🎶 Eurovision music round-up: May 2023

Other Highlights

There is way too much music released every month to cover in-depth, but here are some of the best and biggest new tracks from other Eurovision artists:

Hooverphonic – “Por Favor”

Hooverphonic are getting ready for the summer. The Belgian band introduces us to a different sound by taking us on a trip down the Costa del Sol. Now, slightly more summery tunes are nothing new for this band, but “Por Favor” presents a much warmer sound that combines clapping, acoustic guitar, and brass instruments. Hooverphonic’s Alex Callier wrote and produced the song with close friend Luca Chiaravalli, who besides Hooverphonic has also worked with Eros Ramazzotti, Il Volo, Francesco Gabbani, and more.

Tijana Bogićević – “Krila od Dima”

Serbian vocal powerhouse Tijana Bogićević unveiled new track “Krila od Dima” (Wings of Smoke) late April during the Beogradsko Proleće (Belgrade Spring) festival and competition, where she won the audience award. But the song got an official release this month, hence it showing up in this round-up. The song is, in Eurovision terms, a pretty typical Balkan ballad. What makes the song special are Tijana’s voice and some interesting production and composition work (courtesy of songwriter Aleksandra Milutinović).

Cláudia Pascoal – “!!” (LP)

Cláudia Pascoal has released her long awaited new album “!!”. The 14 track album includes previously released songs such as “Eh para a Frente, Eh para trás“, Festival da Canção entry “Nasci Maria,” and a host of new songs. “!!” sees Cláudia work with a number of artists, including 2018 Operación Triunfo third-placer Natalia Lacunza and Manuela Azevedo. The latter might be familiar to FdC fans as the singer of the band Clã, who performed together with Cláudia Pascoal and Filipe Sambado as an interval in the contest’s 2021 edition.

Alyosha – “Я НА ВОЛІ Є”

Alyosha returned to the Eurovision stage this year as an interval act during the first semi-final, performing a stunning cover of Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” in the process. But that is not all she has been up to this month. The Ukrainian singer also released new track “Я НА ВОЛІ Є” (I AM FREE). In the YouTube description of the video, Alyosha is quoted as saying that:

“The words in the chorus “I’m free” most clearly reflect the meaning of the song. We often “cover up” all our desires with something and they remain dreams. Therefore, in order to realize them, first of all, it is necessary to free ourselves from all the frameworks in which we put ourselves. A free person has free thoughts. She begins to realize the meaning of the world, life, love and all manifestations of humanity. And this is exactly what all Ukrainians aspire to”

Alyosha

Renis Gjoka & Eugent Bushpepa – “Rezisto”

Looking for some hard-hitting music with strong vocals? Eugent Bushpepa has got you covered. “Rezisto” (Resist) is full of rough guitars, strong drums, and some absolutely stellar vocals by Eugent (although FiK 2019 contestant Renis does some great work too). Beyond the official music video I have been able to find basically nothing about the song, which is a shame because it is excellent.

Poli Genova – “Недей да правиш така”

Two-time Eurovision contestant Poli Genova has released new track “Недей да правиш така” (Don’t do that). It’s a classic pop track that combines the current disco revival sound with hints of the early 00s and the late 80s in the production. It’s musically a fun song, although the lyrics are about a relationship that clearly is on the rocks.

Tulia & Halina Mlynkova – “Przerwany”

Halina Mlynkova, who I best know as a former member of folk-rock group Brathanki, joined Poland’s 2019 representatives Tulia for their neww song. “Przerwany” (Interrupted) combines dreamy indie-pop with folk, including Tulia’s traditional singing. The song is the first song released of Tulia’s upcoming album, which will continue with this mixing of musical styles and genres. More information about the album will be right here in the round-up once it is announced, of course.

SuRie – “Building a Woman” (LP)

Last month, I wrote about SuRie’s new song “Treading Water“. And this month, her new album is out! “Building a Woman” is 11 tracks worth of the dreamy, indie, contemplative pop music we have come to expect from the 2018 UK representative. SuRie wrote all songs, with Björn Dobbelaere (a classical conductor and director) taking on production duties.

AWS – “Ketten képzeletben”

“Two of us in imagination” is the new song by AWS. True to the title and their musical style, the song is full of beautiful musical contrasts. Speaking to Hammerworld, singer Stefan Tamás says that the song is about “an internal battle with ourselves. When we feel that we have a second self that we may not be proud of, it makes a lot of mistakes and is responsible for all our problems”. He goes on to note that the “Ketten képzeletben” treads a middle ground between the last two songs the band released, the positive “Odaát” and the dark and depressing “2359”.

Loïc Nottet – “Addictocrate” (LP)

Loïc Nottet’s new album is finally out! Belgium’s 2015 representative first announced new album “Addictocrate” when releasing it’s lead single back in November, and had a steady release of singles since. All 5 singles and 6 new songs make up this 11 track, 40 minute long album. Loïc brings his beautiful voice and unique flair for the dramatic to this album which is packed with moody songs with differing levels of electronic influences.

NAVIBAND – “KUPALINKA”

NAVIBAND start a rave with new track “KUPALINKA”. The song is a classic of Belarusian music dating back to 1921, when parts of a Michaś Čarot play were put to music by composer Uladzimier Teraŭski. The song has since been covered countless times, including by 2009 Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak. NAVIBAND put their own twist to the track, with the modern beats turning it into a thoroughly danceable track.

Daði Freyr – “Whole Again” and “I’m Still Making An Album 2/3) (EP?)

Last but definitely not least of the Liverpool Songbook tracks, it’s Iceland’s Daði Freyr with “Whole Again”. The original Atomic Kitten track is a banger (what else would you expect from a OMD penned track) and Daði does an absolutely amazing job at transforming the track. It was my highlight of the Liverpool Songbook segment, and the studio version is just as joyful.

He followed this up with 4 new songs that are the middle part of his upcoming album, following Part 1/3 from March. The new tracks are the boppy “Sometimes,” the excellently bass-driven “I Just Want It,” the slow and more emotional “Sunshine,” and “Moves To Make,” which is arguably the most traditional pop track out of the bunch and also got the music video treatment.

Next page: Highlights from artists from across the Extended Eurovision Universe