The reveal of the entries participating in Finland’s Eurovision 2026 selection, UMK, continues to be unveiled. The fifth entry to be released is “Takatukka” by Antti Paalanen, which coincided with the release of the official music video of his entry.
Listen to “Takatukka” on streaming platforms
You can listen to Antti Paalanen’s entry via the following streaming platforms:
Spotify
Apple Music
About Antti Paalanen
Antti Paalanen is a folk musician, accordion player and throat singer, who lives in Kokkola, Finland, whose mission is to bring both the Southern Ostrobothnian folk music tradition and the Mongolian throat singing tradition can fit naturally into the framework of pop and rock music, to a wider audience.
He has released numerous albums, and received his international breakthroguh performing in the WOMEX showcase in 2011, and in 2019 with the release of his album Rujo.
Commenting on Antti Paalanen’s selection for UMK26, the UMK jury comments:
Antti Paalanen is an award-winning, bold innovator of his own genre who has toured Europe. The song has a brilliant lyrical hook that anyone can join in with. Antti is a master of his own instrument, and he has a unique singing voice that immediately captures the listener. And if you thought that vocal effects were definitely used in the song, you are wrong. Antti himself gives off such a sound, which he creates with the ancient throat singing technique. Nothing like this has been heard at UMK before.
What do we know about UMK26?
Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu will take place on the 28th of February 2026. 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 |
| Etta | “Million Dollar Smile“ | January 15th |
| Pete Parkkonen x Linda Lampenius | “Liekinheitin“ | January 16th |
| Komiat | “Lululai“ | January 19th |
| Sinikka Monte | “Ready to Leave“ | January 20th |
| Antti Paalanen | “Takatukka” | January 21st |
| Chachi | “Cherry Cake“ | January 22nd |
| KIKI | “Rakkaudenkipee” | January 23rd |
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 “ICH KOMME” by Erika Vikman. Competing in the second semi-final, Erika qualified for the final, and would eventually finish in 11th place with 196 points. Of these, 108 came from the televote, while the jury awarded her 88 points.
Are you excited for UMK26? What do you think of Antti Paalanen‘s entry? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, Tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!
News Source: Yle
Picture Credit: Yle/Miska Voinoff
Giwrgos Oiko