The Eurovision 2022 season is now in full swing and no doubt fans will have the songs from this year’s contest on repeat until we crown a winner in May. But that doesn’t mean we forget about the artists from past contests – they’re still brining us a lot of new music to enjoy.
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 13
Salvador Sobral & Agir – “Vertigem”
“I like all the music in the world. I want to try all genres.” Salvador Sobral is experimenting with his music by collaborating with fellow Portuguese singer Agir. “Vertigem” is very different to the jazz ballads we usually hear from the Eurovision 2017 winner. Instead, it incorporates a grittier sound with drum machine beats and vocoder effects.
Anouk – “Something Better”
Anouk is hoping for better days ahead. In her new single “Something Better”, the Dutch singer says she wants to escape from the pain she currently feels and move on to a life that’s filled with love: “So that nothing, no, nothing can hurt me anymore, please give me something way better than before”. The Eurovision 2013 star gives a soulful performance whilst singing over piano and drums.
Dino Merlin – “Krive Karte” & “Kako da ti kažem”
Dino Merlin is giving us two new singles at the exact same time. The first of these, which comes with a full music video, is “Krive Karte” (“Wrong Cards”). Dino delivers a mid-tempo Balkan pop ballad in which he admits to having mis-treated his former partner. The Bosnian singer tries to convince them he’ll find a way to change his behaviour: “Do you still doubt what I feel / As you doubt what I’m saying / No matter what happens, you stay where you are now / And I will change the city / I will change myself / I’ll look for a way”.
The two-time Eurovision star’s other new track is “Kako da ti kažem” (“How can I tell you”). This other song has a very similar lyrical theme. Dino again sings of regret for a past relationship and hopes to gain forgiveness: “How can I tell you how much you mean to me / And that I can’t live without you / There is no way, answer, come / Comfort me, do something”.
However, musically, “Kako da ti kažem” is much brighter and has a more hopeful pop sound surrounding it.
Tusse – “Happiness Before Love”
There are plenty of songs out there about being in relationships and sharing your life with someone. But Tusse is taking a moment to celebrate those of us living the single life. Sweden’s Eurovision 2021 star delivers an uplifting pop song about putting yourself first: “Say you love me, but it won’t stop the hurting / Happiness before love / I choose happiness before love / I’m moving on, I’m gonna gonna to let you go”. Tusse explains more about the track in a press release:
“Love has always been a complicated plan in my life. I’ve never been in a relationship and the times when I’ve been close it has always ended with me being hurt. I wrote “Happiness Before Love” for myself, as a motivation song, to once and for all choose to be happy rather than chase after love. I’ll take a break from being unhappily in love and choose to create my own happiness. It’s a pop song with a message about selflove and I hope that lots of people will dance and celebrate the single life to this song.”
Sarit Hadad & Talisman – “מכתבים על נייר”
Sarit Hadad’s new single is “מכתבים על נייר” (“Letters on paper”). Israel’s Eurovision 2002 singer collaborates with Talisman, who adds in a rap verse. Talisman’s section acts as a transition of sorts in the song. Before this, Sarit sings more softly; afterwards, there’s more passion and the production in the song is also ramped up to give more drama. Sarit sings: “You were then on my shoulders / We laughed for two hours how time with you turned me into someone else / How would we write then letters on paper”.
Beth, Laura Andrés & ELE – “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”
Beth continues her cover series with a take on the Whitney Houston classic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. It’s a much softer version of the song. Spain’s Eurovision 2003 star is again accompanied by pianist Laura Andrés. Singer ELE then takes over before she and Beth come together to deliver rich harmonies.
Alma – “Je te veux”
Alma’s new single is “Je te veux” (“I want you”). It’s the first French-language song that the Eurovision 2017 star has written and composed by herself. Starting with Alma singing over piano chords, the song adds in extra production for the chorus to build the atmosphere.
Fyr Og Flamme – “Hvem Tror Du Egentlig Du Er?”
Fyr Og Flamme are posing a question: “Hvem Tror Du Egentlig Du Er?” (“Who Do You Think You Are?”). This question is aimed at their partner, who is starting to become unfaithful. Denmark’s Eurovision 2021 duo ask them how they could just set their relationship ablaze: “And how can you sleep / When the house is in flames? / I don’t recognise you anymore / Who do you think you are?”. Musically, the song isn’t as ‘happy’ as some of their previous ones, but the pairs ’80s sound is still at the heart of it.
Nathan Trent – The Stages of Change
Eurovision fans have been watching Austria’s Nathan Trent grow and develop as an artist ever since he performed at the contest in 2017. This has all lead up to the release of his debut album, The Stages of Change. There are ten songs on the LP, including previous singles “Growing Pains”, “Late Night Friends”, “Faith”, “Underwater” and “Still The Same”. Featuring a mixture of ballads, mid-tempo R&B, and more danceable tunes, Nathan says “this body of work is meant to be a safe space for everyone who needs to feel understood”.
Aleksander Walmann – “Hjem”
“Home. A small word we may often take a little for granted. But it is such a big word and has so much meaning in it!” Aleksander Walmann has been inspired by his childhood “Hjem” for his latest single. Starting off in a tender fashion, the track builds to a rousing yet still emotive conclusion. The song’s cover art features a photograph of Aleksander when he was younger with his mum. Norway’s Eurovision 2017 singer wrote on social media about how his mother inspired this single:
“I thought I would show you the cover of the next single today because mum is my biggest hero! And this song is very inspired by her. A lady who has achieved everything she wanted and created her own happiness. She always has her heart on the outside of her shirt and always makes sure that everyone else is well. Although things have been tough, she has stood firm like a mountain. I am so happy for everything you have taught us and everything you still teach us! I so appreciate you and the raw lady you are. Home has always been you!”
Alex Runo (feat. Loulou Lamotte) – “Fall Hårt, Fall Tungt”
Loulou Lamotte is best know to Eurovision fans as being part of Sweden’s 2020 act The Mamas. But Loulou has taken a moment to do some extra work away from the group by featuring on the new soulful single “Fall Hårt, Fall Tungt” (“Fall Hard, Fall Heavy”). It’s the Swedish-language version of Alex Runo’s earlier song “Devil”.
Katrina from Katrina & The Waves – “Holiday”
With three months of 2022 done, Katrina is ready for some rest and relaxation. The UK’s Eurovision 1997 champion has released “Holiday” as an official single after first being included on the singer’s 2020 album Hearts, Loves & Babys. It’s inspired by anthemic Celtic folk songs, with Katrina claiming that “every day’s a holiday” when you enjoy life.
If you missed it, Katrina also recently uploaded a music video for the song “Crazy Mama”.
Roger Cicero – “Verrat Mir Deine Sprache”
Germany’s Eurovision 2007 star Roger Cicero sadly passed away in 2016. Whilst his friends and colleagues were searching through some of the singer’s unreleased demos, they came across the song “Verrat Mir Deine Sprache” (“Tell Me Your Language”). Written in 2013, it had been side-lined for a future album. The song has now been released posthumous for us to listen to. Roger sings about how we can easily come together as one human race by taking the time to understand one another’s words: “Tell me your language / Maybe it’s not difficult to learn at all […] Tell me your language / Maybe we’re not that far away”.
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.
Salvador’s quote is a good cold bath for those who thought he was talking about musical genres in his “fast-food music”-speech. 😀