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.
Tanxugueiras – “Pedindo Perdón”
Everyone’s favourite trio from Galicia, Tanxugueiras, released new music this month. “Pedindo Perdón” (Asking For Forgiveness) leans further into the more electronic sound the group have been playing with recently, without losing touch with the roots of Galician folklore. The song is an empowerment anthem about the importance of loving yourself, emotional independence, and the ability to not endlessly give people opportunities after they wronged you.
Pongo – “Celebrate”
It’s time to “Celebrate” as the neo-kuduro diva Pongo returns to the round-up with “Celebrate”. And yes, this song is just as much a celebration as you would expect from a song with this title by this artist. With a beat that commands you to move, a melody that wills you to dance, and a catchy sing-along chorus, this song is an excellent celebration to close out the summer with!
Fábia Maia – “Unreleased” (EP)
The newly released EP by Festival da Canção 2021 contestant Fábia Maia is called, uhhh, “Unreleased”. It’s exactly what it says on the tin, a collection of previously unreleased songs/versions of songs. “Unreleased” kicks off with dark, haunting opener “Winner_ROUGHMIX” before moving to the more upbeat “Rockstar_versãofinal_2019” and “Vamos celebrar_v5_ft.Gson”. “Na Minha [Master 44.1kHz 16bit]” goes heavy on the beat before giving way to closer “Raquel_REC1_MIX1”, which has much more of an indie singer-songwriter vibe. A great EP, with the first and final track being major standouts. TIED for EP of the month!
Calema – “Voyage (Part 1)” (EP)
But that’s not all when it comes to FdC related EPs! 2019’s Calema are here with “Voyage (Part 1)”, which is a celebration of their African roots. Despite being only the classic 5-track length for an EP, this release truly takes a voyage through different emotions and moods. Opener “A Nossa História” (Our History) feels stunningly contemplative, before giving way to the sad-yet-loving “Alice”. “Distinu”, a collaboration with composer and activist Dino d’Santiago, is an almost anthemic examination of the struggles of emigrating and trying to find a better future, which contrasts beautifully with the almost homesick “Txiguinha”. EP closer “Dia Xi Má Kua Buaru” (The Day Things Get Better”) is a hopeful, upbeat, yet also ever-so-slightly melancholy track about an emigrant leaving his homeland and my personal favourite on this release. TIED for EP of the month!
Sandra Lyng, Sander – “Sterk for d”
Alright, let’s go to a release that I won’t be writing as much about, even though it also is very good! “Sterk for d” is described by Sandra as her most personal song yet and is a lovely little song dedicated to her son Sander, who is also listed as an artist on the track. Sandra shares writing credits on the song with producers Jim Bergsted (Alan Walker, Victoria Nadine, Robin Schulz) and Helge Reinsnes Moen (Northkid, Ekko Ekko, “Sommer og Skolefri”) .
Kari Bremnes – “Litt av et liv”
Back in 1982, Kari Bremnes competed in Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix and finished seventh. She left those days far behind her and has released countless award-winning, high-charting albums. “Litt av et liv” (A bit of life) is a song about her cat Midas and is an ode to the happiness and liveliness a four-legged friend brings to a house. Kari Bremnes wrote the song together with her go-to producer Bengt Egil Hanssen. A very cute, sweet, relaxed synth track that I highly recommend!
Tone Sekelius- “Better Now”
Going for some slick retro grooves this month is Tone Sekelius, who is feeling “Better Now”. The song sees Tone continue working with Axel Daniel Wintzell, who also worked on certified bop “Utan Dig” and the emotional “Time Will Heal Me“.
Janna feat. Erika Vikman & F – “Aivan sama”
We make the small hop from Sweden to Finland to celebrate a new feature by UMK fan-favourite Erika Vikman. “Aivan sama” (Identical) is musically a throwback to that slightly house-inspired era of danceable pop music. Janna (best known for “Sateet”, “Onnistu elämään”, and “Maailma meidän jälkeen) takes top billing and the lead on this song, with Erika Vikman and F (best known for “Ihana”, “Sitä sattuu”, a feature on costee’s “Päivänsäde”) teaming up with her to deliver this banger. “Ram pam pam” producer Joonas Angeria, Janna regular Juho Koskinen, and Skywalk produced the track.
BESS – “Saanko mä luvan”
Speaking of Finnish producers, BESS teamed up with the duo Los Rollos (Isac Elliot, Benjamin, Abreu) for “Saanko mä luvan” (May I have permission). This new music is a radical departure from BESS’ usual sound as it is a ballad. Don’t worry, her pop sensibilities and ear for a catchy tune are still more than there and help elevate this song.
elisabeth tiffany – “i just wanna see the sparks” (LP)
It’s time to discuss a debut album, as elisabeth tiffany just released her first full length record “i just wanna see the sparks”. This 7 track effort includes previously released tracks “parker solar probe”, the velle collab “future is hazy”, and “sparks falling down to my feet”, plus new material. Album opener “two troubled kids” has an R&By feel to it, which gives way to some more poppy (but still typically elisabeth tiffany) compositions on tracks such as the pre-released singles and “burgundy blood”. Album of the month!
Jovani x Petunija – “Perkūnas”
Last time I wrote about Petunija, it was about her EP that included a song so good it made me cry. “Perkūnas” (Thunder) can’t quite reach those heady heights, but it is another absolutely gorgeous piece by the Lithuianian singer. In this team up with Jovani, Petunija gets to show off her beautiful, emotional, evocative vocals over some truly excellent work by the Lithuanian DJ. Moody yet groovy, dark yet danceable, smooth yet impactful, I could go on and on about this track, but you really should just listen to it instead!
Rūta MUR – “Mylėt tave taip beprotiška ir keista”
It’s been over a year since I wrote about President of Lithuania Monika Liu working with the Gintariniai Laikai music collective. Rūta MUR now also worked with them, taking on the 1999 song “Mylėt tave taip beprotiška ir keista” (Loving you is so crazy and weird) by synthpop band Lemon Joy. In true Rūta MUR style, I would argue this song is less of an update and more of a reimagining, with her taking the rough (and excellent!) 90s sound of the original and turning it into a gorgeous and lush 80s production.
Jordan Haj & Emma Smetana – “Love Is Blind”
Was ESCZ 2022 the strongest national final when it comes to song quality? Many are saying so! Okay, it’s just me but that’s one person already. Jordan Haj and Emma Smetana team again up with a pop-rocky duet that could be straight from the 00s and I couldn’t be happier about it. Romantic, intense, in your face, “Love Is Blind” is definitely a standout track this month.
Chiara Dubey – “Lullaby for the Weird Ones”, “A Warrior of Another Kind”
And to close off this round-up we go to the 2025 hosts Switzerland. Chiara Dubey tried to represent her country of Switzerland in 2012, 2013, and 2018, and was the country’s spokesperson for the 2023 contest. “Lullaby for the Weird Ones” is a quiet, slow, moody, methodical piece that I’d feel is an almost ambient take on the electro-art-pop she usually makes. “Lullaby for the Weird Ones” is an achingly beautiful, and is one of the songs on her upcoming album “CHANDANI”. Song of the month!
Chiara followed up this single with what she described as a bit of a surprise release to tide us over as we wait for the album. “A Warrio of Another Kind” is more akin to her other releases. Another excellent song and perhaps a clearer sign of what’s to come on the album, highly recommend you check this out after listening to Lullaby!
Carrousel – “En silence”
Fellow 2013 Entscheidungs Show alums Carrousel come with this absolute bop of an indie track. “En silence” (In silence) marries richly layered melodies indie melodies with a chanson accordion and some house elements sprinkled here and there to create a beautifully musically dense yet instantly catchy and captivating song. Cannot recommend enough!
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 Bambie Thug, Edurne, and Rūta MUR to Sunstroke Project, Luca Hänni, Alessandra, 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, and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news and more!
News Source: That Eurovision Site / Various
Photo Credit: Rūta MUR, Baby Lasagna, Edurne, Tanxugueiras. Collage by That Eurovision Site.
Thomas James