Austria, Nathan Trent, 1

Hallo Österreich! The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — has made it to Vienna, home of Eurovision 2015. After revisiting our favourite places, we gathered in St Stephens Square to discuss Austria’s entry for Eurovision 2017, Nathan Trent with “Running on Air”. Did the song make us feel as light as air? Or did it weigh us down? Read on to find out!

Nathan Trent – “Running on Air”

About Nathan Trent

Nathan Trent is a singer-songwriter of pop and R&B music. In 2012 he made it to the final 12 of the German X Factor as part of the duo Boys II Hot. It was a bit of a hot mess, and Nathan rightly set forth on a solo pop career. He was internally selected for Eurovision by broadcaster ORF and wrote “Running on Air” himself.

“Running on Air” reviews

Kristin: This is absolutely lovely. Yes, its simple, but it’s simple without being boring. You get what you came for. A good song with charismatic singer. No complications, just a nice ride, which one can nod ones head to and sing along with. If you like Ed Sheeran, Nathan Trent is your go-to guy for Eurovision 2017.

Score: 8/10

Luis: “Running on Air” is so pleasant to listen to. Nathan’s charismatic light voice and the song’s sweet and familiar sound are such a good blend. However, there’s one big problem here, and it’s called memorability. This is that song I constantly forget about when I think of semi-final two. One thing is undeniable, though: Nathan brings another flavour to this year’s table. Sadly, that flavour is more sugar-free vanilla than dark chocolate.

Score: 5/10

Chris: In a contest that seems wrought with drama and increasing politicking, there’s a charm in “Running on Air”. It’s carefree and innocent — and perhaps more grown up than “L’oin d’ici” was — which Nathan delivers well. There’s no attempt to be anything more grandiose, which helps the song in one way and harms it in others. There’s no way this is reaching for the win, which ultimately means it loses some merit. But I’d happily see this in the final and I suspect Nathan could well do that.

Score: 6.5/10

Deban: “Running On Air” kisses the summer with a guitar. It plays well on the radio, but its simplicity may struggle to find favour in a televised contest. Nathan Trent looks good and sings well. The show running order will be the most likely factor in determining its success, due to the track offering a decent gear shift between a batch of ballads and high-octane EDM numbers.

Score: 5/10

William: Breezy, sweet and incredibly catchy, Nathan’s radio-friendly track brims with optimism and character. It’s a feel-good track that avoids cliché and it manages to remain somehow cool and trendy despite the overtly inspirational message. Nathan is a fresh face with endless charisma. He’s dancing straight to the final and potentially the Top 10.

Score: 6/10

Jordi: Doses of good energy and sunshine is what I’m getting from Nathan’s refreshing “Running on Air”. I wasn’t particularly excited when I first heard his song, but after watching the official video I definitely got the message. I’m so into those relaxed, happy and easy-going vibes that he’s bringing. Even so, this song is pretty slow for me. Feels delicious and sweet, but quite forgettable. By having a good staging and light effects, he can definitely be among those ten tickets for the grand final.

Score: 7/10

Robyn: “Running on Air” would struggle to qualify if it were in the first semi-final, but it should have a much easier ride in the second semi. It’s an uplifting song and Nathan comes across as likeable performer. It reminds me a bit of Douwe Bob’s “Slow Down” — just a pleasant song that (all going well) will provide a chilled-out breathing space in the grand final.

Score: 7/10

Antony: Running on Air represents a real feel good and easy listening song. Lyrics of self-perseverance, resilience and inner strength are inspiring and will create a sense of positivity towards viewers on the night. The largest asset to this song is Nathan himself, where his charisma will sell the song and its meaningful lyrics.

Score: 7/10

In our Wiwi Jury, we have 38 jurors but only room for eight reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Anastas: 7/10

Andy: 6.5/10

Angus: 7/10

Anthony: 6.5/10

Antranig: 7/10

Bernardo: 6/10

Bogdan: 3.5/10

Dayana: 7.5/10

Edd: 8/10

Erdi: 5/10

Forrest: 8.5/10

George: 6/10

Jacob: 5/10

Jason: 6.5/10

Josh: 6/10

Jovana: 8/10

Marek: 7.5/10

Matt: 8/10

Mikhail: 7/10

Natalie: 6/10

Padraig: 6/10

Patrick: 7.5/10

Renske: 7.5 /10

Rezo: 9/10

Sami: 10/10

Sinan: 7/10

Stanislav: 7.5/10

Steinunn: 6.5/10

Tobias: 3/10

Zakaria: 4/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 3 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.64/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See our current Eurovision 2017 reviews and rankings

*BUY THE RUNNING ON AIR T-SHIRT

38 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cf
Cf
6 years ago

My gosh! You gave a Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz reject 6.64? It’s 2017 not 2007. 5/10 is how it deserves.

Pablo
Pablo
6 years ago

It’s a sweet song, but that’s it. It’s decently composed, good vocals and contemporary, but yet it doesn’t aim to push boundaries or really make a statement. It needs something extra ot really captivate me, although I think this style fo songs has a ton of fans and could do well by merit alone. On Facebook, he sang a snippet of this song in Italian and it blew my mind. Maybe another language would have been great and a consideration for Austria to try diffeetn languages, since it did work with Zoe. One thing is for certain: Nathan jumping ship… Read more »

Luis Fuster
Editor
6 years ago

I’ll just point out I reviewed this before watching Nathan live. Oh man, he kills it so much! I’d give him a much higher score now 🙂

Zubn
Zubn
6 years ago

I love Nathan, he deserves to quality!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Here is a feel-good song that is in the same ballpark–er, uh, football arena–as Gianluca Bezzina’s “Tomorrow” (Malta 2013, 8th at ESC); which means it should qualify. But I’m afraid that, given the strength of some of the contenders in his semi, and what immediately follows his song (Jana Burceska’s “Dance Alone”), he could very well be forgotten. A toss-up for me.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Good voice and such a enjoyable, delightful, unpretentious and beautiful entry!
I love it!
Pure joy and positive energy radiates from this cute guy.
I like the video also, very beautiful 🙂
Curious also about the staging, ’cause lot depends of that…just don’t put him with damn guitar! 😛 Good luck <3
7.5/10

stan
stan
6 years ago

I love this one. It has the same charm as last year but I like this one even more. Top 10 for Austria if there’s any justice in Eurovision-land

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

The singer is better than the song. Also, Nathan is a great dancer, so where is the dancing? A disappointing entry. Only Nathan’s “wow” a-capella vocals (like in London) and good looks can save this one. Also, it has the “death slot” in the semi. 5.5/10.

Roland
Roland
6 years ago

Come on, guys, this is a gay fanwank again, if a girl would sing this, everyone would give it like 3 or 4 points.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Roland

If a girl with this much charisma and stage presence would sing it, definitely yes. Basically, it’s Loin D’ici or Zaleilah, both of whom positioned quite well.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

This is fresh and makes me smile! I just think it does not stand out and it will struggle to get to the final, they should do great staging, but Nathan or whatever his real name is has great charisma! For me 7/10!

Ian
Ian
6 years ago

I try to be objective about reviewing Eurovision songs and put my bias aside, but with this one I just can’t.
I hate this genre of music so much, it’s so lifeless and sterile and I cannot stand it. He’s a good singer, but the song is awful.
I have to give it a very admittedly biased 1/10

Nick
Nick
6 years ago

I really love Nathan as representative of my countrys. Really hope he qualifies.

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago

Nathan on the stage feels like a superstar. He elevates this otherwise just decent song to another level. 01 | 02 Norway | 03 | 04 United Kingdom | *05 Austria* 06 Albania | 07 | 08 Bulgaria | 09 | 10 11 Serbia | 12 Sweden | 13 | 14 Denmark | 15 Moldova 16 Poland | 17 | 18 Latvia | 19 Cyprus | 20 Iceland 21 | 22 | 23 Greece | 24 Czechia | 25 Armenia 26 Netherlands | 27 Belarus | 28 | 29 Finland | 30 31 | 32 | 33 Montenegro | 34… Read more »

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

It’s a lovely song (so is Nathan, obviously) and IF it goes through this could pull off a Malta 2013. It could also stay in the semis though.
The song itself should probably qualify, but if you look at all the songs in semi 2, it’ll be tough for Austria. Very tough.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
6 years ago

This is a nice feel-good track. Nathan is very cute. Unfortunately, I can’t imagine it on stage.

6/10

Digital Style
Digital Style
6 years ago

This is such a cute and well-written song. Nathan comes off as a very warm and friendly young man, and this song has a beautiful yet lighthearted message that is necessary for this year especially. It’s not overdone or campy in any aspect, but I still think it’s a beautiful and very Eurovision-esque song overall. I really hope this does well because it very much deserves to.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

It has a bad spot in the running order and the studio version of the song isn’t memorable, but Nathan kills it live and makes it memorable. He’s a dark horse in my book.

Music is the key
Music is the key
6 years ago

I personally find this way better, and more interesting than Zoe and Conchitas entries. Desverves t qualify 🙂

And I do agree with the reviews…feelgood indeed is a keyword

One thing I find funny- as a ski jumping is how it all could be a theme tune for the Austrian ski jumping team. And it IS a big sport also in Austria…The song title, the music video….eveything really. Wonder what Stefan Kraft etc would say about it? 🙂

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

No-one will hate it but no-one will like it enough to vote for it. Makemakes 2.0. Good song but not a qualifier for me.

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

I like it. It is a nice, feel good pop song, but it’s got a terrible place in the running order through. The song does not have a wow factor to help it stand out and will need strong staging to help make it memorable. I would like to see it qualify but I have a feeling it won’t.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

It’s a lovely song. Can’t hate it but can’t stan for it either, you know. It’s something I’d gladly listen to, still. He’s an extremely likeable guy and a passionate artist, so I’m rooting for him.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

Well, Austria…what can I say? I don’t like the song, but I don’t not like it either. Nathan Trent is a remarkable vocalist, I’m just loving his covers and duets with Brendan Murray. However, I think he needs a better song. “Running on Air” is a pleasant and upbeat number but I feel it will be forgotten in Semi 2, much like Ireland in 2015, the song is great on its own, but up against the other song in its semi, it will be hard to stand out. I think Austria will be made or broken by the staging. It… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Switzerland is too dramatic and Estonia has a sad song, they are nothing alike

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago

Great song, best singer this year! 🙂 I really hope he qualifies!

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

Love this song. 9/10

fikri
fikri
6 years ago

he’s doing everything he can to promote his song but the song itself is just isn’t memorable. good luck to him tho.

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

Nathan Trent devotes himself to make people happy, no matter what way.
His song supposed to enhance your mood, at least, but it’s been made in a way when you decide it according to your taste. No balance kept here. Also, chorus – arrangement foremost – leads the song downwards. Having high timbre it’s never bad to season it with some contrast drum line, for example, so that would add some nice edgy rocks on these sugary plains. Still, good luck for all the stuff he’s made during pre-contest time.
My 20. | 21. Armenia | 22. Germany

Tom V
Tom V
6 years ago

This song has grown on me a ridiculous amount! Only a couple of weeks ago, I thought it was bland, and after Nathan drawing spot #2 in the Semi, I predicted it would be a pretty certain non-qualifier.
However live, Nathan is amaaazing! His voice is gorgeous and vocal range really impressive, and for me he’s possibly the most charismatic performer this year. If anyone can sell his ‘easy, breezy, beautiful’ song – it’s Nathan himself.
This will qualify!

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

I love this guy! He’s always smiling, he’s charming and boy he can sing (that’s especially true when you watch his Eurovision covers). The song is nice, it’s a feel good, unpretentious, happy song (pretty much like Spain’s, but of much higher quality). 🙂 I’m afraid it’s a bit light to qualify to the final though, and there are some strong countries in SF2: usual qualifiers (ie. Romania), traditionally successful countries (ie. Denmark, Norway, Hungary), popular songs (ie. Bulgaria, Switzerland, Israel, Belarus, Netherlands, Estonia – although I can’t understand the popularity of Verona), and neighboring voters (ie. Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia).… Read more »

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

This is one of my absolute favorites of this year. Nathan is so likeable and charismatic, so the live version is even better. It’s so positive and energetic! It will definitely bring a smile to people’s faces and despite a bad running order, has a good chance of qualifying. He is definitely getting *my* vote in the semi! #TeamAustria, #ESC-AUT, #Semi2Finalist 10 – FIN 9 – UK, AUT, POL, MOL, NOR, BLR 8 – CRO, MAL, LAT 7 – ROM, DEN, BUL, NET, ICE, SWE 6 – GRE, ALB, GEO, RUS, SLO 5 – CYP, ISR, CZE, SER 4 –… Read more »

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I’ll borrow sth Deban wrote about the song: “it kisses the summer with a guitar”. This song is so lovely! Maybe it seems boring or monotonous but it manages to bring good vibes to the listener. It’s full of energy and optimism. It’s “breezy and sweet” as William pointed out. And Nathan is a charismatic performer with a beautiful voice! The 2nd semi is open, nobody can predict what is going to happen. But I’ll be glad to see him in the grand final! It reminds me of Switzerland 2014 and Malta 2013: catchy songs, simple but making people feel… Read more »

oli
oli
6 years ago

It is a nice song, but I think I have heard it like 3-4 times only and I couldn’t tell how does it sound like or what it is about… I think it will go to the final, though, but I don’t expect a high position for this one.

elaria
elaria
6 years ago

Wow 6.64 for this?Its like wiwi wants to fall completely out of predictions

Colleen
Colleen
6 years ago

These weird high verdicts are simply make me laugh… This song (which won’t even qualify) got higher points than Iceland, Poland, UK, Albania, Romania and so on, when we all know it’s weaker…

Bgc
Bgc
6 years ago
Reply to  Colleen

“We all know”? For me, none of the songs you listed, apart from maybe Iceland, would make my top 20 this year. Austria won’t win with this but the song had charm and likeability, which I think a lot of entries (including Poland and Albania) are missing. Give me a cute guy with a good voice over a painful rap/yodel novelty mashup anyday!

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Colleen

As if Iceland or Albania will be qualifying XD And Poland will do it only by its diaspora, and so on 😉

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

7/10
bad running order =/