Eurovision winners Eldar Rybak Loreen Marija Lena

Jamala is busy settling into her role as reigning Eurovision champion. But what of other winners? Sweden’s 2015 victor Måns Zelmerlöw is most likely taking a well earned rest after his hosting duties in Stockholm, while Russia’s Dima Bilan is hanging out with famous models. As for the rest, the majority are working hard on new music. Here’s a selection of their latest releases.

New music releases from Eurovision winners

Eldar Gasimov “Sevgi Alovlandirandir”

It’s taken a while, but it seems that Azerbaijan’s Eldar has finally found his musical groove. Ever since “Running Scared” he’s been typecast as an anodyne personality, singing either dated duets or facile pop tunes. No more! In November he released the effortlessly cool, synth heavy “Duman”, but his latest release ups the ante to the next level. “Sevgi Alovlandirandir” or “Love Lights” is a wondrous electro ballad that we did not see coming. A chilled out opening gives way to a traditional instrumental breakdown, which should sound so bad but is actually so good. The accompanying artwork shows Eldar’s brain being controlled by his heart. Our hearts and brains are telling us that this is probably Eldar’s best post-Eurovision work to date. Well done!

Alexander Rybak “I Love You As Before” and “Abrazame”

“I Love You As Before” marks Alexander Rybak’s second major foray into the Russian music scene following last summer’s “Kitty”. Then we praised the “infectious beat”, calling it a “real earworm”. The same can’t be said this time round. The track is cloyingly sentimental. The Eurovision 2009 winner sings of a lost love, illustrating the story with a cutesy music video. We see Rybak act the role of a clown. He’s working a kids party but his wondering eyes keep focusing on one of the very attractive — presumably married — mothers. These scenes are interspersed with nostalgic shots of the “Fairytale” hitmaker and the woman as young lovers. The saccharine sweetness will have you reaching for the dentist’s call card.

Rybak is getting his tongue round more than just Russian. The Norwegian singer has also recorded a cover of Julio Iglesias’ 1975 Spanish language hit “Abrazame”. It’s supposed to be a gift for his Hispanic fans, who will surely appreciate his earnest sentiment. But it’s a little too sleepy for the rest of us.

Marija Serifovic “Nismo Smeli” and “Svoja i Tvoja”

Serbia’s Eurovision 2007 winner Marija Serifovic isn’t exactly known for up-tempo floorfillers. So we aught to thank Jovana Nikolic for instilling a little energy in the “Molitva” singer. Back in January, the pair teamed up for “Nismo Smeli” or  “We Could Not”. By no means a dance track, the collaboration is nonetheless an uplifting affair. The drum and bass beat drives the song, reflecting the dark and smoky atmosphere of the music video. The clip shows Marija raking in the cash as she wins arm wrestle after arm wrestle. Tarantulas scuttle about in the darkness just as Jovana swoops in to take all the winnings. But as both ladies belt it out, we realise there’s a twist. They’re actually partners in crime, and the urge to fist-pump on behalf of the conspirators is almost irresistible.

However, Marija’s latest effort is a return to what she does best — dour, misery filled Balkan ballads. “Svoja i Tvoja” makes for an intense few minutes, as the singer lets her emotions take over. This emotional turmoil is the foundation of the music video. Marija’s face is the focus throughout. Reminiscent of Sinead O’Conner’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”, the camera latches onto every tear and every sniffle. The only break comes during a sequence when we see the Serbian star on a hospital bed close to death. It’s powerful yet draining.

Loreen “Under Ytan”

It’s over five months since Loreen released “Under Ytan” or “Below Surface”. And really we should have reviewed it back in December, but between the madness of 43 song selections and Eurovision itself, it got lost in the melee. Nevermind, we’ll slap our own wrists so you don’t have to. The single is a cover of Uno Svenningsson’s 1994 hit of the same name. And the “Euphoria” singer certainly leaves her mark. Her version is much darker and moodier than the original, with fantastically lush orchestration. Her vocals possess a haunting beauty, which lasts long after the song’s climactic final verses. But it’s hard to get too excited about a singer of Loreen’s calibre doing cover versions, regardless of the quality. She needs to do more if she wants to cease being the butt of Edward Af Sillen jokes.

Lena “Beat To My Melody”

Just over a year ago, Lena released the critically acclaimed Crystal Sky. The album was packed with potential hits, but it only produced two singles (albeit very good ones). That is until last spring, when the Eurovision 2010 winner finally dropped a third track from the LP — “Beat To My Melody”. It’s an infectious serving of summery pop and narrates the impact of Lena’s lover on her life — “you’re the beat to my melody”. The video initially seems like an expensive fashion advertorial, the “Satellite” hitmaker rocks a range of high-end looks from blue faux fur to a pink pants suit. But it’s cleverer than that. The first half shows Lena in a sunny, bright environment, full of open space and freedom. Conversely, the latter portion of the clip is much darker. Lena wonders long empty corridors and writhes in a padded cell. The contrast represents both the freeing and controlling characteristics of any relationship. There are very few former Eurovision artists who could pull off such a smart move. But then no other former Eurovision artists are Lena.

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26 Comments
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tasche bogner
7 years ago

pernicious
tasche bogner http://taschebogner.baygenal.com/

Zanderzion
Zanderzion
7 years ago

Aside from Serebro “Mi Mi Mi” only Alexander Rybak songs I notice that reaches here in Asia. Especially in Vietnam local karaoke Alex songs got Viet sub.

Joseph
Joseph
7 years ago

Wow. Loreen really amazing.

MS
MS
7 years ago

Wow! 39 milions! : )
Yes, I know that Frans wasn’t alone. His best friends father and some other! But he had a major part in it, and I have heard in a interwievs that the song is based on his own experience.

lily
lily
7 years ago

@MS The link you sent haven’t been updated for a while. Frans has 39 millions streams and has a bit left to Heroes wich is now close to 77 millions. Also Frans had three persons helping him write the song. But he’s still doing fine!

MS
MS
7 years ago

Well! I hope Frans from sweden is back in school and that he get good reusults at the same time that he now is streemed over 37 miljon times global already chansning Måns 50 milion streems on spotyfy. http://kworb.net/spotify/track/6oDkCmfVcSd9NXAKk1b4Ll.html It’s so funny, a schoolkid write a song, the rekord copany suggest him to send it to melfest! Were surprised, the song were selected as one of 28 songs. Well, a good chanse to show sweden who he was and have fun. No one talked about him – untill he began to sing whith an audiense. He had never been at… Read more »

MS
MS
7 years ago

Hm, I don’t think Måns will do i whith songs like fire in the rain. He has no intention to rest, he want to go on and play in Europe what I have heard! I wonder if there still are interesting for people in europe?

Ern
Ern
7 years ago

They’re all really great. These artists didn’t win Eurovision by accident.

Huh
Huh
7 years ago

These are all nice.

Alyosha and Mariya Yaremchuk released their new songs too. Although they are not winners and that their songs were released a few months ago already.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

Understanding Loreen’s artistic perception towards music sounding commercial is not what she feels inclined too otherwise she would be spending her time recycling the same song over and over again … and for that the whole Max Martin landscape seems to be enough already. Loreen is a singer of her own caliber and of her own universe and the fact that her music is not intentionally commercial and falls deep into a more indie zone that makes me even more passionate and interested in her. That allows her to have her own artistic freedom to express herself and not the… Read more »

Anny
Anny
7 years ago

What about Dima Bilan?:)
He made a lot of cool songs!

Gav
Gav
7 years ago

I’m a big fan of Eurovision artists who complete and then hit us with more new music. I’m loving this from Justs.

https://youtu.be/qlfbVMGfH84

Notts
Notts
7 years ago

To be honest, I don’t care “Under Ytan” is a cover, Loreen did a great job with this one, she basically made it her own.

Still waiting for that second album of hers, rumour has it it’s gonna be released in September.

lily
lily
7 years ago

“Måns Zelmerlöw is most likely taking a rest”. Haha! Why did you even bother to write such a strange thing?

karminowe.usta
karminowe.usta
7 years ago

I still listen Alexander Rybak. His songs are amazing. In my opinion he has a big language talent. His Spanish cover is great:) Alexander is going to go Argentina where he will play concert.

Wiwibloggs, more these articles. I can meet new songs artists who I know from Eurovision. We can describe winners and not winners:)

Iberian
Iberian
7 years ago

Thanks for that article, I love how you write, Padraig. Thanks to you I’ve discovered Lena’s new song, I didn’t really know what she’s up to these days, but her new song is fabulous, I love it!

Notts
Notts
7 years ago

You should review Celine Dion’s latest French single called “Encore Un Soir”.
It was released a couple days ago. It’s simply beautiful.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Thanks so much, we need more articles like this one, seriously. 🙂

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Lena is my favourite of the songs mentioned too.

P.S. Serbia won in 2007, not 2008. Not a criticism, I know it was just a typo!

bella
bella
7 years ago

Where is Mans Zelmerlows fire in the rain?

Mar
Mar
7 years ago

I watched Alex perform “Abrázame” live in Buenos Aires, I thought it was a strange choice of a song but his spanish is nearly perfect.
“Beat to my melody” is excelent, like nearly every song from Lena’s latest album.

Mark Beckenfruer
Mark Beckenfruer
7 years ago

Lena’s song is cool.

Hello
Hello
7 years ago

Lena by far the best Eurovision Winner!!!!

Necky
Necky
7 years ago

Im loving almost all of it. Especially “Nismo Smeli”. I want Jovana Nikolic to represent Serbia one day :).