Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2021 is on! And a little more than one month before its final, the first song has just dropped: “Lie” by Oskr is now available to listen.
Finnish broadcaster YLE is sticking to last year’s formula, although expanded: this year there will be seven acts competing rather than six. Their songs will be revealed one by one every weeknight at midnight Finland time (23:00 CET) until 21 January.
Oskr “Lie” (UMK 2021)
Oskr’s entry is described as a song that “combines a strong patience with an intimate message”. He explains how his song is about those times when you don’t tell the truth just because you think that’s what the other person wants to hear.
‘Oskr’ is the stage name of multi-instrumentalist Oskari Ruohonen, from Turku. He has been part of the bands Yournalist and Traffic Island and is now starting his solo career. He cites James Blake, Bon Iver and Jon Bellion as his main musical inspirations.
UMK 2021
The grand final of UMK will take place on 20 February. The number of competing acts was whittled down from 278 entries, and only seven entrants will take the stage.
The songs were selected by a jury of industry professionals, led by radio YleX’s music manager Tapio Hakanen. He had praise for the applicants, saying, “The level of the songs and artists was incredibly strong and I am confident that we have coming in the spring of 2021 the toughest UMK of all time. I’m really happy and grateful to each and every musician who sent a song to Yle.”
The winner will be chosen by a mixture of jury and public vote. Rather than the usual 50/50 split, the public will hold 75% of the power.
i really really think we should have a man bun here instead of the curly hair. i can¨t really take him seriously with that hair! other than that, i love the song!
This is good. Let’s have this Finland.
Boring..
This might come off bad, but I truly think we don’t need to hear any of the other songs. This is brilliant, a strong Eurovision contender, and could boost Finland to a Top 10 finish – or even further. He sounds a lot like Michael Schulte (DEU 2018), and that can really only work in his favor because the styling of his voice is very commercially and publicly approachable. What a glow-up between last year’s UMK and this year’s.
Ikr, kind of how I feel too. Like this song is good, can’t they just send this one. But yeah, agree with everything you said
Already, I hear a boost in quality for UMK this year compared to last year
WOW. One song and I just think – why can’t the UK make an attempt like this. Its simple, well presented, heartfelt deep and pop. im down with this.
Ironic, it sounds exactly like something UK would send lol
Really got chills from listening this! Honestly this is what I think some BBC radio 1 could play daily?
Did they really release the best entry right away? Only time will tell
I’m all in with these aesthetic videos UMK has made for the artists
It’s a nice way to equalise the competition, retain focus on the songs and bring attention to the lyrics while ensuring that there is a music video if an official one can’t be made (which often is the case unfortunately for NF acts).
This reminds me a little of looking back
He looks beautiful, his voice feels extremly warm and comfy to me and the song is a good effort.
I’m not sure if it would be the best song for Rotterdam, I’ve to wait for the potential “show entries” (Laura, Pandora, Blind Channel…).
Veeery strong
i like it, it gets better with each listen
i’m really excited for finland this year
Bored within 30 seconds!
Yes!
Beautiful song! That would get Finland to the finals easily, it’s modern, catchy and heartfelt.
With all what has been going on…I almost forgot Eurovision season has started!
I knew that Finland will deliver. What a beautiful song! It has a great melody and amazing lyrics.
I’d say this is my favorite already, but there are six more and if UMK is as good as last year, it will be interesting.
This is at a higher level than any songs we heard from Finland last year.
Boring
this isn’t bad but I feel like it doesn’t quite reach the potential that it has. its a very respectable entry, however.
on a few more listens, I really like this. my only problem is that the chords get really repetitive without a lot change at all. also, the vocal melodies are really pretty.
Lukas graham anyone?
Oooof
Oskr’s voice sounds a lot better for what it’s worth
This is a good song. I wouldn’t mind seeing thing in rotterdam!
This is a very contemporary song! Wow, I didnt expect this from Finland! The lyrics are beautiful, the melody is pleasant, this could do very well on radio and at Eurovision!
I guess this was the first time I’ve listened to the very first entry from a national selection and immediately felt the peace that this country already has a good entry to pick even if all the rest of them fail to impress. Can’t wait to see which other cards Finland has up their sleeves.
Honestly same
Wow!!!! This is a ?????????? song for me. Totally unexpected. It sounds 2021! Its honest and touching. What a voice! What a song! What a performance! Do we need to hear the rest? I am totally sold! Thanks. With this we can make top 5 in the ESC.
The questionmarks was ???????? Five STARS. But turned out to be ????? here
It’s a good song but come on, it’s generic, not much better than elevate from Norway. It would qualify but top five? Maybe top fifteen. On a side note, #YaremchukNeedsToReturn.
…what does Mariya Yaremchuk have to do with ANY of this?
And why? And why such a cumbersome hashtag? Hard to see that trending.
Sublime chanson grand chanteur j’adore
Really strong start , much better already than last year’s first song reveal imo and I’d not be saddened to see this represent any country. It’s a good song .
Expecting better ones now. Lol
This song is very beautiful, I would be very happy if it wins, but I will hear the other songs too. But it is a great start.
Not a bad start Finland! There is a Lewis Capaldi vibe going on and he has been insanely popular so I think this will definitely have its audience. From a personal perspective, I didn’t quite connect with the emotional content so I am not massively blown away by it, but I can see that this has quality and a lot of people will really like it. Here’s hoping this is a good sign of another great year for Finland – one of my favorite countries in Eurovision over recent years.
I can only echo the other comments! A great first song. I could see this doing decently at eurovision too!
I think I’m in the minority here, but I don’t like this at all. Cringy lyrics, and the song is painfully generic and the production is not strong.
To end the comment with a positive note, I’m really excited to hear the other songs!
I’ll join you in getting downvoted, Matthew! I agree. I mean, it gets better towards the end but it’s not really for me. Like a lot of their songs last year, this is a solid NF filler rather than potential winner. Just as long as Finland doesn’t make the mistake and pick it as their winner, it does no harm though.
I like it. This is promising for Finland. Best of luck Finland! For some reason, it reminds me of Ryan O Shaughnessy’s Irish entry.
it is a great start for finland!! it’s a potential winning song imo but who knows if the other acts will be better?? “lie”could be a worldwide hit. songs like this have been in world charts etc etc
Wow that’s a really great start for Finland! I love how this song is building, subtle but effective! Wouldn’t mind seeing this in Rotterdam
Good start Finland!
Nice emotional song.
This is a good start. I really like it. I like that there is a tiny bit of this grit/rasp in his voice sometimes it adds emotion to the song nicely. Hope that the rest of the songs are along the same quality maybe with a little more memorable elements.
I definitely liked this a lot. Obviously, we’ll wait to see if it’s just early excitement or if it’ll stay the favorite after all the songs are revealed, but if all the songs are on this level, Finland are promising great things for 2021.