Review: Eurovision 2015: Malta: Raquel: Stop Haunting Me

Raquel Galdes

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Raquel Galdes was involved in the semi-final stage of the Maltese Eurovision national final earlier this year, but failed to progress with the song, Invisible. Nine months later, she returns to the spotlight in Malta, hoping again to represent the island nation in 2015 with the Elton Zarb/Muxu composition, Stop Haunting Me. 

The song is one of four submissions by this songwriting duo in this year's semi-final, but probably not one of their best. 

I've listened to it three or four times now and while this mid-tempo ballad has a strong ethereal quality about it, Stop Haunting Me never really feels like it goes anywhere. 

There's nothing wrong with 18-year-old Raquel's voice even if, at times, it sounds as if she has studied at the Lena school of vocals. She carries the song well but, for me, the melody and pace are just too sleepy. 

As a result, it loses any immediate impact, in my opinion, and could easily be one of the six casualties of the semi-final to be held on November 21. 

What do you think?

Raquel performs in 10th position out of the 20 competitors in the semi-final on November 21.

+ Read more reviews of the songs participating at the Maltese semi-final.