New music this week: 12 songs from Amir, Shiri Maimon, Margaret and more

The Eurovision 2020 season may have come to an unexpected end, but the music will always continue. While we may have to socially distance ourselves from others at the present time, past Eurovision artists are thankfully still producing new music for us to enjoy in the meantime.

Contrary to the commonly perpetuated myth about the song contest killing careers, we’re always thrilled to report that singers and performers associated with both Eurovision itself and the various national selections are thriving.

Here is a selection of just some of the songs and music videos released in the last week or so.

New music from Eurovision artists: 2020 | Week 12

Amir and Nikos Vertis – “Si on n’aime qu’une fois / Η Λέξη Σ’ Αγαπώ”

At the end of last year, Eurovision 2016 star Amir revealed that he was taking a break from his music career. But, the French singer has dabbled his toe back into the industry for a brief moment and teamed up with Greek singer Nikos Vertis. The two join forces on the French-Greek ballad “Si on n’aime qu’une fois / Η Λέξη Σ’ Αγαπώ” (“If we only love once / The word I love you”). It’s a guitar-driven song, with each star singing in their native language.

Shiri Maimon, Doli & Penn and Dudu Aharon – “The stars cry at night”

Shiri Maimon secured Israel’s best placing at Eurovision during the 2000s, finishing fourth in 2005. She’s maintained her career in the fifteen years since then and has been a judge on Israel’s marathon national selection show, The Next Star, in the past two years. Now, Maimon has collaborated with producers Doli & Penn on the song “הכוכבים בוכים בלילה” (“The stars cry at night”), which also features vocals from Dudu Aharon. The accompanying music video features the quartet in an apocalyptic setting and includes inspirational quotes from the likes of Malala Yousafzai and Oprah Winfrey.

Gromee and Jesper Jenset – “Sweet Emotions”

If you’re in need of something a bit more upbeat to get you dancing around the house, then Poland’s Gromee has you covered. The Eurovision 2018 DJ has got Norwegian singer Jesper Jenset on board for his latest song “Sweet Emotions”. It’s a pop-dance track with an electronic post-chorus aimed to get your foot tapping along. The music video features a group of contemporary dancers, while Jesper sings inside a ring of lights.

Francesca Michielin (feat. Måneskin) – “Stato Di Natura” (Official Music Video)

Last week, Francesca Michielin dropped her fourth studio album Feat (Stato di Natura). Now, the Italian star and Eurovision 2016 singer has uploaded the official music video for the title track of the LP. “Stato di Natura” (“State of Nature”) features Italian funk-rock band Måneskin and sees Michielin showing off a more edgy side to herself. The video is filmed entirely in selfie-mode and filtered to look like an old video recorder.

Ani Lorak – “Обещаю” (Official Music Video)

The shady lady of Eurovision 2008, Ani Lorak is continuing her music career with the new music video for her song “Обещаю” (“I promise”). The track is a relatively standard ballad and comes from the Ukrainian star’s latest studio album Za Mechtoy (For The Dream). Although the music video she dropped for “Я бы летала” a couple of weeks ago was all about white, this MV takes a darker approach. It features Lorak alongside a mystery man…and a goldfish.

Jamala – “No Time To Die” (Billie Eilish cover)

With the current Covid-19 situation across the globe, many artists are finding creative ways to produce music for their fans. Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala has done just that with a cover of Billie Eilish’s James Bond theme song “No Time To Die”. The Ukrainian star sings from her home and adds her vocal line on top of the music of a number of instrumentalists who have previously recorded their melodies in their own locations. If you want more, Jamala has also done a cover of Post Malone’s “Circles” that you can check out.

Miki Núñez – “Escriurem” (Official Lyric Video)

Spain’s Miki Núñez got the entirety of Europe dancing at Eurovision 2019. But, for his latest single the star has slowed things down a notch. “Escriurem” (“We will write”) comes from Núñez’s 2019 album Amuza and is sung in Catalan. Although originally released some time ago, the Spanish singer has now dropped a lyric video for the song. On Instagram, Miki explained why he decided to release the lyric video now:

I don’t think I’ve ever opened up like I did for this song. I know it’s kind of weird getting a lyric video out after it came out so long ago. But I think that’s how it gets all the strength that the song has for me.

Tasos Xiarcho (feat. Demy) – “AN”

In 2017, Demy brought a water spectacle to the Eurovision stage. Now, the Greek singer features in the new single by Taso Xiarcho, “AN” (“If”). Demy’s part is relatively short, with the star providing a spoken word segment three quarters of the way into the song. However, she does still get to appear in the music video, sitting on the back of a black stallion.

Michel van der Aa (feat. Kate Miller-Heidke) – “What a Dream” (Official Music Video)

Throughout the start of 2020, Australia’s Kate Miller-Heidke has been collaborating with Dutch composer Michel van der Aa for his new album Time Falling. Now, the duo have released the official music video for the song “What a Dream”, which features on the LP. The video sees two versions of the Eurovision 2019 star, both of whom come across a mysterious ladder. However, while one of them decides to climb up the ladder to the outside world, the other is more interested in going down and exploring the basement.

Margaret – “Nowe Plemię”

Margaret was the artist on everyone’s minds in 2016, bringing the banger “Cool Me Down” to Poland’s national selection show Krajowe Eliminacje 2016. In 2018 and 2019 she tried her luck in Sweden’s Melodifestivalen. Following her three attempts at Eurovision selection shows, Margaret has left the international market behind and is focused on her music career in Poland. After releasing her first Polish-language EP last year, she’s now dropped the new single “Nowe Plemię” (“New Tribe”). A contemporary pop track, the song comes with an accompanying vertical music video – so best to watch it on your phone.

SHLAKOBLOCHINA — “Самолетная”

SHLAKOBLOCHINA is the alter ego of Vidbir 2019 winner MARUV. Ahead of the release of her new EP FATALITY, the Ukrainian star has dropped the second song from the record – “Самолетная” (“Airplane”). Much like the lead single “Новая сила киски”, this track centres around electronic instrumentation. The lyrics tell the interesting story of a cat jetting away on an airplane: “A disgruntled cat enters an airplane / The plane is empty, not at all / Walking along the corridor, everything is unknown to him”.

Lanberry – “Tracę”

Lanberry competed in Krajowe Eliminacje 2017 and was also a songwriter behind Poland’s two Junior Eurovision winning entries. Continuing her music career in her homeland, Lanberry has recently dropped the new single “Tracę” (“I’m losing”). A pop-rock song, the chorus builds on the verses by adding in an array of electric guitars. The music video is shot entirely in black and white.

Which song 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.

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