From the highs of Softengine to the lows of PNK, there is one constant: Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, Finland’s national selection for Eurovision. After revealing the names of this year’s semi-finalists, Finnish broadcaster YLE is now revealing all 18 of their songs this morning at a live press conference in Helsinki. Are you ready? Let’s do this…
Watch the UMK 2016 song announcement here
Semi-final 1 (February 6)
ClemSO – Thief
Nigerian-born ClemSO serves afrobeat realness with this number, which mixes English and the Yoruba language. The man has soul and swagger and his video features some Finnish ladies doing their best to throw it down West Africa-style.
Eini – Draamaa
Known as Finland’s Queen of the Disco, EINI comes with the humorously titled song “Draamaa”. She likes her vowels long, her lyrics in Finnish, and her disco dripping with plenty of schlager. Watch as she works the woods and one muscle-bound mechanic…
Mikko Herranen – Evil Tone
A former member of the bands Velcra and RUST, he’s appeared on The Voice of Finland and worked as a musician, sound engineer and handyman. His song leans toward soppy folk-rock and serves inspirational cheese: “..life is like a limousine, a never-ending fire.”
Pää-Äijät – Shamppanjataivas
Unshaven, dread-locked and more likely to roast a pig than snack on kale, this duo mix rap, dance and pop to surprisingly good effect in “Champagne Heaven”. It has a real Staysman & Lazz vibe — silly, somewhat tacky, yet incredibly catchy and endearing.
Saara Aalto – No Fear
Finland’s runner-up back in 2011, Saara has gone on to release five studio albums — including one in Chinese! That experience shines through in “No Fear” — a woman’s call for acceptance and love with distinct Oriental accents (and one sexy white dress).
Stella Christine – Ain’t Got Time for Boys
Stella melds jazz, R&B and soul in this funky little number, which she penned herself. Her voice is deep and resonant and works really well with her mish-mash genre.
Semi-final 2 (Feb 13)
Annica Milán & Kimmo Blom – Good Enough
Angelo De Nile, who tried to work a gimmick at UMK15, has returned as Kimmo Blom, and he’s brought Annica Milan — a Voice of Finland alum — with him. Their voices blend nicely in this powerful duet, which, as ever, explores the complexities of modern relationships. They’re leaning on each other and we like it!
Attention 2 – Ready For The Show
Move over Jedward: There are new twins on the block! Sixteen-year-olds Anni and Nina bring bubble gum pop to the UMK stage with this motivational number about believing in yourself. The lyrics are very earnest, borderline nauseating — “imperfections, they make us what we are…so don’t you be afraid” — but perhaps their youthful optimism will appeal.
Cristal Snow – Love Is Blind
A popular radio DJ and former contestant on Dancing with the Stars, Cristal Snow treats the theme of homosexuality with aplomb in his sleek music video. This sounds very current and super slick — a great effort!
Saara or Saari perhaps? Decent field this year for Finland, no real stand-out winner (from a neutral perspective :))
Finland please send BARBE-Q-BARBIES to Sweden
If it means anything, and I suspect it does especially given the gap, here are the youtube viewcounts after almost a week of being up. I’ve also including the thumbs up/down, to see which songs are the more divisive ones. According to comments, part of the reason Rafaela’s song has so many views is a plagiarism claim. But any publicity is good maybe 😉 Rafaela Truda – Rise Up – 115,989 (341 up, 309 down) Saara Aalto – No Fear – 56,440 (548 up, 168 down) Cristal Snow – Love Is Blind – 40,414 (407 up, 122 down) Paa-Aijat –… Read more »
GOTTA BE SAARI. FOR GODS SAKE FINLAND PLEASE, SEND THIS TO STOCKHOLM, NEVER ASKED YOU ANYTHING BEFORE.
<3
if it wins, it will be my favorite of the year. I don't see anyone beating this masterpiece.
I wish they’d put more of the Semi 2 songs in Semi 1, Semi 2 is so strong whereas Semi 1 is well, meh at best.
Top 4: 4) Saara – No Fear: Love the song, definitely unique. Wish they thought of more words for the chorus than just “No Fe-e-e-e-ea-ear” 3) Annica Milan & Kimmo Blom – Good Enough: Hated Angelo De Nile last year, and he comes back with this mainstream piece. Love the song, only qualm is that when he comes in at the start, it sounds a bit out of place. 2) Attention 2 – Ready For The Show: Here it is! There’s always one song where the vocals aren’t great but I just can’t resist the song. The girls are adorable… Read more »
Semi 3 1. Lieminen – Pehmeiden Arvojen Vaalijat: It’s like Karri Koira and Stig had a musical baby and it’s AMAZING. AMUHHHHZING. Just please god let it stay in Finnish when it wins Eurovision <3 (OK so that might be a bit much but I do love it, best of UMK for me) 2. Pietarin Spektaakkeli – Liian Kuuma: Not going to go anywhere near winning, but not a bad track. Big brassy swing is great live, but given the instrumentals aren't live, it might fall a dash flat? Hope not. 3. Barbe-Q-Barbies – Let Me Out: Could be very… Read more »
UMK probably taken my number one spot for the year so far, along with their Estonian siblings. Semi 1 1. Stella Christine – Ain’t Got Time for Boys: Radio friendly, stage friendly, got a bit of complexity… not quite a Eurovision winner, but it’s a great pop song without being schlager, and would definitely be welcome in the mix at Stockholm. 2. Clemso – Thief: This has grown on me, quite a bit. Not quite Globen worthy but really good with a catchiness factor of 11. I want to see this live cos I have a feeling it might fall… Read more »
But Crystal Snow ftw!!
With Rafaela, I’m not denying that the opening is almost IDENTICAL to “Problem”, but so was “Heroes” to “Lovers On The Sun”. Maybe she could be a success for Finland?
Semi 1: Stella Christine is the only one that grabbed me, but wow it’s so good. Draamaa was also a bit of fun, but her voice adds an feeling of outdatedness to an otherwise good disco tribute. Semi 2: Honestly there was nothing that stood out here. The beginning of Rise Up sounded way too much like ‘Problem’. Mikael Saari’s song was nice enough I guess, just not as enthralling like other songs he’s trying to be like. Semi 3: Loved Lieminen, the song had a really funky sound. Sandhja and Tuuli were also pretty good. Sandhja had a great… Read more »
Pää-Äijät Shamppanjataivas is awesome, even though I have no clue of what they say
What I prefer: Cristal Snow, Tuuli Okkonen, Annica & Kimmo, Saara Aalto.
What Finland will likely send: PAA-AAIJAT.
😀
There are a lot of good songs for Finland this year, hope they don’t yet another bad decision…5 songs really stood out to me, though.
1 – Annica Milan & Kimmo Blom
2 – Sandhja
3 – Ylona
4 – EINI
5 – Lieminen
I think the Gusani Brothers could do well. It’s a good party song!
Saara Aalto or Pietarin Spektaakkeli
Best line-up in years. I don’t see why people are disappointed. There are at least 5 songs final worthy. Choose wisely this time Finland.
My Qualifiers (And their place in my top)
SF1- Such a weak semi
1: Saara Aalto (8/18)
2:Stella Christine (12/18)
3: Eini (13/18)
SF2 (Really Strong Semi – they should’ve put some of the songs in others):
1: Mikael Saari (2/18)
2:Annica and Kimmo (3/18)
3: Rafaela Trudo (4/18)
I also really like Cristal Snow who thoroughly deserves the final (7/18)
SF3:
1: Gusani Brothers (1/18 – LOVE THIS!!)
2: Tulli Okkonen (5/8)
3: Sandhja (6/18)
I want Saara Forsberg for Finland…
Maybe 2017 😉
YoungsterJoey
Sara have stronger vocal than Siru. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrxfD1gvL0w
huh okay so on very first listen I added Clemso, Saara Aalto, Rafaela Truda, Lieminen, Sandhja, and Mikael Saari
I’d probably take Truda off after hearing the rest of the song but that opening is of a style that’s sososososo popular in the US
attention 2 was interesting until i heard the chorus
poom poom has a ghastly video, I can’t support that
MIKAEL SAARI – ON IT GOES is the one to go!
Very poor effort from Finland but for me i prefer Sandhja
Congratulations! All the entries are much better than the winner of previous year!
I love Poom Poom and Draamaa. They make me wanna dance and they made me smile and it’s a good sign. Hoping for the live shows of these songs 🙂
My qualifiers are –
Stella Christine
Saara Aalto
Eini
Mikael Saari
Rafaela Truda
Annica Milan & Kimmo Blom
Sandhja
Tuuli Okkonen
Gusani Brothers
For me, Mikael Sarri has to win Finland’s place. It is very similar to Norway 2014 & 2015, both of which came 8th. I think it’s a very sophisticated song and would maybe come top 5.
I think all songs are good in some ways, but I’m not feeling any of them. Maybe I would go for Barbe-Q-Barbies or Sandhja.
Semi Final 1 1-Stella Christine(One of my favorites for the win,She reminds me Amy Winehouse in her first Album “Frank”) 2-Saara Alto(It´s a good song ,but i dont see it go through the semis at Eurovision) 3-Pää-Äijät(hate it ,but the rest of the song are worst than this one) Semi Final 2 1-Cristal Snow (He is one of my favourites this year ,and i can see this go to eurovision and place in the top 15,plus is always good to have the LGBT representing) 2-Anikka & Kimmo(It´s a alright song but not a stand out) 3-M.Saari(It´s alright…better than the other… Read more »
My 5 favourites are:
Good Enough – Annica Milan & Kimmo Blom
Rise Up – Rafaela Truda
Blazing fire – Ylona
Poom Poom – Gusani Brothers
Sing it away – Sandhja
Pretty bad line up. At least it’s better than last year.
Am I the only one who loves Eini’s song? I also like Stella Christine’s song but it’s totally not for Eurovision.
Whoever wins, we won’t head for Finland in 2017. But Sandhja is really good, as is Gušani Brothers.
With that said, we can say Bye Bye to those…the best song NEVER wins in Finland…
Mikael Saari for me.
Overall a disappointing line up.
We just need to find out (…) ********
PÄÄ-ÄIJÄT has a really good tune. Too bad I don’t find the Finnish language very pleasing in a song. Sorry. 🙂 Saara Aalto – nice one, but it is a slow burner. Stella Christine may have the best song here, music wise and it would certainly be a great midnight music background somewhere, on some beach, two people together….OK, back to reality now. Kimmo Blom and his friend have a good song, but that song works for radio only. The Attention 2 video is kind of a trailer for some horror movie that included teenagers. LOL Rafaela Truda – the… Read more »
Since it is Finland, the worst song will win! We just need too find out who have the bad one and forget about the good ones.
Not gonna lie Poom Poom is my jam right now
Very good selections. Sara Aalto, so far, my personal fav but fearful she’ll be the next Siru lol
Another surprisingly weak line up. I have no idea what’s going on this year :/
Mikael Saari probably has the strongest song here.
Who is most popular in Finland of these singers and groups, because this year we have 100 % televote without any kind of juries.
They have better song than DMGP .
For me best 3 songs are 1. Annica Milan & Kimmo Blom 2. Saara Aalto 3. Barbe-Q-Barbies But I think fight for win will be between Christal Snow (if Finland want to see at Eurovision stage maybe kiss between 2 man on stage , we have girls kiss in 2013 from Finland and man kiss in final interval act ) and Mikeal Saari (he try to be like Norway 2014 Monster like me) Lieminen song sound like song from group La Casa Azul from Spain national final in 2008 who finished in 3 place , but La Casa Azul had… Read more »
Mikael Saari is the new Siru: wonderful, heart touching song deserving to reach and win the ticket to Stockholm, but which will be probably brutally eliminated in the semi-final.
Only had a quick listen to each but there’s some decent ones in there. Eini, paa aijat and Attention 2 stand out from semis 1 and 2 and so would ylona if it wasn’t a david guetta Titanium rip off. Sandhja and Tuuli Okkonen are decent enough from the third semi but my favourite and what I’d guess Finland might go for is Barbe q babies. Surprised not more rock this year.
Rafaela Truda’s song sounds like Worth It by fifth harmony and focus by Ariana had a baby lol