Oskr UMK 2021 - Finland Eurovision

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.

Follow all of our Finland Eurovision 2021 news.

48 Comments
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Espen Pedersen
Espen Pedersen
3 years ago

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!

Anita
Anita
3 years ago

This is good. Let’s have this Finland.

Jago
Jago
3 years ago

Boring..

Ari
Ari
3 years ago

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.

Guest
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Ari

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

Red X
Red X
3 years ago

Already, I hear a boost in quality for UMK this year compared to last year

Gavin
Gavin
3 years ago

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.

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Gavin

Ironic, it sounds exactly like something UK would send lol

Whack
Whack
3 years ago

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

Whack
Whack
3 years ago

I’m all in with these aesthetic videos UMK has made for the artists

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  Whack

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).

Tim Nilsson
Tim Nilsson
3 years ago

This reminds me a little of looking back

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

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…).

Ruud
Ruud
3 years ago

Veeery strong

Aplk
Aplk
3 years ago

i like it, it gets better with each listen
i’m really excited for finland this year

ABC
ABC
3 years ago

Bored within 30 seconds!

Jago
Jago
3 years ago
Reply to  ABC

Yes!

Friedenau
Friedenau
3 years ago

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!

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

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.

Last edited 3 years ago by Colin
NscoN
NscoN
3 years ago

This is at a higher level than any songs we heard from Finland last year.

Jago
Jago
3 years ago

Boring

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago

this isn’t bad but I feel like it doesn’t quite reach the potential that it has. its a very respectable entry, however.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

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.

MaelleForFra
MaelleForFra
3 years ago

Lukas graham anyone?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  MaelleForFra

Oooof

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  MaelleForFra

Oskr’s voice sounds a lot better for what it’s worth

Graft
Graft
3 years ago

This is a good song. I wouldn’t mind seeing thing in rotterdam!

Ricky
Ricky
3 years ago

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!

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

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.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Honestly same

David
David
3 years ago

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.

David
David
3 years ago
Reply to  David

The questionmarks was ???????? Five STARS. But turned out to be ????? here

MaelleForFra
MaelleForFra
3 years ago
Reply to  David

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.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  MaelleForFra

…what does Mariya Yaremchuk have to do with ANY of this?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And why? And why such a cumbersome hashtag? Hard to see that trending.

SAKIS8888
SAKIS8888
3 years ago

Sublime chanson grand chanteur j’adore

Kris
Kris
3 years ago

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

Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

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.

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

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.

Lolek
Lolek
3 years ago

I can only echo the other comments! A great first song. I could see this doing decently at eurovision too!

Matthew
Matthew
3 years ago

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!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago
Reply to  Matthew

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.

Marc
Marc
3 years ago

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.

Last edited 3 years ago by Marc
just an esc fan
just an esc fan
3 years ago

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

MyEuroVision
MyEuroVision
3 years ago

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

Alo
Alo
3 years ago

Good start Finland!
Nice emotional song.

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
3 years ago

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.

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

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.