Pictures and collage by ERR

On Saturday 4 December, we’ll get to hear the next ten songs of Eesti Laul 2022. And while we’re still a few days out from quarter-final three of Estonia’s newly revamped selection show, we do know the identities of the acts.

So as we count down the days to the weekend, we want to know which performer you are most excited for. The line-up includes a number of familiar names, both from previous editions of Eesti Laul as well as from Eurovision. 

Eesti Laul 2022: Quarter-final three acts

Elina Nechayeva – “Remedy”

While we heard Italian from Elina Nechayeva back in 2018, we will be treated with an English-language song this year. After appearing in Will Ferell’s Eurovision movie, Elina shared that it had rekindled her love for the contest. Her 2021 song “Remedy” is composed by Sven Lõhmus, who has some Eurovision songs on his record, including “Verona”, “Rändjajad” and “Rockfeller Street”. He is a regular composer at Eesti Laul, but it’s the first time he’s composing an entry for Elina Nechayeva.

Stefan – “Hope”

Stefan Airaptjan, better known as just Stefan, made name for himself as part of the electronic duo Vajé during Eesti Laul 2018. The then debuting singer reached the superfinal during his very first competition with “Laura (Walk With Me)”. He participated in subsequent Eesti Lauls as a solo artist. In 2021, he will sing “Hope”, composed by himself. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Levvis – “Let’s Talk About”

Levvis, also known as Aleksei Baruzdin, is debuting at Eesti Laul. The singer does not have many tracks to his name yet, but is nonetheless very excited to take part with his self-written song “Let’s Talk About”. On his Instagram, he wrote

“Since age of 9 me and my grandmother were a big fans of Eurovision and it was our tradition to watch it every year.
She has always believed that one day she will see me there as well. Time flies so fast and sadly I can’t share this news with her, but I’m sure that she would be so proud of me and it’s really warms my heart and soul.”

deLULU – “Music Saved My Soul”

The site of the Tallinn Music Week has described deLULU as a “mix of sweet vocals, modern production and a truck full of magic. Among others their influences include Tom Misch, Emilie Nicolas, Jordan Rakei, Flume and Billie Eilish. They are a team who write all lyrics and music together presenting the listener with highly detailed arrangements, polished sound and carefully chosen lyrics.”

Goodreason – “Three Days Ago”

Goodreason is a three piece formed by Hele-Mai Mängel, Ross Linnamägi and Sander Saard. Originally a duo named Charlie between Hele-Mai and Ross, the act rebranded recently, adding Sander to the group as well. “Three Days Ago”, written by Hele-Mai, will be the group’s first song. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Anna Sahlene – “Champion”

Anna Sahlene, previously known as just Sahlene, scored one of Estonia’s highest results at Eurovision of all time. In 2002, she finished third overall with her song “Runaway”. In recent years, she has provided backing vocals to several artists at the contest, including Michael Rice and Dami Im. Her song “Champion” was written by a team of Estonian and Swedish musicians. 

Lauri Pihlap – “Take Me Home”

Lauri Pihlap‘s Eurovision career started exactly twenty years ago when he was part of the boyband 2XL. The group were a featured artist on Tanel Padar and Dave Benton’s Eurovision performance of “Everybody” that eventually won the contest. However, since going solo, he has released two studio albums of which LP is the most recent. On his new Eesti Laul adventure, Lauri wrote on Instagram

“It took a while, but I’m back. The idea of ​​”Take Me Home” started to sprout 2 years ago. I sang / played the home demo a year ago, and in the first days of October 2021, we marched to the studio with my comrade and colleague, Johannes, and finally put it in a jar.”

Merilin Mälk – “Little Girl”

Eesti otsib superstaari 2018 bronze medalist Merilin Mälk is among the returning acts to Eesti Laul this year. In 2020, she last participated in the national selection with the Estonian-language song “Miljon sammu” with which she placed ninth in the first semi-final. Her song “Little Girl” has been written by Karl-Ander Reismann who has composed several Eesti Laul entries in recent years, including Shira’s “Out in Space”, Rasmus Rändvee’s “Young” and was behind Vajé’s song “Laura (Walk With Me)”. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Shira – “Under Water”

Shira is going from outer space to “Under Water”. The singer first came in contact with the contest when she provided the backing vocals on the studio version of Victor Crone’s “Storm”, which was Estonia’s Eurovision entry in Tel Aviv in 2019. Shira wrote her song “Under Water” during a songwriting camp together with Rita Ray and Johannes Laas. 

Alabama Watchdog – “Move On”

The Estonian group participated in Eesti Laul 2021, where they were subject to controversy over the lyrics of their eponymous song. Alabama Watchdog’s Eesti Laul adventure was cut short as they did not manage to move past the semi-final. With their next Eesti Laul entry, many fans wonder whether “Move On” is a response to the stir they caused last time. 

Poll: Which Eesti Laul 2022 quarter-final one act are you the most excited for?

Which of the acts are you most excited for? It’s time to vote in our poll! Choose wisely, you can only vote ONE time. Voting ends on Friday 3 December, ahead of the first show on Saturday. 

Who did you vote for? Are you ready for Saturday’s show? Let us know in the comments.

13 Comments
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parmis les esprits
parmis les esprits
2 years ago

Elina Nechayeva! Shira! Alabama Watchdog! Glad to see Merilin Mälk back and Stefan ~ the rest I’m not familiar with and there’s quite a bit of competition in this round three of quarter-finals but we could be pleasantly surprised ~ good luck to all! Go Eesti!

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

Everyone, of course, but especially Elina Nechayeva, Stefan, and Shira. I sense some gems here. 🙂

Colin
Colin
2 years ago

I am as well, but more like morbidly curious. Their lyrics last time were among the three worst ones of the whole NF season for me. Musically they were pretty solid, though. What are they singing about this time? Against taking vaccines? About government conspiracies? Sure, I want to know, but at the same time, do I? 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Their song and “Jo” from FiK are the main reasons I decided to be extra careful before picking favorites without getting a translation for the lyrics in languages I’m not familiar with.

Colin
Colin
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Those two and Zapjevaj, sloboda je from Dora are exactly the three I was referring. Technically, there were many much more inept and cheap lyrics in the NF season, but these 3 are deliberately pushing for problematic messages. I mean, the freedom of media should exist, but so should my freedom not to like those entries. Too bad, as all of them are well composed, and well performed.

Vilius
Vilius
2 years ago

Eesti Laul is stacked this year holy moly.

ESCb
ESCb
2 years ago

I cant wait to see what Shira brings this year. Her previous song was just perfect!

milky
milky
2 years ago

elina without a doubt

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

Elina Nechayeva. I am predicting a qualitative, dark and artsy pop ballad and since Sven Lohmus is the songwriter, I wouldn’t mind if it is in the style of Rändajad. I hope my expectations (admittesly they are a bit high) are met!

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago
Reply to  Thanos

Yes Lohmus has written many good songs. I also can’t wait!

kir
kir
2 years ago

Yay the Armenian hottie’s back!

Rojo Mx
Rojo Mx
2 years ago
Reply to  kir

Armenian? who’s Armenian here?

moth
moth
2 years ago
Reply to  Rojo Mx

stefan