After the reveal of the competing artists at this year’s UMK, the entries are now starting to be released. The seventh and final entry to be released is “ICH KOMME” by Erika Vikman, which coincided with the release of the official music video.
Listen to “ICH KOMME” on streaming platforms
About Erika Vikman
One of the brightest stars in the Finnish pop world, Erika Vikman, started her career in the entertainment industry at a very young age. In the early stages of her career, she performed at summer theatres and various TV programmes and, in 2016, Vikman became famous among Finnish people by winning the popular Tangomarkkinat festival. In 2019, Vikman signed a recording agreement with Warner Music and Mökkitie Records. In 2020, she participated in the Contest for New Music (UMK) with the song Cicciolina, and the following year, she released the Erika Vikman album, which reached the top of the Finnish album charts.
“Cicciolina encouraged female artists to be bolder. Female artists tend to be put inside a certain mould. You must not reveal too much, otherwise you get labelled a whore. Someone had to pop the cork to let the champagne flow! Vikman says.
Vikman’s music resonates with many Finns, and her fans are all across the country, from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to small municipalities. The message inside her music is clear.
“People should be loved exactly as they are. When people are allowed to be themselves, they are free and happy,” says Vikman.
Vikman and UMK have a long history together. In 2020, she came second with her performance of Cicciolina. The following year, she performed UMK’s opening number together with Antti Tuisku. At last year’s UMK, Vikman and Käärijä performed their duet Ruoska during the intermission.
Vikman had initially thought that she would not return to the UMK stage as a contestant. However, the plans changed when she made a song wish when working on her next album with producers Chisu and Jori Roosberg. That was how the UMK song ICH KOMME was born.
“I asked Chisu and Jori to make a Eurovision-type song for me. They asked me directly if I wanted to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest. That’s where it all started.”
On the selection of “ICH KOMME”, the UMK jury comments:
“ICH KOMME feels like a piece of art that takes Erika Vikman to a new level. The song combines traditional Finnish disco with a remarkable composition and lyrics, wrapping it up with the rave aesthetic of electronic music. The song is original and so approachable that the lyrics of the chorus will surely catch you at the first listening. The climax, pun intended, of the song is one of the most exciting in UMK’s history.”
What do we know about UMK 2025?
Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu will take place on the 8th of February 2025 and will be hosted by Sanni and Jasmin Beloued. The winning act will be chosen through a vote weighted 25% to the jury and 75% to the public televote.
The entries participating in this year’s competition will be released as follows (click on the song title to listen where available):
| Artist | Entry | Release Date |
| Neea River | “Nightmares“ | 9th January |
| Nelli Matula | “Hitaammin Hautaan“ | 10th January |
| costee | “Sekaisin“ | 13th January |
| VIIVI | “Aina“ | 14th January |
| One Morning Left | “Puppy“ | 15th January |
| Goldielocks | “Made Of“ | 16th January |
| Erika Vikman | “ICH KOMME” | 17th January |
Finland’s Eurovision Journey
Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points.
Finland’s most recent entry was “No Rules” by Windows95man. They came in 7th place in the semi-final in Malmö, thus qualifying for the final. At the close of voting, he gained a total of 38 points, earning them 19th place. Windows95man received 31 points from the televote, and an extra 7 points from the juries.
Are you excited for UMK25? What do you think of Erika Vikman‘s entry for this year’s competition? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we start our preparations for Eurovision 2025!
News Source – Yle
Photo Credit – Yle / Nelli Kenttä
Giwrgos Oiko