New music this week: Songs from Ronela Hajati, Miki Núñez, Elena Tsagrinou and more

The Eurovision 2022 season is in full swing. 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 5

Ronela Hajati & MatoLale – “GIPS”

Ronela Hajati might be in the middle of revamping her Eurovision 2022 entry, but she’s still found the time to release an entirely new song. “GIPS” sees the Albanian star collaborating with MatoLale. It’s a catchy R&B-pop track that’s easy to dance to. This is demonstrated in the music video, with Ronela and MatoLale bopping along as they enjoy themselves at a party.

Fabrizio Moro – La mia voce

In between his appearances at Festival di Sanremo 2022, Fabrizio Moro also released the new EP La mia voce (My voice). There are six tracks and this naturally includes his Sanremo 2022 entry “Sei tu”. Italy’s Eurovision 2018 star serves up a varied repertoire on the EP. In addition to the ballads, such as “Sei tu” and “Le cose che hai ha dire”, there are also a couple of more vivacious songs, notably “La mia voce” and “Continuare a cercare”.

Anxhela Peristeri – n’Tirane

Albania’s Anxhela Peristeri has gifted us the new EP n’Tirane (In Tirana). Comprised of five songs, they all capture the feel of Albanian music and work as an ode to Anxhela’s home country and city. The Eurovision 2021 singer has so far released two music videos for songs on the EP – “n’Tirane” and “Me ty do dehem”.

Miki Núñez – “10 Minutos”

Miki Núñez is heading back to high school for “10 Minutos” (“10 Minutes”). The music video features Spain’s Eurovision 2019 star in the classrooms and hallways as he tries to convince a girl to go out with him. This is accompanied by the spirited punk-pop track, which ultimately helps him reach his goal after performing the song at a school show. And the standout lyric of the song is most definitely: “As they said in Pokémon, I choose you”.

TIX – “Av Og På”

The latest episode of Hver gang vi møtes was centred around rapper Arif. Eurovision 2021 singer TIX took Arif’s “AV&PÅ” and interpreted it as “Av Og På” (“Off And On”). As always, the Norwegian star transformed the song into his own musical style, giving us a pop version.

Justyna Steczkowska – “Ra Ma Da Sa”

Hot on the heels of her last single, Justyna Steczkowska has now released “Ra Ma Da Sa”. Once you’ve memorised those four sounds you’ve pretty much learned the entire song. Poland’s Eurovision 1995 star repeats the title over and over for the duration of the song – that’s seven minutes and 18 seconds of “Ra Ma Da Sa”. Despite the repetitiveness, the song manages to keep its mystical quality throughout. In a post on Instagram, Steczkowska asked fans to use the song as a mantra: “Listen to the mantra in solitude in the energy of your heart … and let it work small miracles in your everyday life”.

Elena Tsagrinou & DJ Stephan – “Epafi”

Cyprus’s Eurovision 2021 star Elena Tsagrinou has teamed up with DJ Stephan for the new track “Epafi”. Although many people’s minds may automatically go towards dance music when they see “DJ”, this new song is actually more urban (inline with Stephan’s other discography). In the music video, we see Elena trying to process the pair’s break-up while reminiscing about some of the moments they spent together.

Connect-R & Andres Chiriac – “VagaBond”

Connect-R has contributed to “VagaBond”, the new single from Andres Chiriac. You’ll have to wait a little while for Moldova’s Eurovision 2006 rapper to appear – his verse comes in halfway through the track. Musically, “Vagabond” is an R&B offering with a slightly laidback vibe to it.

Sébastien Tellier – SYMPHONIC

Sébastien Tellier is a Chanel ambassador. France’s Eurovision 2008 act recently composed some new music for the fashion house’s Spring-Summer 2022 Haute Couture Show – yes, the one where a horse strutted down the runway. Tellier was also there performing the tracks that comprise the new EP SYMPHONIC. But don’t expect to hear the Eurovision alum’s voice too much, as they’re all instrumental except for “Portés par le vent”.

NICO (feat. Carbon) – “Oscar de dor”

“And no actor would be better than me / To be able to get / An Oscar of pain / I wouldn’t have chosen a different setting”. NICO is tapping into her pain for the new single “Oscar de dor” (“Oscar of pain”). Romania’s Eurovision 2008 star says her life could be a movie considering the turmoil she’s been through in respect to love. However, she adds “In the end, I would not have chosen another role”.

Vanna – “Želja”

Vanna has released “Želja” (“Desire”). Croatia’s Eurovision 2001 participant serves up a wholesome ballad with orchestral accompaniment. While the music video starts focused on Vanna’s face, it then zooms out to show she’s actually performing in a bar.

Glen Vella (feat. Avenue Sky) – “Ħarsa Biss”

Glen Vella won Muzika Muzika 2021 with his song “Ħarsa Biss” (“Just Look”). Malta’s Eurovision 2011 act has now released a new rendition of the song featuring Avenue Sky, who took part in Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2018. This new version doesn’t have the gradual build that the original did. Instead, it flows at a relatively steady place for the full duration.

Artem Kacher (feat. Ani Lorak) – “Материк”

Eurovision 2008 runner-up Ani Lorak has teamed up with Russian artist Artem Kacher for the song “Материк” (“Mainland”). Artem delivers the verses while Lorak comes in with a danceable beat for the chorus. In her lyrics, the Ukrainian singer shoots down Artem’s advances: “Without changing phone / We changed the mainland / It’s definitely not love / You’re just used to me”.

Olga Seryabkina – “Синий цвет твоей любви”

Olga Seryabkina’s latest song is “Синий цвет твоей любви” (“The blue colour of your love”). The first chorus brings in an electronic dance beat that sets things up for the rest of the track. Though, it never goes full-on EDM, but rather simmers at a subtler level. Russia’s Eurovision 2007 star sings “The blue colour of your love / Offers to surrender / The blue colour of your love / I really like it”.

Jeroen van der Boom – “Veel te laat”

Jeroen van der Boom is a member of De Toppers, the Dutch supergroup who competed at Eurovision 2009. Jeroen simultaneously keeps up a solo career, with his latest single being “Veel te laat” (“Way too late”). It’s a steady ballad with a soft guitar melody underlining it. The accompanying music video shows a woman filing for divorce. While her husband may chase after her, she knows it’s way too late for this relationship to work anymore.

Clouseau – “Stil”

Clouseau represented Belgium at Eurovision 1991. Their latest single is “Stil” (“Quiet”). It lives up to its name during the first half, featuring a peaceful mix of acoustic guitar and strings. But once we reach the halfway mark, things begin to build and the song concludes with an electric guitar solo.

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.