Australia’s first national final Eurovision – Australia Decides will have its debut in just a matter of weeks, with plans no doubt well underway on the Gold Coast.
While seven of the ten entrants have been announced, SBS have been fairly tight-lipped as to the songs selected to compete. Today, four of the entrants took matters into their own hands – releasing either full versions or snippets of the tracks we are expected to hear come February 9.
16 year old ‘wildcard’ entry Leea Nanos has emancipated herself in her track “Set Me Free”, a somewhat haunting synth-pop track that exposes the young singer’s killer vocals well beyond her years. The rising star was handpicked by Australia’s Head of Delegation Paul Clarke after she offered up her song for other acts in the Melbourne area. All we can say is lucky Leea didn’t – because she owns this track.
You can listen to her track on Spotify below.
While a snippet of electro-pop duo Electric Fields‘ track “2000 and Whatever” dropped on January 1, the entire track was released today. An anthem for millennials, the thumping beat gets under your skin, nodding to lead singer Zaachariaha Fielding’s Indigenous Australian roots with the used of Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara — a language of the Anangu people — in the pre-chorus. Zaachariaha hits notes higher than Miss Mariah herself – making “2000 and Whatever” a force to be reckoned with.
Band member Michael Ross wants the song to lift people up:
“It is a brooding and joyous track about getting over insecurities early in life because this generation is beautiful and has more at its finger tips than any other before,” he said. “We belong to a gigantic cosmos and this life is short.”
2009 Australia’s Got Talent winner Mark Vincent has not left himself out of the game, either. The 25 year old Italian-Australian has revealed his track “This Is Not The End”, showcasing the tenor’s powerful operatic voice. Reminiscing of his childhood, Mark asks us ‘what we think of the snippet’ – and all we can say is bravissimo!
The final entry to be released today is that of 18-year-old Aydan Calafiore, with his track “Dust”. The track is has slow beat and is a soulful performance from the youngster – with a rich, smooth voice beyond his years. It’s modern, it’s now, it’s wow and it wouldn’t sound out of place on an Alicia Keys album.
The four entries released today will join the already released entry by contestant Courtney Act, titled “Fight For Love”. Her dance banger was released last December not long after she announced she would be taking part in the inaugural Australian selection.
Yet to release their tracks are previously announced entrants, pop-folk group Sheppard and independent artist Kate Miller-Heidke. With years of experience between the both of these entrants, no doubt they are holding several aces up their sleeves.
What do you think of the entries released by Leea Nanos, Aydan, Mark Vincent and Electric Fields? Do we have a winner amongst this pack? Let us know in the comments below.
Am I the only one who feels a strong “Moment”- by Blanche vibe to “Set me free” by Leea Nanos?
I love it!
My favorite
Wow. The Leea Nanos song is the stand out. If she can sing this well live and nail her live performance then we have our winner right here people. I listened to all the Australia Decides songs with one question in mind – which song sounds like it could win the whole Eurovision. This one for me jumped out. Winner. Go Leea.
I really like “Set me free”: Modern sound, beautiful voice. I’m sure this can look bigger and better on a stage like Eurovision. I also like “Dust”. It’s a clear ballad with great vocals. If he slays the live performance he’s in the competition too. “This is not the end”is a operatic pop ballad, if that term exists. He has an incredible voice and the live performance can elevate the song, but I’m not sure it’s what Australia needs to send to Eurovision now. What happens with “2000 and Whatever” is that it’s so up-beat and energetic that it can… Read more »
OMG Dust is such a masterpiece! It would flop in the televoting but I do see it finishing in the Jury top 3 if it were to go to Eurovision. Very impressive For an 18 year old.
I love Electric Fields song immensely! I think Mark will be very powerful on the 9th Feb. Looking forward to his song performed live. Cant wait!.
I have heard Leea sing live before in 2017 and i think she has been part of x-factor or something i don’t know. She’s decent but her song isn’t that great and she has done better stuff before.
Electric Fields 1000000000000% You go boys!
I don’t care who goes to Eurovision, as long as it’s not Courtney Act.
Btw SBS released the three remaining artists.
Electric Fields has an amazing song. Very modern with cultural elements. So unique, i love it. If they can pull this off live, this will be a potential winner!
Happy 2000 and whateveeer!
Happy 2000 and whatever sounds too much like it’s copying the style of Toy by Netta, last year’s winning song. The high pitch squeal, the cultural lyrics, the out of the box sound… I’ve seen Eurovisions in the past where countries copy too much the previous year’s winner and it flops big time, people can see thru it. Hope this doesn’t win
Leea’s song is a genuine masterpiece, but I love Electric Fields’ entry too. Either or
Really like leea nanos and electric fields please god let them be half decent live, personally think this is the kinda direction eurovision should be heading in
Electric Fields is a complete mad mess of craziness, and I love it!
“2000 and Whatever” is one of the most memorable songs of the NF season so far – and the exact type of song that makes me fall in love with Eurovision over and over again. I really, really hope they will be able to recreate the magic live on stage.
Okay. I just heard all 5 songs from Spotify and YouTube. Apart from the opera guy and Courtney Act’s song, the remaining songs really fit my tastes. Aydan’s song is a soulful and slow pop with high standard production we can see from Australia. The beats really caught my attention and I’m digging it. I’ve seen his videos on YouTube and he can SING LIVE! Leea’s song is also interesting. It’s like The Rhythm Inside meets City Lights. However, I’m afraid that she can’t pull if off live like those finalists with experience. Last but not the least, I really… Read more »
Better a smart blonde with the eyes of a panther than a pack of wolves with a heart of gold.
YES
Since when are you commenting on wiwibloggs, my German friend? 🙂
Anyways, what I wanted to say about Australia: Electric Fields are good, but not 100% mine. Aydan is touching. About Courtney I have already said that the song is too weak. I am hoping for Kate Miller-Heidke to save Australia which her originality. Please! 😀
Aydan’s song is really different from his live performance posted by Wiwibloggs. It’s nowhere related to touching..
Since today. 😉
Ahhhh, I meant *with* her originality. Auto-correction is calling XD
Electric Fields all the way! The song’s that good that Australia should just internally select them, but let’s wait till the national final takes place to see.
I’m sooo in love with the entry of Electric Fields! What an amazing song! I can imagine the stage and performance already. The vibe of the song is winning material if you ask me!
My top 5:
1: Electric Fields: This is an absolute anthem and it has soooo much potential to win!
2: Courtney Act
3: Mark Vincent
4: Leea Nanos
5: Aydan Calafiore
My top 5:
1) Electric Fields: WHAT A MASTERPIECE. I LOVE IT SOO MUCH! It’s like a millenial anthem and I love the aboriginal vibes.
2) Courtney Act: The song is pretty good
3)Leea Nanos
4) Mark Vincent
5) Aydan Calafiore
Australia’s selection is amazing. All the songs sound quite good tbh.
My Top 5:
1. Courtney Act – Fight For Love
2. Electric Fields – 2000 and Whatever
3. Leea Nanos – Set Me Free
4. Aydan Calafiore – Dust
5. Mark Vincent – This Is Not The End
I’m sure that Sheppard will be my #1 in the end though 😀
Electric fields song is AMAZING
Electric Fields serving aboriginal vibes REALNESS!!! Love it!!
Electric Fields sounds interesting, lyrics are… interesting. It stays in your head though and that’s nice.
Little bit disappointed!! My fave remains Courtney Act.
I like electric fields as well.
Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara language and that guy’s dance moves – that’s all I need.
Aydan’s and Mark’s songs are now available on Spotify!
Though I was expecting something riskier from Electric Fields, this lineup is delivering a nice variety of sounds. It turns out the least appealing thing of “2000 and Whatever” is the chorus we already knew. The track as a whole is pretty interesting. It’s a banger that has loads of character, so it can reach differents kinds of fans. Leea’s song may not be as catchy as some would like, but it’s a solid piece of indiepop and I liked it right away. I don’t know what I feel yet about Mark’s and Aydan’s songs, but I trust they’ll bring… Read more »
Aydan’s full song on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/055njjvxgaswzeIYKq5w7x?si=zndDhMNSQyasC9NHmNQCVw
Mark Vincent’s: https://open.spotify.com/track/3lUGucJJlVQCKkJ9fyw667?si=vG9_xexyTBeoU8Jk6Opqhg
When we gonna get the full line up?
I’m loving what I’ve heard so far of Mark Vincent’s song. He has a beautiful voice.
I liked Mark Vincent’s cover of “Halo” but this song is not for me. The key, the style, the “when I was a little boy” narrative, it’s the kind of music the German market sells to 100-year-olds in these Schlager festivals. So far, “2000 and Whatever” takes the lead.
Electric Fields and Leea gave me really good first impressions and I really love these two. I’m not a fan of opera so I don’t wanna judge Mark’s song. Aydn’s song is quite soulful so I really wanna hear the final version. Now I understand why they picked Courtney to be one of the finalists…it’s for rating for sure. Her song is nothing original…
I’m scared that the public will chose Mark Vincent.
I hope not
Why? decent song, he is really really good live. Id be damn happy as an australian if we chose him. I do think sheppard will have a better song but they are pretty average live.
I really like 2000 and whatever because of its uniqueness and aboriginal feel.
I’m liking all of these, but I can’t help but admit that Mark Vincent’s reminds me a bit of The Miracle is Mine from Father Ted (at least at the beginning).
It’s really weird how all those artists were announced like a month ago, and we still don’t know the last batch of artists.
The chances are:
1. AD:GC will only have seven artists;
2. The three last acts are the ones AD:GC will match with a pre-written song;
3. They might be revealed as surprises, might be in late January.
Alfie Arcuri is one of those final acts. You heard it here first!
Wow – excellent call, you were dead on!
i cant wait for sheppard.. i really hope they have a banger
Electric Fields’ song is really interesting. It would make a good entry.
Top 5 for sure.