The Finnish broadcaster Yleisradio has been drip feeding Eurofans their seven National Final songs for Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2023 over the last week. All the songs are now available for listening below:
Artists — Songs:
Keira — 'No Business On The Dancefloor'
At just 17-years-old Keira will make her UMK and music career debut with 'No Business On The Dancefloor'. Keira competed on The Voice of Finland in 2022. The upbeat tune is a power anthem encouraging everyone to bust some moves and let loose.
Benjamin — 'Hoida mut'
Benjamin is a popular Finnish personality and musician. His first single 'Underdogs' released in 2014 peaked at #10 locally but found unprecedented success in Spain. He has had 8 Top 20 hits in Finland. 'Hoida mut' is about a charged encounter in which your brain starts to form a fantasy about what might happen next.
Robin Packalen — 'Girls Like You'
Another well established and beloved Finnish artist - Robin Packalen will make his UMK debut in 2023. He started his career as a teen pop artist, being likened to "The Justin Bieber of Finland" and is one of the 70 best-selling artists of all-time in his home country. 'Girls Like You' is a quintessential pop sound for Robin all about having a good flirt and becoming more than friends.
Lxandra — 'Something To Lose'
Lxandra (also known as Alexandra Lehti) is an up-and-coming talent. She hails from Suomenlinna, a sea fortress built across six islands close to Helsinki and attributes her dreamy, creative style to her childhood lifestyle. Lxandra is a Swedish-speaking Finn. She currently resides in Berlin to grow her music career. 'Something To Lose' is about how one must have something to lose in order to have something to fight for.
Käärijä – 'Cha Cha Cha'
Known for his unique style and musical sound - Käärijä also makes his UMK debut in 2023. A self-proclaimed Eurovision fan who has followed the contest since he was a little boy, naming 'Dancing Lasha Tumbai' as an unforgettable performance. 'Cha Cha Cha' is an eclectic electro-pop-rap song. At around 154bpm this unrestrained party anthem powers on, liberating you to dance and to be yourself.
KUUMAA — 'Ylivoimainen'
KUUMAA is a trio of singer: Johannes Brotherus, Jonttu Luhtavaara and Aarni Soivio. The group emerged onto the Finnish music scene in 2016, followed-up by their self-titled debut album in 2019. They've amassed 284,000 monthly listeners on Spotify with decent radio time locally. 'Ylivoimainen' is about the feelings of longing, being swept up in the vortex of emotions and willing to do anything.
Portion Boys — 'Samaa taivasta katsotaan'
Portion Boys is a pop, dance group with memebers JaloTiina, Taitelija Nieminen, Kenraali Vahva, El Meissel & A.P. Vuori. They formed in 2010 but rocketed into Finnish consciousness in 2021 with viral hit 'Vauhti kiihtyy'. Their UMK entry 'Samaa taivasta katsotaan' is described as an "unfortgettable earworm, positively brimming with laser drums, energy and musical hooks" by jury members selecting the songs.
Grand Final
The UMK 2023 final will be held on 25 February 2023 with the winner to represent Finland at Eurovision.
The competing entries must have at least one of the writers and the lead singer(s) had to hold Finnish citizenship or live in Finland permanently in order for the entry to qualify to compete. A panel of nine experts appointed by Yleisradio selected seven entries for the competition from the 363 received submissions.
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