As the new season of American Idol nears, the show offered fans something that’s never before done before the premiere – the top 24 contestants.

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“It’s an Idol first,” host Ryan Seacrest said in a two-minute video. “Before we even show you the auditions, we are going to introduce you to the top 24. You will fall in love with them, you’ll root for and you’ll vote for them, but right now you will hear them.”

Each contestant is then heard singing a line from Nina Simone's 1960s hit “Feeling Good.” While the contestants’ faces aren’t visible, their powerful voices prove that there’s some serious talent in the competition next season.

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“What I love is that every year this goes by it gets bigger and the artists are even more and more enthusiastic about it,” Seacrest told Fox News in September. “Now they can’t wait to get here and figure out what kind of signature move they’re going to leave.”

Season 14 will see the return of judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick, Jr. and Keith Urban. Unlike previous years, however, the top 10 performances and results will all occur on the same night.

The Fox competition show returns on Jan. 7.

Watch the preview below:

Tags: American Idol