New music this week: 21 songs from KAZKA & ALEKSEEV, Stefania, Ivi Adamou and more

The Eurovision 2021 season is hotting up. Over the course of the next few months, we will all fall in and out of love with scores of new national final and Eurovision entries. But that doesn’t mean we forget about the artists from past contests.

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 47

Note: We’ll be featuring the new festive-themed songs from Victor Crone, zalagasper, Edurne and more in a separate article during the run-up to Christmas.

KAZKA and ALEKSEEV – “Поруч”

Ukrainian band KAZKA have started to release an online cartoon series titled KAZKA. The Secret of Charmvoice. This will include a storyline as well as new music from the two-time Vidbir contestants. For the first song from the project, “Поруч” (“Side by Side”), KAZKA invited Eurovision 2018 star ALEKSEEV to join for a duet. The song sees the two artists discussing how they’ll be by each others side despite what life might throw at them: “We’re side by side under the sun, side by side under the rain / I keep you under my cloak / We’re side by side under the snow, and whatever happens / For me you are a wonder and love”. Speaking on social media about the release, ALEKSEEV commented:

“For me, a new song is always a new story. This time she is fabulous and incredibly beautiful. I sang for the first time on the soundtrack to a cartoon, my childhood dream came true. Thanks for this, already dear to me KAZKA. Our story began back in 2014 in the same team at The Voice of Ukraine. And after 6 years we present our fans with the joint single “Поруч”. Believe in miracles and love, because there is so little in the modern world.”

Fabrizio Moro – Canzoni d’amore nascoste

Italian is sometimes referred to as ‘the language of love’. So it seems apt that Fabrizio Moro would put together a collection of love songs for his new album. Canzoni d’amore nascoste (Hidden love songs) features eleven tracks in total – two previously unreleased songs and nine re-arrangements of Moro’s older singles. Full of ballads, the songs allow Italy’s Eurovision 2018 star to demonstrate both the passion and rawness of his vocals.

In conjunction with the LP’s release, Fabrizio also dropped the music video for “Melodia di Giugno – 2020 version” (“June Melody”). The video features black-and-white footage of a couple who are separated from each other in a cube. It’s a sort of simulation of the emotions people go through when they’re unable to be with the one they love most.

Miki Núñez – Iceberg

Spain’s Eurovision 2019 star Miki Núñez has released his second album, Iceberg. The album is the next chapter in his musical evolution. It shows that while he may have just missed out on making the grand final of Operación Triunfo, he’s enjoying one of the most successful careers of his OT 2018 classmates. The album opens with his earlier single “Me vale”, an upbeat, uplifting tune that nicely sets the tone. Iceberg flows through different genres, including, pop, rock, ska and music with an unmistakable Catalonian groove. There’s also the sense that these songs are going to be great to hear live — and once Spain can go back to regular concerts, Miki’s fans are surely going to be in for a treat! (Robyn)

ByeAlex és a Slepp – Rehab

ByeAlex has come a long way since the cute electro-folk of “Kedvesem” from Eurovision 2013. Rehab is his second album with his band The Slepp and third album overall. There’s a strong hip-hop influence with the album, mixing rap amid the rock, pop and electronic sounds. Rehab includes the recent popular singles “Így hagysz el” with Hungarian artist Hiro and “Anya” with the rapper Giajjenno. The album offers a confident, edgy sound, with ByeAlex not afraid to explore new directions. (David)

Benjamin Ingrosso – “Judy min vän”

Benjamin Ingrosso made his final appearance on the 2020 season of Så mycket bättre this week – the Swedish show where singers perform covers of each other’s iconic songs. For his last song, he paid tribute to Swedish legend Tommy Körberg’s Eurovision 1969 entry “Judy, min vän”. Ingrosso turned the song into a tender heartbreak ballad, adding more emotion to the performance. As well, Benjamin’s Eurovision 2018 song “Dance You Off” was reinterpreted by fellow performer Markus Krunegård as a chilled-out Swedish-language indie-rock track, “Ner från molnen / Ner på jorden”.

Last week, Benjamin performed a super cool electronic version of Lili and Susie’s 1990 house hit “Only Your Heart”. (Robyn)

Stefania and Rein – “Swipe”

“Keep your distance with a smile” is the theme of Stefania’s new music video. Greece’s Eurovision 2021 singer has returned to her native Dutch for this latest song and collaborated with fellow Dutch singer Rein. The video sees the two stars encouraging people to remain socially distanced while also teaching them the ‘swipe’ dance move. Sonically, the track is a catchy pop offering with a fairly repetitive chorus that is easy to remember. The lyrics are predominantly about the two stars getting feelings for each other. Despite this growing attraction, they also realise that they need to retain a distance from one another for the time being: “And a little-little-little to the left, swipe / And a little-little-bit to the right, swipe / Keep moving, keep moving”.

Shiri Maimon, Ran Danker and Ilana Avital – “בוא אל החגיגה“

Following Harel Skaat’s involvement in the promo video for this year’s Festigal – an annual Israeli musical show for children – Shiri Maimon has also now got involved with the festivities. The Eurovision 2005 star has joined forces with fellow Israeli singers Ran Danker and Ilana Avital to cover “בוא אל החגיגה” (“Come to the celebration”). The song was originally performed by Avital at the 1985 Festigal. This new version jazzes things up a bit and turns the track into a musical-theatre-style show tune.

Ivi Adamou (feat. Giorgos Mazonakis) – “Φωτιά Μου”

It’s been eight years since she represented Cyprus at Eurovision, but now Ivi Adamou has given us some new music to la-la-love. Ivi serves up some fuego with the Greek music icon Giorgos Mazonakis. “Φωτιά Μου” means “My fire” and the laidback track certainly smoulders. It’s a song about intense longing. Giorgios wonders, “How can I put out your fire in my heart? / You come back every night in my dreams”. The song doesn’t offer any solutions to this emotional dilemma, but Ivi and Giorgios deliver a super cool piece of pop with a reggae beat. (Robyn)

Alicja – “Na Pamięć”

Alicja has released a number of emotional ballads recently, but the Polish singer takes a slightly different approach with her new song. “Na Pamięć” is a mid-tempo affair that sees Alicja serving a more sultry tone as she wishes a failed relationship could live on in more than just her memories: “Even though the future did not want to know us / I will not forget you / Although fate could not give us more / I want knowledge / Do you want to remember me”. The accompanying music video features various clips of Alicja that the Eurovision 2020 star filmed at home while quarantining.

Gromee (feat. ÁSDÍS) – “Worth It”

Polish DJ and producer Gromee has new single “Worth It”. This time he’s teamed up with Icelandic singer-songwriter ÁSDÍS, who brings her sultry vocals and songwriting skill to the upbeat track. “Worth It” is about demanding the best in a relationship. ÁSDÍS isn’t settling for second best, singing “You gotta make me want it, show me that you’re worth it”. The song is almost exactly three minutes long, making us wonder if it just might have been written with Eurovision in mind. (Robyn)

NAVIBAND – “Миллионы больших сердец”

Following on from their #FreeBelarus anthem “Девочка в белом” (“Girl in White”), Naviband have now released another song related to the ongoing protests in Belarus calling for free elections and an end to police brutality. “Миллионы больших сердец” (“Millions of big hearts”) doesn’t focus on any particular political topic, but rather the people themselves at the heart of the protests. The Eurovision 2017 duo sing about how the people will come together and fight for a better future until the end: “Let’s leave the ships off the coast / Follow me, we will become the sea”.

Freddie – “Ezt akartad”

“See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. While some may turn a blind eye to wrongdoings so they don’t have to get involved, Hungary’s Freddie is encouraging people to believe in themselves and take action in his latest song. “Ezt akartad” (“That’s what you wanted”) is an indie-rock track overlain with the Eurovision 2016 star’s husky vocals. Freddie sings about how falling in line with what other people want of him feels like a defeat: “That’s what you wanted, so be it / For me it is a defeat … That’s what you wanted, so be it / Into a deaf world – a silent soul, a faded heart”. The accompanying music video centres around the proverb and three wise monkeys maxim. Freddie is shown in three different scenarios as a teacher, plastic surgeon and musician where he is shut down for doing things his way.

Senhit – “Breathe” (Benny Benassi & BB Team Remix)

As well as creating her series of iconic Eurovision covers ahead of Eurovision 2021, Senhit is still releasing her own new music. In June, she released the single “Breathe”, and now the song has been given a remix, courtesy of acclaimed Italian DJ and producer Benny Benassi. The remix gives the song a darker and dancier sound and ramps up the drama. The release also comes with a remix of the music video, giving a different take on Luca Tommassini’s striking visuals. (Robyn)

Baasch (feat. Maria Sadowska, Ralph Kaminski and Michał Szpak) – “Moje Ciało, Mój Wybór”

Michał Szpak has been outspoken in his support of the current Polish protests against a ruling that would ban almost all abortions in the country. The Eurovision 2016 singer recently got involved with the protest song “Moje Ciało, Mój Wybór” (“My Body, My Choice”) by Polish electronic musician Baasch. The song was used as part of a demonstration on 31 October. Over 1000 people gathered in front of a block of flats in Warsaw where a group of 30 actors staged a performance of Adam Mickiewicz’s poetic drama Dziady.

Dmitry Koldun – “Декаданс”

Dmitry Koldun’s latest single is “Декаданс” (“Decadence”). It’s a mid-tempo pop track with a subtle aura to it. The middle-eight mixes things up ever so slightly with the inclusion of a trumpet solo that returns for the outro. Belarus’ Eurovision 2007 star sings about the change of seasons and a relationship that inevitably comes to an end.

Sébastien Tellier – Simple Mind

“Simple Mind is a total rebirth for my music”, commented Sébastien Tellier upon the release of his latest album. Fans of the French star’s music will recognise all eleven songs featured on his new album Simple Mind. Tellier has taken some of his previous tracks and recorded them live in a more stripped-back fashion. This includes his Eurovision 2008 song “Divine”. Talking more about the album, Tellier notes:

“For this minimalistic live recording, I’m cleansing my own songs so you can rediscover them in the most pure and intimate way. I want to take you to the closest of my chords, my melodies and my voice in order to share the essence of my art with you. As simple as that.”

Sarit Hadad – “כשהכל יגמר”

Over the past months, many people will have started to think about what they want to do “When it’s all over”, when we can finally meet family again and go about our daily lives. That’s exactly what Israel’s Sarit Hadad has been thinking about as well and has now put the feeling into her new song “כשהכל יגמר”. It’s an acoustic-guitar-driven ballad in which the Eurovision 2002 star sings about both the physical and emotional changes she plans on making to her life: “When it’s all over my heart will have to / Not take anything for granted / Because in the end I am a person, just another guest in the world / The pride will go, we’ll go back to the beginning”. The accompanying music video sees Hadad sat in an empty cinema watching videos of people enjoying life before the pandemic, and is then joined by her daughter Noya. Taking to Instagram,  the star talked more about the song’s meaning:

“We have all been living in the same boat for many months, and mostly miss it. Miss mum, dad, family-laden holidays around the same table, long trips or just a walk around the mall, giving a crushing hug of love to someone you met on the street, a movie with a bucket of popcorn, a beer at a show or just an evening of laughter in the yard. In fact, for the simplest moments of life, those that until a year ago were the most understood in the world. All these moments have been gathered for a new song.”

Jurijus – “Randai”

The latest Eurovision star to climb onboard the retro 80s synth-pop trend is Jurijus. Lithuania’s 2019 representative has released “Randai”. It’s a mid-tempo offering that flows fairly consistently through its 3:23 minutes. There’s enough a beat to get the listener tapping along, though it maybe doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression once the song is over.

Friðrik Ómar – “Í Fjarlægð”

“Í Fjarlægð” (“In Distance”) is an Icelandic poem written by Valdimar Hólm Hallstað, which was later turned into a song by Karl O. Runólfsson. Now, Friðrik Ómar – one half of Iceland’s Eurovision 2008 group Euroband – has recorded his own version of the song. The poem reads as follows:

Vanna – “Puna memorija”

Croatia’s Eurovision 2001 star Vanna is letting go of a relationship in her latest single. “Puna memorija” (“Full memory”) is a ballad that remains fairly low-key for the most part, until building to a climax for the final verse and chorus. Vanna tells her ex-partner to leave her behind without a second thought: “You owe me nothing, bon voyage / You have no reason to be confused or mad / Come on, don’t worry about the details / You just get on your way as soon as possible”. The music video switches between clips of the Croatian star signing from the terrace of a hotel and a young woman who’s reminiscing about the man she’s had to leave behind.

Andréel (feat. Amandine Bourgeois) – “Je m’oublie”

French singer Amandine Bourgeois features on “Je m’oublie” (“I forget myself”), the new song by Andréel. It’s a soft ballad that mixes piano, double bass and electric guitar instrumentation. The Eurovision 2013 alum lends her vocals to the chorus of the song, where she harmonises with Andréel.

Click on the links below to read our individual articles on other new songs released in the last week by past Eurovision artists:

VICTORIA – “Ugly Cry”

Huricane – “Caje Šukarije”, “Lopove” and “Want Ya”

Matthew James (feat. Ira Losco) – “In The Rain”

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.

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