-key… sorry azerbaijan
That sounded awful. Definitely not among my favorites this year.
I think his vocals have improved a little bit since his other live performances, but still not enough to get me to like the song again. Top 3 in the semi for sure, but this year is way too wide open to predict a final spot.
I now say that Elnur will get my 12 points! He really sells the song
No chance for top 3 with this crap. I’m sorry.
Great vocals and great interpretation. I have a feeling we could be going to Baku again
The sound in this action was not perfect. But the staging deserves special attention! Brilliant idea and worthy of implementation! Elnur will definitely be in the final. And if he’ll fix problems with sound, hit in the top three.
LOVE IT! I am so impressed with this act. It has gone straight up my favourite list to be my new number one!!!!
Plus I’m not saying it’s bad (performance wise it’s very beautiful), but the vocals are shaky! Hopefully the second rehearsal is better.
If I could watch this in mute, I’ll be very happy! Need to work on the vocals!
Not qualifying
@Lana and other prop-lovers, for god sake, its a song contest. Do we want a circus? No, watch something else instead. Ofcourse the vision parts is important aswell, but you dont nneed big props for that. You can create beatiful things with lights and simple things. I just loooooooooooove it, simple, clean.
The vocals were not good enough. I think there was a technical issue, they’ll eventually solve it. The performance seems very promising. Can’t wait to watch the second rehearsal.
I’m sure Elnur will do very well. He may even bring back the victory to the land of holy fire. Good luck!
Supeer Elnur… InwAllah you will win biz seni cox sevirem ugurlar
There is nothing good about Azerbaijan this year except Elnur’s good looks and maybe his voice.
I really like this too, it moved up in my top.
Seriously, is no one using any cool props this year? I guess it’s a simplistic eurovision year… Måns will stand out, I guess.
Bravoo
i’m not feeling it. azerbaijan golden era seems to have ended since last year apparently. 🙁
Azerbaijan will most likely qualify to the final…Elnur’s song is good enough to not face hard time of passing from the SF..
Wtf was this lol it looks like at this point even Swedish songs can’t save azerbaijan. #fail