Jess Cerro (AKA Montaigne), the winner of Australia Decides 2020, is busy preparing for her participation in the 2021 contest following confirmation by SBS Australia earlier this year that she would be automatically selected for the next contest.  In an interview with Australian LGBTI magazine ‘Star Observer‘, she said that “emotionally and creatively” the past months have been “very fruitful. I have been practicing making original compositions more than ever, I think. It’s been a galvanising opportunity”.

Speaking of her 2021 entry, she says “We actually had a meeting, like a first proper meeting, yesterday. I feel like, fairly, but not 100%, set on a song which I love a lot“.  Though not confirming the musical style of her new song, she has teased a new direction with her newfound interest in hyperpop: a genre which mixes EDM and pop music.

She explains that she has been writing hyperpop music from the perspective of a “parasitic mushroom” that “takes over the bodies of insects”.  She elaborated that she has written about “anthropomorphising (attributing human characteristics or behaviour to) the mushroom so it seemed like it was just this very parasitic toxic person”.  What do you think of Montaigne’s new direction? Are you a fan of hyperpop? Let us know in the comments below!