The 2025 entries
It’s back, and it’s here earlier than ever! The artists competing this May have been busy. Very busy. So busy in fact that I am already giving them their own dedicated page, so that the rest of the Extended Eurovision Universe can also have their time to shine.
Lucio Corsi – “Volevo essere un duro” (LP)
This is a busy period for Eurovision artists, but Lucio Corsi had extra work on his schedule as he also released a full album. While his song for Basel serves as the title track, the album includes 8 other tracks such as the previously released opener “Tu sei il mattino” and closer “Nel cuore della notte”, the sing-along “Sigarette”, rockier “Let There Be Rocko”, and more. All fun, different takes on Lucio’s delightful faux-70s pastiche sound that fans of his Eurovision entry will enjoy.
Kyla Vėjas! – “Niaukias Dangus” (LP)
As if being part of one band isn’t enough work, Emilija Kandratavičiūtė isn’t just a member of Lithuanian Eurovision reps Katarsis, but also the duo Kyla Vėjas!. This is a decidedly more relaxed, electronic, 80s inspired affair than said band. The album opens stripped back, electronic, growing and changing as the songs continue. “Ir Girdžiu Dabar (808)”, with its shoegaze and dream pop elements, is the absolute standout on this album for me, with that sound further building until the end of the album combines post-punk elements with new wave. Just really, really, really good and more than worth a listen. Album of the month, because I just can’t stop thinking about it.
jautì x Katarsis – “Išliesiu”
Oh you thought that was all from Emilija? Think again! Katarsis also released new music this month, working with fellow Lithuanian band jautì to create “Išliesiu” (I will spill it). While jautì’s indie, pop-rock sensibilities tame Katarsis somewhat, the characteristic guitars and loud, layered chorus betray that this is also very much a Katarsis track. Excellent stuff, big recommend.
Styleto featuring Louane – “Ok très bien”
French singer-songwriter Styleto invited Louane into the recording booth for “Ok très bien” (Okay fine). This is a very pleasant singer-songwritery (quelle surprise) break-up song about getting over the relationship and doing things by yourself. Of course, it being French and from these two talented artists means that there is an undercurrent of irony here and within the song the characters are assuredly not already over it and really just singing the chorus as a mantra to tell themselves it is all fine. Which is jsut how I like my break-up songs, so this gets a solid thumbs up from me.
Sniglabandið, SPRNKLR, VÆB – “sótt honum”
“sótt honum” (picked him up) is the latest song by VÆB, which sees the Icelandic duo work with long-running Icelandic band Sniglabandið and SPRNKLR. This can be best described as a VÆB slowjam for this rather odd pop-rap track. Depending on your thoughts about VÆB and their music this might be just your thing, or absolutely not.
Gabry Ponte x Jerome Isma-Ae – “Hold That Sucker Down”, Gabry Ponte – “Pentaphonia Lab Vol.1” (EP)
So, Gabry Ponte. The Artist Formerly A Member Of Eiffel 65. A man who took his celebration of all things Italy to San Marino and won a ticket to Basel. He is already here in the round-up with a song and a whole EP to dig your teeth into. First up was “Hold That Sucker Down” with German DJ Jerome Isma-Ae, an intense banger that you can feel through your entire body with (and apologies if I get some jargon incorrectly here, this isn’t my usual area of expertise) some excellent progressive house characteristics to keep this song going and going hard for the full runtime.
But that wasn’t enough for Mr. Ponte, as he also released an EP that already threatens that more music is on the way. “Pentaphonia Lab Vol.1”, which explores techno from four different angles. There is the classic club banger inspired “Discotek”, the melodic slowdown including “Bass, Beats & Melody”, the rough, harsh “Techno Slaves”, and the old-school hip-hop influenced “Gangsta” for techno fans to enjoy.
Kyle Alessandro – “Lighter (Acoustic version)”
And now for something completely different, as we slow down with an acoustic version of Kyle Alessandro’s “Lighter”. It’s an acoustic version of his Eurovision entry.
Klavdia – “Asteromata (Playmen & Valeron Club mix)”
We close off by finding a bit of a compromise between the energies between the last two entries thanks to this club mix of Klavdia’s Eurovision entry “Asteromata”. The highlight of this version is at about the halfway mark where the producers let loose a bit, letting the song build before breaking it down to its individual elements and slowly piece it back together.
Next Page: The best and biggest new releases from other Eurovision artists
Giwrgos Oiko