Photo: Yle / Venla Shalin

Following the grand reveal of the seven acts competing in Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2022, it’s time to hear their songs one at a time. Starting off this second week of releases are The Rasmus. Their entry “Jezebel” has now emerged from the shadows and is available for all to listen to.

The song is written and composed by the group’s lead singer Lauri Ylönen alongside world-renowned producer Desmond Child – he’s previously worked with Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and Kiss among others.

The Rasmus – “Jezebel”

“Jezebel” is a song for strong, independent women, who blaze their own trail.

“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.

The Rasmus are one of Finland’s most internationally successful groups, having sold 5 million albums worldwide since forming in 1994. Their biggest hit is “In The Shadows”, which became one of the top-selling songs in the world at the time of its release in 2003.

The group’s current line-up features vocalist Lauri Ylönen, bassist Eero Heinonen, drummer Aki Hakala and guitarist Emilia ‘Emppu’ Suhonen.

UMK 2022 song release schedule

The UMK 2022 songs are being revealed one every weekday starting from 13 January. They’re set to be released at 00:00 EET on the dates listed below:

  • Cyan Kicks – “Hurricane” (13 January)
  • BESS – “Ram pam pam” (14 January)
  • The Rasmus – “Jezebel” (17 January)
  • Younghearted – “Sun numero” (18 January)
  • Olivera – “Thank God I’m An Atheist” (19 January)
  • Tommi Läntinen – “Elämä kantaa mua” (20 January)
  • Isaac Sene – “Kuuma jäbä” (21 January)

UMK 2022 will take place on Saturday 26 February, starting at 20:00 CET / 21:00 EET.

The show will be held at the Logomo Arena in Turku, where the seven acts will perform their songs live for viewers at home and the jury.

What do you make of “Jezebel”? Do you think The Rasmus will win UMK 2022 and represent Finland at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!

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Nikki
Nikki
2 years ago

Uh reminds me of my teens .. I like his voice, but I think I am over this style.

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
2 years ago

The Rasmus will have to rely on their reputation for this one; pretty bland stuff, and absolutely no biblical knowledge obviously for these poor lyrics. I’m sorry Finland, but if you’re looking for a good follow-up to Blind Channel, this one is not it.

sasha
sasha
2 years ago

I was expecting more from The Rasmus. It’s quite underwhelming. I still prefer Cyan Kicks the most

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

I’m liking this more and more. It’s just so 00’s in a good way.
Nostalgic factor plays strong

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Many people like myself started to listen music in those years and songs like In the shadow.
This song could speak to some people more than we think maybe

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

Hmmm a part of me likes it as I like “In the Shadows” and other 00s rock bands, but “Jezebel” is mostly glam rock and for a glam act it isn’t as glam and interesting as I’d like, it’s too middle-of-the-road. As much as I’d love having a famous rock band in Eurovision I can’t let them go with this one. The live performance and the staging will surely help to elevate this though.

6.75/10

1.     Cyan Kicks – Hurricane (7.25)
2.     The Rasmus – Jezebel (6.75)
3.     BESS – Ram pam pam (6.75)

Last edited 2 years ago by Héctor
Im so fab
Im so fab
2 years ago

If you really want to see how to make a female empowerment song, go ask Marizha from last year. Because she did it in the right way.

Many attempted to raise awareness about female empowerment, but most of them failed cringely (see Samanta Tina and Destiny). This song falls to this category. I can like it as a rock song, not as an activistic one.

Last edited 2 years ago by Im so fab
Bombalurina
Bombalurina
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Exactly! Last year many countries came up with ”female bangers” (ethnic basic uptempo songs from female artists) , you know , the songs which make the fans ”slay queen”

But all of them failed except Manizha , she showed how it’s done

Last edited 2 years ago by Bombalurina
ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Im so fab

I agree! Manizha’s entry was the only one of that type that didn’t come off as annoying or forced last year

Lorena
Lorena
2 years ago

I think that, together with the Benidorm Fest, Finland has the best National Final this year so far. I would not know what to choose, Hurricane, Ram Pam Pam and Jezebel are three real bops!!

Thanos
Thanos
2 years ago

I really like this song. Perhaps it’s not the most impactful rock song but it’s still really good and would enter my top ten if selected. Still though BESS is my first place.
My ranking up to now:
1. BESS
2. The Rasmus
3. Cyan Kicks
Finland has done an amazing job up to now!! Waiting anxiously for the rest of the songs, up to now all three songs are good!

Last edited 2 years ago by Thanos
Humppa
Humppa
2 years ago

She was member of band tiktak. Very popular back in days like the rasmus. And i think tiktak start career same time as the rasmus. Go youtube and lissen tiktak song like ”heilutaan” ”tänä yönä taivaaseen”

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago

This song is very good !! I love rock !!

Agent 007
Agent 007
2 years ago

Not one of their best songs but still very good.

Last edited 2 years ago by Agent 007
Emmy
Emmy
2 years ago

Why can’t a rock song be slower, so many people here complaining about this seems so odd, it’s what The Rasmus has always made! Love how this is so fresh and nostalgic at the same time. My favourite as for now!

Johnny
Johnny
2 years ago

Great song and video, really shaping up to be the most wanted national selection of the year!

GaGa
GaGa
2 years ago

I like this a lot, but I also like the other songs released so far! Amazing to have a selection where every song is “Eurovision ready” and not always some bad demos.

Ronny
Ronny
2 years ago

A rock ballad to pure perfection, I love it!

ArvinRoido Atienza
ArvinRoido Atienza
2 years ago

As a rock fan, these recent rock entries are quite disappointing. At least HUrricane was listenable. this one’s lyrics are just so bad. I cant believe im rooting for Bess right now

Ellie
Ellie
2 years ago

Yours will be an unpopular opinion, but the issue for me is that all of these bands are, from what I’ve heard, capable of better music. I hope they’re not intentionally sanitizing their sound to be “Eurovision friendly.” That’s a concept I want to see acts move away from.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

I wouldn’t consider ‘Hurricane’ a rock song. It’s pure pop. And seriously, there’s nothing I hate more than slick pop acts pretending to be anything like a rock band just because they sport some f**king smoky eyes.

FFS, it feels like the entirety of ‘Hurricane’ was simply put together on a macbook, without the band members ever even touching a proper instrument.

The Rasmus (and Intelligent Music Project as well) at least sound genuine.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nils
Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
2 years ago

I like the song very much

raylee
raylee
2 years ago

BESS to win #UMK2022 with the song Ram Pam Pam

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  raylee

I mean, it’s my favorite so far but it’s still too soon to tell :/

boozyfloozy99
boozyfloozy99
2 years ago

Well this is underwhelming, Bess to win so far.

Ete sech
Ete sech
2 years ago

I feel underwhelmed, feels like the winner’s not out yet.

Oy oy
Oy oy
2 years ago

I think this actually could do quite well in Eurovision. Hardly anyone saw Måneskin as a potential winner when the songs were released for San Remo last year and I think this goes for this. The Rasmus isn’t re-inventing the wheel with this one but I think alot of people will actually vote for them!

Kåre Eriksen
2 years ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Their victory was in general quite suspicious. And the fact that they became world famous just afterwards also adds up to my suspicion

Bart
Bart
2 years ago

I think Finland selection this year is very good again! They thought about giving a song a real identity, more rememberable. The look of Rasmus is amazing , the decor setting suits the song, the lyrics fits. This could be the whole package, but i also love the other songs it’s so hard to choose!

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
2 years ago

Their lead singer looks like a young emo philip kirkorov in an alternate universe

Last edited 2 years ago by Frisian esc
Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Thanks, I hate it

tomatoman
tomatoman
2 years ago

The first 3 songs are not so strong, they are just okay 3/5 songs.
Hurricane is too happy and has boring and unoriginal lyrics. I hope that the winner will come from the last four artists.
YoHe and Olivera might be good, but I am most excited for Tommy Lantapaynen and Izaak Senseboy.

Jessica Folcker
Jessica Folcker
2 years ago

Nothing groundbreaking but I like it.

Alo
Alo
2 years ago

Maybe it’s not very eurovision material, but I like the song as it represents a more calm side of rock.

boozyfloozy99
boozyfloozy99
2 years ago
Reply to  Alo

Eurovision isn’t a genre… that’s exactly the problem with some countries/entries, a big example – the UK – Must sound like a Eurovision song! That’s when people fail.

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

I really enjoyed this, it is a very competent rock song, it will come across well when performed live

Devito
2 years ago

Although there is some potential, I like particularly the way chorus sounds, I am not feeling it would be successful in Torino. Based on the released songs (Jezebel, Hurricane and Ramp pam pam), Hurricane is by far the best Finnish can offer at the moment. I am sorry but I cannot connect with BESS and “Ram pam pam”. I do like it is in Finnish but I prefer Minelli’s “Rampampam”. I hope for better songs to be released yet. Maybe Younghearted and Olivera will be able to amaze me.

Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
2 years ago

I quite like the verses, but the Chorus feels very unimaginative. I’ll stick to Bess, thank you

West
West
2 years ago

It’s very ok. It would definitely benefit from having some kind of distinctive pre-chorus to make it flow better from verses to chorus, but otherwise it fits their style. Lyrics are… certainly something I would rather ignore, but the melody is good.
Anyway – I agree with those saying we haven’t heard the winner yet.

NickC
NickC
2 years ago

This is on top of the betting odds? Helsinki, we have a problem.

boozyfloozy99
boozyfloozy99
2 years ago

Ram Pam Pam to win please!

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

Reading the comments here: I’m sorry but what more were people expecting? This is a band that’s had one major international hit 18 years ago and then pretty much nothing (and based on Wikipedia, even in Finland it looks like they haven’t entered the charts since 2009 – 13 years ago!). I was not expecting any miracle from them…

This song is ok, I even kinda like it, but it’s a middle-of-the-scoreboard entry at best.

Ete sech
Ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Bella

That’s what I thought, but didn’t have the tact to express that thought myself

A_harlow
A_harlow
2 years ago

It’s a no from me.. oh dear so rough, it feels really poorly written there’s a lack of connection to the lyrics Mmm I’ll pass

Young At Heart in Austin
Young At Heart in Austin
2 years ago

These lyrics are really clunky. They don’t flow. Pass

Jake
Jake
2 years ago

I think their name and experience got them into this National Selection and not this song. It’s passable album filler.

aichan
aichan
2 years ago

I still would give the win for Hurricane by Cyan Kicks but I have the feeling that we didnt hear the winner song yet

Maclaren
Maclaren
2 years ago

It’s a meh.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

lol Bulgaria is way way way way worse, flat and goes nowhere.

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

Nice, better than Hurricane for sure.

Even though i like it, i don’t think it’s a strong song that will give Finland another top 10 result. Dark Side was more immediate and effective to the average listener/viewer, plus the band was much younger than The Rasmus. I think The Rasmus might follow the fate of Hooverphonic in the final, if they are chosen by the Finnish public.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
2 years ago

Seems like a lot of people are disappointed. I’m not. I think this is pretty good! Not a step-down from Cyan Kicks or Bess at all. I was also worried that with them being a big-name, The Rasmus would send some half-hearted shadow of their past music successes but no, I think this holds up pretty well against their best stuff.
Finland continue to have songs that I think would do nothing but qualify in Turin. Let’s keep it up!

OhhHoney
OhhHoney
2 years ago

I actually prefer this over hurricane.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

this lacks an outstanding musical element, it’s very… okay in a flat way. for now i like bess the most.

Sebastian
Sebastian
2 years ago

Oh no! Tbh I’m so disappointed. I can’t be impartial because The Rasmus is part of my teen’s playlist, but this isn’t reach until the ankles to “In the shadows” or ” No fear”. That’s a big pity, because it was a Golden Ticket for reach again the glory of a very good 2000’s band

Last edited 2 years ago by Sebastian
Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago

I’m sorry, but those lyrics are not about “a strong, independent woman”, they sound more like a guy fantasizing about being dominated by a woman in the cheesiest possible way. Musically it’s competent, as expected from a band with their level of experience. But I fear it shares a problem with the Bulgarian entry, sounding a little too tamed for a rock song. I much prefer what Cyan Kicks and BESS are offering.

Max
Max
2 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Yeah, that’s exactly what I thought. “A girl that looks like she’s a boy” – really? What’s that supposed to say about Jezebel?

Sabrina
Sabrina
2 years ago
Reply to  Max

This line is indeed the icing on a cake of weirdness. It would be better if they just announced it as a rock song about a femme fatale.

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

The first chorus felt like a huge letdown, but as the song progresses, it gets a lot better. Sure, it’s not a smash hit and it won’t be able to repeat Blind Channel’s 4th place finish, but I think Finland can’t hope for that anyway.

It’s a nice song. I like it. Way better than its two previously released UMK competitors.

And one thing is for granted: if they won, The Rasmus definitely wouldn’t share the fate of Bonnie Tyler, Engelbert Humperdinck and Darude.

Last edited 2 years ago by Nils
Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

finland finished 6th not 4th sorry !!!

Alex
Alex
2 years ago
Reply to  Roro31

4th in televoting i think

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago
Reply to  Alex

they finished in the final ranking 6th!!!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Roro31
Nils
Nils
2 years ago
Reply to  Roro31

My bad.

Roro31
Roro31
2 years ago
Reply to  Nils

No problem ^^

Jamie
Jamie
2 years ago

Not feeling it. Maybe it’s a grower, but feeling quite underwhelmed at the moment.

Ffs
Ffs
2 years ago

Love it !

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

I quite like this, I feel nostalgic listening to this although it’s a new song, they kept the sound with which they became famous, it’s legitimate. I could listen it on the radio or spotify with pleasure but is it strong enough for the eurovision stage….not sure.
Out of the 3 songs released so far, I think Hurricane is the stronger and the more ready for esc, because I’m afraid Ram Pam Pam in live will not be very strong, it’s a cool song but I don’t feel it.

just an esc fan
just an esc fan
2 years ago

Nostalgia hit hard while listening..

An entry filled of quality and 80’s rock (slightly adjusted to what Eurovision is looking for)
A great feminist anthem, lyrically could be better but the instrumentation saves it.
It’s what i expected and wanted.

I feel like Eurovision wouldn’t look for something like that tho. Overall, I have to choose Cyan Kicks despite my love for Jezebel.