🎶Eurovision music round-up: December 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.

Rakky Ripper – “NADIE LO VA A HAVER POR MÍ” (LP)

Rakky Ripper set the Benidorm Fest stage on fire with “TRACCIÓN,” and now a full album awaits on “NADIE LO VA A HAVER POR MÍ” (NO ONE IS GOING TO DO IT FOR ME). From the energetic slight retro feel of opener “CERO” to the mesmerizing chaos that is “SCENE BOYS” to the (relatively) moody album closer “ROTTEN,” 15 hyperpop tracks including “TRACCIÓN” await.

Sofía Martín – “Tan Cerquita”

Fellow Benidorm 2023 contestant Sofía Martín is in love and wants them “Tan Cerquita” (So Close). It’s a seductive dance banger written by Sofía, Dennis Mansfeld (Cascada’s “Like the Way I Do) and the song’s producer Oli Som (Alex Clare, Tim Gallagher, Maël & Jonas).

José Otero, KALENN – “Febrero”

It’s time to slow down a bit and get everything ready for the year, as José Otero and KALENN already sing about “Febrero” (February). “Febrero” is about that moment where you realized you messed up and it probably is too late to do anything about it. The track was written by the two plus Javier Herradón, and is produced by Many Chalud (both have worked with the likes of Unique, Miki Núñez, and Blas Cantó).

Twin Melody – “Make Up Stars”

The final Benidorm 2023 artist in this list are back on RTVE as they provide the theme song for new makeup competition Make Up Stars. The track of the same name is an upbeat little pop track with more make up puns than you can shake a foundation stick at.

Tanxugueiras, Valeria Castro – “Hoxe, mañá e sempre”

You did not think we were done with Benidorm contestants just yet though I hope, as my queens have released even more music. “Hoxe, mañá e sempre” (Today, tomorrow and always) is a gentle ballad with Valeria Castro about the frailty of life, the power of memories, and the weight of absence, and a really beautiful track to close out what has been a busy and great year for the Galician trio.

ĐANA – “LJUBAV”

DORA 2023 was a busy national final, and while ĐANA won’t be in the 2024 edition, she is keeping us entertained with new track “LJUBAV” (LOVE). A modern dancepop track, the song comes out on the back of ĐANA’s win in the Serbian singing competition IDJ Show.

JANN – “Charisma”

To be a successful gladiator, having a lot of “Charisma” definitely helps. This song sees JANN confidently challenge the person he is singing to, saying that he knows this is what you want and that he’d “love to see you try and find somebody with half the charisma”.

Dolly Style – “Mi Amor”

Meanwhile, Dolly Style are madly in love on “Mi Amor” (My Love). The Melfest contestants offer up a catchy Latin pop inspired track that sees them singing about being in love

sangiovanni – “americana”

From the freezing north we go back to the Mediterranean. sangiovanni’s new track is “americana”. The song is the first single of an album that will be released next year after Sanremo 2024, in which he is competing with “Finiscimi”. “americana” is a strong and intimate start to what could prove to be a landmark year for the young singer.

LDA – “Promesse”

Not returning to Sanremo this year is LDA, but he does once again show his “Promesse” (Promise) on a new track. “Promesse” is a song for the Netflix series “DI4RI”, an Italian coming-of-age show that just finished its second season and is released internationally as “Di4ries”. The track is a pounding, moody track about the inherent contradictions of youth, where you both promise each other everything while also living without thinking about the future.

Jerry Heil – “МАЛАНКА”

Jerry Heil will be teaming up with alyona alyona for Vidbir 2024, but ahead of the Ukrainian national final we get treated to a new solo track by her. “МАЛАНКА” (Lightning) is a musically dramatic track, with Jerry experimenting with her sound a little as she sings about how, no matter how dark things get, together everything can be overcome.

Макс Пташник, KRUTЬ – “такі як ми” (EP)

KRUTЬ meanwhile joined Макс Пташник (Max Ptashnyk) in the recording studio for joint-EP “такі як ми” (such as us), which features three tracks and a second, live-version of opener “сонце” (sun). For gentle ballad lovers like me that feel simultaneously emotionally painful and healing, this is a record I can definitely recommend.

Edmundo Inácio – “Minha Mãe” feat. Os Ganhões de Castro Verde

Edmundo Inácio gives a tribute to his mother on “Minha Mãe” (My Mother), together with Os Ganhões de Castro Verde. Edmundo’s voice is beautifully supported by a chorus while the strings and interesting percussion work keep driving the track forward.

Ycare – “Je reste, tu continues” (feat. Slimane)

And finally, it is a track by someone who will be going to Eurovision 2024! Just a quick reminder as we head into the new year: until someone has performed on the Eurovision stage, I will put them in this part of the round-up becuase, well, things could still change. France’s representative-to-be Slimane features on Ycare’s new track “Je reste, tu continues” (I stay, you continue). The two singing contest alums (Ycare from Nouvelle Star, Slimane from The Voice) combine their powerful vocals on this duet thatr is the second track on Ycare’s new album “Nos futurs” (Our futures).

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 Blanka, Blind Channel, and sangiovanni to Ermal Meta, Anxhela Peristeri, Max Mutzke, 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 next year? 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: Lord of the Lost/Sara Jo/INÊS APENAS/Dolly Style. Collage by That Eurovision Site