Poll results: Käärijä is our readers’ favourite to win UMK 2023 in Finland

Throw the dice and melt the ice — UMK 2023 is hot and the winner is most definitely TBD.

The seven acts competing the final of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 this Saturday span the musical gamut, and include a heartbreaking ballad, a sexually-charged bop, a disco-tinged boogie, a hard rap banger, a boy band pop number and an old-school party anthem.

But who has what it takes to advance through the televote-only semi-final at Eurovision? On January 19 we asked our readers to name their favourites. After counting a total of 5,628 votes, we can now share the results. 

Poll results: Käärijä is our readers’ favourite to win

1. Käärijä – “Cha Cha Cha”

48.85%  (2,749 VOTES)

Calvin: This is the one, y’all. It’s loud, it’s dance, it’s everything I need and way more than I deserve. “Cha Cha Cha” is intriguing from the very first second and lures you in deeper with every beat. When the song turns into a dancefloor anthem — and out of nowhere — I feel butterflies and happiness. It will not only be a cha cha chart hit but is a contender for the trophy in Liverpool. If a country is crazy enough to send this song to Eurovision, it’s gotta be Finland. 

William: This song starts with a headache, turns into a migraine, and then morphs into some pain-relieving analgesic. A less spirited performer might get lost in the mess. But Käärijä — sweaty body, impressive right hook, angry face, beautiful wig — somehow keeps it all together. It’s a beautiful nightmare and one I’m still humming and singing, even if I’m not sure I should.

2. Benjamin – “Hoida mut”

18.69%  (1,052 VOTES)

Deban: This is sex electrocuted! Benjamin captivates viewers, and in the same breath decapitates his competition. “Hoida Mut” is a well-constructed piece of pop nostalgia. Bilingual in execution and without sounding over-worked, this is a clever take on 80’s dance pop. With visuals that solidly defy traditional notions of gender expression and sexuality, “Hoida Mut” isn’t just saying “Do Me”; it penetrates DEEP —and hits the point where it hurts so good.

Samuel: I was incredibly excited to see Benjamin on this year’s UMK line-up after stumbling upon his queer pop rebirth last year. “N-Y-T”, his first song since coming out, became one of my most streamed songs of 2022 despite being entirely Finnish. “Hoida Mut” had a very high bar to top. As soon as it premiered, I was completely hooked by the song and visuals. His rebirth, and what we are seeing here, is the result of serious thought, emotion, freedom and TALENT. I am so happy Benjamin’s journey led him here, because this is my song of the season. 

3. Keira – “No Business on the Dancefloor”

11.43%  (643 VOTES)

Sebastian: Props to Keira for producing an absolutely solid pop-banger track. “No Business On The Dancefloor” is a modernised hark back to western-enthno pop fusions of the 2000s, with an undeniably catchy chorus and hook that burrows itself like a proper earworm. Very TikTok friendly. Here’s hoping the campy, oversaturated videography can be recreated with some solid dance moves and vocals from Keira, who, while solid on a recorded track, needs to show more range in the live performance. 

Tom: Loving the diversity in this year’s UMK. Not sure that Harry Potter swings but I am happy to buy into this cool, radio-friendly track. I love the Dua Lipa pop meets folklore flute vibe. Very listenable but dare I say…a little forgettable in this field of songs. Gives me tiny hints of a more chilled out folky version of Serebro’s “Song #1”. A strong effort to bring something different to the table. 

4. KUUMAA

8.14%  (458 VOTES)

Calvin: There’s a power here that I struggle to translate into words. The first time I listened to this, I wasn’t necessarily hooked. But once it’s inside your head you can’t escape “Ylivoimainen” anymore. It has a hypnotising quality, spinning around between verses and choruses. A flow of nostalgia hits my body and thoughts catch my mind while I’m jamming to this wonderful song. I don’t see this having the instant appeal to do well at Eurovision, but I wouldn’t mind being proven wrong.

William: This is far and away the most-played of all the UMK 2023 songs on my iPhone. KUUMA have managed to deliver a pop song that pushes forward despite the heavy nostalgia and melancholy that underscore pretty much all of it. I don’t speak Finnish, but the song transmits desire, longing and regret loud and clear — and it all feels so smooth and polished. That the lead singer has those vocals — and that handsome face — only adds to the allure. My favourite studio cut in a stellar field.

 
5. LXANDRA – “Something to Lose”

5.38%  (303 VOTES)

Deban: Sometimes in life, the moments and people that we value the most can haunt us to the point where we begin to question our very purpose in life. We often face an existential crisis: what have we achieved? What have we got to lose? What makes us who we are? Lxandra tackles this heavy subject matter in a manner that’s bold and delicate in equal measure. Solitary yet connected in sound and movement, “Something To Lose” is arguably 2023’s most beautiful ballad so far. The feelings of despair are articulated with poise, and the outcome of her expression is solidly reassuring — Yes, the world is better with you in it.

Sebastian: Haunting, emotional and a surprise ballad in this year’s UMK, Lxandra stands out from the pack. She is a storyteller — not someone dropping an overproduced song void of meaning. There’s heart and soul behind this track, and Lxandra’s vocal plays are impressive. Hopefully the stage performance can show feelings and emotions beyond the obvious grief. 

6. THE PORTION BOYS

4.94% (278 VOTES)

Rik: I’m sorry, I just can’t stand these kind of joke acts. They give us good production and a lot of effort but it feels like they just make fun of Eurovision — but not in an enjoyable way. The lyrics make it even more cliché and childish. I don’t see Europe liking tho s entry and it would be a waste of six better songs not making it, if Finland sets Portion Boys to Liverpool.

Tom: This is wonderfully throwback, anthemic, fun and bursting with “hands in the air” energy. I heard Formula One and Kimi Räikkönen in the lyrics so I had to find out what they were singing about. Turns out they are singing about everyone in Europe — and that makes me love the song even more. Yes, it is on the kitsch side. It may feel like Finland could be taking a step backwards if this gets selected but I am not sure I care. I love how entertaining and explosive the song is. Make no mistake, I can’t have 39 other songs like this at Eurovision, but I will be very happy if this is the song that ticks the kitsch box for 2023. Brilliant!

7. ROBIN PACKALEN – “Girls Like You”

2.57%  (145 VOTES)

Rick: I can totally imagine this being the song for a fashion commercial. It’s stylish, it’s fresh and it’s easy to listen to. But is “Girls Like You” competitive? I don’t think so. Robin’s vocals don’t give me the energy I want to see from Finland and the song just doesn’t stand out that much. Still a great production. 

William: For someone who is all about “that wild side,” this feels surprisingly tame. We’ve heard this before, over many years and by many artists, from Charlie Puth to Benjamin Ingrosso. However, Robin does bring a bit of fun and whimsy: I love how he uses novocaine to convey that wobbly-leg feeling that comes with sexual and romantic chemistry. The timbre of his voice also fits perfectly with this, conveying the right mix of obsession, neediness, and swagger. He’s perhaps the most seasoned of all the acts, so I expect this to improve dramatically when delivered live.

@wiwibloggs_official Do you agree? Detailed results at wiwibloggs.com 🇫🇮 #UMK23 #UMK2023 #UMK #Eurovision #ESC2023 #Finland ♬ UMK 2023 – Vanya

Do you agree with the results? Who are you rooting for in UMK 2023? Let us know in the comments below.