Isaiah Firebrace – ‘More Than Me’
First nations artist Isaiah Firebrace has always shown he is much more. Whether it is winning The X Factor Australia in 2016, entertaining The Masked Singer fans as The Wizard and of course, when he represented Australia on the Eurovision stage in 2017 and finished in 9th place in Kyiv. Not resting on his laurels, Isaiah wants more again and recently announced his intention to compete in Australia Decides 2022 to become the first Australian to sing for the country twice. Until then, Isaiah brings us his latest single ‘More Than Me’, a reflective soul-ballad that showcases a vulnerable side of Isaiah, as he mourns a tough break up through song.
This song is all about losing someone you care about and I feel like we’ve all been there. So I hope this can be relatable to you and also give you some healing like it did for me.
Isaiah Firebrace, (Instagram)
Arilena Ara – ‘Pop Art The Album’
Although we didn’t get to see Albanian superstar Arilena Ara take to the Eurovision stage in 2020 with ‘Fall From The Sky’, that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate her music and hope she returns in the future. For now we get to enjoy the 12 tracks on new album Pop Art The Album. Despite a career spanning seven years, it is only now that Arilena releases her first album. After a year in the making, Arilena shares the art of her music and its diverse colour palette. From the emotional ‘Ke Me Mungu’ that reminds us of the lost Eurovision entry, to ‘Thirr Policine’, full of that Albanian RnB grit and the fun tropical ‘Aligator’. Meanwhile there is proof Arilena still has the contest on her mind, as she teams up with Switzerland’s third place 2021 act, Gjon’s Tears for the 80s inspired ‘Dance Me’.
We started working on this project a year ago and since then, it’s only been hard work, discipline and of course, laughter too. I’ve loved every moment of the making of the album and would never change any part of it! Move your body and dance to every single song.
Arilena Ara, (Instagram)
Amir – ‘Ressources – Nouvelle Edition’
Last, but not least on New Music Friday is ‘J’ai Cherché‘ singer Amir. One year on from the release of third album Ressources, the 2016 French representative is back with an updated re-release. A very resourceful Amir gives us eight new tracks on this two disc version. Which includes recent single ‘Rétine‘, along with even more personal melodies, such as ‘Malgré moi’, ‘Ce soir’ and ‘Oubliée’ that show Amir’s maturity as an artist as he explores the music influences of his Mediterranean and Middle East heritage.
It is by far my most precious, ambitious, sincere and personal musical project. I put everything I have in it, and more than that. Now I entrust it to you, keep it for yourself, preciously.
Amir, (Instagram)
Which is your favourite song of New Music Friday? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 contest in Turin!
