Iceland missed out on the final for a second year in Stockholm, but that hasn’t affected past contestants. There’s no stopping them and the new music continues to flow. Here are a few new tunes straight out of the icy island for your enjoyment.

Hera Björk “Queen of Effing Everything”

Hera Björk is the ultimate Icelandic diva: a mix of the necessary attitude with just enough humbleness to not take herself too seriously. And that’s also the recipe for her one-woman show Queen of Effing Everything — a semi-autobiographical musical — and its headline number of the same name.

“Queen of Effing Everything” is a schläger-esque dance tune accompanied by rather simple, yet whimsical, lyrics about Hera’s daily life. The Eurovision 2010 singer finds herself juggling time between the mundaneness of daily life and the excitement of showbiz. And that’s exactly what the actual play is about. The show premiered in Stockholm during this year’s Eurovision, and the intention was to take it back to Iceland. Alas, those plans have been put on hold for the moment. But in the meantime, y’all can listen to the title track and have a bit of a giggle as you watch the official music video, which was directed by Jonathan Duffy, one of Greta Salóme’s artistic directors.

Pollapönk “Litríkir sokkar og vettlingar”

Children (and their parents) have been Pollapönk’s target market from the beginning, so it’s no surprise that their latest track was written especially for Reykjavík’s annual Children’s Culture Festival. “Litríkir sokkar og vettlingar” or “Colourful Socks And Mittens” shares the same themes as the group’s Eurovision 2014 entry. It celebrates the diversity and multiculturalism of today’s society, and those socks and mittens in the song title are representatations of that. The track and its lyrics might sound a bit childish to some, but hey, that’s the point. And of course, the members of Pollapönk are as colourful as always, taking their Eurovision tracksuits out of storage for the official music video. Even if you don’t understand a single word of Icelandic, you should get the same vibes as when you first heard “No Prejudice”.

María Ólafs “Baby Take The Wheel” and “Hold My Hand”

In 2015, María Ólafs became the first Icelandic contestant to miss out on the final since 2007. But that fact hasn’t weighed the “Unbroken” singer down, and in the last few months she’s released two summer-ready singles. The first, “Baby Take The Wheel”, was described as a summer hit by some. Whereas it probably passed others by completely. Regardless, it sounds pretty much like any other seasonal pop track, with the usual dance beat and electronic sounds. It might not be as energetic as some of the bigger tunes out there, but summer-y it sure is.

María’s other single is a collaboration the new up-and-coming writing/production team September (not to be confused with Swedish singer Petra Marklund). “Hold My Hand” also has the potential to trouble the charts. It’s upbeat and energetic and the official music video showcases both María and Iceland’s breathtaking scenery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1wKS1wcAn0

So which is your favourite new release from Iceland? Tell us in the comments below.

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(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

I love “Queen Of Effing Everything” and I also like “Hold My Hand”.

Charlie
Charlie
7 years ago

If you had waited you had waited a bit you could have included ‘Row’ by Greta Salome, its coming out soon.

Clyde
Clyde
7 years ago

Nice with writers who post songs by rock bands. Keep up the good work!

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

@Lindemann

Steinunn is not a new wiwiblogger, he/she has already been a juror in the wiwi reviews before. But I haven’t seen his/her name under any previous post so he/she must be a new writer.

Lindemann
Lindemann
7 years ago

BTW, is it that Wiwibloggs is getting new members or what?
I have seen many new writers these days.

Lindemann
Lindemann
7 years ago

It may be childish but Pollapönk is a great band, Litrikkir sokkar ot vetlingar is not an exception.

Clyde
Clyde
7 years ago

Childish? Maybe? But I like the Pollapönk song. This reminds me of 60s pop music.