Now That’s What I Call… The Extended Eurovision Universe
As Eurovision fans (and some who aren’t) know, 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- and small-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 is some of the best new music by Eurovision-adjacent acts.
Yoly Saa – “Chacarera”
The round-up’s on-again-off-again love for Yoly Saa’s music stays firmly in the on position as she follows up the pop-rocky “Cuando menos lo esperabas” with the gorgeous singer-songwriter ballad “Chacarera”. It’s a beautiful showcase for the emotional side of Yoly Saa’s vocals.
Aitana – “SEGUNDO INTENTO”
If you’re looking for some excellent synth-pop, look no further than Aitana’s “SEGUNDO INTENTO” (SECOND ATTEMPT). This song is just delightful, a mix of Spanish pop with some English synth-pop inspiration to create a certified banger. One of the best this month, and highly worth checking out.
Isabella Kearney – “Hurts Different”
Eurosong Ireland 2024 contestant Isabella Kearney gives us a heartfelt, personal, and emotional track with “Hurts Different”. It is the first track of an upcoming EP and deals with the complicated emotions of moving somewhere new.
Molly Sandén – “Tur i oturen”
Molly Sandén is “Tur i oturen” (Lucky in the bad luck) on her latest single. Victor Rådström (member of Neiked, also worked with Maroon 5, Benjamin Ingrosso, Zedd) and Adam von Mentzer (Emmelie de Forest, FIFTY FIFTY, Anne Marie) produced the song.
Nicolas Fraissinet – “Joie Sauvage” (LP)
9 artists competed for Switzerland’s Eurovision ticket in 2013, and Nicolas Fraissinet now joins the ranks of Caroussel and Chiara Dubey in being featured on the round-up. “Joie Sauvage” (Wild Joy) is his new LP and it is full of that very French-styled piano pop without really being part of the chanson tradition. There is something that reminds me of MIKA’s later albums on this, especially opening track “Soleils” (Suns). Recommended to fans of pianos and/or the French language, which I expect should be most of us!
Carrousel – “Je tiens à toi”
Speaking of, here are Carrousel! “Je tiens à toi” (I want you) is a very sweet little pop song that feels like it was plucked out of 2013 and then had a producer update it to 2025, to an excellent end product. “En Silence” it still is not, but little is, and all these songs together already make for an absolutely amazing collection.
INGER – “kuues meel”
After marinating in 80s coolness in October, INGER now treats us to pure vibes with “kuues meel” (sixth sense). The song is part of Inger’s upcoming album, which will be about different kinds of love. “kuues meel” was written by Inger together with Sander Sadam (An-Marlen, Sanna, Tuuli Rand), Jüri Pootsmann (represented Estonia in 2016 with “Play”, also competed in Eesti Laul 2021), and returning writer/producer Steven Ilves.
Antsud Metal Project – “Südames”
Although Antsud Metal Project sadly lost the wildcard despite being the TES-approved pick, the good news is that they still treat us all to new music. Much of what I said about “Ei Enam” could also apply to “Südames” (In the heart), although this song is less dynamic and less purposefully repetitive, instead utilizing a broader range of melodies to blow the listener away.
KUTU – “Namuna ft. Pongo”
Pongo is back here for the first time since her EP with a feature appearance on a new song by KUTU. KUTU is a project by an Ethiopian singer and a French violinist, and their style beautifully melds and clashes with Pongo’s on “Namuna”.
Carolina Deslandes – “Pensar Em Mim”
Also making her first appearance in the round-up since October 2024 is Carolina Deslandes. “Pensar Em Mim” (Think Of Me) is Carolina at perhaps her most traditionally pop, although the song is still unmistakably her.
Rita Rocha – “saudades tuas.”
“saudades tuas.” (i miss you.) is the simple declaration that is the title of Rita Rocha’s latest. And that title immediately exposes the contradiction in the song, as in the verses she states quite definitively that she doesn’t miss the person she is singing about. Well, break-ups are messy and getting over them can be a complicated process, as this song shows with the sound that keeps gloriously growing thanks to layering and the smart use of electric guitar.
Laila Samuels – “The Lost Demos” (LP)
Laila Samuels presents us some demos that never saw the light of day until now with, well, “The Lost Demos”. The singe competed in MGP 2016 but probably is better known as being the vocalist of short-lived but successful rock band The Tuesdays. “The Lost Demos” includes a variety of music throughout its 8 songs, from the kind of 90s Scandirock a la Cardigans on album opener “Simple Life” to early 00s poprock ballad “Turn Into Stone” or the more contemplative sound of album closer “Time Is A Traitor”, there is plenty to dig into here.
NAZVA – “АБИ ТИ СКИС (МАЛАНКА)”
Out with the old and in with the new: NAZVA are celebrating making it through 2024 and working towards a better 2025 on “АБИ ТИ СКИС (МАЛАНКА)” (MAY YOU SKI [MALANKA]). Malanka is the name of a Ukrainian folk holiday celebrated on December 31st. The song is a wild mix of energies and genres that I can’t really do justice in writing, so just go listen to it!
LUISA SOBRAL – “O Resto das Nossas Vidas”
Luisa Sobral is the writer of Portugal’s single Eurovision win and someone we wrote about in our Music Advent Calendar. “O Resto das Nossas Vidas” (The Rest of Our Lives) is a beautiful, gentle little song in which Luisa sings about looking forward to all the little things about spending the rest of her life with someone.
Adam Mišík – “TRUST ISSUES”
ESCZ might be gone, but host Adam Mišík is still keeping himself more than busy as he is releasing some more of his own music. “TRUST ISSUES” is a moody poprock track that, despite its title, is almost entirely in Czech as Adam sings about how all that remains are trust issues.
Amero, CLMD, Bassweed – “Dolce Vita (With Groove Crackers) [Extended Mix]”
This song was co-penned by James Newman, and it is an absolute banger. I provide you with the Extended Mix because even this version only clocks in at a measly 2 minute 47 seconds, which is just way too short for something that could feasibly be stretched into eternity without a single complaint from me. This got very close to being my song of the month!
Gisela João – “Vejam Bem”
The biggest surprises can never be predicted. Gisela João was a juror for Festival da Canção and I only happened to bump into this absolute corker of a song. “Vejam Bem” (See well) and is the second single of Gisela’s album “Inquieta”, which is set to release February 7. The song takes inspiration from a whole host of musical traditions to create a haunting soundscape that you can’t help but just be transported by and fall in love with. This song kind of bowled me over to be honest, and that can mean only one thing: Track of the month!
MEAU – “Altijd Weer Naar Huis”
She’s back here for the first time since receiving that coveted TES track of the month award back in June: it is MEAU! “Altijd Weer Naar Huis” (Always Back Home) is a very sweet ode to her parents, and sounds like a long warm hug. Just gorgeous.
Listen to all the songs above and more
We’ve made a handy Spotify playlist of the songs in this article and all other new music from Eurovision artists this month, including remixes and other special releases. So get ready for everything from 5MIINUST, Azucar Moreno, and Sinplus to VICTORIA, Tinkara Kovač, Stella Mwangi 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 was your favourite new music 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, tumblr, and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news and more!
News Source: That Eurovision Site / Various
Photo Credit: Aitana, 5MIINUST, Carolina Deslandes, Gustaph. Collage by That Eurovision Site.
Giwrgos Oiko