🎶 Eurovision music round-up: January 2024

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. With the lack of winners releasing stuff, i decided to overpopulate this page a little so: strap in, it’s going to be a long but great one.

Meelik – “Mis me nüüd teeme”

“Mis me nüüd teeme” (What do we do now) Meelik asks. I don’t know what they should do, but I do know that everyone should stream this now. The 2023 Eesti Laul fan faves add some extra grit and power to their dorky rock sound to create a banger.

Ditonellapiaga – “È tutto vero”

Speaking of bangers from fan favourites: Ditonellapiaga wants us to know that “È tutto vero” (It’s all true). A great mixture of sounds old and new, Ditonellapiaga embraces every epithet thrown at her as the truth about her on this very fun song.

Raylee – “Charade”

Meanwhile, in Norway MGP 2021’s Raylee is tired of keeping up the “Charade”. This ballad has quite the musical build-up as Raylee asks sings about being tired of playing this game. The track was co-written by Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest.

Methner & Eirik Næss – “Let Flow”, KORFAL, Ernar, Eirik Næss – “To Be Loved”

Eirik Næss clearly loves water, as he has gone from MGP entry “Wave” to now make the song “Let Flow”. The track, which is about having to sometimes let things just flow, is a collab with Methner. Musically, the song is a very laid back track inspired by genres such as chill and tropical house. Methner and Eirik previously collabed on “Up In The Air,” and German Eurofans might recognize his name from working with Will Church on “Warm Tonight” and “Get Up & Get Away”.

Eirik’s other feature this month sees him work on a somewhat more uptempo house track together with Kazakh producers Ernar and KORFAL. This track is about how great it is “To Be Loved”.

Karmento – “La Serrana”

Karmento (my personal fave from last year’s Benidorm Fest) is preparing to bring out a new album. In anticipation of that, she has now released “La Serrana”. As one would want and expect from Karmento, it is a mesmerizing folk track. In the description of the video Karmento describes how the song is about what it’s like to be in the La Mancha mountain range.

FUSA NOCTA – “INSTINTO ANIMAL”

Fusa Nocta is feeling the “INSTINTO ANIMAL” (ANIMAL INSTINCT) on this banger. The track has some heavy beats as Fusa Nocta sings about overcome with desire for someone and just wanting to follow her instincts.

Sofia Martín – “Que La Detengan”

Sofía Martín is up for the challenge on “Que La Detengan” (Let Them Stop Her). With a beat that comes straight out of the mid ’10s, this delightful throwback also includes some hyperpop and other elements to create a great party song full of attitude.

Marcus & Martinus – “We’re Not The Same ft. bbno$”

Canadian rapper bbno$ returns to the round-up despite being unrelated to anything Eurovision, this time thanks to a collab with Norwegian twins and Melfest contestants Marcus & Martinus. And indeed, despite it being a bbno$ it is much more feels like one of his tracks, as the twins join him on rapping over a trap beat.

Klara Hammarström – “One Of Us”

“One Of Us” chants aplenty in Klara Hammarström’s new song of the same name. The uplifting electropop banger is all about how we are all unique and should dare to be ourselves.

Smash Into Pieces – “Trigger”

Smash Into Pieces have released quite a bit of music in the last few months ahead of them taking part again in Melfest, and this month they released “Trigger”. The rock track is about feeling ready to go and achieve anything, as long as the person they love stands by their side and gives them that last little push.

Dolly Style – “Girls Girls Girls”

Also on a busy release schedule are Dolly Style. The group is here with an anthem for any and every girls night, with the saxophone in the chorus being a particular highlight.

Melanie Wehbe & Paul Rey – “Arrows”

It’s two Melfest artists for the price of one on “Arrows”. The track, reminiscent of a very specific type of slower, tasteful 80s ballads to me, is a duet about falling in love after going through a difficult time.

Laurell – “Jaw Drop” (EP)

Laurell has penned more Eurovision and national final tracks than one can count, and threw her own hat in the ring last year with “Sober”. New EP “Jaw Drop” offers 5 more poptastic tracks by the Canadian who now lives in Malmö.

KHAYAT – “В кінці греблі шумлять верби”

“В кінці греблі шумлять верби” (The willows rustle at the end of the dam) is the beautifully evocative name of the new track of Vidbir 2019 and 2020 contestant KHAYAT. The track is KHAYAT’s own take on a folk track, with this new extended version being its first proper release following many live performances. Some stunning, moody melodies end up giving way for some beats that force you to bop along.

Rita Ora – “Shape of Me” (feat. Keith Urban)

Rita Ora loves to release music, so here she is. Her latest song is “Shape of Me” featuring country star Keith Urban. The song is an ode to Rita’s mother and this new version was released for her 60th birthday.

Froukje – “Kwijt”

Tenuous? Sure. But as part of the Dutch Eurovision jury in 2023 (and by doing the occasional collab with S10, always leading to calls for her to take part for us), it can be argued that Froukje is part of the Eurovision family. And “Kwijt” (Gone) is a banger. A moody alternative pop track, the powerful beats support Froukje as she sings about having lost all her friends yet still waiting for someone.

Besa & Impar – “Inshallah”

And closing this round-up off is Albania’s 2024 entry Besa. She is going to Eurovision, but that doesn’t stop her from making new music as she teams up with Impar to make “Inshallah” (God willing). The French rapper and Albanian singer blend their styles and voices together to create a great mix of traditional and modern sounds.

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 Alessandra, Chanel, and Meelik to Donny Montell, Sam Ryder, Jessica Mauboy, 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 month? 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: Smash Into Pieces / Emil Gustavsson, Ditonellapiaga, Alessandra Mele / Joakim Kleven, Barbara Pravi. Collage by That Eurovision Site