🎶Eurovision music round-up: November 2023

Now That’s What I Call… The Extended Eurovision Universe

As any Eurovision megafan knows, Eurovision neither starts nor ends with the main contest. From National Final season introducing the world to new and exciting artists, to former Junior Eurovision artists, to the big-name songwriters and producers that work behind the scenes, people from all over the music industry make Eurovision the amazing thing that it is. Here are some of the best new releases by Eurovision-adjacent acts. Plus, music by 2024 representatives, because they will be here until they’ve hit the Eurovision stage.

TANXUGUEIRAS ft. Juancho Marqués – “As que tiñan que estar”, HARD GZ & TANXUGUEIRAS – “SANGUE”

Tanxugueiras just can’t stop being amazing, can they? “As que tiñan que estar” (The ones that had to be) is a pumping track that sees them experiment with house elements as they are joined by Juancho Marqués, his voice beautifully contrasting and complementing the rest of the production. Track of the month!

And that was not all by Tanxu this month! The Galician trio also worked with HARD GZ for his new song “SANGUE” (BLOOD). The song sees HARD GZ’s laid back rap combined with a Tanxugueiras-sound reminiscent of their earlier, more stripped back releases.

Keira – “Bad Credit”

After showing everyone that they had no business on the dancefloor, Keira is back to tell her ex that they have “Bad Credit” with her. It’s a banging pop track once again produced by Jason OK, this time joined by Skywalk (Robin Packalen, Vesala, Autograf), with Tiina Vainikainen (KSI, Evelina, Kaija Koo) taking on writing duties.

Erika Vikman – “Elizabeth Taylor”

Erika Vikman brings a absolute bop full of positivity for those recently heartbroken. After all, if Elizabeth Taylor could fall in love and get married 8 times, she sings, then so can you. A great slice of 80s-adjacent power pop.

BESS – “Riivattu”

BESS is feeling “Riivattu” (Possessed) on her new track, the DJ compelling her to dance to the fiery beat. The track captures this perfectly with its strong yet unsettling beat and melody. Itwas written by BESS, together with Kaisa Korhonen (Erika Vikman’s “Syntisten pöytä”, Käärijä’s “Auto jää”), frequent BESS collaborator Vilma Alina, and the song’s producer Leo Jupiter (Teflon Brothers, Reino Nordin).

Bess also featured this month on a track on Alika’s new album, which you can read more about above or by clicking here.

Benjamin – “Uutta exää”

Eager to jump in on the UMK-related release mayhem this month was Benjamin with “Uutta exää” (New ex), which he co-wrote with the song’s producer Kim Mannila (Ahti, Isac Elliot). In the synthy retro-pop track, Benjamin sings about giving up on dating because he neither wants or needs a new ex anymore.

MIKA – “Jane Birkin”

The second song about a legendary actress comes from MIKA, whose new album “Que ta tête fleurisse toujours” (May your head always bloom) releases December 1st. The French language track is a flowing, smooth pop affair about being daring and expressing yourself artistically, with Jane’s acting and singing career as symbols of that.

Electric Fields – (most of the) “Faraway Downs (The Official Soundtrack)”

For the new Baz Luhrmann miniseries Faraway Downs starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, Electric Fields contributed 6 of the 11 songs featured on the soundtrack album. The Aboriginal Australian duo offer a beautiful range of sounds and moods. From the uplifting yet experimental “Anpuru Maau Kutjpa” to the stunning chants of “Tjarpala” or the hopeful melancholy of “Tjukurpa”, there is much on offer here. Jessica Mauboy also features on the album with an old cover of “Amazing Grace”.

Petunija – “Your Highness” (EP)

After releasing “NETAVOVASARA” in September, we now finally have that promised EP by Petunija. “Your Highness” includes 5 tracks. Opening track “NETAVOVASARA” is as haunting as it was on first listen, while “City” sees Petunija show off her classic singer-songwriter skills. “Take It” has a great groove, the title track is a haunting ballad, but the true highlight for me is the EP closer. “Dots & Pieces, Shambles & Dust” (a song title Fall Out Boy or Panic would be proud of) takes from triphop and combines it with an almost choral chant for a mesmerizing and moving package.

Ruta MUR – “Forever”

Ruta MUR treats us to a slow love jam with “Forever”. Leaning into the sound of the great crooners of the 80s, Ruta’s voice pulls you into this slow song as she asks her lover to love her forever. I need this in the credits of a lowkey indie drama flick now.

Cécile Andriamad – “Timide Pudeur”

Cécile Andriamad competed in France’s NF for Eurovision back in 2021 as part of a duo called Andriamad, but not long after they took a break from releasing new music. Now she is back solo with her debut single “Timide Pudeur” (Shy Modesty), a groovy chanson about breaking through shyness and modesty to produly and strongly become who she is.

Jerry Heil – “ТРИ ПОЛОСИ”

Jerry Heil is coming back to Ukraine’s Vidbir, this time with her frequent collaborator alyona alyona. But in the meantime, she also is still releasing solo music. “ТРИ ПОЛОСИ” (THREE STRIPES) is musically upbeat, almost silly, while lyrically it is a motivational anthem to keep going after your dreams. With writing starting over two years ago, the song has been a long time in the making before finally getting released.

Diogo Piçarra – “Teu”, “Não Te Odeio”

Diogo Piçarra competed in the 2018 edition of Festival da Canção, and is ramping up to releasing an album that is set to be released next year. For now, he is tiding us over with two more tracks: the moody electronica of “Teu” (Yours), and the rocky “Não Te Odeio” (I Don’t Hate You).

SYRO × BISPO – “Brutos Diamantes”

FdC 2022 finalist SYRO teams up with Portuguese rapper BISPO on “Brutos Diamantes” (Rough Diamonds). The smooth beat is the backdrop for a song on which the two artists sing about a relationship that has hit some kind of breaking point. Where there once were two diamonds in the rough, there now is doubt whether those can better shine as friends or lovers.

LONELY SPRING – “Future Ex”

Frankly, I should drop this song because the music video is vertical. But I can’t deny the poppunk, which LONELY SPRING excellently brings to the table as always. Looking a bit more towards the Blink-182s of the genre for this one in my opinion, “Future Ex” is about a relationship that has turned sour, but where the highs are just too compelling and keep you in it.

FAUN feat. Fatma Turgut – “Umay”

Meanwhile, FAUN from Unser Lied 2015 team up with Turkish singer Fatma Turgut for “Umay”, which sees Fatma’s voice beautifully meld with FAUN’s paganfolk sound. The track is a combination of a traditional song about the Turkic and Tengri fertility goddess Umay, and new music and lyrics written by FAUN and Fatma.

Michele Bravi – “odio”

Michele Bravi is feeling conflicted on “odio” (i hate). The dark pop ballad, produced by Room9 (Annalisa, Emma Muscat), sees Michele sing about being betrayed and cheated on. Despite all that, the song goes, he loves his partner too much to leave them.

gIANMARIA, Madame – “Io ti conosco”

“Io ti conosco” (I know you), gIANMARIA and Madame sing on this gently building track. The sparser-than-expected production lets the song breathe as a story is woven about two people who have been through everything together, not without issue, but making it through nevertheless. Speaking to Cosmopolitan, gIANMARIA mentions that it can be read as a love song, but also as a song about his friendship with Madame.

Oscar Zia – “Nu”

Even though he released an entire album last month, Oscar Zia says the time is “Nu” (Now) to release another single. On Instagram, Oscar notes that he wrote the song as the last blocks of the album were coming together, and there just was no time to add it. He also says that the uplifting track is a call to do things for yourself and no one else, and shows everything he learned while working on “Heartbreakmiljonär”.

Silia Kapsis – “Night Out”

And the first 2024 artist to feature here is Silia Kapsis! The Cypriot choice for Eurovision has released new track “Night Out,” and you can read all about it here:

🇨🇾 Silia Kapsis releases new single “Night Out”

Listen to all the songs above and more

We’ve made a handy Spotify playlist of the songs in this article and all other releases from Eurovision artists this month, including remixes and other special releases. So get ready for everything from Gustaph, Circus Mircus, and BESS to Achille Lauro, Chanel, Sanja Vučić, and many more. The playlist gets updated every month, so don’t forget to follow it to always stay up to date. Did we miss anything? Then send Angus a message over on your social media of choice.

What were your favourite releases this month? And whose music are you looking forward to in December?  As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news.

News Source: That Eurovision Site / Various

Photo Credit: Electric Fields / BESS / Gustaph / Senhit. Collage by That Eurovision Site