After teasing fans over the past week with clues, Finnish broadcaster Yle has finally revealed the identities of the seven acts who will compete in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2022.
Their songs will be revealed one every weekday between 13 and 21 January.
UMK 2022: Competing artists
- Cyan Kicks – “Hurricane”
- BESS – “Ram pam pam”
- The Rasmus – “Jezebel”
- Younghearted – “Sun numero”
- Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist”
- Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua”
- Isaac Sene – “Kuuma jäbä”
Cyan Kicks – “Hurricane”
Song release: 13 January
Cyan Kicks are an alternative rock group, comprised of members Susanna Alexandra, Niila Perkkiö, Leevi Erkkilä and Pietari Reijonen. They formed in 2016 and have since released two studio albums.
“Rock’s always been around, and it’s always been mainstream music, even if it hasn’t always been the centre of media attention. We want to do our part in really keeping rock in the limelight,” the band says.
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BESS – “Ram pam pam”
Song release: 14 January
BESS released her debut album in 2019 and it has already racked up 20 million streams. The single “Tempo” even went platinum. Her influences stem from classical music, Michael Jackson, heavy metal and reggae.
“I want to put on the world’s best show at the UMK”, she says.
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The Rasmus – “Jezebel”
Song release: 17 January
The Rasmus are one of Finland’s most internationally successful groups, having sold 5 million albums worldwide since forming in 1994. For their UMK entry “Jezebel”, they’ve teamed up with world-renowned producer Desmond Child, who has previously worked with Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and Kiss among others.
“Jezebel was a biblical troublemaker, who did things her own way and really shook things up. We wanted to introduce her to the modern-day world. The song is also a bit tongue-in-cheek, which is pretty unusual for The Rasmus”, says lead singer Lauri Ylönen.
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Younghearted – “Sun numero”
Song release: 18 January
High school friends Reeta Huotarinen, Atte Ranta and Emil Korkiakoski form pop group Younhearted. After forming in 2015, they’ve released two albums – the first went platinum and the second earned Younghearted a nomination in the Emma Gala Music Awards (Finnish equivalent to the Grammy’s) for Band of the Year.
“After some time away from the game, we’re coming back in a big way and with a new sound”, says guitarist Emil Korkiakoski.
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Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist”
Song release: 19 January
Olivera has earned millions of streams from her first four EPs. The indie-pop singer has also written for international stars such as DJ Tiësto – Olivera also provides the vocals for the song “Affliction”.
Speaking of her UMK 2022 entry “Thank God I’m An Atheist”, Olivera notes: “Nobody knows what happens after we die. What if all the world’s biggest religions are actually right and life never ends? I can’t think of anything that causes more anxiety than the idea of eternal life.”
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Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua”
Song release: 20 January
Tommi Läntinen has been in the music business for over 40 years, performing in various groups before launching his solo career in 1994. However, it’s been over 10 years since he last released a full-length album. That will come to an end in February, with the release of Elämä kantaa mua (Life carries me) – the title track of which is his UMK 2022 entry.
The song is about change and courage, with Tommi stating: “Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and make that leap, simply having faith that it will all work out. In many cases it does, when you just let go of the past and surrender to the future.”
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Isaac Sene – “Kuuma jäbä”
Song release: 21 January
Hailing from the North Savo region of Finland, Isaac Sene grew up listening to a wide variety of music including Mozart, Bob Marley, trance and Finnish heavy metal. All of these come together to form his eclectic style.
His UMK 2022 song “Kuuma jäbä” (“Hot dude”) aims to be both thought provoking and entertaining. Isaac notes: “You might blush a bit listening to this song, but we don’t want to just shock people for the sake of shocking”.
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UMK 2022 show details
UMK 2022 will take place on Saturday 26 February, starting at 20:00 CET, with the seven acts performing their songs live for the viewers and jury.
The show will be held at the Logomo Arena in Turku.
What do you think of the line-up of acts in UMK 2022? Whose song are you most looking forward to hearing? Let us know in the comments below!
I hope The Rasmus could bring something really good like “No fear” or “In the shadows”. They are part of my young times
i’ve had cyan kicks on my wishlist for years! i hope they get their shot on the eurovision stage
Rasmus are famous, but they are like Flo Rida…
Yeah they were famous but they are far from their past golden days. And they came after rock proved winner last year. Good that they wanted to try it, but their music was in on middle-2000s. Now we have to see how this is going to speak in the 2022 generation…
Man, you could’ve had a little more tact, but you got a point
OMG, I have been a fan of the Rasmus for 15 years now.
Could it be Finland’s year in 2022?
Wow! I was concerned about this year’s UMK not being able to be as good as last year’s, but fortunately YLE formed a great lineup again!
For some reason, I thought either Robin Packalen, Isac Elliot, Erika Sirola or Antti Tuisku would take part this year, but this announcement confirms this not being the case. However, Finland’s been on a roll since 2020 and I’m glad they’ve found their mojo.
As for the selected acts, I wish them the best of luck as this is such a strong NF and I have no clear favorite yet, they all sound promising!
Finland wanna go rocky it seems. Well, I’m hyped about The Rasmus, Cyan Kicks and Isaac Sene. Let’s see if they live up to the expectations.
There’s always a danger of going with something similar that you sent last year because they will inevitably be compared. It could be just as good or greater than last year or could be seen as weaker. We will have to see once the songs are released. Sometimes a country can really hit it in a particular music genre and they want to keep at it for a while, but that comes at a risk of getting diminishing results Because it would feel so tired out year after year (I.e. Cyprus).
If The Rasmus can pull off something as genius and instantly catchy as those guitar riffs from In The Shadows, they have my blessing and full support.
This Rasmus hype is going to end up the same way Darude hype ended, won’t it? :/
This is a different situation. The Rasmus isn’t just a one hit wonder like Darude was. And if their song turned out to be bad we would still have 6 other songs to choose from.
For some reason, I thought Antti Tuisku would be part of the lineup, but I’m so happy to see that The Rasmus is in!!! Finland, please, pretty pleeeeeaaasssse send The Rasmus to Turin!!!
The Rasmus!!!
I was going to comment I’m not familiar with these acts, but I read the comments, had to check and… yes, I’ve definitely heard “In the Shadows” before, but I never thought it came from a Finnish band.
Anyway, based on the descriptions, this line-up sounds great. I’m confident we’ll have another great year in UMK and can’t wait to listen to the songs.
can the same musical style win twice in a row? Because I love The Rasmus and Cyan Kicks and it might be a shame to leave them aside … I hope it will be possible and quickly listen to the songs !!
Very promising line-up and it looks like once again UMK will be one of the strongest NFs of the season, Finland finally found their mojo with their format! Like everyone else I’m hella stoked to see The Rasmus participating with my angsty teenage years flashing back through my eyes (everyone remembers In The Shadows but my favs of theirs were No Fear & Shot) would be awesome to see them in ESC but we’ve seen several former international stars (who hadn’t scored a hit in over a decade) gone through it before on the hype train, I’ve seen these movies… Read more »
I believe most people growing up in 00s do know who The Rasmus are. Their songs bring back memories of course so I would really like to see what they are proposing.
Ah, bejeeuz! The Rasmus!!! I almost went to all of their concerts in Turkey when I was a teenager! Now, I’m 28 and there’s a chance to see them in Eurovision? Cmonn Finland, please send them! They’re one of the best, PLEASE I’m begging you!
Just send The Rasmus!
I cant believe!
One of my favorites bands ever!
Lol
Hurricane and Ram pam pam
Now we just need their neighbor Alexandra Joner to hop over to perform her Hasta la vista!
I can’t wait to hear the songs once they drop every day.
Can we also note out the fact that the majority of the songs (4/7) are in Finnish (judging by the title and her previous work, I assume BESS will also sing Finnish)
So many Vulturi…
Run Bella!
Wow, this line-up seems interesting! I’ve never really heard of any of them, but all of them sound promising. Olivera’s song sounds interesting, looking forward to that. But I’m disappointed that Robin Packalen isn’t participating. I just remembered, didn’t the writer of Cyan Kicks’ song participate in Melfest 2015? I clearly remember her name, and I found out she’s been in lots of metal bands. Anyway, I wish Antti Tuisku or Erika Vikman will be part of the show again!
Elize Ryd is singer of swedish band Amaranthe.
The Rasmus are the guys behind the song ‘In The Shadow’, right? My mom used to play that song SO MUCH in the car to school xD
Yes
Description of Isaac Sene’s song kind of reminds me of Cicciolina by Erika Vikman. I was super sad when she did not win, so maybe at least we will get something similar and fun in a male version. I am also excited about the Rasmus!
I heard the song is very very good. Apparently similar to the style of “Soldi”.
Finland is such a vibe
God knows how many times I’ve watched the artists reveal clip It’s just so intriguing and I love the Finnish way of blending and positioning the lights and colours
Bess reminds me a bit of Efendi and her song seems like it will be an earworm bop like Mata Hari was. I’m so happy finland is taking the risks and it’s paying off.
I love the fact that 4/7 songs are in Finnish and so many different genres are represented! I still have a strong feeling that we end up getting an English song and I’m not even mad. We all know that Finland knows how to explode the stage with rock and I’m here for it ? Can’t wait to hear all the songs because they all seem so promising and it’s impossible to choose who I’m rooting for at this point!
For me, I’m a fan of the group “The Rasmus”, I’m so glad that group will appear in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2022!
THE RASMUS!!!? YEEES!!
Aksel/Erika/ Robin 🙁
Aksel participated two times already, what did you expect?
As for Aksel, it’s time to move on, man 🙁
Where’s Camila Cabello?!
I like your comment and I get the joke. Saw someone randomly saying Camila’s grandad is Finish and that she mentioned how she had a huuuge dream of representing Finland in Eurovision. Come on, guys. Why so many downvotes?! 😀
I’m glad someone got it. 😀
she’s there with the stage name of olivera
She just confirmed she’ll collaborate with Sech and submit their entry for next year
Yay! The Rasmus is making my 2000’s heart melt!
And I’m also so hyped about Cyan kicks they are awesome! (and we are already getting the song at midnight!)
Olivera’s song title really resonates with me so I’m excited to hear that.
I’m a little skeptical about Tommi Läntinen…
Never heard of Isaac Sene and I’m also unfamiliar with BESS and Younghearted but I’m looking forward to see what they have to offer.
Is it just me or do the artists’ faces all look photoshopped or botoxed? Any way, good luck!
it’s just you
As long as they keep the same voting format like last year I’m not worried for Finland. 🙂
The lineup seems very promising!
“Kuuma jäbä” translates as “A hot dude” and not “Hot ice”
Finland <3 Serbia
'Hurricane' and 'Ram pam pam' will make Serbians Loco Loco!
Jäbä does not mean ice, it’s slang for man (dude, guy, etc). The title of Isaac’s song would be accurately translated as hot dude, not hot ice.
once again an interesting lineup from finland. can’t wait for the atheist song haha
This is promising! I wish them to continue their success after 2021. Good luck Finland 🙂
Promising line up. I don’t know any of them, but that doesn’t matter.
Btw, am I the only one who thinks the Cyan Kicks member in between the girl and the bald guy kinda looks like Karl Jacobs?
How can you not know The Rasmus? Either you’re American or you’re 15 years old (or both)
God forbid someone hasn’t heard of a musician you like! I’m 25, British, and I hadn’t heard of them so you can drop the attitude.
I don’t necessarily like them, but their hit In the Shadows was pretty unavoidable for about a year, across all of Europe. My reaction was more honest wonder than anything else.
Maybe it wasn’t that unvaoidable after all 😛
Believe me if I could avoid it I would have 🙂
The Rasmus momentum was 10 or 15 years ago, nobody has heard from them since. Well, maybe in Finland, but not abroad.
You’re un wrong. The Rasmus is tour around the world. Are you living under the rock.
Okay. So now you’ve listened to the song, tell me you’ve never heard it before… that’s almost impossible.
No I haven’t. Nothing is impossible.
Okay. Well, I have no idea who Karl Jacobs is, so I guess we’re even.
Yes. Saara Aalto( team Linnea Deb lame leftout) and Darude (worst possible by Darude), names ment just nothing!
Four songs in English and three in Finnish, though “Ram pam pam” might not be in English. Women, men and bands. Rock, pop and RnB influences. Accomplished singers, songwriters and producers.
Yeah we’re getting something amazing!
Thank god i’m an atheist trying to unite europe by triggering the whole south and east.
Strange how saying that you’re an atheist apparently triggers people.
The way you say things kinda matters you know. If you know you’re talking to a group of religious people and ur like ‘thank god i’m an atheist’ instead of just ‘im an atheist’ that sounds like condescension towards religious people.
It’s a joke. I tend to take a religious person more seriously if they have the ability to take a joke.
i’m from italy and it doesn’t really trigger people that much, just some old ladies… in america and muslim countries it’s another story
I’m from Mexico and it’s the same case as in Italy, in fact, most people would just laugh it off lol
Isn’t it an old meme from YT comments,tho? Like this legendary tweet about flatearthers having members all around the globe?
Finland bringning 00’s vibe two years in a row is quite a thing.
Thank God I’m An Atheist is going to be interesting and that’s all I’ll say.
THE RASMUS!!! I’m literally crying
My sister, by the way, went to the concert “The Rasmus”.
That teaser was wild
Finland needs to win Eurovision again!
finland clearly aims for another top10 finish! and im here for it! incredibly strong lineup. expecting a lot from all of them!
I’m excited for a lot of them, but BESS in particular as I’m a big fan of one of her songs (Feng Shui). I’m also intrigued by the “Thank God I’m an Atheist” song lol. Props to YLE for releasing one entry every day instead of dropping 45 entries at once (Romania), makes me more inclined to actually listen to the entries.