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 released recently by Eurovision stars.
New music from Eurovision artists: 2024 | Week 18 part 1
With so many new songs this week, we’ve split the roundup into two smaller articles. You can find part 2 here.
Benjamin Ingrosso & Purple Disco Machine feat. Nile Rodgers & Shenseea – “Honey Boy”
Ahead of his appearance as the interval act of Eurovision 2024 semi-final 1, Benjamin Ingrosso has got a sweet treat for us. Sweden’s 2018 representative has collaborated with German music producer Purple Disco Machine for the song “Honey Boy.” The track also features Jamaican singer Shenseea and American record producer Nile Rodgers. There’s very clear influences from the ’70s and ’80s, with this retro feel also coming through in the music video. Lyrically, the song sees an introverted individual overcoming their shyness to have the night of their lives with a special someone: “Won’t you come and let me dive / My my oh my my / Won’t you come and play me all night night / All night night / We can do whatev u like.”
Kristian Kostov – “Espresso”
Kristian Kostov is in need of a pick me up. But, Bulgaria’s Eurovision 2017 silver medallist is craving more than just an “Espresso.” In fact, the coffee is just a ruse so that he can spend more time talking to the barista: “With you, espresso’s on the low / Hooked on you / Aromas start to flow / If you knew the high’s not in the sip, it’s in you.” Musically, Kostov’s latest single is a chilled mid-tempo track that would fit perfectly as the soundtrack to an early morning stopover at the coffee shop.
Emma – “FEMME FATALE”
“FEMME FATALE” is a term used to refer to an attractive and seductive woman who is likely to cause distress or disaster to someone who becomes involved with her. Italian star Emma, who competed at Eurovision 2014, is trying her best not to become such a character. She and her secret lover found beauty in their relationship at first. However, the lyrics of Emma’s latest pop song suggest things are slowly slipping towards catastrophe: I know it hurts, very bad, don’t tell me / And I cry evil, I don’t try to look like a femme fatale / I look like a child, there is no medicine / For this evil that remains even after three / And drown your heart in Chardonet.”
Remo Forrer – “Full 180”
“When you’re ready to do a full 180 / I will help you up the hill again / Steady on the road.” Eurovision 2023 act Remo Forrer has released a new ballad. “Full 180” starts off with a piano melody underlying the Swiss singer’s rich vocals; the second half then grows with the addition of percussion to add more dynamism. Lyrically, Remo sings of a very close friends of his who is going through a difficult time. The star shared the story on social media:
“The song is about my best friend who has been getting worse and worse over the last few years because of an illness. No doctors have been able to help him, so he has also been struggling with mental health problems over time. Those times were very hard for me and it broke my heart to see someone who had such an important place in my life so devastated and there was nothing i could do to make his illness go away. The only thing I could do was to be there for him and let him feel that i was there for him day and night and that I would stand by him no matter what.”
MARO & NASAYA – “LIFELINE”
MARO adds a small electronic touch to her latest musical offering. Teaming up with NASAYA, the pair have utilised a repeating electronic beat to underline the interesting soundscape of the song. This is used to represent the “LIFELINE” — akin to hospital heart monitors. The lyrics see Portugal’s Eurovision 2022 star struggling to hold on to this “LIFELINE” as everything seems to be fading around her: “Sick and tired of goodbyes / I see life losing colour / You were the love of my life / And even that is gone now.”
Albert Pla feat. Alfred García – “Bombas en Madrid”
Alfred García has joined forces with fellow Spanish singer Albert Pla to release the single “Bombas en Madrid” (“Bombs in Madrid”). It’s a steady, guitar-driven song in which the duo sing of literal and metaphorical bombs and the results these would have on a city like Madrid: “Everyone for themself / Bombs are falling in Madrid.”
Ermal Meta – Buona Fortuna
Ermal Meta is wishing us Buona Fortuna (Good Luck) with his new album. The Italian star has included 12 songs on the LP, including recent singles “L’unico pericolo” and “Male più non fare.” The album also comes in tandem with a music video for Meta’s latest single, “Mediterraneo.”
Taking to Instagram, the Eurovision 2018 participant wrote more about what he was trying to achieve with his latest body of work:
“I tried to photograph life, to stop it and in the meantime try to grab it so I can narrate it. I don’t know if I managed it, I certainly poured what was left inside me into this album. Buona Fortuna is a tale with no beginning or end. Like something you always had there without seeing it. Like a word that you have on the tip of your tongue, but it doesn’t want to come out. The invisible thread that binds us, starting today, is stronger. Pull up I can feel it. Shoot hard, live strong, be fearless and BUONA FORTUNA!”
Michael Rice – “Big Boys Don’t Cry”
“We’re tough enough to be the man / Big boys they don’t cry / That’s a f***ing lie / All I needed was somebody who would listen to what I’ve been through.” Michael Rice gets personal on his new single. “Big Boys Don’t Cry” is an emotional ballad that builds with a sweeling orchestral accompaniment, leading to a powerful conclusion as the British singer’s voice soars. In a post on Instagram, the Eurovision 2019 representative went into detail about the (swift) songwriting process and where the emotions of the song came from:
“’Big Boys Don’t Cry’ is a deeply personal reflection of my own journey through the highs and lows of the music industry. Penned in just 30 minutes in a London hotel lobby at 2am (Yes, I’m a night owl) I really wanted to capture the raw emotion and vulnerability of an artist navigating the pressures of social media, online trolls, comments about my looks, my weight, my voice, fame and self-discovery. […] Reflecting back on my inspiration behind the track, I wrote ‘Big Boys Don’t cry’ as a message to never give up on myself or my dream, regardless of what anybody else thinks or their opinions. I want to inspire young kids and everyone all across the world with my message of hope, and by telling my story it may just help them on their own personal journey in life. I want to invite you to join me on this new era of my music and my journey of self-discovery and authenticity.”
Maja Keuc – “Bližje”
“Bližje” (“Closer”) is the second single from Maja Keuc’s upcoming album Sončnice (Sunflowers), which will be landing in two week’s time. This sophomore track is a mid-tempo pop offering with a delicate blend between the Slovenian star’s emotional vocal and the accompanying percussion. In the lyrics, the Eurovision 2011 alum wishes for her lover to be right by her side — so near that they can feel her heart beat: “I want you closer / That we are too close / But you hear that rhythm / Which plays in the chest.”
Jill Johnson – “Pickleback”
Jill Johnson hails from Sweden, but the country music singer has spent a lot of time in Nashville, Tennessee. Her latest single is inspired by her experiences of being in the US city — specifically drinking a “Picklback.” The Eurovision 1998 alumna explained the meaning of this term in a post on Instagram:
“‘Pickleback’ is about a shot of whiskey, which is “chased” by another shot, ‘picklejuice’. You drink them in turn and the pickle juice neutralizes the alcohol burn. It’s something I sometimes drink in Nashville and is mostly a fun thing and not particularly good. The underlying meaning of the song is that you should both be careful about what and how you drink, and who you hang out with. That you shouldn’t judge a local dive bar at first sight. Different from a cocktail bar, where everything is organized and nice, at a dive bar, you can just be yourself and still be counted on. Relax and come down to earth!”
Capo Plaza feat. Mahmood – “No Drama”
Italian rapper Capo Plaza has dropped his new album, FERITE, this week. Amongst the 18 tracks there’s a collaboration with two-time Eurovision star Mahmood, titled “No Drama.” Mahmood contributes the second verse and supporting vocals for the chorus: “Baby, no drama-ma, on a Po-Po-Porsche / I don’t pay cash, cash, cash, just POS, POS, POS / I reply ASAP, mama / No drama-ma, baby, no drama-ma.”
VIŅA feat. Ralfs Eilands – “Ikvienas nakts sakars”
Ralfs Eilands represented Latvia at Eurovision 2013 as part of the group PeR. The singer has now collaborated with VIŅA for an acoustic single. “Ikvienas nakts sakars” (“Every night connection”) sees the pair solely accompanied by an acoustic guitar, giving the song a stripped-back and raw quality.
Mimicat – “Aqui Pinatmos Todos”
Mimcat has released a new charity single, titled “Aqui pintamos todos” (“Here we paint everyone”). All proceeds from the song will be given to Instituto de Apoio a Criança (Child Support Institute), which promotes and protects children’s rights. The tracks and music video aims to raise awareness of bullying and encourage children to choose the righteous path. Portugal’s Eurovision 2023 star sings: “I know that you are strong and that you are capable / To defend your friend / If someone wants to hurt you / Just out of spite or even out of fear / The difference in skin or hair colour / I’m counting on you to stay on the right side / Take off that blindfold.”
Katrina – “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love”
Katrina (formerly of Katrina & The Waves) is going back to her childhood for her latest single. The Eurovision 1997 champion has recorded a cover of Petula Clark’s “I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love,” which she first heard on her dad’s radio:
“I was about 7 when I heard a song that stopped me in my tracks. It was ‘I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love’. My Dad had this big old radio in the basement of our house in Omaha, Nebraska, it picked up stations from all over the world. When I heard Petula Clark’s voice something clicked, I was mesmerised by her voice and the beautiful melody.”
Katrina has dedicated the song to a furry animal friend. The accompanying music video features various photos and clips of the star’s dog, Peggy Lee.
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.
MARO’s great track
As always! Even Billie Eilish is in love with MARO’s work. <3