New music this week (part 1): Songs from Mae Muller, Salvador Sobral, VICTORIA 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 1

With so many new songs this week, we’ve split the roundup into two smaller halves. You can find part 2 here.

Mae Muller – Sorry I’m Late

Mae Muller, the rising star who represented the United Kingdom in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, has just released her debut album, Sorry I’m Late. This new release features a collection of radio pop songs that are sure to dominate your playlist. The album contains a total of 17 tracks, including her Eurovision entry “I Wrote a Song,” along with some previously released hits like “Better Days,” a catchy collaboration with NEIKED and Polo G, the feel-good anthem “Me, Myself & I,” and Mae’s personal favourite track, “Written by Woman,” closing the album. To learn more about Mae’s album, check out her exclusive Instagram Q&A with our William.

What can you expect from this diverse collection of pop songs? Brace yourself for some instant dance-worthy hits, including “I Just Came To Dance” and “Nervous (In A Good Way),” as well as “Somebody New.” Additionally, there’s a noteworthy collaboration with Dylan on the track “Tatiana,” where the young artists have a perfect vocal blend. The album also features some revenge-anthems tracks like “Bitch With A Broken Heart” and “Sorry Daniel,” as well as perfect breakup songs like “I Wish I Could Hate You” and “Little Bit Sad.” Mae also shares some very personal and honest songs such as “Breath,” “Porn Lied To Us,” and “MTJL (Maybe That’s Just Life),” serving as a reminder that some days, life can be messy, and that’s perfectly okay. With the release of her debut album, Mae expressed:

“I can’t quite put in to words how it feels but all I can say is thank you. I poured my heart in to each and every one of these songs and to actually see them become yours after all these years is so surreal but the best thing ever. I am so lucky. thank you thank you thank you!”

Of course, we excuse Mae for being late because this is the pop album we’ve been waiting for.

Zlata Ognevich – “Полюбила”

Zlata Ognevich (Ukraine, 2013) once again captivates us with the warmth and serenity of her voice in her latest song. This track is not just another song, but a powerful anthem against bullying and hate, carrying a message that deserves our attention. The rhythm of the song is also addictive, making it a must-add to your playlists. The English title of this track is “Loved.”

As described in the music video’s description, this song serves as a manifesto encouraging women to love themselves unconditionally. Zlata conveys the message that a woman should cherish and value herself regardless of external pressures or criticism. In a symbolic gesture, the music video shows Zlata covering her body with hateful stickers, vividly illustrating how hurtful remarks can cling to us. The lyrics fearlessly declare: “When the stars are falling, I will make a wish/ If it comes true we won’t be together/ I’m sorry!/ I loved myself, I loved/ Loved me, from now on – I’m no longer yours!/ I loved myself to find somebody of my own!”

Upon releasing the song, Zlata shared: “I hope that ‘Loved’ will inspire many women and make them feel their own strength again.”

Salvador Sobral – TIMBRE

Salvador Sobral, the Portuguese winner of Eurovision 2017, has made a comeback with his latest album, TIMBRE. This album features 11 songs that blend a unique mixture of genres: jazz, soul, and alternative music. Compared to his previous releases, TIMBRE exudes a more joyful and experimental vibe. Salvador provided a glimpse of this new direction with his heart-warming previous release, “pedra quente” (hot stone). The album kicks off with “amor a capela” (love a cappella), an a cappella fado song that showcases the beauty and versatility of Salvador’s voice. Tracks like “porque canto” (why I sing), “abutres da premonição” (premonition vultures), and “el regalo que me hiciste” (the gift that you gave me) stand out for their simplicity in Salvador’s performance and the complexity of the instrumentals.

Notable collaborations are also featured on the album. Salvador collaborates with Mexican star Silvana Estrada on “de la mano de tu voz” (from the hand of your voice), he joins forces with the globally recognized Uruguayan singer Jorge Drexler on “al llegar” (arriving), reunites with his sister and composer of his Eurovision entry, Louisa Sobral, on “a distância não é lugar” (distance is no place), and teams up with the French artist Barbara Pravi, who represented France in Eurovision in 2021, on “les eaux qui me gardent” (the waters that keep me).

In addition to the album, Salvador has released a music video for his song “porque canto” (why I sing). The video is a vibrant collage filled with colours that features footage and pictures from Salvador’s childhood. The song playfully enumerates the reasons why Salvador sings, emphasising his passion for life and the inspiration it provides for his music: “I sing for you/ and sing for us/ I am silent singing/ and sing out loud/ I sing for others/ who sang alone/ to thrill to impress to please to affirm myself/ I sing by instinct/ and light erudition.” The song’s lyrics contain metaphors about feeling the passion for life that fuels the act of singing: “I have life in the corner/ and in death inspiration/ I have my life in the corner/ and the luck to feel passion.”

Michael Schulte – Remember Me

Michael Schulte, the German representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, is making a significant impact with his latest album, Remember Me. This album is a must-listen, especially if you’re a fan of dance pop music. And indeed, it’s an album to remember. It’s challenging to select specific tracks because the entire album is a brilliant collection of dance songs. If you’re looking to get your body moving, you should start from track number one. The album consists of 14 tracks, and for those who appreciate Michael’s melancholic ballads, there’s no need to worry. Songs like “One More Day” and “Nothing Left of Me” are included to remind you of the touching effect of his voice.

Even more, the album features exciting collaborations with various artists that are sure to make waves on radio stations. Some of them were previously released and they were very successful. These collaborations include Max Giesinger (“More To This Life”), Montez (“HEY”), R3HAB (“Better Me” and “Waterfalls” – both highly recommended), YouNotUs (“Bye Bye Bye”), and Amistat (“Lovers on the Run”).

VICTORIA – “bloom”

VICTORIA, the talented Bulgarian artist who was chosen to represent her country in 2021, is shining brightly in her latest song. Her new single is a radiant pop track that embodies the feeling of renewal and transformation. It’s impossible not to be captivated by VICTORIA’s stunning appearance in the music video. She sets the stage for a party, but for a solo one, as the song emphasises the importance of loving and rediscovering yourself. The lyrics convey a message of resilience, suggesting that every heartache leads to something new and better: “In the middle of the night, I bloom/ Feeling greater than ever brand new/ You left a crack inside the walls of my room/ So the sun’s been getting through.” Join in on the celebration and become hypnotised by the glitter and champagne that fill her new music video. If you were in search of a feel-good song, this is the perfect choice for you.

Maraaya – “Lubi”

Maraaya left a lasting impression on Eurofans when competing in the Eurovision Song Contest for Slovenia in 2015. Recently, they released a delightful song filled with love, joy, and vibrant colors. Titled “Lubi,” which translates to “Darling” from Slovenian, the title alone conveys the sweet and romantic nature of the song. The music video adds an intriguing dimension to the song’s narrative, set in a painting atelier where music and love offer colour to everything that’s around. The result is a charming, adorable video that’s perfect for those seeking romantic additions to their playlists. Marjetka’s voice remains as sweet and comforting as fans remember.

Malik Harris – “Sticks & Stones”

Malik Harris, who proudly represented Germany in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, has continued to release numerous songs since then. His latest release is a powerful pop song that brings a twist with impressive rap elements, showcasing Malik’s versatility as both a singer and rapper. However, what truly sets this release apart is the impactful music video, which is inspired by real-life stories. The song carries a message of resilience in the face of life’s challenges, with lyrics that declare, “You can try to break my bones/ Yeah, you can bring your sticks and stones (…) I won’t let you hold me down no more.”

The music video unfolds in a prison setting and narrates the stories of real people who were wrongfully sentenced to imprisonment or even execution, shedding light on legal issues and mistakes and their profound impact on the lives of innocent people. This song and its accompanying video aim to raise awareness about these serious injustices that innocent people have to suffer.

Sofia Mestari – “Si je ne t’avais pas”

Sofia Mestari’s new song, “If I Didn’t Have You,” is exactly the ballad we wanted for our playlists. She performed as France’s representative in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000. Her new song is characterised by its simplicity and melancholic tone, making it a perfect example of French ballad. The title of the song hints at its emotional lyrics, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, and nostalgia. 

O.Torvald – “Київ вдень і вночі”

O.Torvald, the Ukrainian rock band that represented their country in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, have recently released a brand-new rock song titled “Kyiv During the Day and at Night.” This powerful rock track is deeply moving and conveys the band’s love and respect for their homeland while paying homage to the capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv. The track serves as a declaration of love and loyalty to Kyiv, emphasising the city’s significance in the hearts of the band members and its importance in Ukrainian culture. Given the context of the Russian invasion, the band’s statement that “Kyiv should sound Ukrainian” carries a powerful message of resilience and determination, reaffirming the readiness of Ukrainians to defend their homeland. The lyrics of the song express love for the city of Kyiv: “You will teach me how to live in the capital/ Kyiv by day and by night, Kyiv by day and by night/ The city of lovers and the city of dreams/ How not to love you, my Kyiv!” 

Tulia – “Czerwone korale”

A remarkable song comes from Tulia, the girl group that represented Poland in 2019. This song is deeply rooted in Polish traditional folklore, showcasing the beauty of Polish culture. The title of the song is “Red Beads,” and it holds significant importance in their culture. Red beads are a symbol of love and marriage, commonly worn by brides as necklaces or jewelry during weddings and festive occasions. They are believed to bring good luck and protection against evil spirits, making them an integral part of Polish wedding traditions symbolising the bride’s purity and the love between the couple. Tulia has mentioned that this song is well-known among girls who grew up in folkloric dance and music groups, just like them, and it holds deep significance for them.

Jurijus – “Gyventi mylėti”

Jurijus, the Lithuanian representative who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019, has released a new upbeat dance track titled “Live to Love.” The title of the song itself conveys a positive and feel-good message. About his song, Jurijus declared:

“That’s exactly what this song is about: Enjoy life! Live, not exist! Love with all your heart and be yourself!!”

Aliona Moon – “Body”

Aliona Moon, who represented Moldova in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, is back with a new song that promises to get you moving. The song is a BOP designed to make you dance instantly. The song centers around the idea of living every moment as if it’s an “afterparty,” dancing in slomo and being naughty. It sounds like the perfect late-summer party anthem, and it’s sure to bring those party vibes to anyone who listens. 

ByeAlex és a Slepp – “bocsánat”

ByeAlex, who represented Hungary in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, has released a new song that’s a wonderful and deep ballad. The English title of the song, “Sorry,” hints at the emotional content of the track. This ballad is enriched with the presence of violins, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the music. The song explores themes of depression and loneliness, delving into the complexities of these emotions. The combination of the deep instrumental arrangement, ByeAlex’s emotive vocals, and powerful rap sections creates a compelling and impactful musical experience. Additionally, the music video accompanying the song is designed to leave a strong impact, complementing the song’s themes and emotional resonance. 

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.