Earlier this week the Czech broadcaster Česká televize (ČT) revealed the seven songs competing in their national selection, ESCZ 2022.
The Aussievision team has taken a listen to the entries and been busy deciding their top five songs, ranking each with 12,8,6,4 and 2 points.
In total, 16 contributors voted and we have the results...
7. Skywalker - 'Way Down' (36 points)
Highs: 8 points from Josh and Hayley, 6 points from Wade
Lows: 0 points from Craig, Dale, Emma, Mike, Guy, Laura, Tim and Hugo
"Bratty pop punk. More tame fans of Finland 2021 will be happy this entry is in ESCZ. Great track for my top 3 of ESCZ this year." ~ Josh.
"It is hard not to mention this sounds like Blink 182 but I love it. The throat singing took me by surprise when it kicked in. Its an easy and fun song to listen to." ~ Hayley
"It ramps up a little late in the piece, but it has good overall composition. It would be a refreshing change for Eurovision." ~ Wade
6. Elis Mraz - 'Imma Be' (46 points)
Highs: 8 points from Laura, 6 points from Mike, Guy and Liv
Lows: 0 points from Craig, Kyriakos, Fleur, Wade, Tim and Hugo
"One of the best things about this song is Elis Mraz herself. She is an incredibly charismatic and confident performer and her delivery really helps sell this song, especially in the live on tape performance. She fills the song with her personality and really makes it her own. I found myself getting caught up in the flow of the song's lyrics and its Latin rhythms. It would be really cool to see more rap like this at Eurovision. " ~ Laura.
"'Imma Be' is Elis Mraz's second try at ESCZ and its a really fun song. Unfortunately, her previous effort was much better in my opinion and outshines this song. There is nothing bad about it per say but there isn't anything to really write home about either. " ~ Cooper
"The song has a nice dramatic opening and then has an almost retro Latin feel to it. Elis's rap/vocal style does make it sound very busy at times. She looks like she could have a very engaging live performance style. It's all very solid without really hitting the heights.." ~ Mike
5. EMMA X JORDAN - 'By Now' (62 points)
Highs: 12 points from Mark, 8 points from Craig, Fleur, Guy and Tim
Lows: 0 points from Cooper, Dale, Josh, Wade, Laura and Liv
"There's a rich history at recent contests of brooding duets positively overflowing with backstory and subtext. If Jordan and Emma can bring some Elena and Stig energy - or even some Ilse and Waylon vibes - to their performance, this could do really well at both ESCZ and ESC proper! My favourite of the bunch!" ~ Mark
"'Another Indie song that has a bit of a slow build but eventually it really pays off. I think this could be a really interesting dynamic on stage. I believe the story of the song is really engaging and I really enjoy the song as a whole." ~ Tim
"This sounds like it belongs in the JJJ Hottest 100. I wouldn't think this would do too well at Eurovision but stranger things have happened. I like it - simple, good lyrics and arty." ~ Hayley
4. ANNABELLE - 'RUNNING OUT OF F* TIME' (62 points)
Highs: 12 points from Cooper and Wade, 8 points from Hugo
Lows: 0 points from Kyriakos, Fleur, Emma, Mike and Hayley
"Modern day, Czech version of an Avril Lavigne rock pop song. From first listen, I've been obsessed with this entry! With this genre making a return in popularity in the mainstream music industry thanks, I'm excited to see it come over to Eurovision as well. 'Runnin' Out of F* Time' is memorable, loud and a great listen." ~ Cooper
"'I really like the melodic rock sound, and I like Annabelle’s voice. A really solid song done well." ~ Hugo
"This one doesn't quite hit the same without the swear words, but it's a great early 2000s pastiche with heaps of colour and energy. I like it a lot!" ~ Craig
3. The Valentines - 'Stay or Go' (78 points)
Highs: 12 points from Kyriakos, Fleur and Tim
Lows: 0 points from Cooper, Josh, Guy, Mark and Hayley
"Love this entry! It reminds me of the late 2000's with the type of music I was into. Great to see this musical style make a comeback. There is something a bit fun with it too. The chorus is super catchy and infectious!" ~ Kyriakos
"Catchy cute indie pop song...the lyrics are simple but who cares? This is feelgood pop...how could you not feel happy after listening to this?" ~ Emma
"Pretty standard boppy pop song. I feel like they were trying to add depth to a pretty basic song with the production and have over-egged it. Lyrics are very clunky and basic. The entry shows it's hand in the first minute and doesn't really progress from there." ~ Mike
2. We Are Domi - 'Lights Off' (108 points)
Highs: 12 points from Dale, Emma, Guy, Hayley and Laura
Lows: 0 points from Mark and Liv, 2 points from Craig and Wade
"An upbeat dance-pop song with a memorable chorus is right up my alley. Love the build up into each chorus and this feels like a great modern song which is what ESCZ is all about. It does have some 'moments' but still may struggle to translate live but as a song I really love this. " ~ Dale
"Guilty pleasure. This may belong on the ’Night at the Roxbury’ soundtrack but I love it. Would be interesting to see it live." ~ Fleur
"This is is a really nice, modern EDM pop song. I really like the lead vocalist’s voice - when it’s in the lower range it gives me LÉON vibes. The song also feels like it has some good opportunities during the long notes to create some big moments in the live staging." ~ Guy
1. Giudi - 'Jezinky' (120 points)
Highs: 12 points from Craig, Josh, Mike, Liv and Hugo
Lows: 2 points from Fleur, Guy and Laura, 4 points from Emma
"Something totally unique and different from the rest...not my usual cup of tea but something in Giudy's delivery works. Technically tricky vocals to land but if nailed this could do very well at Eurovision. Buckets of staging potential and you can see she's already put some thought into visuals." ~ Liv
"Is there even a song in there? I don't know. But there's a certainly a sound and an atmosphere and that's good enough for me." ~ Mark
"This is a haunting, atmospheric and attention grabbing song. There are some influences like Billie Eilish and others but GIUDI still stands out on her own. She seems to get the 'visual' and that will be important to keep the mood and atmosphere live. " ~ Dale
All songs are available to vote on in the Eurovision App or via the ESCZ 2022 website. That's right, you can vote from any country, you don't have to be from the Czech Republic.
Voting is now open until 15th December with the winner to be announced the following day.
Cast your vote via the official Eurovision app (DOWNLOAD) or by going to the ESCZ 2022 website https://escz2022.com/