🎶 Eurovision music round-up: February 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.

Raiven – “Sirene, Pt. 1” (EP)

Let’s kick this off with one of the artists who will be going to Malmö. Slovenia’s 2024 representative Raiven is releasing her upcoming album “Sirene” in parts. “Sirene, Pt. 1” is just what it says on the tin: the first part of the album. Opener “Ofelija” was performed at DORA, where Raiven was an interval act. The 5 track EP also includes Eurovision entry “Veronika”, plus “Habanera” “Elektrino srce” (Elektra’s heart), and “Ikona”, which is a collab with Helena Blagne. All tracks tell the story of different women, both historical and mythical. EP of the month!

LEFT. – “ANTÓNIO”

The track of the month comes from LEFT., who competed in the first semi of Festival da Canção this year and was promptly robbed. He had already mentioned that more music would be on the way in my interview with him however, and that new music came even sooner than I thought. LEFT. dropped new single “ANTÓNIO” mere days before he performed at FdC. “ANTÓNIO” is a short, biographical track in which the sparse, at times almost funky acoustic instrumentation is interrupted by some heavy and excellent electronic production work. Track of the month!

Ivandro – “Trovador” (LP)

Isandro mesmerized fans with the song “Povo” in last year’s FdC and now has released an absolutely massive album. Over an hour long, 21 tracks that include appearances from artists as varied as BISPO, M Huncho, Vitor Kley, Agnes Nunes, and more… Yeah, this album has a bit for everyone and truly way too much for me to get into. LP of the month!

Benjamin x BESS – “Paremmin ku kukaan muu”

Käärijä and Erika weren’t the only two iconic Finnish artists to team up this month, as Benjamin and BESS joined forces in the studio for “Paremmin ku kukaan muu” (Better than anyone else). The song is about that person you keep always running back to because, in bed, they just are better than anyone else. Certified banger!

KHAYAT – “Псальма”

Speaking of busy release schedules, KHAYAT has another new song out. “Псальма” (Psalm) is, as the title implies, a deeply spiritual track. The track is a stunning, slow guitar ballad dedicated to those who have given or are still risking their life to defend Ukraine.

Olena Usenko – “Hopeful Time”

Olena Usenko was responsible for one of my favourite Junior Eurovision entries of all time, and her discography since representing Ukraine in 2021 has gone from strength to strength. Her latest single is a power ballad (Remo, take notes) about a love story that has come to an end. The self-penned track sees Olena once again work with Kateryna Komar (producer on Ukraine JESC 2017 & 2021).

AIDAN – “Juliette”

AIDAN serves up enough versions of one track to fill an EP with his new release “Juliette”. On this track, which AIDAN made together with Boban Apostolov aka naBBoo (“Head & Mind”, “Madam”, Poli Genova), AIDAN sings about a turbulent relationship. The track, which is in English and Maltese, has been packaged on streaming to also include an acoustic, extended, slowed, and even an A Capella version.

Skywalker – “No Control” (EP)

Ahead of their new album “All News Is Bad News” dropping in April, Czech band Skywalker release their new single “No Control”. Compared to the last time I covered them, title track “No Control” is a more ferocious and rough track, leaning further into their metal and post-hardcore sound. The lyrics, meanwhile, have gotten only more meaningful as this social critique touches on a whole host of issues. The rest of the EP includes previously released singles, including the track “Goliath” which was the last one I covered.

Alfa – “Non so chi ha creato il mondo ma so che era innamorato” (LP)

If you thought the Finns would bring the longest title to the round-up, you would be sorely mistaken, as Italian singer and rapper Alfa insisted on the honour. “Non so chi ha creato il mondo ma so che era innamorato” (I don’t know who created the world but I know he was in love) includes his Sanremo 2024 entry “Vai!” and the previously released “Sofia </3”, plus 8 more tracks. But it also only clocks in at 23:45, so it’s a surprisingly short listen. Musically, it has been described as folk pop and country pop, although I’d personally say it is more indie pop with some folk influences (but that is just nitpicking). Personal highlight: “Nei tuoi occhi cosa c’è”.

Tone Sekelius – “Time Will Heal Me”

Tone Sekelius is working on putting together a tour this summer, and ahead of date announcements she has released her new track “Time Will Heal Me”. It’s a choir-filled track that deals with the double-sided blade that is time. As the chorus says, “Time will heal me / but lately I’ve been feeling like time is killing me”.

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 Joker Out, Olena Usenko, and Tone Sekelius to Douwe Bob, Elena Tsagrinou, Flo Rida, 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: Benjamin Peltonen / lumiilo, VICTORIA, Erika Vikman, LEFT. / Pedro Mkk. Collage by That Eurovision Site