The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rate and review the 41 competing entries of Eurovision 2019. Next we take a look at Australia, where Kate Miller-Heidke has “Zero Gravity”. Did we want to float away with her? Read on to find out!
Kate Miller-Heidke – “Zero Gravity”
“Zero Gravity” reviews
Josh: The opening might seem boring to those with the view that Eurovision songs need to grab you in the first 30 seconds, but those people are missing out on a song that ends up both powerful and touching. There’s an authenticity and honesty present as Kate takes us from feelings of vulnerability and hopelessness to the discovery of a new self-confidence. As the song soars to its end, as the techno beats kick in, your heart goes with it. For that reason, it deserves to be considered one of the best songs of this whole year and shouldn’t be dismissed as a challenger to Duncan’s favourite status as of now.
Score: 9/10
Kristin: Oh Australia. How I love you and want everything good for you. However, I’m not in awe over “Zero Gravity”. There doesn’t seem to be a fully developed song here, its just Kate doing endless voice loops. She is a powerhouse, don’t get me wrong, it’s just that I was waiting and waiting for the song to kick in, but instead I got a three-minute long intro — that is not how you grab the audience! For the first time, the Australian entry is far from being my cup of tea, and that saddens me beyond belief. I’m so sorry, but I fear the worst for Australia this year.
Score: 3/10
Antranig: After four years of respectable entries, Australia has finally sent something that is so much more. There’s personality here — something Australia has lacked in previous years, which has hurt us with the televote. The message is personal yet completely relatable, at least for me. The song structure is extremely clever — the first third whets your appetite, the second third increases the drama and the final third is truly anthemic. Vocally, she’s in a league of her own. I’m so proud of our Kate and this is going to slay!
Score: 10/10
Pablo: I get what “Zero Gravity” is trying to be; an eclectic mix of grandiose space opera and dance floor filler that would make people stop and listen: I love the concept. But the package feels haphazardly made and not even Kate’s crystal clear vocals can mesh the different parts that well. The last third (“Nothing holding me down”) is pretty jarring and feels like the think tank hit Empty while writing the lyrics. Australia needs to stage this right, because one misstep could turn the entire package into something comical and all the magic it critically needs would be lost.
Score: 5/10
Sebastian: Having seen this performed live and in the flesh at the Australian national final, “Zero Gravity” was, by far, one of the most outstanding aural and physical experiences to hit a Eurovision stage. With a song so deep and personal, the embodiment of depression through lyrics, staccato and range add a real depth and layers to what is seemingly a mashup of pop and opera. While it may not have come across as well through the television, here’s hoping a staging revamp for Tel Aviv can deliver Miller-Heidke a much-deserved top result.
Score: 9/10
William: Songs you can’t define have a habit of defining Eurovision — and this is definitely among them. Kate Miller-Heidke comes to Eurovision with an enormous song that snakes through opera, dance and house. It’s big, bonkers and will have many people asking, “Why?” My lingering feeling is, “Why not?” The mysterious opening leads to a final minute that’s so uplifting you can help but sway along. The staging needs a lot of work — it’s not a matter of tidying, but of revamping. But assuming that falls into place, this is headed straight to the final.
Score: 7.5/10
In the Wiwi Jury we have 29 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:
| Angus: 8/10
Anthony: 6.5/10 Antony: 8.5/10 Barnabas: 7/10 Bernardo: 5.5/10 Calvin: 7/10 Chris: 7/10 Deban: 5/10 Essi: 2.5/10 Florian: 6/10 Izhar: 5/10 Jack: 4.5/10 |
Jonathan: 5/10
Julian: 4.5/10 Lucy: 2/10 Luis: 5.5/10 Lukas: 8/10 Mikhail: 2.5/10 Oliver: 10/10 Renske: 5/10 Robyn: 6/10 Ron: 7/10 Tobias: 5/10 |
We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 10.
Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.09/10
What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!
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Actually loving how divided people are over this.
Come May whatever will happen will happen. And if we get our first NQ at least it’s a song we’re proud of.
I agree with you about our 2017 and 2018 entries. However, this time was our first chance to choose our entry, rather than it just being chosen for us … and I, for one, am happy with our choice. I’m sorry you don’t like having us at Eurovision, but I’m not sorry that we are involved … it’s something that I have always wished for.
In principle I am not a fan of popopera. I like opera too much for that. Furtherore the tendency is to mix opera vocal stylings with rather dubious pop/techno sounds, which to my ears sounds appalling. (case in point Sweden 2009…). This entry however has something artistic and contemporay in the way it is crafted that makes it quite palatable and enoyable for me and goes beyond showing off Kate’s vocal capabilities. The minimalistic beat and verses does the trick for me. Kudos for Australia to try out something different and for downplaying the staging that was indeed too much… Read more »
AUSTRALIA – For once, The Land Down Under doesn’t play it safe. Instead of giving us another slick pop song, they are sending an epic popera with a dash of electronics. Kate is an amazing performer and a vocal masterclass! The song is about handling depression and I find it very uplifting indeed. It feels very authentic and atmospheric. The verses, sung in pop style, are emotional and the chorus, sung operatically, is extra powerful. It can seem like a bit of an overload of too many ingredients at once, but I personally love it! The staging needs to reflect… Read more »
Deban’s 5/10 is a huge improvement over his initial reaction!
It’s a 10 out of 10 for me and confidently think Australia is a potential top 5 finisher despite all the hate it’s getting on YT. It’s got all those traditional opera qualities the juries loved about Estonia last year but it also manages to sound mainstream and almost radio friendly which appeals even more to the juries, as radio friendliness seems to be their ultimate kink. In reggards to televote, even those who don’t connect to the song will be blown away by her vocals and much like croatia 2017, this will do better than expected. Nothing holding her… Read more »
Hmm. Divisive. First of all, well done to Australia for picking a strong live singer after two years of disappointing vocal performances. Kate will do great. The song is (intentionally or not) hilarious. I don’t love it (take away Katie’s vocal and there’s not a lot there) but I am predicting Australia to be surprise winners of SF1. Again, all because of the awesomeness of Kate.
Hahaha – 18? That means everyone thinks you’re stupid.
Go Australia, let’s see what people say in rehearsal week!
I share your views on this.
And it always elevates my appreciation for an entry when the performer is also the songwriter, like in this case.
I want to see the faces of haters when this entry scores high with the televote in May. This is so televote bait for many reaosns.
I get why big part of the fandom think it’s over the top, but I have ze-e-e-e-ero problem with that when the concept is as creative as the one seem here. The production is tight and the beat is infectious. Pop opera entries can sound as an excuse for a singer to show off, but here the operatic notes serve the song and not the opposite. The challenge is to translate it to a live show. I felt Kate’s vocals were unstable during the national final. The staging was a smart depiction of depression, but the aesthetics were tacky. 8.5/10
I’ve never been a fan of Jessica’s song, but they gave her a very unflattering stage show. Her likeability wasn’t enough to distract me from that.
I think a lot of countries last year used the same person for their staging and I think the Australian delegation felt ripped off by that person over the last 2 years. I hope we do our own thing this year and not rely on that person again who obviously spread themselves so thin that they didn’t have a clue how to stage last years performance. When I saw it last year on TV my first thought was who went to the dollar store to get the PVC piping
Well, Jessica and We got love was already dreadful (especially the live show).
But Zero Gravity is even worser. Feels like Azerbaijan the last few years, Australia just cant get the pace on the same level. Isaiah at least finished in Top 10, but already last year, Jessica crashed down and was saved only by the juries.
Lol, Jessica got a higher televote than Isaiah
Worser is not a word
We want Electric Fields or Sheppard!
HAHAHA SUFFER
Too late mate this is the song that won , entries are closed , no backsies.no return to sender , no boomerangs and as Polegend Godgarina says HAHAHA SUFFER
Oh yes, Australia. It’s absolutely a great song, tho I think it’s too often overlooked by the fans and simply taken as a joke/gimmick entry. When you look at the lyrics, a different story emerges – “Zero Gravity” is a conversation with depression, darker side of your personality, acking in your soul, force trying to make you give up. It’s an intimate therapy, almost a fight with yourself, a moment when you stand up and say “no more” – which is beautifully presented on stage. The song starts with Kate saying “hey you…”, almost like to an old friend. She’s… Read more »
For me the lyrics aren’t clever, it’s easy writing, basic. I appreciate the message but it’s not that interesting.
The lyrics personify depression in a creative way while the metaphors used accurately describe the feelings experiences during PND without relying on cliches. Just because the lyrics are simply and easy to understand doesn’t make them dumb or basic.
2. GRE (9.0) 3. ICE (9.0) 4. SWE (9.0) 5. AZE (9.0) 6. BEL (8.5) 7. SWI (8.0) 8. RUS (7.5) 9. NMC (7.5) 10. EST (7.0) 11. HUN (7.0) 12. ROM (7.0) 14. AUS (7.0) 15. FRA (6.5) 16. IRE (6.5) 17. ARM (6.5) 18. ALB (6.0) 20. AUT (6.0) 21. DEN (5.5) 22. NOR (5.5) 23. SLO (5.5) 24. MAL (5.5) 26. ESP (5.0) 27. FIN (5.0) 28. CZE (5.0) 29. BLR (5.0) 30. UK (5.0) 31. SER (4.5) 32. GEO (4.5) 33. CRO (4.0) 34. ISR (4.0) 35. GER (3.5) 36. MOL (3.5) 37. LIT (3.5) 38.… Read more »
@ mr. vanilla bean
At first listen I was quite sure that I would end up really loving Australia’s entry. I was wrong, though. It never grew on me after that first listen. Sure, I can appreciate Kate’s vocals and technique and I have absolutely nothing against (p)opera in the ESC (“La forza” was definitely in my top 5 last year), but there is something in this song that doesn’t make that final click with me. In a certain way, it gives me a similar feeling as Sergey’s “Scream”: it feels a bit like a product rather than a genuine song (I must admit… Read more »
I think it’s a case of whether people have the patience to actually listen and not reduce this song to being Estonia mk. 2 because there is an intelligence and class to the way this song is written that is just amazing.
It’s just a parody of La Forza
here is your typical musically illiterate person tryin to compare a traditional operatic song like la forza to an electronic, lo-fi inspired piece with operatic vocals. literally stfu if u don’t kno what u talkin bout.
I second everything Polegend said there. Two very different opera songs, but both great in their own right.
Principles, my dear. Remember that we are all entitled to our opinions, even if we don’t know what we’re talking about.
Trivia Question :
How many listens did it take for you to realize that the entire song and the ‘ahhhhhh’ in the end of the song is because Kate snubbed her foot with a stone in her shoe?
Me: 8 listens
Fun fact: The song is based on truth. Kate snubbed her foot with the cobblestones on the Amsterdam roads and was advised 2 weeks of no foot movement by the doctor. She is a clairvoyant. She released the song even before the incident. I think this fact alone deserves at least a qualification.
I actually quite like this entry however I am still extremely salty about 2000 and Whatever not winning! Kate’s vocals are just out of this world but there’s just something missing to make this song really amazing. Nevertheless I like it and I think it will qualify this year. 8/10
@Antranig Seriously? I mean…. Seriously???? Australia is not going to the Grand Final.
Australia’s going to be in Eurovision till at least 2023 and most probably beyond so best start getting used to them.
I really like this entry. The national final performance does it a disservice due to the (unfavourable) comparison to Estonia last year. But this is a completely different song. Once you get past the popera novelty, there is actually a very pleasing song underneath, especially the last minute which takes me to a different place from when the song started. I really hope they do something completely different with the staging in the final, and this could do much better than expected. For now, it just gets into my top 10.
I like this – feels like a mixture of opera and modern music and her voice is so nice.
Australia is barely missing out from my current top 10, and that may change after I listen to the first rehearsals.
i knew you’d stan this masterpiece mr. vanilegend <3
tbh i hope u message me someday, a legend
on kik ! george_tay
Kik: The_Purple_Mask
😛
Yes! You finally confirmed what we all knew: Polegend is the absolute amazing (seriously) ESC-YouTuber George A. Tay 😉
i mean i never denied it haha
This year botoom
I’m gonna be honest- I hate the studio version. Idk what it is but I just hate it. BUT! Live it just transforms into an entry with one of the most satisfying climaxes of the year (the part when she starts going into the nothing holding me down- section). Kate is an amazing singer and she really carries this song to another level when performed live. This is the fifth Australian entry in a row that I adore and it should have no problems to get in the final, and I hope the televoters don’t underrate them in the final.… Read more »
Zero gravity and zero points I hope.
And you have ZERO musical taste.
Bruh, everyone has different taste, respect that
Gotta hand it to Australia they certainly have mixed it up a little. Guy Sebastian was great, Dami was great…then they slipped off a cliff with each entry afterwards trying to replicate their 2016 success. Granted it also took me a while to accept their participation…but anyway. This year, they tried something different again so kudos for that. Kate may not have been my personal choice for Australia (Sheppard and Electric Fields got that honour), but it’s not all bad. However I am a bit rollercoaster with their entry this year. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. It… Read more »
Australia got us used to have quality entries but then, out of the blue, they sent this atrocious and dreadful piece of so-called song. Don’t get confused guys, “Zero Gravity” is not “La Forza” and Kate is not Elina. While “La Forza” was elegant and mind-blowing in a good way (I’m not a fan of Opera music, but I must appreciate it), “Zero Gravity” is cheap, shabby, over-the-top, embarrasing and tailored for what Australians think Eurovision is. Kate vocals are annoying and unpleasant as she is too pitchy and strident and her facial expressions are rather creepy. On the other… Read more »
It’s ironic isn’t it! Here you are trashing Zero Gravity in defense of 2000 and Whatever yet Electric Feilds love Kate and her entry, shows what you know.
Why am I supposed to like the same songs my faves like? That doesn’t even make sense. Try again.
Just because the point went completely over your head doesn’t mean I need to “try again”. I never said you have to like it but there is a difference between disliking a song and saying it’s bad. Electric feilds are educated, knowledgeable and experienced music professionals so if they say it’s good it discredits your whole argument. That’s the point I was making!
I thought Elina was vocally pretty spot on
Yup and she sings just fine, I’ve heard worse
my number one favorite <3 i love operatic vocals n i love her as an artist. i cannot get tired of the song. i can see why some hate it but their loss i guess !
I don’t understand the hate that this song is receiving. I actually don’t find it in any way bad. It has it out there feel for those who want that but it’s also pop and I don’t mind listening to it. She is a great vocalist , the staging was a bit random though , they probably need to work on that . Happy 2019. A 7.5/10. In my mind this would get jury support and if Estonia got televotes with a song with less mass appeal then this should too. The running order with Iceland following isn’t that great.… Read more »
Lol.
Wrong email Id entered.
.
I love her so freaking much.
Thw first time i get overly excited about Australia, both because of the song and the explicitly witty artist they have this year.
Australia has an experimental song this year, not sure if this is a safe option which will lead them through to the final. We have to live with the fact there were stronger songs in their national final. On the contrary its borderline non qualifier in my opinion, Just something is missing from the heart of the song. They are trying too hard and I am not sure this will fit with the European audience. All saying that the performer is great. The genre is make or break for them. Personally I think this will be the first year a… Read more »
Why on earth would we waste our money voting for a song we hate just to “fit in”.
I don’t really like this, because I feel like there is not much substance to the actual song. It’s a mere vocal show-off to me and the song loses itself completely in the last minute. HOWEVER I respect Kate’s vocal ability and I can see why people would like it. Despite the fact, that I’m not a fan of this entry, I’d like to see it in the final… for diversity reasons.
Fair enough if you don’t enjoy the song but to discredit it as a “vocal show off” and claiming it has no substance couldn’t be further from the truth.
Stop. Let people say exactly what they want regarding a song. Your toxicity is what I hate about this community.
I think you should take some of your own advice. It’s a free forum for all opinions and he had a right to defend the song. And calling other people toxic for no apparent reason is what I dislike about the community.
It’s how I see it and I have every right to say this.
I’ve always wondered why Australia hadn’t considered sending in Kylie Minogue. She’s already known, and might get a new boost for her career from this. If there’s anyone who can make the staging work, it’s her! 🙂
I love it too, and I am glad I am not the only one. Maybe we are the silent majority, who knows?
ROFL. “Silent,” us? 😀
Slovenia is not avantgarde sounds like any coffee shop music a la café del mar to me. Generic music.
Agreed here, with Mr. Vanilla Bean.
It happens sometimes.
Not jelous. Just don’t think it is avant garde at all. Walk in to any coffe shop like Joe and the Juice and hear the same kind if music. It is very rare in Eurovision with avantgarde music or master-pieces in music per se. I don’t remember if there ever been such an entry. Eurovision is about performance. The quality if music, staging and the performers ability to deliver. If all of these qualities come together we sense some kind of magic. That’s what I love about Eurovision.
Such magic happened with Alexande Rybak, Loreen and Elina Born and Stig Rästa. Neither being original or master pieces songs by themselves. The whole package just worked.
Nr Vanilla been I am hearing it right now at Joe and the Juice.
Probably the most hated entry of the year, for “whatever” reasons I guess. I like it.
7/10
I think the most hated award DOES NOT go to Australia but to Georgia or Montenegro, Georgia less deservedly.
Nowhere near the usual standards from Australia.
But I don´t blame them. First time ever with a national final – they clearly didn´t know what to do with it…
This is much more about voice than song.
Come back stronger next year!
It was a brilliant national final!
I’m glad that Australia moved away from their typical generic pop entries.
“Zero Gravity” earned a respectable 9th place in my ranking.
It appears to have divided the wiwi jury, but I am in the love it camp!
My 1st place 2019, I am not sorry! 😀 1. Kate is vocally in her own class. 2. The mix of pop and opera is phenomenal. 3. The melody comes across as very smooth, before the beat makes it more dynamic and the backings make it an anthem. 4. The staging has to be changed because of the dress comparisions, but it will be a banger. 5. The arm movements and the Z-e-e-e-ro Gra-a-a-a-vity are so glamouros together. This is the perfect example of what I meant, when I said I want attitude on stage. Pure perfection! My rating 11/10.… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more!
LOVE IT!
100% AGREEANCE
I really can’t stand this song. This could be Australia’s first ever NQ. They had so many better options in their NF and chose a woman with an antenna on her head? Of course it’s Australia, so wiwibloggs will always overrate it!
Love your taste in video games! I had 2 of them back in the 1980s. 🙂
This one is all going to hinge on what they put on stage. If they come with something very different, maybe they’ll qualify. But if they bring the same stage setup as they did at their national final (which I thought was corny), it will be a rather short stay.
Kate has already said that the staging has changed completely
My suggestion for a different stage setup: Get some strong cable and a harness that she can hide in her outfit, and have her float above the stage when she gets to the chorus. Higher as she gets to the climax, assuming she is not afraid of groundless open heights and she can hold those notes in mid-air. If they need to pad the floor for extra safety while she’s 3 or 4 meters in the air, do it.
Her vocals are one of the best of the year, if not the best. Something daring and different and unique from Australia and I hope they succeed because Kate is a wonderful woman. Go get ‘em Kate!
“The best Australian entry to date.” THIS! It’s fresh, unique and Kate owns it (review coming). About previous operatic songs, we pretty much share opinions too. Cvet z juga was amazing, Elina’s Forza was pure magic. Not keen on the other two either. I liked Malena’s operatic chorus, but hated generic pop verses. And Cezar’s It’s My Life is atrocious indeed. When I relistened 2013 songs, I realized why. IML isn’t opera at all! It’s actually a techno pop song, sung by operatic voice. The result was an assault to my ears.
Kate makes me feel the most happiness when I hear her song. In that aspect, Australia has the exact opposite effect that Island has on me.