Summer is always the quiet period for Eurovision fans as we wait for national finals to start once again. Thankfully, the music will always continue and a number of past Eurovision artists are still producing new songs 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 34
Måns Zelmerlöw – “Mirror”
Måns and Ciara Zelmerlöw’s love for one another has only grown stronger since the couple married in September last year. And this continue’s with Måns’ latest single “Mirror”. Originally from his 2019 album TIME, the Eurovision 2015 champion has now released the song as his latest single. The Swedish singer stated on Instagram that this track was “A very personal song written to my lovely wife”. Indeed, upon the album’s release wiwiblogger Florian took note of the song’s compassionate lyrics:
“The loving words to his partner continue in “Mirror”, which also slows things down again. In the track, the Swedish star knows that the person in front of him is beautiful and “a little bit of heaven just the way you are”. However, his loved one doesn’t seem to believe this, instead only focusing on their flaws. Måns hopes he can act as a mirror, so as to show them just what he sees through his eyes and the “beautiful sight right in front of me”.”
Jessica Mauboy – “Butterfly”
Australia’s Jessica Mauboy rose to the top of the charts with her fourth studio album HILDA last year. Now, the Eurovision 2018 alum has released her latest single from the LP. “Butterfly” is a piano-driven ballad with changes in dynamics that help showcase both the tenderness and strength of Mauboy’s vocals. The lyrics of the song revolve around a strained relationship, with the Australian star telling her loved one that she’s still prepared to put the work in to make it work: “Butterfly’s gonna keep on flying / Through the night in the wind and rain / You and I gotta keep on trying anyway, anyway”. Mauboy hopes that the song will resonate with people and told her fans on Instagram “May this song give you some Hope, Courage and Strength!”.
An acoustic version of “Butterfly” was also recently released.
Jedward – “Extraordinary”
Jedward never stop living their best lives and they continue with their new single “Extraordinary”. The dance-pop anthem is a track from their 2019 album Voice Of A Rebel and is an expression of love and respect for a special person — “This is more than a feeling, you’re a part of me, and together we can be extraordinary”. The Grimes brothers channel the stanging from their 2012 Eurovision entry “Waterline” and get well and truly soaked, using water to intensify the emotion of the song. In a year that’s been full of ordinary people going above and beyond with heroic acts, this is surely one soundtrack for the times. (Robyn)
Sofi Marinova and Mama Maria – “Kifla fafla”
Sofi Marinova has gone back to her roots for her latest single. “Kifla fafla” is a pop-folk song full of trumpets that taps into the Bulgarian star’s Romani heritage. Marinova is joined in the song by her mother, Mama Maria, who sings a short verse. The Eurovision 2012 alum’s parents also make an appearance in the music video. The first part of the video sees Marinova visiting her parents for some afternoon tea, with the star casually bringing a brass band along with her so that she can perform for the neighbourhood. The singer and musicians then make their way to the surrounding hills to finish the song.
İlqarə Kazımova (feat. Elnur Hüseynov) – “Dəniz Ver”
While Elnur Hüseynov most recently competed at Eurovision in 2015, the Azerbaijani star first represented his country in 2008 as part of the duo Elnur & Samir. And now, the two-time Eurovision act has released another duet, this time collaborating with Ilgara Kazimova. “Dəniz Ver” (“Give the Sea”) is a steady song that mixes general percussion beats with elements of more traditional instrumentation. In the lyrics, the duo sing about the parallels between their love and the sea: “Give me the sea / I have no place in this world without you / Give me the sea / Its water is as pure as our love”.
Dady (feat. Svala and Helgi B) – “Voulez-Vous”
Eurovision fans may have had their attention on fictional Icelandic Eurovision act Lars and Sigrit recently, but real-life Icelandic Eurovision alum are still very much active and producing new music. The country’s 2017 representative Svala has recently collaborated with Icelandic rappers Dady and Helgi B on the new song “Voulez-Vous”. It’s a stripped-back hip-hop track with not much production beyond a few repetitive beats – sometimes less is more. You’ll have to wait a while before you hear Svala’s vocals though. The Eurovision star makes her appearance 2:45 minutes into the track.
NW (feat. Jessy Matador) – “Sans Pitié”
Jessy Matador got all of Europe dancing at Eurovision 2010. His most recent song is still danceable, but also has a slightly more laid back feel to it. Collaborating with NW, “Sans Pitié” (“Without Mercy”) is a contemporary Afro-pop track that brings in elements of Matador’s Congolese roots into the production.
Tim Schou – “Where You Are”
Denmark sent the band A Friend In London to Eurovision 2011. However, lead singer Tim Schou is opening up his boundaries to the entire globe in his new solo single “Where You Are”. An indie-pop song, Schou tells his loved one in the lyrics that his heart will always travel to wherever they are: “All around the world / I’ll have you in my heart / See I don’t care / If we’re miles apart / When I get sad that you’re so far / My heart’s travelling to where you are”. The accompanying music video opens up with the coordinates 34.0522°N, 118.2437°W, which are located in downtown Los Angeles. We don’t actually see this location in the video; instead, we see Schou singing on the beach as he longs for his loved one across the ocean.
Coyot – “Devil In Disguise”
Not only has Roxen been busy releasing her own new songs, Romania’s Eurovision 2020/2021 act has also been writing and providing vocals for other tracks. At the start of August, Greek music producer Coyot released the song “Devil In Disguise”. Fans were quick to identify that the voice of the singer is actually Roxen, who is credited as as a composer of the single under her full name Larisa Roxana Giurgiu. An electro-pop track with influences of traditional Greek instrumentation, Roxen’s voice is a perfect fit and adds to the mysterious atmosphere of the song.
Highway – “Sačuvaj mjesto za nas (Samo svoj)”
Montenegrin band Highway are serving more rock with their new single “Sačuvaj mjesto za nas (Samo svoj)” (“Save a place for us (Yours only)”). Not as full-on as their Eurovision 2016 entry “The Real Thing”, there are more peaks and troughs to this most recent offering. There’s also an extended “woah” refrain at the end of the chorus that aims to get people easily singing along. The accompanying music video centres around the colours of red, white and black, with Highway rocking out in front of various backgrounds.
Agnes – “Fingers Crossed”
Before she conquered the world with her hit song “Release Me”, Agnes competed at Melodifestivalen 2009. The Swedish singer and Eurovision 2013 semi-final interval act has now released her new single “Fingers Crossed”. It’s a catchy disco-pop song that will satisfy both new fans and those who have followed Agnes throughout her career. The track comes with a mystical music video, which sees Agnes don a monobrow and act as a psychic/fortune teller. The star commented about what the song means to her on Instagram:
“Fingers Crossed is inspired by the sense of, nothing is impossible, because nothing is impossible. The song does not excuse itself and I don’t excuse myself. We should never ever excuse ourselves, we should be proud and go out in the world in all our glory. I speak from my heart when I say I know how difficult that can be, how easy it is to be insecure doubting your own capacity. That’s why we have to put ourselves in situations and with people that love us, do things that make us happy and feel good about ourselves. That makes us vibrate on a higher level.”
Shalisa – “Voel”
“I am often asked what my favourite song of mine is, and I always said yes it is coming !! And today it is here. I am so happy that I can now share it with you.”, Shalisa said upon the release of her latest single “Voel” (“Feel”). It’s a smooth mid-tempo pop song that helps showcase the Dutch singer’s development as an artist since representing the Netherlands at Junior Eurovision 2015. The music video was shot in Naples and sees Shalisa exploring various sites in and around the city.
Eliana Gomez Blanco – “Evening Star”
Eliana Gomez Blanco represented Malta at Junior Eurovision 2019 and it’s clear that she still has a passion to continue with more musical endeavours. Blanco recently released the new song “Evening Star”, which is a mid-tempo track with a slight crossover between pop and R’n’B. Lyrically, the Junior Eurovision alum sings about making the most of every day and enjoying time with her friends: “Won’t forget these memories / Na-na-na-na-never / I put my hands up, move my body to the drums / Until sunset, ’till the / ‘Till the evening star”. We see this in the music video, with Blanco and her friends enjoying the hot Maltese weather by the pool.
Click on the links below to read our individual articles on other new songs released this week by past Eurovision and national final artists:
Hurricane – “Folir’o”
Erika Vikman – “Syntisten pöytä”
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.
I love how Elnur can play with his voice in such a nice way!
Agnes is just on another level! Such a great track, would love to see her at Eurovision one day.
Devill in diguise is amazing and Roxen sounds great.
Extraordinary would have been the perfect song for Jedward to return to Eurovision with. It still has that Jedward flair but also shows a sense of maturity. Who knows why they didn’t save it for Eurovision.