The avant-garde prince of Australian pop has arrived, and boy, has he brought an orchestral tear jerker.
The Voice Australia alumni Sheldon Riley has released his entry for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022, titled “Not The Same”. Starting reflectively on his childhood of being seen not heard, it continues on through Sheldon’s upbringing as a pained self-reflective piece, coming back to the conclusion for each chorus that Sheldon is ‘not the same’.
But there’s an obvious light, an epiphany and cathartic release that changes the tone of the operatic ballad from one of pain, to one of healing and strength. “Not The Same” is a punchy, well produced ballad of feels universally felt by many across the globe, packed tightly in three minutes. And, very fittingly, its nothing like what we’re hearing through the national selections for Turin.
Sheldon Riley releases “Not The Same”
“Not The Same” will be available at 00:00 on 15 February 2022 in your region.
“Not The Same” is written by Sheldon Riley, singer and songwriter Timi Temple and singer, songwriter and producer Cam Nacson.
Speaking to Australian publication SMH about the development of his entry, Sheldon revealed:
“It was actually never supposed to be a Eurovision song; it was more a reflection on me and how far I’ve come and what I’ve learnt about myself,” he says. “It’s reflective of not being the same as everybody else. Most Eurovision songs are very big, and they’re for everyone, but this one … you really get invited into a one-on-one conversation. It’s very personal.”
Visually, Sheldon will be bringing his trademark unique style to the Australia Decides stage, with Anthony Capon of Melbourne label Et Al helping to develop Riley’s original costume design. Sheldon says:
“It’s ridiculous. The outfit is so insanely beautiful. It’s taken hours and hours and hours to make … it’s something I’ve wanted to wear for a very long time that I haven’t been able to do. It’s very dark, ethereal.”
FIRST PREVIEW OF MY EUROVISION SONG ‘NOT THE SAME’ coming out 15.02.22
— SHELDON RILEY (@SheldRiley) February 4, 2022
This isn’t just a competition.. this is my entire world. Eurovision has changed my life and given this lil Aussie a very proud voice! It would be an honour to represent my country ?? ? pic.twitter.com/txoKxOBO9t
He’ll also wear a crystal mask from Australian jeweller House of Emmanuele, known for their work with Kylie Minogue, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
“Not many people can walk onto stage, with thousands of people watching, in a complete crystal mask feeling comfortable and confident,” he says. “I wanted to live the fantasy in my head that I dreamt of for so long. Now I get to do it and I feel like a magical Disney character every time.
Sheldon joins other entrants, duo Isaiah and Evie Irie, pop stalwart PAULINI, the fabulous Seann Miley Moore, Perth’s metal quintet Voyager, singer-songwriter Jude York, pop newcomer Charley, six-piece girl group G-NAT!ON, charismatic pop star Andrew Lambrou, powerhouse entertainer PAULINI, Tiktok wildcard Erica Padilla and multi-media artist Jaguar Jonze. Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022 airs on February 26 on SBS.
What do you think of Sheldon Riley’s orchestral pop sound? How do his emotional lyrics speak to you? Let us know down below!
Damn I love Sheldon and a lot of things he has put out. He was so vocal about going to Eurovision, but this is too “ordinary” for him. It sounds underwhelming for an artist like him. I really try to love it but it doesn’t impact me.
Voyager to Torino, please and for the first time ever I´ll be fan of Australia at ESC…
Really tried to like it, but it does not touch me. Still prefer Voyager.
I was so looking forward to this song as I have loved his last 2 singles. The first 2 min are beautiful but the song seems to languish from there and never builds to the climax I expected and the ending is disappointing and is very weak. Compared to Charley which builds beautifully and ends perfectly. I love Sheldon but I was expecting something more impactful. I am not certain he will beat Voyager or Charley in Australia Decides.
Personally, I disagree. The bridge into the end is so raw and emotionally impactful for me, I felt it in my chest. But even if it does sound lacklustre in the studio cut, I guarantee you it’ll hit live. It’s all about the emotion and his story and seeing him perform it will make all the difference. I just know it’ll be enhanced with the right lighting too.
Let’s hope so
This is the most forgettable song in the selection
he is hyped in Australia and he will get the jury vote and maybe the public too.
Big vocals, music and strong lyrics.
My only concern is the over-the-top appearance that he is preparing. a ballad like this does not need a singer dressed up like Gaga, in my humble opinion.
I think he is the reason why Australia is so high in betting odds.
There is nothing good to see here. This will and should come last.
This did not age well for you alex
It’s nice with great vocals but it’s not exciting enough as we have a few slow songs already within Australia Decides. They’ll all cannibalise each other with the voting.
Boring
Too repetitive, had potential
I just feel like Australia always sends the same generic/bland commercial pop songs, and unfortunately this one is no exception. Whatever he was trying to convey, sorry but I’m just not feeling it. It’s too bad cause he’s a great vocalist and obviously can put on a great show.
Zero Gravity and Technocolour?
Your ignorance is showing.
I see a huge potential on this one. Assuming Sheldon can nail the vocals, juries would certainly respond to it. And knowing he has a remarkable visual style, I imagine his performance can be very eye-catching. The big question is if they’ll dose it enough to make it more inspirational than pretentious. One more reason to be super curious about Australia Decides this year.
Huge question is – could Australia pick him? Song is really good and I see really strong staging. But in Australia this year is some great songs.
As an Australian I’m telling you that this will be last place. There is nothing appealing here.
Also Australian. You’re dreaming if you think this is coming last
Well, out of the 8 songs that have been released it’s the only forgettable one
This song is more of a vocal exercise than a proper song. It could do well with the juries, but I doubt the televoter will pick up on this.
that’s exactly how i felt. but then again i can see it getting a zero gravity/répondez-moi sort of hype
“Not The Same” will be available at 00:00 on 15 February 2022 in your region.
It’s a nice song, it’ll probably win Australia Decides and do well at Eurovision.
However, it’s nothing spectacular… I’m excited about Sheldon’s staging/styling though!
It’s got no chance at winning. There is nothing here.
Was fearing him as he is an incredible artist, but song is too generic. Good luck to Voyager.
Nah, still fear him. He’ll perform the hell out of this and win over a lot of juries and televoters who connect with the emotion he’s conveying.
Voyager will still beat him. Their song is catchier, more upbeat, the singer also has great vocals and with great staging should get the support of both the jury and televote. Its not always about how great a singer is or how great the lyrics are. Voyager stands the best chance of Australia being top 5 this year
I agree, it’s about the production, stage presence, and performance as well and Sheldon will have these too, just in a different way. I love Dreamer, but people will connect with Sheldon and they’ll vote for him. Voyager will do well too, but Sheldon will give them a run for their money
Just listen to this and I’m telling you people, this song is an emotional trip. The vocals are phenomenal, the emotions are genuine and felt and I think I might have shed a tear in the end a little.
This! This song should win.
The only two songs that gave me goosebumps on the first listen during this entire Eurovision national selection season were I Suck At Being Lonely and Not The Same. Australia better choose between these two ‘cuz they can do extremely well if performed amazingly.
I’d like to see competing another “guest country” with a more outstanding and genuine culture. Australia is a colonized state that has no particular culture, I’d prefer to see an Aboriginal entry instead of this unoriginal basic mess they provide to us almost every year! For example, I’d love to see countries like Lebanon or Morocco participating with their own sound, instead of this “wannabe british” meh/mess!
I hope your post gets removed. Very ignorant to say Australia has no culture. And even countries with rich histories and culture send garbage to Eurovision, at least we send quality.
We’ve sent a hugely diverse group of representatives, including those who come from our valued indigenous population (Isaiah, Jess), and as is appropriate for a country in which half of the population were born overseas or have an overseas-born parent we’ve also sent plenty of entries from non-anglo Celtic backgrounds (Guy, Dami, Montaigne), and just the one from the largest ethnic group (Kate). We’ve consistently had diversity in our national selection shows, in age gender race sexuality and perhaps most crucially for a song contest, music styles and genres. There is plenty to criticise Australia for, and some of our… Read more »
I think it is a pleasure to have a country like Australia. But I would also love to have other guest countries as well, maybe one every year? I would love a latinamerican country with a long music tradition, such as Argentina, Colombia or Brasil.
Australia is part of Eurovision, get used to it now.
This is a bit of a rude comment to Australians as a people and their song choices . They have a great track record since joining the competition and they have sent Aboriginal artists . Australia is a multiethnic society and the vast majority are proud of it and strive forward for a just and free society’. Let them participate and share the diversity of their music .
Colonized countries develope cultural traits in time. There are things that are associated with USA: fast food, businesses, the way they speak, etc. Australia isn’t cultureless because it’s a colonized country. They’ve got a lot of aboriginal influence, unique animals and their own dialect.
In the end everybody has a culture and distinct traits.
more “outstanding” culture – xenophobic much
It’s moving. it’s powerful. It’s authentic and personal to the artist. It punches me right in the feels and gives me goosebumps. This is the Ballad I have been Waiting for this entire season so far! I have my fingers crossed for him.
Australia is challenging for the win!
Not with this song
London/Berlin 2023 since Australia is not eligible to host?
Not with this song
This is not an easy song to sing… but if he does a good job live, this has the potential to fight for the victory in May. Let’s hope for the best!
oh yes.. this hits right into my feels.. pls Australia!
This is giving me winner vibes. I know he can elevate this live too! It’s a little different to the snippet however, where is the powerful “no hiding away” part? Nonetheless, Go Australia!!!
A winning song has to be memorable. There is nothing here.
Winner vibes?
Not for me.
Hell to the no
Best of luck to Sheldon. This song has such a challenging vocal to deliver along with the raw emotion behind it. As for the grand outfit (a.ka. the mask) my best advice is: Use the mask’s persona to channel the song; don’t let the outfit be a distraction from the music.