Other Highlights
There is way too much music released every month to cover in-depth, but here are some of the best and biggest new tracks from other Eurovision artists:
Jeangu Macrooy – “Independent Girls & Nasty Evil Gays”
As he takes to the stage at Carré in Amsterdam and receives rave reviews for his role as Orpheus in the Dutch production of Hadestown, Jeangu Macrooy also releases a truly excellent new song. As if the title “Independent Girls & Nasty Evil Gays” isn’t great enough already, the music and especially Jeangu’s vocal delivery absolutely lives up to the promise of the song name. This sarcastic protest song is, like his other (great) tracks discussed in recent round-ups, a part of his upcoming album “Young, Awkward & Lonely”. It is a really musically fun, lyrically satirical protest song that takes on queerphobia and misogyny. Obviously my Song of the month!
Lord Of The Lost, Within Temptation – “Light Can Only Shine In The Darkness”
Poor LotL, any other month this collab would have had a good chance of being my song of the month but they will have to settle for second place this time around. Although that perhaps is fitting as this is Within Temptation’s second collab appearing in the round-up, following their recent work with Jerry Heil. This is one of the first songs released by Lord of the Lost after singer Chris Harms’ solo album from this February. “Light Can Only Shine In The Darkness” is a banging, rocking, uplifting track that not only goes hard, but provides an excellent base for Chris and Within Temptation’s Sharon den Adel to sing together beautifully.
TÁR – “Fucking Run Like Hell”
As this duo has no connection to Lydia Tár (sadly), the gorgeous alt-folk “Fucking Run Like Hell” instead comes to us courtesy of Zöe Ruth Erwin and Systur’s Elín Eyþórsdóttir. Warm harmonies singing emotional lyrics, a gently driving melody, that certain timeless aesthetic… Yeah, this is everything I love about alt-folk and a song I highly recommend. Daniel wants me to make this co-song of the month under the Independent Girls banner, but I refuse and instead will just insist you listen to this.
Kate Ryan – “Casser La Voix”
While her Eurovision entry never quite hit the highs it could and should have, many other songs by Kate Ryan have found broad popularity in Europe. For this month, the Belgian diva went back to doing what she does best: working with producers, in this case Niclas Kings (Kate’s “Ella elle l’a” and “Je t’adore”, Charlotte Perelli) and Niklas Bergwall (same tracks for Kate, and also Darin, Edyta Górniak) to throw some beats over a respected French-language song from the 80s. And, as always, it just really works.
Aiko – “I need a minute”
While many people take some time off during the summer, it can also be a social overload when you go from event to event, party to party. Sometimes all this social activity makes you say to yourself “I need a minute”. If so, Aiko has got you covered for a song to add to the playlist, in which she sings about this very thing. It is a really fun track that is a minor but notable change from her sound, with some more distortion and effects on top of the production and vocals to really create that feeling of going home after getting just a little too tired.
Victoria – “We Don’t Get Along”
Bulgaria’s Victoria has come to the realization that, sometimes, “We Don’t Get Along”. You can listen to the song and read more about it in our article here:
Next page: Highlights from artists from across the Extended Eurovision Universe
Giwrgos Oiko