New music this week (part 1): Songs from TVORCHI, Konstrakta, Alfred García and more

The Eurovision 2023 season is now in full swing and no doubt fans will have the songs from this year’s contest on repeat until we crown a winner in May. But that doesn’t mean we forget about the artists from past contests – they’re still bringing us a lot of new music to enjoy.

Contrary to the commonly perpetuated myth about the song contest killing careers, we’re always thrilled to report that singers associated with Eurovision are thriving.

Here is our latest weekly roundup with a selection of the songs and music videos released recently by Eurovision stars.

New music from Eurovision artists: 2023 | Week 9 part 1

With so many songs to cover this week, we’ve split this roundup into two bitesize halves. You can find part two by clicking here.

TVORCHI – “Hidden Code”

TVORCHI are in full swing with their preparations for Eurovision 2023. But that hasn’t stopped them from sharing the new single “Hidden Code”. Opening with dramatic organ chords and strings, it then transitions into the Ukrainian duo’s electro-pop style. This is also when they switch from Ukrainian to English lyrics: “Don’t tell nobody / Gotta keep a secret, yeah / Hold on to it for me”. The song has been created for the upcoming film The First Code, which highlights those Ukrainian IT professionals who have been helping the war effort. TVORCHI explain more on social media:

“Hidden Code is about supermen of the IT industry who create a new history of Ukrainian resistance to the enemy behind the scenes. Our cyberwarriors from the first day of the full-scale war demonstrate unreal strength and unity for a common victory.”

MARO – “em porta trancada”

We’re now at the halfway point of MARO’s gradual album release. Song #5 is “em porta trancada” (“in a locked door)”. It’s a gentle song with MARO’s soft vocals accompanied solely by acoustic guitar. Portugal’s Eurovision 2022 act sings: “So many lives to live / I’m just one more of them / I want to be the one who won’t forget / And that one day you find yourself in it”.

Harel Skaat – “מזכיר לך קצת אותי”

We hear many ballads from the point of view of someone who is sad they’re partner left them. For his latest song, though, Eurovision 2010 star Harel Skaat is singing from the perspective of the person who ended the relationship: “Remember how you used to be mine / Until I left you”. Although it was the Israeli singer’s choice to terminate things, he still thinks about their partnership from time to time and wonders if they do as well: “And who loves you / Sleeping there in my place / Look at you in the eyes / Remind you a little of me”. In a post on Instagram, Harel went into more detail about “מזכיר לך קצת אותי” (“Remind you a little of me”):

“Life takes a turn and sometimes changes direction but the memory of the loves we always had stays and influences who we are and what we are. This song was written and dedicated to loves. My first and old ones, for which I broke them. The heart and they are mine.”

Konstrakta – “Evo, obećavam!”

At semi-final 1 of Pesma za Evroviziju 23, Konstrakta premiered the new single “Evo, obećavam!” (“Here, I promise!”). Although it’s one song, it comes in three parts — “Depresivna Sam” (“I am Depressed”), “Anksiozan Sam” (“I am Anxious”) and “Obećaj mi” (“Promise me”). As you might expect from the Eurovision 2022 star, it’s an artistic journey. Konstrakta battles with her emotions in the first two chapters and then ends by asking for security in her onwards journey through life: “No sense in this world, promise me a future / This world is harmful, promise me safety”.

Gianni Morandi – Evviva!

Gianni Morandi is no stranger to releasing albums, having dropped over 30 of them during his illustrious career. He’s now added to the list with Evviva! (Cheers!). This latest LP contains eight songs, including Sanremo 2022 entry “Apri tutte le porte” plus other recent singles “LA OLA” and “FATTI riMANDARE DALLA MAMMA A PRENDERE IL LATTE”. Italy’s Eurovision 1970 star is able to appeal across generational lines. There are songs that will appeal to those who have followed him for many years, whilst collaborations with newer contemporary artists help showcase his music to new fans.

Connect-R & Raluka – “Lasa-ma Sa Te…”

Romanian artists Connect-R and Raluka previously collaborated a number of times during the 2010s (most notably for “Aroma”). The pair have now joined forces again in the current decade for the new song “Lasa-ma Sa Te…” (“Let me…”). Moldova’s Eurovision 2006 rapper opens proceedings with a catchy accompaniment. Raluka then joins in during the second half of the song and adds a layer of sensuality.

Alfred García – “Corazón”

Following his participation at Benidorm Fest 2023, Alfred García has now released “Corazón”. It leans more into pop music than his national final entry, driven by drum beats and guitar strumming. Lyrically, Spain’s Eurovision 2018 representative is trying to move on from a breakup. But he keeps lying to himself over how much he really still loves the other person: “I hardly miss you / Only when I breathe / It wasn’t that bad / You were just a direct shot to my heart, heart, heart, heart”.

AISEL – ON

AISEL (also now known as AYS) has released her debut full studio album. Titled ON, it features ten songs. Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2018 star generally goes upbeat, with a mixture of synthpop, disco, folk and R&B. But there are also a few slower songs in the mix to give you a breather – namely “Unuda Bilmədim” and previous single “Yağış”.

To accompany the LP, AISEL has also shared a music video for the album’s dramatic closing song “Qaradan Qara”.

D’ZRT feat. Cláudia Pascoal – “Caminho a Seguir”

In between competing at Festival da Canção 2023, Eurovision 2018 star Cláudia Pascoal has found the time to appear in an Encore Session alongside D’ZRT. The Portuguese boyband are re-recording some of their hits in new ways. For “Caminho a Seguir” (“Way to Go”) they’ve swapped out the original strings and 2000’s pop sound, instead bringing in more percussion elements.

Zdob și Zdub – “Floarea soarelui”

Zdob și Zdub are changing things up a bit for their new single. Rather than the energetic folk style we’re used to from the Moldovan band, the three-time Eurovision stars are instead taking a gentler approach. “Floarea soarelui” (“Sunflower”) is a mid-tempo track that flows steadily for five minutes. Under the music video, Zdob și Zdub explain the meaning behind the song:

“It is about the energetic soul of our land, found in people, in music, in language, in tradition, in life itself. The sun is the source of vitality and energy, and the sunflower symbolizes it entirely. Everything that is alive is drawn from the earth to the sun, that’s why ‘on a foot of grass, on a mouth of heaven’ is not a simple expression. The song ‘Floarea soarelui’ immerses you in a trance and takes you away from the crowded cities, to the places where the spirit of Moldova is alive. Hearing it, you instantly want to walk on these hills, to meet the sun, the wind and the simple and real people.”

Mike Tramp – “Little Fighter”

Mike Tramp’s latest White Lion throwback is “Little Fighter”. First released by his group in 1989, the Danish singer has recorded a new solo version for his latest project. The Eurovision 1978 participant updates things slightly, but there’s still a guitar solo two thirds of the way through.

Dian Solo & 100 Kila – “Kick In The Door”

Dian Solo is taking us to the club. The Deep Zone Project member and Eurovision 2008 alum has collaborated with Bulgarian rapper 100 Kila for the song “Kick In The Door”. A house track with rap elements, it quickly develops into a dancefloor banger to help keep the party spirit going.

Luciana Abreu – “Malagueta”

Get ready for a little chiqui-bum-bum-bum and chiqui-bam-bam-bam. Portugal’s Luciana Abreu is here to spice up your day with her latest single “Malagueta” (referring to the chilli pepper). The Eurovision 2005 alumna and former 2B member delivers a fun song that will quickly get the listener shaking their hips along to the music.

Andre – “Amen Hayr Surb”

Andre represented Armenia at Eurovision 2006. He recently released the music video for his song “Amen Hayr Surb” (“Amen Holy Father”). It acts as a prayer to God in the hope that he will look over the people of Armenia. Speaking on Instagram, Andre noted:

“48 days is a period of prayer, repentance, soul and body repair, let’s hope and believe in these difficult days that God will protect and bless the Armenian nation with his supernatural power.”

Which of these new songs is your favourite? Have we missed out on any? Do you have any artists you want to shout out to? Let us know in the comments.