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.
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 19
Miki Núñez – “Me Vale”
Miki Núñez brought a fiesta to Eurovision 2019, representing Spain with “La Venda”. Now, the star has dropped the new single “Me Vale” (“I Don’t Care”). It’a another fun upbeat track that will help brighten up your day even if you’re stuck inside during lockdown. In fact, Miki filmed the entire music video for the song while in COVID-19 quarantine. After introducing us to his parents and brother, the Spanish star films himself enjoying life as best as he can in his house.
Little Big – “Hypnodancer”
Pop-punk rave band Little Big were set to represent Russia at Eurovision 2020. Although the band won’t get the chance to compete at the contest this year, the popular group have now released the new single “Hypnodancer”. As we’ve come to expect from Little Big, “Hypnodancer” is a humorous track that will get your foot tapping along from the very first second that it starts playing.
The song utilises a mixture of electronic and percussion beats. These come together to create an insanely catchy hook that will easily get stuck in the listener’s head – all the ingredients for what you might call a true bop. Read more about the song here.
Ilse DeLange and Michael Schulte – “Wrong Direction”
On May 16, they’ll be teaming up for a performance at Eurovision: Europe Shine A Light. But before then, Ilse DeLange and Michael Schulte have come together for another duet and released the new song “Wrong Direction”. A guitar-driven track, the Eurovision 2014 and 2018 alumni blend their vocals well together and sing much of the song in unison.
The Dutch and German stars sing about a past relationship that they wish could be rekindled: “You tear me up / Back in the day I used to be enough / I miss the way that you missed me / Now, you don’t miss me anymore”.
Blanche – “1, 2, Miss You”
Belgium internally selected Blanche for Eurovision 2017, where she eventually placed fourth. The Belgian singer’s debut album Empire is set for release on 29 May. Ahead of that, Blanche has released the new single “1, 2, Miss You”. It’s a mid-tempo alternative-pop track that balances light and dark elements to create an almost ethereal atmosphere.
LOBODA – “Мой”
LOBODA through everything and the kitchen sink into her performance at Eurovision 2009. After securing a solid twelfth-place finish, the Ukrainian star has had a very successful career over the past decade. LOBODA has now released the new song “Мой” (“My”). An infectious electro-pop song, there’s a 30-second intro to get the listener in the mood for what’s to come.
Once LOBODA enters, she sings to her former lover, asking him for forgiveness and hoping that he will return to her: “Come back, my crazy boy / So what that we got a little older … Leave my mistake in the past / Just imagine that I became a good girl”.
Eimear Quinn – “The Watchman”
Eurovision 1996 was all about the voice of one particular Irish star – Eimear Quinn. The Eurovision winner is gearing up for the release of her new album Ériu (Remember) at the end of the month. In anticipation of that, Quinn has released one of the songs from the LP titled “The Watchman”. Accompanied by an orchestra, the Irish singer’s vocals are once again the highlight of the track.
The lyrics are written by Brendan Graham, who also wrote “You Raise Me Up” by Eurovision 1995 champions Secret Garden (later popularised by Westlife). Quinn sings about a specific person in her life that she knows will always be there to look over her: “I know he is always by my side / Ever there to comfort and to guide / No more shall I be afraid … The Watchman watches over me”.
Olga Seryabkina – Причины
Olga Seryabkina made up one third of Russia’s Eurovision 2007 girl group Serebro, who earned the bronze medal. Continuing her solo career, Seryabkina has now released the new EP Причины (Causes). Composed of four tracks, each has their own identity and explore the Russian star’s developing musical direction as a solo artist.
Donny Montell (feat. Mark Les) – “Leisk mylėt” [remake ’20]
Lithuania has selected Donny Montell to represent them at Eurovision on two occasions – 2012 and 2016. And for his latest release, the Lithuanian star is nodding to the past while keeping things firmly in the now. “Leisk mylėt” was originally released in 2010 and later featured on Montell’s self-titled debut album. Now though, he’s brought Lithuanian music producer Mark Les on board to rework the song for 2020. The new version modernises the instrumentation but still keeps a slightly nostalgic throwback feel to it.
Amaya – “Trust Issues”
Amaya went by the name Maja Keuc when she represented Slovenia at Eurovision 2011. Since then, the singer’s musical style has evolved over time along with her stage name. Amaya’s new single is “Trust Issues”. A slow, broody R’n’B song, the Slovenian star sings about how a past relationship she was in fell apart because of a lack of trust: “You know I got these trust issues / And even though I trusted you / I wasn’t able to be true / So we fell through”.
Chingiz Mustafayev & Farid Aqa – “Xilaskar”
Following their first non-qualification at Eurovision 2018, Azerbaijan brought in Chingiz Mustafayev to help them return to the grand final and the top ten in 2019. Now, the Azeri star has teamed up with Farid Aqa on the new song “Xilaskar” (“Saviour”). The track is a slow ballad that mixes traditional Azerbaijani instrumentation with a contemporary percussion beat in the chorus.
Cayce (feat. Amandine Bourgeois) – “LOV”
French singer Amandine Bourgeois represented her country at Eurovision 2013. She now features on “LOV”, the new song by music producer Cayce. An electro track with a predominantly instrumental chorus, Bourgeois’ vocals are slightly processed to match the electronic sound of the production.
NINA – “Nemocna”
Nina took us back to the 1960s for her performance at Eurovision 2011, where she represented Serbia. Now living and working in Australia, Nina is still connected to her roots and has released the new Serbian-language single “Nemocna” (“Helpless”). Opening with a piano intro, the song builds to an uplifting climax thanks to some added drum beats. Lyrically, Nina sings about someone who she has a lot of love for: “That you want everything I want / And you conquer me again / Your voice echoes in your heart / I am helpless before you”.
Uzari – Say WOW
In 2015, Uzari took to the stage alongside Maimuna to represent Belarus at Eurovision. The singer has now released his sophomore album Say WOW. While the Belarusian star’s debut album was in Russian, the eight songs on this LP are all sung in English. The preview video of the album shows that there is a soft-rock vibe running throughout the LP. But, Uzari adds some light and shade by switching up the tempo and emotion of the songs.
Sinplus – “Escape”
Sinplus just missed out on qualification at Eurovision 2012, finishing eleventh in their semi-final. The Swiss band have now released their new song “Escape”. A solid rock song, the short chorus will get your head bopping along momentarily. On Instagram, the duo talked more about what they were trying to convey with the track:
“Escape is all about asking questions to yourself. Sometimes you have to risk, to step into the unknown to escape the comfort zone. It’s probably the most personal song we have ever written.”
Alyona Lanskaya – “Ты мой”
Alyona Lanskaya brought the sunshine to Eurovision 2013, representing Belarus with “Solayoh”. The star’s most recent release is “Ты мой” (“You are mine”). This new track is an uplifting offering that has a key change towards the end. Lyrically, Lanskaya offers a message of hope to her lover: “Don’t worry / Whatever happens in life / I’m with you”.
Anthony Cera (feat. Jessy Matador and Makassy) – “Elle voulait”
Jessy Matador still holds the fourth most watched video on the official Eurovision YouTube channel for the music video of his Eurovision 2010 entry “Allez Ola Olé”. The French-Congolese star has now provided his talent to producer Anthony Cera for his new song “Elle voulait” (“She wanted”). Matador provides the majority of the vocals for the track, with French-Congolese artist and footballer Makassy also featuring. “Elle voulait” is a catchy African-inspired pop-R’n’B track that quickly gets the listener dancing along.
Samir & Viktor and TIX – “Karantän”
Samir & Viktor have appeared at Melodifestivalen on three occasions in 2015, 2016 and 2018. The Swedish duo have now teamed up with Norwegian artist TIX on the new song “Karantän” (“Quaratine”). Known for their fun and upbeat tracks, this latest one is very much in keeping with their brand and has a nice summery feel to it.
The song is naturally all about how people have been coping with quarantine amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. The music video might seem slightly out of place with this message, as the duo and their producers are seen crammed into a small studio together – but it’s worth noting that Sweden’s approach to the pandemic has been slightly less focused on a full lockdown compared to other countries.
Frankie Animal (feat. Eygo) – “Restless”
Estonian band Frankie Animal competed at Eesti Laul 2018, ultimately placing seventh. The group are now back with the new song “Restless”. It’s an indie-alternative track with minimalist production that would suit a laid back music playlist. The song comes with a vertical music video that sees the trio underneath a series of red and blue lights.
Oscar Enestad – “Sänker Våra Glas På Innergården”
Oscar Enestad was one member of popular Swedish boy band FO&O. The group competed at Melodifestivalen 2017, with Enestad later competing as a solo artist in 2019. His new song is “Sänker Våra Glas På Innergården”. It’s a simple ballad, but there’s some added drum beats in the chorus to give the song an extra punch.
The Lovers of Valdaro – “Rhythm and Decibel”
Each year, one Melfest participant is chosen through Sverigesradio’s P4 Nästa contest. In 2019, this was The Lovers of Valdaro. The Swedish duo have now released their new synth-pop song “Rhythm and Decibel”. The lyrics of the song see the duo trying to shrug off someone who is attempting to hit them up at the club: “Hey man, you’re alright / But I have to say no / I need to hit the floor / Sorry, but I gotta go … Thank God, saved by the bell / Hit by rhythm & decibels”.
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.
[…] What we said: Miki Núñez brought a fiesta to Eurovision 2019, representing Spain with “La Venda”. Now, the star has dropped the new single “Me Vale” (“I Don’t Care”). It’s another fun upbeat track that will help brighten up your day even if you’re stuck inside during lockdown. In fact, Miki filmed the entire music video for the song while in COVID-19 quarantine. After introducing us to his parents and brother, the Spanish star films himself enjoying life as best as he can in his house. (Jonathan) […]
Secret Garden won in 1995 🙁
Thank you for always writing about all those new songs and helping us follow all of them!
Best winning song ever!!!! why so? Its the only winning song that can never be repeated again as it is a dominantly classical piece of music. It has 24 words only yes but those words carry a meaning unlike for example La La La or Say Na Na Na and so on… Even “Aava” from Finland in 1998 had 6 words only, just repeating itself over and over again. There will never be a winner like Nocturne again, the one song that really was elevated by the now no longer existing orchestra and live instruments ? one of a kind… Read more »