Earlier this week, Ukraine released the names of its Eurovision 2016 hopefuls. The list included some names familiar to Eurovision fans, including Russia’s Eurovision 2009 representative Anastasia Prikhodko, who is returning to try to represent her country of birth.

News of Anastasia’s bid first surfaced in October, with the singer herself declaring her intentions on Facebook, stating that “my dream is to try my hand at Eurovision again, but under the flag of my native country”. Following the reveal of the semi-finalists, Anastasia has released her song “I Am Free Now”.

“I Am Free Now” – Anatasia Prikhodko

Both the title and the lyrics of “I Am Free Now” suggest the song has a lot to do with Anastasia’s personal struggles throughout the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The singer, who represented Russia in Russia in 2009 with her bilingual song “Mamo”, was the target of a smear campaign on Russian television. After being portrayed as an anti-Russian rebel on a program called “17 Friends of the Junta”, she vowed never to sing in Russia again.

Nevertheless, Anastasia is free now and is serving a powerful, emotional ballad with the potential to extend Ukraine’s excellent record at Eurovision. The song incorporates traditional folk sounds and explodes with a heartfelt chorus. Let there be no doubt: Miss Prikhodko possesses the vocals to deliver an amazing live performance.

“I Am Free Now” pulls on your heartstrings and there are few who can convey emotion through a song quite like her. The song feels personal and significant and Anastasia appears to be ready to join the long line of fierce female divas who have done Ukraine proud.

Anastasia won’t be the only former Eurovision star present at the Ukrainian national final, with Ukraine’s 2004 winner Ruslana and 2007 runner-up Verka Serduchka confirmed as members of the jury panel.

Does “I Am Free Now” have the potential to take Ukraine back to the Top Ten? Or do you want to be free of Anastasia at Eurovision 2016?

Follow all of our Ukraine Eurovision news here

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Vladimir
Vladimir
8 years ago

I wonder what Aida Nikolaychuk will bring to the table:-)

David
David
8 years ago

@ my 2 sense, I completely agree, like its like people just remember everything bad about russia but not the good things. I’m Russian but I’m from Ukraine and Russia has helped Ukraine alot over the years and they were never “enslaved” or trapped.

dimitrisesc
dimitrisesc
8 years ago

This is a below average song.There are much more interesting songs and artists in the Ukrainian line-up.

David
David
8 years ago

I like this song as a melody and as a song, but at the same time, it does the exact thing that we try to leave out of Eurovision, politics. This song is purely political. I hope that Viktoriya and neangeli bring something better. Also, she definetly can’t speak english that well and she can’t do that well live sooo

Hanner McSinny/Calvin
Hanner McSinny/Calvin
8 years ago

A lot of the time, AutoTune detracts from an artist’s personality, but I actually think it really helps this song along. It emphasizes every crack and emotional cue in a stunning way.

Even without the AutoTune, though, it’s a gorgeous melody.

rollingderp
8 years ago

I’m honestly slayed, but the autotune is what kills it for me. Maybe if this wins, it’ll get a redux? Or the live version will be better than the studio?

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
8 years ago

Maybe if it was sung in her native tongue.

Ben Rafter
Ben Rafter
8 years ago

What a bad song… I didn’t expect much though, her 2009 song was bad but this is awful! She sounds like a man!!!!

HelmaR
HelmaR
8 years ago

It is such a let down, I expected something great from her and what is it? Awful. 🙁 I hope Ukraine will not vote it.

MarioMario
8 years ago

She sounds awful.

Steven Keenan
8 years ago

I feel this will get lost at the national final since there seems to be a few outlandish acts, some powerful dance vocalists and as a ballad it isn’t ~Disney~ enough for Ukraine. The second half pulls up the first….a bit.

fikri
fikri
8 years ago

urgh, i can’t stand this song. it’s a shame tho, because she has a fierce ass vocals and given a good song, she can really put her message across about peace. :/

cheesecake
cheesecake
8 years ago

I could imagine this on a Eurovision stage in the last decade, but not 2016.

Richard Yudistira
Richard Yudistira
8 years ago

Mamo is much better I think… Love to see her sing in emotional way

Padraig Muldoon
Admin
8 years ago

Such a drudge of a song. Say no Ukraine!

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

Just by seeing the title, I’m laughing (thinking of her stance between Ukraine and Russia).

Georgii
Georgii
8 years ago

the song is quite a bit heavy…
but what’s the deal with the cover? it looks like the “graphic design is my passion”-meme

2015
2015
8 years ago

I liked it, but i can’t imagine it on stage for Ukraine this year

ZanderZion
ZanderZion
8 years ago

this is a loser song built by auto tune. this is not a good choice but maybe if she’ll sang this in Ukrainian it will change but still I doubt it. She used to have a great voice but with this song she wont make it.

Hippo
Hippo
8 years ago

Decent song but too repetitive.
Anastasia sounds a bit like a man though and it’s too shouty. I’m sure Ukraine can do better.

MalteseTimpana
MalteseTimpana
8 years ago

this is not cute, all that auto tune…no