The Eurovision 2022 season is slowly beginning to heat up. Over the course of the next few months, we will all fall in and out of love with scores of new national final and Eurovision entries. But that doesn’t mean we forget about the artists from past contests.
Contrary to the commonly perpetuated myth about the song contest killing careers, we’re always thrilled to report that singers associated with Eurovision are thriving.
Here is our latest weekly roundup with a selection of just some of the songs and music videos released recently by Eurovision stars.
New music from Eurovision artists: 2022 | Week 3
Stefania – “Wait No More”
You don’t have to “Wait No More” for new music from Stefania as Greece’s Eurovision 2021 star has released a brand new single for us all. The song blends the old with the new – while it’s predominantly a Latin-flavoured pop song, the melody utilises a recurring refrain from Beethoven’s Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor (Für Elise). Lyrically, Stefania is impatient to start a relationship with a certain individual and wants to spice things up: “Can’t wait no more, wait no more / You want me, come take it to the floor / Yeah to the floor, can’t wait no more”.
ALYOSHA – “Моє Море”
“Моє Море” (“My Sea”) is ALYOSHA’s new single. It’s a pop ballad that builds to an almost anthemic final chorus. In the accompanying music video, Ukraine’s Eurovision 2010 singer is joined by two dancers who portray younger versions of herself. This relates to the lyrical content of the song, which is explained further in the video’s description:
“The song ‘Моє Море’ is a call to pay attention to what is raging in the depths of our souls and thoughts. There are feelings and sensations that you want to share. They are so strong and boundless that the whole world will have enough. Feelings of beauty and happiness are born from childhood and they accompany us to adulthood with a red ribbon. When we truly fall in love, these feelings are revived in our heart.”
mor ve ötesi – Sirenler
Turkish band mor ve ötesi are starting off the year with a brand new album. Sirenler (Sirens) features 11 songs, including recent singles “Forsa” and “Dünyaya Bedel”. The other nine tracks follow on with a mixture of rock offerings – these vary from dynamic tracks akin to their Eurovision 2008 entry, as well as softer and mellower songs.
Vaidas Baumila – “Tavo veidas”
Vaidas Baumila is slowing things down with his new single “Tavo veidas” (“Your face”). It’s a ballad that starts off with Vaidas’s voice and piano accompaniment. Additional production is then added to give a richer sound and shape the atmosphere of the song. Speaking about the meaning of the song, Lithuania’s Eurovision 2015 star notes:
“Undoubtedly, the new ‘Tavo veidas’ is about feelings, some kind of quest and inner experiences. It’s like waiting for that beautiful feeling that can be very different for each person. We have put together a lot of beautiful metaphors about something undiscovered, maybe it’s a person, and maybe a feeling.”
Kasia Moś – “Autostop”
Kasia Moś has released “Autostop” (“Hitch-hiking”). The Eurovision 2017 alumna encourages people to travel across Europe to what lies ahead: “We are hitchhiking, we are hitchhiking / In this way, brother, you can cross Europe / Where there is white thread of the road, go boldly there, brother / And don’t worry about what will happen next”. Fans of Kasia will be glad to know this is only the start of her new music. The Polish singer has announced she’ll be releasing an album this spring.
Victor Crone – “Wind in My Sails”
Victor Crone is ready to sail off into the distance, all thanks to the support of his loved one. Estonia’s Eurovision 2019 act knows that he’ll be propped up by them even during the roughest of times: “And I won’t let you go / If rolling waves crash over me / And you’ll say don’t you know / That wherever I am / You’ll be the wind in my sails”. Musically, “Wind in My Sails” is a breezy guitar-driven pop song with a rousing conclusion.
ela. – “Liebe = Freiheit”
“How can it be / That togetherness is coming / And loneliness remains? / Tell me is love really the same as freedom?”, sings Germany’s ela. The Eurovision 2014 participant is struggling with the fact that the person she has feelings for does not seem to have a similar passion about her, and so she still feels lonely despite having love. “Liebe = Freiheit” (“Love = Freedom”) is a piano ballad that ela. puts her emotion into. The accompanying music video sees ela. serving face and is shot in one continuous close-up shot.
Hanna Pakarinen – “Vuoretkin murtuu”
Mountains are often used in lyrics to reference things that stand strong through the test of time. However, Hanna Pakarinen is noting that “Even the mountains are breaking” with her new single “Vuoretkin murtuu”. Finland’s Eurovision 2007 star discussed the birth of the song in a post on Instagram:
“‘Vuoretkin murtuu’ was born on a winter evening in the darkest moments of the year, a time when many questions were in the air, both in the life of a small person and in the future of all humankind. Although at times it feels like a completely invincible human hero, in the face of various forces of nature we are all quite small.”
Jalisse – “E’ proprio questo che ci manca”
Italy’s Festival di Sanremo is always a competitive contest – not just during the live shows but also in regards to who makes it to the festival. Eurovision 1997 duo Jalisse had hoped to be included in Sanremo 2022, but unfortunately didn’t make the cut. However, they’ve gone ahead and released the song they submitted for us to listen to anyway. “E’ proprio questo che ci manca” (“This is what we are missing”) is all about looking to the future by remembering the past, with vocalist Alessandra singing: “If this is really what we lack, let’s go back to see each other again as in a silent film / In black and white there is the colour of the past and the warmth of the future that is waiting for us outside”.
Zina Bless – “Колесо”
Since performing at Eurovision 2019, ZENA has rebranded herself as Zina Bless. The Belarussian singer has also gone through a shift in musical style, now releasing more urban and hip-hop-orientated singles. Her latest song is “Колесо” (“Wheel”), which comes with a music video filmed in Kyiv. In the video’s description, Zina Bless explains the message of the song:
“In pursuit of their dream, a person can lose the most important thing – themself. They begin to spin in a wheel of madness, vivid emotions, and then routine and depression. Sprayed on everyone and everything. Pick yourself up. You are an individual, so carry it with pride to the end!”
Harel Skaat – “עד שהשקט יעזוב”
Harel Skaat’s latest single is “עד שהשקט יעזוב” (“Until the silence leaves”). Those who enjoyed the Israeli star’s Eurovision 2010 entry will be pleased to hear this new song is another ballad that builds to a stirring conclusion. Though, rather than the orchestral accompaniment of “Milim”, “עד שהשקט יעזוב” utilises a mixture of traditional Israeli instruments and drum-machine beats.
Which of these new songs is your favourite? Have we missed out on any? Do you have any artists you want to shout out to? Let us know in the comments.
Once again u have time to build a playlist of new music but can’t even build a playlist properly of the national final songs??? What’s the go?? Need me to take over ?
Kasia Mo?’s song is actually a cover. Original song (titled “Jedziemy autostopem”) was published in 1963 by a popular Silesian singer Karin Stanek.
You chose to put the “Netherlands” tag for Stefania. Interesting!
Clearly my pick of this week is Vaidas Baumila . Considering both, his beautiful song and his cute look.
Same 🙂