After weeks of teasing and speculation, Australia has finally revealed Electric Fields as Australia’s entry to Eurovision in Malmö with the song “One Milkali (One Blood)”.
Australia 2024: Electric Fields – “One Milkali (One Blood)”
In a press statement released by SBS and production company Blink TV, “One Milkali” is a beautiful song about unity, harmony and beauty, wrapped in powerful vocals. The song, which loosely translates to “One Blood” is sung in English, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, an Aboriginal language of the Anangu peoples – one of the oldest living cultures on earth. What’s most impressive throughout the song is Zaachariaha’s arresting vocals, which immediately command attention against a twinkling chorus of instruments as he states, “I stand in the eye of the spiral,” as if on the precipice of something great.
Inspired by the breathtaking surrounds of Zaachariaha’s home, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (also known as the APY Lands of South Australia), or the dreams which are forever in their reach, each beat of One Milkali (One Blood) is like a homecoming and awakening at once. You can’t help but smile as its melody gathers momentum in a swell of musicality that makes you want to dance, jive, and have the time of your life!
Storytelling that honours Zaachariaha’s connection to his Country, cultures, and peoples – singing in Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and English – fuses with Michael’s finesse for futuristic compositions so effortlessly their music feels truly fresh and modern. The co-writing duo’s motto to “bypass the barriers” extends to every element of their being in pure celebration.
Electric Fields has said: “We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world. Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of our global connection.”
The song is released by Wonderlick Recording Company and Sony Music Entertainment Australia. This year’s selection was internally made by Australian broadcaster, SBS.
Who is Electric Fields?
Electric Fields is a duo from South Australia, comprising of the extraordinary voice of Zaachariaha Fielding from the APY Lands of South Australia, and brilliance of producer and keyboardist Michael Ross. The two merge to form traditional living culture with music that ranges from soulful pop to epic-scale electronica.
View this post on Instagram
Fans may remember Electric Fields from their participation at Australia Decides in 2019, where they came a close second to Kate Miller-Heidke with their unforgettable, upbeat track “2000 And Whatever”. They’re elated to join the Eurovision universe once more, and this time, represent Australia on the global stage.
Electric Fields have been a mainstay of Australian music since their big screen TV debut in 2019. Their song “We The People” was the anthem for World Pride in 2023, and they headlined Australia’s hugely televised New Year Fireworks celebration, breaking the new year for the nation.
What do you think about Electric Fields’s entry for Eurovision this year? Do you think “One Milkali (One Love)” will come alive at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Dull. Won’t make the final unfortunately. They have so many other better songs.
In another world, this is Deban and William representing Australia
I love this, and Electric Fields are AMAZING live. But that’s what Eurofans reviewing the studio tracks miss every time with Australia’s entries. Australia is built on the live music scene, and most acts recognise that audience participation is one of their most powerful instruments. The audience in 2019 ruined Kate Miller-Heidke’s performance by (trying to) sing along because it destroyed the fantasy. But Australia have learned to embrace the audience, and Voyager in 2023 is proof that it was not just beneficial, but integral to the success of the act. Electric Fields know this too. This is a song… Read more »
Is there a reaction video out to this song? I can’t find it but as a fan I’m intrigued to see your opinions as I remember you raves about them in the National finals a few years back.
Could we please use first nations rather than aboriginal or aborigine please. I’m not wild about ethnic rather than traditional, but aboriginal is going through reclamation in Australia and we should try to be less offensive.
Bit woke, mate! I don’t think there is anything offensive about Aboriginal or Aborigine. Seriously??
Ab-original is someone who is there from the origin, from the beginning. Same as first nations. How is that offensive?
I am not from Australian and even I have used the term used as disparaging label.
Will we see a reaction video soon?!
like a very bad joke …
I quite like this, actually. The use of an old aboriginal language is fascinating, the performers are charismatic, and Australia generally knows how to stage really well. I think a lot of people have doubts because the music video is really just a lyric video with little content.
It’s not the smartest way to reveal your entry to the world with nothing more, but I choose to believe we’re in for a treat when the rehearsals come around.
It’s a nice addition, but that’s it. This review was more interesting than the song itself :/
That’s hilarious
You know, before it was officially announced that electric fields was going to represent Australia, I thought it would be amusing if Troye Sivan was going to Eurovision because he’s listed as an inspiration for Lithuania’s Silvester belt. Imagine that, and Troye Sivan actually has Lithuanian heritage, specifically Lithuanian Jewish roots, so imagine them meeting up.
Not a bad song, but not good either :/
I’m excited about this one for so many reasons. Thank you Electric Fields, SBS and Australia! It’s going to be a challenge against tough competition this year, so please be prepared for the semi final, whatever happens. Love.
I like this. This is good
I like the song if I heard it on the radio. Will it stand out in a competition though? Not sure but I hope so.
Not an awful song. But I don’t see this qualifying
Not bad at all
but i really dont know the luck gonna have. . .
No doubt it’s no 2000 and Whatever however that song was incredibly catchy and definitely potential winner. However you can’t deny that One Milkali stand out in the field of songs in Semi final 1 with a fusion of English and Aboriginal language and electronic sound. Also most viewers who tune in will not be aware of Electric Fields music. So I think a large percentage will be intrigued or mesmerised by their music as it very different. So I think this is a qualifier.
Don’t see how this stands out in Semi 1. This looks as the 15th song there, it appeals to nobody, especially if you know this is Australia. Nothing against them, don’t hate the song, but as we all know, the songs everyone is like not bad, nothing special, are rock bottom in the contest because nobody likes them enough to vote for them. While songs that have lots of haters but also lots of fans, tend to fight for the top. After a few years, Neta’s Toy is probably the most hated winner by many, but still a winner.
If it doesn’t stand out Ultima, then what else do you think is like it in semi 1? Please explain.
Nothing but it doesn’t make it a “stand out”. There is also nothing like Latvia in Semi 2, but will it qualify?
Hey Ultima Thule, I absolutely understand point of view but look at the semi final one itself. You definitely can’t say this a 15th position song especially as you have the like of Iceland and Moldova songs has been not feeling much love. Also here is a interesting fact that 6 out of 8 semi finals you will find Australia in the Top 10 of the televotes. So Europe does support Australia when it comes to televoting. I think this is a hard semi final to qualify but I am a believer this will finish around 8th, 9th or 10th… Read more »
Hey! Be nice! After all One Milkali La!
Can you really call it a fusion of languages when there is only one non-english word – even if it is repeated a lot?
Actually it’s two words because it has Milkali plus kutja. Anyway I bow down to you and say fusion is a strong word. I guess only Luxembourg can say they are the only ones with a song with a fusion of languages
IMHO a true fusion would have multiple sentences at the very least- the bridge in a second language for instance.
So positive…
If that comment about being positive about Australia chances of qualifying then I definitely think there is a gap for them to qualify but I have to be real there is no doubt about Croatia, Lithuania, Serbia, Ukraine and I am not a fan of the song but I definitely think Finland will qualify. Portugal does have a good track record of qualifying but of course wait until who they pick.
Can somebody explain to me how the daily spotify viral charts work? How is Croatia in a lot of countries in the top viral songs but not Joost?
Call te European Council and file a complaint
I am a Baby Lasagna Fan, I am Just wondering why because Joost got so much hype
Spotify is borderline irrelevant for ESC. Western Europe in general is not that interested in Eurovision, but Spotify is very relevant there. South and Eastern Europe are invested in ESC, but Spotify is almost non-existant there.
Thanks for the update Ultima, but about half of the population of Iceland watch the contest every year. You can’t get more Western Europe than that, I just checked on a map. Also here in the UK it just had 10 million viewers and four top 10 hits. Irrelevant? Really?
You all know what is considered West and East in Europe, and it’s not only about geography. Iceland is in pack with Scandinavia, so North, not West. Germany is West, Czech is East, although they are literally right next to each other, Poland too. You can check Spotify ratings and compare it with past ESC standings, and see how relevant is it for prognosis of results. What it does is only – oh wow how La Zarra/Brividi flopped when they had so many Spotify streams I thought those songs are favourites to win?! Shocking. And every year the same. And… Read more »
You should learn which countries include Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Countries like Italy Greece Spain Portugal Iceland Sweden Finland are Western Europe. In southern Western European countries, Spotify is the most used platform. Perhaps Eurovision in the countries that make up the Big Five is in decline compared to all the Eastern European countries. Countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, the screen share is only 35%, while in France it does not exceed 25%.
My friend, my knowledge about geography is far exceeding the average person. You can give me white map of the world and I will correctly guess 95% of the countries and if you give me 30 minutes prior to the test to look at Africa and Oceania, 100%. Europe is easy. You should learn that when you hear the terms West or East Europe it is way more political than geographic term. Also when you talk about Greece, it can’t be Western geographically, it can be only South or East.
Maybe cos Joost’s song ain’t as good
Ugh I hate to say that I actually quite liked it but I got this strong feeling that the song is lacking something…
NQ
No Queen
No Queer
LOL is that supposed to be an insult. Try a bit harder
No insult of course…
One Milkali La – be respectful
At last, someone not trying to be this year’s Kaarija. It will stand out. But I hope they can pull off those big notes live. It would have been nice to see evidence of that in their video.
You can NEVER say if someone’s aible to reach notes just from a music video, cause EVERYONE uses autotune in videos.
Yes you can, if the official video is that of the NF performance. Such as Serbia 2007. When I saw that, I put money on Molitva. My credit card bill for the entire summer was paid for by my winnings.
I haven’t heard other entries- so not sure what to compare it to. I like that they chose electric fields but not sure on the song choice. .. it’s kinda luke warm for me. Not a song I hate, but not really a fave song out of all the other Australia entries so far. They seem to be really creative and artistic so having high hopes the staging could be good.
Average, 6/12 – Indeed it could be a NQ…..
The song is pleasant, but quite anonymous. They are still in time to change it.
Off topic but any news on the eastern European countries who always leave it until the last minute Armenia Azerbaijan and Georgia?
Georgia are bringing an uptempo song, could have georgian lyrics idk (title could be Ara) they’ve been busy with choreography rehearsals, directed by an italian who also was a dancer for Senhit’s Adrenalina and Maneskin
Armenia: could either be one of Ladaniva, Parg, Anahit
Azerbaijan: is confirmed to be an ethno song, either from a trio (title Insanlar) or Aisel (2018) whose title is Game of Chess, both of these songs have multiple azerbaijani lyrics
Thanks for the update
Non-qualification :/
It’s
2000 andwhateverVery clever, I like it!
It’s a pretty meh entry.. could qualify and also be a NQ.. we’ll see in May..
A very refreshing entry imo. This is a crazy and loud year and I will finally have time to just enjoy the music without having to focus on a huge performance. Will they qualify? Not sure…
this can be australias second NQ
i’m not gonna speculate what their result could be this year, i think this might have potential for a entertaining live performance, also strong staging potential i think
in terms of staging i personally would fully go ethno, in the backdrop, with something like those wallpaintings you see in caves, or something tribal
australia going ethnic is a very lovely surprise to make this years contest even stronger!
for me the song is just going nowhere. I’m waiting for something, but nothing is happening
maybe it’s one of those entries, specifically built for a stage show act to enhance it all
hmmm it really has to be a good staging then
Pfff…..I don’t hate it, but I don’t particularly like it either.
such a masterpiece, also first didgeridoo sounds at ESC YASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
An improvement from 2000 And Whatever (it was overhyped in 2019), still mid. Though, I can see Electric Fields creating a great performance causing them to become a borderline qualifier.
This is bad. The vocals are especially grating–the singer is forcing a very unnatural voice, the result is just screechy. The budget seems to be very low for Australia this year.
not at all, seems Australia are listening to low televoting results and giving the public what they want in terms of more ethno for a change, with still a nice radio friendlyness about it
This is pretty meh and I think it is NQ. Sadly, because I expected more from Australia.
Maybe they’ll dress as kangaroos
Surprised to see Australia slip so far down the odds, it’s not a bad song I quite like it. Plus they’re already established act and iconic within the fandom. Not saying they will win per say but I think Australia will get a solid result
The odds will change when we get to rehearsals. Fully sure the top two favorites won’t win. Expecting a winner from further down the odds. I can’t see it being Croatia or Ukraine if I’m honest as much as I like the songs from them this year they just don’t scream winner to me
Can’t call anyone nowadays iconic…
They’re known, we can argue about them being favourites maybe, but even that was probably true to 2019.
Not a bad song but it’s kinda underwhelming in my opinion and apparently to many others as well, but definitely not iconic.
As I’m not excited about anything Melfest has to offer, this was my last hope and I’m afraid it’s a no from me. It’s like the U.K. entry. It’s nice but forgettable.
So I’m left with Switzerland and Belgium. I do not want to see a joke entry win (Netherlands or Croatia). Remember guys, Kaarija was not a joke entry, his song had integrity.
I’d argue Croatia isn’t a joke entry as well
I agree. A joke entry is an entry that just takes the f out of Eurovision…like Iceland 2006 (Congratulations), Lithuania 2006 (We Are the Winners), Spain 2008 (Baila El Chiki Chiki) and Ireland 2008 (Irlande Douze Points) to mention some obvious ones. But of course there is some Novelty to those entries still, especially the Dutch one. Songs that carries a story, a meaning or a message, like Croatia, Netherlands and Estonia this year, or Norway 2022, Finland 2023, or even Germany 2021. So I would say there is a clear difference in between an obvious joke entry, a entry… Read more »
Switzerland is more of a joke entry than Croatia by Eurofan standards…
How is Switzerland considered a joke entry? Is it the bunny ears??
Switzerland is for sure a joke this year
How though?
Switzerland’s song is just trash
If Kaarija isn’t a joke entry, then neither are Netherlands or Croatia. The Croatian song is about young people leaving Croatia to foreign countries for a better life and leaving their family and identity behind. The Dutch song is basically about his parents dying and leaving him feeling lonely everywhere he goes.
Croatia & the Netherlands aren’t joke enties as well. What’s your point?
That’s just your opinion. ?
‘Kaarija was not a joke entry, his song had integrity’
You actually need to have a good voice to have integrity.
Not necessarily
I don’t think any of these entries promote themselves as joke entries. They believe themselves to be carrying a message through wit and irony. Well Shakespeare, Molière or Neil Simon they ain’t! I don’t mind Croatia and Estonia that much but Ireland I find a scream fest and I have never disliked a eurovision song as much as I do Europappa since Dustin the soddin’ turkey. But hey I’m an expert in what I like and don’t like. Nothing more. Oh and please could the silly teenagers just not bother replying with their silly teenage insults. Have a bit of… Read more »
It reminds in part of M People but less sophisticated. Like so many this year entries it kind of leaves me cold. It doesn’t grab my attention and make me want to listen but it doesn’t have me reaching for the skip forward button either. I did listen and find the lyrics a bit too clever. It could go either way.
Neither good neither bad. Enjoyable but not outstanding. It could be nice to watch live though.
I found it great! There are so many things to like about it: the didgeridoo followed by the “90’s style” piano part, the rich voice of Zaachariaha, the Janets and the Fleetwood Macs of course… And as an accomplished visual art artist, I’m sure that Zaachariaha will bring something extra to the staging. In any case, good Luck Australia 😉
And the last hope for a song to be excited about gone…
Italy for me. And the rest doesn’t matter…
Well, Jacqueline could turn things around but that Norwegian Jedward band have probably the win in the bag…
I’m afraid Australia will struggle to reach the final with this very mediocre electropop song. The absence of the professional jury will be painfull for them.
I was thinking the opposite, that the absence of juries will help them. With some exceptions, songs with ethnic elements tend to be jury poison (Keiino with Spirit in the Sky comes to mind).
Why would a professional jury reward a song that you called “mediocre electropop”? This is DOA no matter who’s voting.
Are you DUI?
What an utterly nice song. loving the strangely astonishing vibes in the video, it makes you just a little bit uncomfortable, but in a nice way. I do believe that milkali la benefits from more listenings, but i love it. Unfortunately it isn’t received very wel by the esc fans, so in my opinion this could be this years genuine dark horse. Well done Ausralia, fingers crossed
“it makes you just a little bit uncomfortable, but in a nice way” This is very well put, and exactly what I feel.
I…don’t have much to really say about this one, other than it sounds like it’s from several years ago to me.
Like…I would hear this song in a department store dressing room in the year 2016
Surely a department store dressing room is the ultimate goal of any respected artist??
oh shoot you’re right. It was never ESC, it was background music for when I go bra shopping all along.
It’s really mid…Like a big downgrade from 2000 and whatever.
Bad song. Disappointed with this choice.
Socialistic Nonsence From Australia .
First Of All This Country Has No Right To Preticipate On The Eurowision . Its In A Difrent Hemisphere Cant Even Enter Western Beloved Nato Allinces … But They Are Premited To Send A Song Celebrates Sin ??
My Opinion Its Offencive And I Hope This Its The Last Year We Will Sit Throu This Just Earsbleed Musik , LGBT Agenda / Idiocy Joke Entry From Boring Australia Again .
Are They Consuming A Lot Of MikroPlastiks ? Why Does All Of This Men Want To Be Us So Badly
Four Years In A Row That Australia Sends A Trans
What a sad, transphobic (LGBT agenda/men want to be us), bigotted (sin), right-winged (socialistic nonsense) and xenophobic (boring Australia) comment… You have won the Grand slam of offensive speech! Eat your “mikroplastics”!
What on earth are you talking about?
Montaigne isn’t trans, Sheldon isn’t trans, Voyager definitely aren’t trans. I’m not even sure that Zaacharriah is trans (yes, they are in touch with their feminine side, but I’m not going to make assumptions)
And even if every entry we ever sent WAS trans … who cares?
Get your racist, homophobic, transphobic, bigotted jerk self out of here.
Get a therapy
Wow, offensive! And what’s up with all the capital letters?
Wiwibloggs is loosing all its respect for allowing this kind of HATRED spread in their comments… discusting comment by obviously a DISCUSTING human being!
Don’t know what planet you have been living on but Eurovision has always been super camp and had a massive queer following so I suggest you go back to church and stop tuning into ESC as it will never be your cup of tea..
You could have made a decent point, had you had the brains to begin with, but i ended up fully having a stroke by the time i deciphered the 2nd and 3rd paragraph. Even my nephew makes more sense, and hes 7. “FiRsT oF aLL tHiS cOuNtRy hAs No RiGhT tO pReTiCiPaTe On EuRoViSiOn”. If youre going to make a valuable inclusion in the world of the ESC, perhaps learn that although they are outside Europe, Australia are ALLOWED to compete as they are part of the European Broadcasting Union. The same goes for Israel, Morocco, Andorra, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia… Read more »
agree with you comment, but the Andorra part bro 🙂 You probably meant Algeria, because Andorra actually is in Europe (between France and Spain). Can happen, to everyone, but still funny 🙂
Please stay away from Eurovision. There is no space for your pro russian and xenophobic propaganda.
I say let all countries “Preticipate On The Eurowision”
….Why do you type every word capitalized like that?
As a trans ESC fan, I’m not afraid of bigotry if that’s the average level of intelligence its proponents display.
I Am Wacko Sometimes
Fake Loser
Such a great track.
My first impression – and that’s what counts in the competition for most viewers as most ony see it once – was that it has a fresh sound. It makes me feel light and the song is very undramatic (which can be both an advantage or disadvantage dependet on in which most voters will be in). Now the downside: The vocal quality is unfortunaly very very bad. I don’t get why with so many entries (UKs “Dizzy” just one example) good singing qualities and an extraordinary voice isn’t recognised and valued?! I mean there may be songs that don’t requires… Read more »
It’s good to see Australia and SBS giving former competitors that didnt make it first time around in past years a chance. First listen via video and love the song. Very original.