Team Wiwi’s top new music tracks of 2021: 10 to 1

The end of 2021 is here. And that means one thing — the return of Team Wiwi’s annual Top Tracks countdown.

As usual, the team from wiwibloggs have voted for their favourite new songs released in 2021 by Eurovision stars. After reviewing more than 1,000 songs over the course of the year, we finally settled on our top 50 – it wasn’t easy. And now, it’s time to reveal our top picks.

Songs that were selected for Eurovision or competed in national finals were excluded (they’ve been analysed to death in our jury reviews). However, the other new songs VICTORIA released as potential Eurovision entries were made eligible for voting since it wasn’t a formal national final (and they were not included in our top national final songs countdown).

At least one singer of the song must have competed at Eurovision as part of the main act to be eligible. Acts who had been chosen for Eurovision 2020 but were not reselected for the 2021 contest were still included in the voting.

Our Hall of Fame currently includes:

But, who will join them?

Find out below with the conclusion of this year’s countdown!

Team Wiwi’s top songs by Eurovision artists in 2021: 10 to 1

10. Hurricane – “Legalan”

What we said:  “Legalan” is in line with what we expect from the Serbian trio – a catchy pop banger. In the lyrics, Sanja, Ivana and Ksenija are having a hard time seeing the person they have feelings for going out with another woman and they wish it could be them: “When I saw you with her / It kept getting on my nerves / I was embarrassed for myself / I was getting high off you as if off a drug / Oh if you were only le-le-le-legal”. (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: “Folir’o”(#36 in 2020), “Lopove” (#46 in 2020)

9. ABBA – “I Still Have Faith In You”

What we said: They won the Eurovision Song Contest 1974, launching their global career and paving the way for Sweden’s powerhouse music industry. And now, after a 40-year wait, ABBA are back with a brand new album called Voyage. The band have just shared two tracks from the album, including “I Still Have Faith in You”, which will no doubt feature in their upcoming digital concert. (William)

Previous top tracks: “When You Danced With Me” (#12 in 2021)

8. Hurricane – “Do neba”

What we said: Hu-Hu-Hu-HURRICANE! With summer heating up and lockdowns being eased across Europe, the girls are ready to start the party. Their new song “Do neba” just landed and our girls are already making the most of the beach. “Do neba” (“To heaven”) is another Serbian-language pop song. But instead of the intense electronic party action of “Hasta la vista” and “Loco Loco”, their newest is much more relaxed. The deep bass lines and synths have been replaced with chill guitars and a saxophone. But of course, the passion and the energy is still there, and we love this new look from Sanja, Ivana and Ksenija. (Natalie)

Previous top tracks: “Legalan” (#10 in 2021), “Folir’o”(#36 in 2020), “Lopove” (#46 in 2020)

7. Albina – “La La Love”

What we said: Croatia’s very own Albina is getting all fired up for the summer with “La La Love”. Not to be confused with Ivi Adamou’s or Eden Alene’s songs of the same name, Albina’s “La La Love” is a sultry summertime anthem complete with synth horns, a funky bassline and Spanish lyrics. “It’s a type of female anthem”, Albina tells wiwibloggs. “It depicts different states of women’s character — one day you want someone by your side and the other you would rather dance alone — ‘bailar sola’. Women are often indecisive, but they always find their way to please themselves.” (Oliver)

6. Ulrikke – “Falling Apart”

What we said: Despite Covid-19 putting a halt to her dream of performing at Eurovision 2020, Norway’s Ulrikke is moving forward and not letting her spirit drop. The star debuted her new single “Falling Apart” at the Melodi Grand Prix 2021 grand final. Unlike the emotional ballad of her intended Eurovision entry “Attention”, this new track is an upbeat dance offering ready to get people moving. Lyrically, Ulrikke sings about a special someone who helps her through difficult times: “When I’m falling apart / You go and make it whole again / Every piece of my heart / Baby, you make it whole again”. (Jonathan)

5. Polina Gagarina – “Вчера”

What we said: Out with the old and in with the new. Polina Gagarina is starting a new era of her career, and based on the first song alone it’s looking like it’ll be a very exciting one. The Eurovision 2015 runner-up has released “Вчера” (“Yesterday”), where she’s breaking free of the things that used to hold her back: “I’m killing insomnia in the dance / Overtaking with an insane speed, yesterday, yesterday / I’m not trying to understand you anymore / How could all this hold me yesterday, just yesterday”. It’s a dynamic track that brings out a fiery, strong and bold side to the Russian singer. Polina has always had a range of tracks in her discography beyond just power ballads. However, “Вчера” really shakes things up and exposes Polina as a true popstar, nae superstar! (Jonathan)

Previous top tracks: “Небо в глазах” (#25 in 2020), “Зима” (#28 in 2020), “На расстоянии” (#38 in 2020), “Меланхолия” (#38 in 2018), “Я не буду” (#13 in 2015)

4. VICTORIA – “the funeral song”

What we said: Though its title is rather macabre, “the funeral song” is about learning to love yourself and celebrate life. In the words of the legendary Ms. RuPaul Charles, if you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else? “What happens when we lose everything? What should we actually appreciate most while we are here on Earth?” VICTORIA asks. “With this song I want to tell people that they should take care and live in the moment. We all need to love and cherish ourselves.” (Oliver)

Previous top tracks: “imaginary friend” (#30 in 2021), “phantom pain” (#44 in 2021), “alright.” (#21 in 2020)

3. VICTORIA – “The Worst”

What we said: “It’s a funny story,” Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2021 singer VICTORIA says of writing her new single “The Worst”. “We started writing it during the Eurovision contest when we were in the hotel in Rotterdam. We were just staying in the hotel doing nothing, just waiting for the rehearsals…and I was like why can’t we just start a session or something?” The result marks an evolution in VICTORIA’s sound. While remaining true to her minimalist style, VICTORIA reaches for the synth to add new dimension. As ever the song remains anchored by emotion and heart, and tells a universal story we can all relate to. At times the lyrics are a little dark. As she sings, “You’re the worst. I’ll make sure nobody loves you.” (William)

Previous top tracks: “the funeral song” (#4 in 2021), “imaginary friend” (#30 in 2021), “phantom pain” (#44 in 2021), “alright.” (#21 in 2020)

2. Måneskin – “I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE”

What we said: Driven by guitar and drum, the song nods to the band’s idols like Franz Ferdinand and Royal Blood. But the overriding sense of freedom and the elevation of something raw makes this very much Måneskin. Frontman Damiano David draws you in with his gentle rasp, waxing on his conflicting desires, before launching into an in-your-face meditation on redemption and how, good or bad, we’ve all got a story to tell. The song is told from the perspective of someone who has it bad for the object of their affection. The lyrics recount their obsession and how they’re willing to enslave themselves if that’s what it takes to win them over — perhaps for a lifetime, perhaps just for the night. (William)

1. Måneskin – “MAMMAMIA”

What we said: Given the visual tease, it’s no surprise that “MAMMAMIA” — the band’s latest single — doesn’t just nod to sex, but makes it the star attraction. The three-minute song is a full-frontal burst of libido, layered over pulsating rhythm and guitar strums. Damiano’s smoky vocal carries some extra smoke and plenty of swagger. You need the latter to deliver lines like, “They ask me why I’m so hot, ’cause I’m Italiano.” Lyrically, sex is couched in terms of freedom and liberation. In the chorus, Damiano begs someone “to spit your love on me” while explaining he’s on his knees. He’ll keep the entire affair (or exploration or transaction, depending on your take) a secret so long as he can “get a taste.” Boundaries are here to be pushed: “Tell me your limit and we’ll cross the line again.” (William)

Our Top Tracks of 2021 ranking is determined by independent votes from a panel of wiwibloggers. They are Jonathan, Renske, Oliver, Robyn, Tom, William, Cinan, Mario, Padraig and Josh.

What do you think of our top tracks of 2021? Are you surprised by our choices? Let us know in the comments.