Finland’s UMK 2021 line-up has now completely been unveiled, and no doubt the hype and excitement will continue to build ahead of the show, which will take place on February 20. In the meantime, it’s time for you to vote for your favourite.
Seven acts will be taking the stage, including defending Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) champion Aksel Kankaanraanta and two-time Estonian Eurovision representative Laura Põldvere. The other acts competing for the trophy are OSKR, Teflon Brothers & Pandora, Danny, Blind Channel and Ilta.
You can listen to all seven UMK 2021 entries below and then vote for your favourite. You can pick as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once. So choose wisely!
UMK 2021: Competing songs
OSKR – “Lie”
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.
Teflon Brothers & Pandora – “I Love You”
“I Love You” is described as an “instantly catchy tune” whose goal is “to help people better express their emotions and become more open and courageous”.
Danny – “Sinä päivänä kun kaikki rakastaa mua”
Danny’s entry is “about how life is a gift, but how you can never be sure how long it will last – only that it will, eventually, come to an end”. However, he’s taking a “humorous and truthful” take on the issue, with a “unique and melancholic” number.
Laura – “Play”
“Play” is described as an “irresistible combination of country and pop” about “an on-and-off relationship where one person has become fed up with constantly forgiving the other”.
Aksel Kankaanraanta – “Hurt”
The reigning champion of UMK is back in 2021 with “Hurt”, a “powerful yet sensitive ballad about how looks can be deceiving”.
Blind Channel – “Play”
“Dark Side” is described as “the soundtrack to an underground party and serves as the perfect distillation of Blind Channel’s message”.
Ilta – “Kelle ma soitan”
“Kelle mä soitan” (Who Will I Call) is described as a “concrete depiction of what it is like to live with loneliness”. Ilta’s entry is a “touching ballad”.
Poll: Who should win Finland’s UMK 2021?
[polldaddy poll=10723375]Which is your favourite song from UMK 2021? Who should take the ticket to Rotterdam? Tell us in the comment section below!
I think Blind Channel is overestimated just because Finland is known for metal music. Dark Side is a rap metal song and this genre is more of an American thing. The song is alright but I’m not so sure majority of the finns are going to choose it as number 1.
Finland’s cooking with gas this year. Any number of these would be great entries. Heck, I even think “I Love You” is growing on me. I’d personally give the ticket to Blind Channel with Oskr a close second, but there aren’t many bad choices here!
The contrast between Danny’s and Teflon Brothers x Pandora’s songs is just hilarious to me. Never in a million years would I be able to sing the former, but even a toddler could sing the latter’s chorus.
Anyway, it’s between Aksel, Blind Channel and Oskr for me.
Teflon Brothers’ entry is the most popular song in Finland. It’s #2 on Spotify. They also performed the song in Finland’s prime time show ”Putous” on Saturday. Also 90’s music is quite popular here too. And Pandora is a Queen of 90’s Eurodance. This combination is dangerous in this contest. I think their chances to win are bigger than other artists/bands.
There isn’t a qualifier among them but Blind Channel is clearly the best.
Blind Channel has the best song, but Aksel should win. He deserves it after 2020 was cancelled.
I’m surprised how much passion there is for these songs. I don’t have much positive to say about any of these entries, sadly—I don’t find any of them compelling or particularly fresh. In brief (and to not rain on parades)… Blind Channel—I agree with those who say it feels juvenile and outdated. I don’t see how the song offers this genre of music anything fresh or interesting, it’s sub-par and not even close to matching the level (or irony) of Lordi. Teflon Brothers & Pandora—they’re on to something here, but this song shouldn’t have been released as it is, it’s… Read more »
how do people like “i love you” ??? it’s so unoriginal and its beyond annoying… if blind channel doesn’t win i will be so upset
as if the other songs are original…
Blind channel will win! Easy win…. Its so much better than any other songs!!, other songs are no good and please dont start to dance!
I hope Aksel wins, (1) because he’s coming with a strong entry and much better than last year and (2) I still think all 2020 acts should have been selected for 2021 anyway.
So let’s see who is winning the poll…
Ooo it’s Blind Channel. Finland rock again, eh. Interesting how the two bands have quite a big lead over the solo artists. Could that be because of the lack of bands confirmed for ESC 2021 so far?
It’s all very exciting. 🙂
Go_A and The Roop would probably call themselves bands 😉 but yeah it would be nice to have another band join the party!
I predict that Aksel will win again, more comfortably and more deservedly than last year.
no way he wins more comfortably than last year where he had competition only from Cicciolina.
There is no chance for Aksel….
What is it about the song (or Aksel himself?) that strikes a chord for you?
Not sure why this received so many dislikes! Would genuinely like to know what Jonas makes of Aksel’s song/performance.
Ilta and Aksel
My favorite is “Lie”, but I guess Oskr, Aksel and Ilta (by the way, I like those also) may end up cancelling each other. So, if the choice ends up being between the 2 songs that stand out, I would prefer “Dark Side” than “I Love You”, though the second has its unpretentious charm. But hey, maybe someone gives a killer live performance and make things much easier.
This would be a battle between Teflon Brothers & Blind Channel.
This selection for me it’s the best of this year, I don’t care who win, it’ll be great
I wish I’d like dark side but it sounds like a metal song made for 6 year olds to me. Just a bit too edgy here and there
So it could go into JESC? This I would like to see. 😀
Or, do you mean that it’s a song made at a time when you were 6 years old? Maybe I misunderstood.
I mean that the lyrics sound like they would appeal to a younger age group xD I probably would’ve thought this was very cool when I was 10
I think 10 is still a bit young – it feels more like adolescence to me – I would put it in a mid-teen bracket. I don’t think it is pretending to be anything that it is not and it does it very well. There is a youthful naivety to it – in a way I am envious that I did grow up.
JESC it is then. Can the band be artificially de-aged? (Just kidding.)
I actually really like Blind Channel, so it would be good to have them in ESC
I like Blind Channel as well – it is obviously directed at a certain age, which is absolutely fine (you can’t really join the 27 club if you’re 28 or older!) It reminds me of my youth and as a rock fan, I am never going to dismiss a rock entry as there are still far too few of them in ESC!
1) Lie
2) Kelle ma soitan
3) Hurt
4) Dark Side
5) I Love You
6) Sina päivänä kun kaikki rakastaa mua (That’s a mouthful XD)
7) Play
For Oskr and Ilta, it’s super close, I love both entries! I wouldn’t mind Aksel winning as well, although I feel like the song is missing something. Good luck to everyone!
Torn between Blind Channel and Teflon Bros x Pandora.
On 1 side, high energy pop/rock that will stand out, something between WigWam. Bon Jovi and Linkin Park. Extremely catchy hook and I do miss radio friendly rock songs at ESC. On the other hand I Love You is such an earworm, addictive and positive. It makes me want to dance.
Tough choice here.
PS. I Love You is perfect for zumba and aerobics. 😀
I want Bind channel because that is the best song and I want Aksel because, I would feel so bad for him if he doen’t win
I watched the videos with CC of artists listening to each other’s songs and Aksel comes across as full of himself. That’s my impression. Dismissed almost every song, every time. veiled dislike with lame compliments or just one word blurps. Over-confident. And no offence to anyone because I myself am not a looker, but if you resemble my uncle who gets handsy with the ladies and who works as a shelf stacker at Tokmanni and drinks shandy on weekends, I would temper my assertiveness. He has a wonderful voice though but when it comes to the stage presence he’s no… Read more »
I watched the video. No, he does not come across as full of himself at all. He seems to be a rather quiet and introverted, maybe a little bit insecure type, that’s all. When he was asked if he participated again this year, he panicked and denied it, probably because he wasn’t sure what he was allowed to say at that time. I was by no means a fan of his song last year, but he seems pretty alright.
A downvote isn’t enough for me, this comment is so wrong. Assertiveness and confidence should have nothing to do with looks. You have completely missed the whole message of the song – please play it again and listen carefully to the lyrics. He is singing to people like you.
I respect the fact that you commented expressing your opinion instead of down voting which I believe is the equivalent of cyber bullying. Hence why I never do it. As a person who has been taunted for his looks all his life, I completely understand how hard it can be to build up a self-esteem. However it is a very thin line between confidence and being c*cky and that was my impression of him from these videos. Maybe he is a nice guy. I don’t know. Let’s face it. If we were living in the 90’s with no political correctness… Read more »
Looks are completely irrelevant to this conversation, that’s the only point I am trying to make. If you think he is too confident, just say that. Don’t imply that he is not deserving of confidence because he is not good-looking enough. I am sorry if you have been hurt by this way of thinking in your own life – you didn’t deserve it either.
P.S. I agree that the up/down vote option should be removed. Best write to Wiwibloggs about that.
I don’t particularly make use of the downvote either, but I don’t see why receiving dislikes should bother people so much. If people don’t agree with your view, it doesn’t invalidate it. In my UMK review above, I say that I don’t like any of the songs, and I fully expected to receive downvotes, but I don’t mind because it’s my honest view of the songs, no amount of dislikes will change that, and at least I can explain reasonably why I don’t like them and what the artists could do to improve, which is fair. Disagreement shouldn’t be so… Read more »
Blind Channel.
I really enjoy Play but my heart is with I love you by Teflon brothers and Pandora. They’re the best for me. Catchy, uptempo and with 80’s vibes. Hope Finland vote for them and don’t make the same mistake that they did with Erika Vikman.
Teflon Brothers x Pandora for the win! Blind Channel seem to be very popular but I can’t see the appeal of their song. It’s catchy, but it’s so painfully generic. It’s the “Too Late For Love” of its genre.
Iltaaaaaaaaaaaaa
My fav of the ESC season
My favourites are Oskr and Laura. Wouldn’t mind Aksel, but I prefer his last year’s song.
I’m stuck between Dark Side and I Love You. I will be happy if either goes but I would marginally prefer I Love You to go. Because we need a happy upbeat song in Eurovision this year, forgetting about Covid and the problems of the last 12 months. But Please not Aksel. I hated his song last year and this year.
Teflon all the way. That song is catchy as hell. I just hope it won’t dissapoint live.
Blind Channel and Teflon Bros/Pandora are my two favourite entries so I’m rooting for them. BUT there are sooo many good songs in UMK this year that I wouldn’t be too upset if say Oskr or Aksel win!
Blind Channel!
And please not the Teflon Brothers. I can’t stand that refrain.
I think it was done on purpose.
But I understand you. When I heard it for the first time, I was thinking WTF, but after a few listens I cannot get it out of my head. I even pa papa papa the melody played on the synthesizer throughout. It’s so catchy.
You’re always so rude Andi!
I have been loving this selection! I would be happy with either Aksel, Blind Channel or Pandora and the Teflon Brothers. I do think that Aksel deserves morally to go, but I think my other two favourites have a bit of an edge. The jury could turn the tide in some way however. Either way, Finland has a great opportunity here to send something great and unique. ?
All the songs are very good – they have almost the exact same ratings. This just leaves personal taste alone. So the question is: How do Finnish people like to be entertained? I have no idea. Best of luck to all of the artists – this one is wide open.
For me Teflon Brothers & Pandora!
With a good perfomance they will be amazing!
I love rock so I do really like Dark Side..but the lyrics in the chorus lack any depth and meaning. I also really like I Love You because it is so much fun but I can’t get past them just repeating the same words again and again. Kelle ma soitan and lie are really nice songs too. Honestly with any of these I think we can see Finland in the final again.
Teflon Brothers & Pandora. The world needs joy and happiness, not sorrow and angst.
Aksel deserves the win again imo. He has a great emotional song. Finland needs to vote him, it’s the only fair thing to do!
I Love You should win, it’s already a big hit like Cicciolina in 2020. However, that makes me think that either a boring ballad or the rock song will win the voting.
I love you is the fun song we need in ESC.
For me the Dark Side song is a mediocre hard rock song, which gains points of sympathy out of its uniqueness among the rest. The lyrics are not something interesting. If it goes to Rotterdam, probably will get a Hungary 2018 results.
Not interested in any of those unfortunately. I guess it will be between the ’80s cliché and the hard rock cliché. Boring!
You are boring I guess.
Blind Channel is my nr. 1. I also love the songs of Teflon Brothers x Pandora and Ilta. Strong selection from Finland this year 🙂
Oskr, Teflon Brothers x Pandora, Danny, Aksel and Ilta get my votes here.
I don’t think Danny would win, but even as a national final entry it’s decent and good, giving a bit variation not only songwise but as in age too. Eurovision is for all ages!
Ilta, Oskr and Aksel for me. BC is just a cliche rock song and nothing more, my best friends listens to rock songs and she wasn’t impressed by this song at all… it’s just getting hype because it’s a rock song, so basically a genre we don’t hear that often at esc and also because this is “typical Finland” Pandora x Teflon Brothers are fun I admit it, but I do think this is a bit too eurovision to do well. It’s basically how people in UK for example see a eurovision song. So yeah I don’t want this to… Read more »
Many good choices.
I will be OK with any of the top 5 at the poll.
I hope Ilta pulls a shock outsider win, her song clicked with me the most after first hearing all 7 entries in UMK 2021. “Kelle mä soitan” is unique, heartfelt, cinematic and by far the most authentic + contemporary of the line-up, never thought I’d see the day a song in Finnish would be my favourite in Finland’s selection! I know a vast majority of the eurofandom are hyping up Blind Channel & Teflon Brothers like crazy and feel it’s between them but tbh I can’t see either finishing higher than 21st in the ESC grand final, both have dated… Read more »
I find it a bit odd that you say people won’t like Blind Channel because it is all doom and gloom and then you really like Ilta which is perhaps the most depressing song of the bunch? Maybe it is the anger that turns you off rather than the negative feelings per se?
yeah agree with everything you said. Ilta is actually a riskier choice, it could finish top 10 in Rotterdam if performed right. BC are only getting hype because they are a rock song, it’s a good rock song, but really nothing special and the lyrics are quite average at best. Ilta on the other hand has such beautiful lyrics. Pandora x Teflon Brothers won’t win, because they will be 6th maybe 5th with the jury.
To be fair, the jury only makes up 25% of the overall score so it depends entirely on just how well they do in the televote, but of course we’ll have to see
no entirely tho, 25% is not 0% percent, jury votes still matter
UMK has blown me away this year. I would be very happy with 4 of these songs going to Rotterdam and I have a feeling that I am not going to be disappointed (or maybe it is a confirmation that three-quarters of me will be disappointed?) Anyway, I sense it is going to be the age-old battle between good and evil – Teflon Brothers x Pandora or Blind Channel. My favourite depends on my mood – am I feeling happy and uplifted by the world or am I feeling like I want to burn it all down? It changes very… Read more »
This will most probably be a two horse race between Blind Channel and Teflon brothers x Pandora, especially given the 75 percent-25 percent breakdown in favor of the public vote. However, keep your eyes on Ilta, her song has jury appeal and has completely over performed on finnish charts, even gaining more spotify streams than dark side. She could be a dark horse!
For me, it has to be either Blind Channel or Ilta. They both have excellent songs and they are two different yet quality entries. I liked Teflon Brothers x Pandora at first, but after a few listens it just kind of gets boring and loses its charm. It would be a decent winner though. Oskr would also be ok.
Also, I would like to add that Ilta is very underrated in the fandom!
Remember that it doesn’t matter if it gets boring after a few listens (talking about Teflon Brothers song). In ESC,, the viewers get to watch and listen to the entries only once in the final.
This is my favorite national final of the season thus far. Which means, it’s inevitably also the most stressing one to follow, as it’s obvious some amazing songs will finish quite low. That’s what you get for having no bad or even mediocre songs in your NF. Good for you, Finland. Now it all comes to personal taste. And my personal taste is perhaps different than most hardcore ESC fans have, as I actually really love emotional ballads with deep lyrics and lovely orchestrations. I’d prefer if Oskr, Ilta or Aksel go to ESC, but I think that only one… Read more »
Do you think 2015’s result was due to compassion? That is a little bit condescending isn’t it?
Perhaps it is and I apologize if so. However, almost every You Tube list prior to UMK 2015 put them last or in bottom 3. On my part, I also really struggle to find any musical merits to the actual song. I am happy the band had their ESC experience. Of course, tastes differ, so there’s a good chance someone actually really likes the song. However, I am not inclined to believe that the majority found this musically better than the likes of Siru, Opera Skaala and Satin Circus. I might be wrong…
I think you are right, I just think it shines an awful light on how people view disability – almost like a pity vote – that just makes me want to cringe.
As it happens, I really liked Aina Mun Pitaa, but then I like punk music and realise I am very much in a minority in Eurovision-land.
I am glad that Aina Mun Pitaa has fans. I think that mostly all songs deserve some love. It’s not that I mind punk in general, I just found his one too noisy throughout. I’d prefer if it built-up at least a bit. On my part, I did like some ESC songs by disabled singers. For instance, Poland in 2015 and Georgia in 2008. However, I do agree that looking at disabled performers with pity doesn’t help anyone. I can say that I just don’t think that Finland 2015 or Russia 2018 had good songs. Because I believe that the… Read more »
Everything you write makes sense Colin. As a punk song, Aina Mun Pitaa felt authentic to me – it came across as personal, it had energy in spades and i loved it was only 90 seconds long – that exactly embodies the punk spirit of non-conformance. I have absolutely no objection to people disliking PKN because of the music, I realise punk music is not incredibly well liked across the population, but I do think it deserves respect as an art form. Sometimes I don’t see much respect for it here on these platforms unfortunately. As for disability, I think… Read more »
Definitely Teflon Bros or Blind Channel. Pretty sure Finland got their decision wrong last year and went with nice but unremarkable and unmemorable. Don’t make the same mistake again!
Either Blind Channel or Teflon Brothers x Pandora should win UMK 2021. However, both of these groups have their own pros and cons. Blind Channel is a heavy metal band, a stereotypical Finnish music. The pro with BC is that most Finns enjoy heavy metal. It’s like a national favorite genre for them. The con is that not everybody likes heavy metal and those who don’t like the genre will think BC has a small chance of winning UMK 2021. Teflon Brothers x Pandora is corny on purpose. Teflon Brothers is known for their satirical take on Finnish pop music.… Read more »
Any of them except Danny. The rest are all so close in my ranking and really strong. If UMK keeps up this quality going forward, I’m excited for what we’ll get in 2022 and beyond.
Teflon brothers and Pandora definitely have to go to Rotterdam! They have a chance to score a top 10 or 5 there. Blind Channel’s song is good but kinda cliché for a rock song