New music this week (part 2): Songs from ALIKA, Vesna, Hooverphonic and more

Although we’re officially into the Eurovision 2024 season, it will still be some time before we hear any national final and Eurovision songs. Thankfully, the music will always continue and a number of Eurovision artists are still producing new songs for us 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 the songs and music videos released recently by Eurovision stars.

New music from Eurovision artists: 2023 | Week 39 part 2

With so many new songs this week, we’ve split the roundup into two smaller halves. You can find part 1 here.

ALIKA – “Õde ütles”

Since she represented Estonia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, ALIKA has been exploring a diverse range of musical styles. Her latest song, titled “Sister Said,” is a powerful track that is here to make waves. As always, ALIKA’s impressive voice shines through, and the music video showcases a variety of styles that are sure to catch the eye. With the release of this new single, ALIKA has announced that her upcoming album is on the horizon. She hints that the album will be a fusion of various genres, promising a diverse musical journey:

“I’m really happy to present you the last single before my debut album! I was raised on rock music so this type of genre is really close to me! With this song I wanted to let you know that you can find all types of music on my upcoming album which will come 24/11! Really excited!!”

Hadise – “Sevmiyo”

Hadise, the Turkish star who proudly represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2009, is making a heartfelt return with a touching Turkish love song that perfectly captures the summer nostalgia we all share. The English title of her new track is “Don’t Like It.” This ballad carries a modern sound while incorporating elements of Turkish traditional sound in its instrumental. The music video juxtaposes love and pain, happiness and longing.

The lyrics of the song explore the struggle of letting go of someone you don’t want to leave behind. The translation of the chorus is: “Who am I going to love now?/ My eyes are searching for him/ Nobody loves like him/ My heart is always yearning for him.” Alongside the release of the song, Hadise shared a deeply personal story about her first love, revealing that the song instantly brought back memories of that person:

“When I first heard this song, there was only one person that came to my mind… My first love, who I fell in love with at first sight 20 years ago, and who I fell in love with again every day during our relationship. (…) Well, some people leave only good feelings in your heart, so you wish only the best for them and you always remember them well. My story with my first love also left me only with good feelings. In fact, after every relationship that ends, I immediately delete everything that belongs to that person, I never keep things. But I didn’t even delete or throw away my photos with my first love. I even kept the tickets for our travels. Here is a song written for that person you cannot forget and who will always remain special in your heart.”

Donny Montell – Mergaitės Nori Mylėt

Donny Montell, who represented Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest twice, first in 2012 and then in 2016, has returned with a new song that brings a dark and slow R&B vibe, infused with elements of alternative music. The music video for this song features contemporary dance performances and is brimming with emotion. The translated title of the song is “Girls Want Love,” and the music video is designed to ignite passion and intensity.

Vesna – “Wolfrunners”

Vesna, the charming girl group that represented the Czech Republic in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, has released a new folk pop song that transports listeners into the realm of a dark fairy tale, full of mythical elements. The lyrics of the song contribute to the story-like atmosphere: “Dressed in a royal gown/ No strangers are allowed/ It just takes a vow to enter/ A vampire state of mind/ The price we pay is high/ ‘Cause we like the state of danger.” The chorus of the song brings metaphors to express the feeling of being like a wolf running in the dark, conveying the message that even when surrounded by darkness, one should never cease moving forward: “We’re the wolves/ In the darkness of the night/ We were born running.” The official visualiser accompanying the song adds to the experience, showcasing impressive acrobatic moves.

Sergio Dalma – “Sonríe porque estás en la foto”

Nothing can quite compare to the spirit of a Spanish fiesta. And Sergio Dalma, the legendary artist who represented Spain back in 1991, has a track that captures the essence of a karaoke party perfectly. With its irresistible retro dance vibes, boundless charisma, and a music video that embodies the essence of a party, this song is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Even the translated title suggests you should be smiling, as the English title is “Smile because you are in the photo.” This also happens to be the title of his upcoming album. Dalma himself confidently declared:

“I am at a point in my career in which I want to continue daring, continue learning and continue enjoying. This album is all that. All that without complexes, without prejudices, without barriers.”

Vaidas Baumila – “Bum ajajai”

Vaidas, who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, representing Lithuania alongside Monika Linkytė, has released a music video for one of the songs from his 2022 album. A retro dance song, it offers a stark contrast to his previous sweet love Eurovision entry. The video delves into the complexities of a relationship, suggesting issues that escalate into revenge. Throughout the video, there is a full  journey of two lovers who try to hurt each other, only to realize in the end that desperate actions often stem from love, and some relationships deserve a second chance. Vaidas’ performance in this song is an emotional roller-coaster, capturing the essence of a difficult moment in a relationship. The lyrics reflect a sense of struggle and yearning in a relationship: “Your home is no longer my home/ The girl of dreams is gone/ Maybe you forgot how we sang together?/ Let’s dance in the light of the sky.”

Vaidas also shared his enthusiasm for the music video, indicating that it was an enjoyable and meaningful experience for him: “Filming ‘Bum ajajai’ was one of the most challenging, but at the same time funniest moments of making a music video in my career! We got the most dynamic music video in Lithuania this year!”

Isaiah Firebrace – “All I Can Give”

Isaiah Firebrace, the Australian artist who represented his country in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, has made a comeback with a new single that revolves around the theme of giving everything in love. This new track draws inspiration from the 90s and complements Isaiah’s voice perfectly, making it well-suited for radio play. The lyrics of the song are about love and a willingness to invest everything into a relationship: “I can show you the real thing/ This is all I can give/ Nothing but the best feelings/ This is all I can give.” Isaiah has also shared additional insights about the song:

“It has a throwback sound which pays homage to my favorite 90s songs and it’s all about love and trust. I hope when you play the song it gives you an amazing feeling like it does to me.”

Hooverphonic – “And Then I Found You”

Hooverphonic, the iconic Belgian band that was selected to represent their country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, is back with a brand-new single that has fans buzzing with excitement. The band has announced an upcoming album, titled Fake is the New Dope, expected in 2024. Before the release, Hooverphonic has been unveiling a series of songs that will feature on their new album, each a delightful surprise showcasing a diverse range of musical genres and styles, including electronic dance, rap, and Latino influences. However, in their latest song, “And Then I Found You,” the band takes a journey “back to the roots” by embracing the electronic sound of the 90s. The instrumental composition is truly captivating, featuring strong techno and trance music influences that create a perfect club vibe and infuse the track with a retro-futuristic atmosphere. Geike’s distinctive voice complements the song beautifully, contributing to the creation of a mysterious ambiance.

The lyrics of the song revolve around the theme of “unexpected discoveries” and how the best things often appear spontaneously, even in seemingly dark or uncertain situations: “It’s getting dark, and I’m on a deserted road/ Surrounded by emptiness and silent noise (…) I don’t know what I’m heading for/ I don’t know who to call (…) I wasn’t looking then I finally found you.”

With each new release, Hooverphonic continues to pique the curiosity of fans, leaving them eager to uncover the surprises that await on the upcoming album.

Laura Põldvere – “Pahupidi”

Laura, a familiar face in the Eurovision community, has represented her country, Estonia, on two occasions – first as part of the girl group Suntribe in 2005, and later as a duet with Koit Toome in 2017. Her latest musical endeavour is a dance-infused track with an energetic sound and a retro vibe that is sure to leave an impression. The English translation of her new song is “On the Contrary.” 

Pastora Soler – “La Moderna”

Pastora Soler brings us the short track “La Moderna” (“The Modern”). It’s been created for the new RTVE series Salón de té La Moderna (The Modern Tea Room), which is a TV adaption of the book Tea Rooms. Mujeres obreras — written by Luisa Carnés and originally published in 1934. In the lyrics of the ballad, Spain’s Eurovision 2012 star nods to La Moderna tea room where the show is set: “You and I forever / Dreaming in a tea room / We are seagulls / Let them stop us / In La Moderna love is possible”. (Jonathan)

Filipe Sambado feat. CONAN OSÍRIS – “Caderninho”

Portuguese singer Filipe Sambado dropped his new album this week, titled Três Anos de Escorpião em Touro (Three Years of Scorpio in Taurus). One of the songs, “Caderninho” (“Notebook”), features Eurovision 2019 star CONAN OSÍRIS. The alternative track begins with a two-minute instrumental before the pair enter. The lyrics are somewhat ominous, with Filipe and Conan playing the role of executioner: “I want to see you bust / And I’ll watch the blood drip from your avatar / I will choose who will die, I will choose who I want to kill”. (Jonathan)

Lior Narkis & Avraham Fried – “ושמחת בחגך”

Those of the Jewish faith are currently celebrating Sukkot, a week-long holiday that commemorates the harvest as well as the 40 years Jews spent in the desert after escaping slavery in Egypt. Eurovision 2003 act Lior Narkis is helping people celebrate the week with the upbeat new single “ושמחת בחגך” (“Happy on your holiday”). Narkis has has joined forces with Avraham Fried for the track, which quickly gets you dancing. (Jonathan)

Duncan Laurence & Douwe Bob

This week’s episode of Beste Zangers 2023 was centred around Dutch-Moroccan singer Numidia. Eurovision 2016 entrant Douwe Bob showcased his linguistic skills by performing the Spanish-language song “Clandestino”. Meanwhile, Eurovision 2019 winner Duncan Laurence got Numidia teary eyed with his cover of Christina Aguilera’s “Hurt”. (Jonathan)

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.

Additional reporting from Jonathan Vautrey