#Melodifestivalen2021 has Sweden’s @EricSaademusic facing off against @AntonEwald while @AnaSoklic represents Slovenia for #Eurovision2021

ERIC SAADE, “Every Minute”

ANTON EWALD, “New Religion”

ANA SOKLIC, “Amen”

I’m looking forward to seeing what the 2021 EuroVision song contest has to offer, having only watched it on TV for the first time two years ago, the first time it was shown in my country.  I have been following Sweden’s Melodifestivalen contest for about 10 years, and this year is bringing back two of my favourites, both of whom I’ve written about many times, but both are on the comeback trail after some radio silence for a few years, and face off against each other in the upcoming finals.  And for EuroVision, I have some words about the song that is Slovenia’s entry this year.

Eric Saade was on a huge roll 10 years ago with his engaging albums Saade Vol. 1 and Saade Vol. 2.  These were led by the song “Popular”, which won Melodifestivalen, finished third at EuroVision, and was my #1 song of 2011.  And smashing songs kept on coming, particularly “Hotter Than Fire” and “Backseat” (both reached #1 on my chart), plus other gems like “Made Of Pop”, “Sting”, “Fingerprints” and the strange but cool “Killed By A Cop”.  After recording a few releases in Swedish, Eric is back with one of his most accomplished songs to date, “Every Minute”. His thoughtful and taut vocal leads a vibrant deep house track that recalls last year’s “Breaking Me” by Topic & A7S at times. The  official video for the song is below.

Anton Ewald actually danced behind singers like Danny Saucedo for several years in Melodifestivalen, and then he broke out on his own with the Swedish #2 hit “Begging”, which finished 4th in Melodifestivalen that year. Again, numerous engaging singles followed like “Can’t Hold Back”, “This Could Be Something”, and “L.I.L.Y.”, all of which reached the Top 5 on my chart. His new song “New Religion”, starts off like a sultry ballad and then busts open into a rhythmic house arrangement.  Anton’s enthusiasm for the song shines through and makes it a compelling if unconventional entry for Melodifestivalen, albeit with some slick choreography.

Both Eric and Anton have fierce competition from songs by The Mamas, Dotter, and Tusse, and while neither may win it is great to hear both gents back making fine pop songs.

Ana Soklič won the 2020 Slovenian song contest which didn’t take her to EuroVision because of the pandemic, so her win carries over to 2021 with the song “Amen”.  Like others who have won or participated in EuroVision, 2021 could be a breakout year for the singer, who has been popular in Slovenia for more than 15 years.  “Amen” is a gorgeous, hopeful ballad with a sweeping arrangement known to entice EuroVision audiences and juries.  The lyrics were written by my friend and former EuroVision winner himself, Charlie Mason, who won in 2014 with Austria’s “Rise Like A Phoenix” (and previously had songs recorded by Eric Saade too).  If it makes the finals, I will be happily rooting for “Amen” while I’m watching the event.

American electronic producer @ZAXXofficial returns with techno-infused “CHAOS”

ZAXX, “CHAOS”

While American electronic producer ZAXX has been known in the past for his dynamic big room sets, as well as potent remixes for the likes of The Chainsmokers, Elephante, and 3LAU, his new song “CHAOS” is on a bit of a different bent. With some instrumentation that could be a sample from Martin Garrix’s “Animals” setting the stage, “CHAOS” is a throwback to the 2013-14 years after big room and high arpeggios made their mark, and producers were searching for more innovative, often techno-inspired rhythms. And when you have a song called “CHAOS”, expect some well-placed big drops. A huge future bass mid-section becomes the song’s main hook, around an affecting uncredited female vocal.  No question, this song is supposed to be played very loud at clubs and festivals, and I hope DJ’s will remember to include “CHAOS” for maximum effect.  

Italy’s @DJMirkoB rolls out another winner with the seductive deep house of “Celebrate (The Love)”

DJ MIRKO B, “Celebrate (The Love)”

Following the redux of his own “Let You Go” and the ferocious techno-Italohouse of “Love Is Never Ever Wrong”, Italy’s DJ Mirko B is back with something more for your deep house palates, “Celebrate (The Love)”. It’s an early 90’s-inspired track that could pepper any deep house playlist, particularly ahead of any late evening romance. The uncredited vocal is appropriately luscious and sensuous, while the mix draws from some big name classics, but in versatile fashion carves out its own path for your distinct and immense enjoyment.

Virginia’s @officialLZRD and Nashville’s @SamTinnesz aim for a pop-dance classic with “When We Love”

LZRD and SAM TINNESZ, “When We Love”

When you first hear “When We Love”, your initial reaction will be one of familiarity, but the good kind, based on classic pop-dance song structure.  So undoubtedly Virginia producer LZRD and vocalist Sam Tinnesz are out to turn heads with “When We Love”.  And it works just fine – the production is very European-oriented, with retro vibes from 10 years ago in particular, and Sam’s voice soaring with the best of them.  Although LZRD has been releasing songs, and especially remixes (for names like Kygo and 3LAU, no biggie 😉 ), over the past few years, I know him from a throwback fave from 2016 that I still play a lot called “Take Me Apart” (which reached #5 on my chart). While I’m not familiar by name with Sam Tinnesz, judging by his credits, we probably all are, with numerous TV placements on dozens of shows, previous credits working with the likes of Super Duper, Yacht Money, and Built By Titan, and one song approaching 100 million streams.  “When We Love” is magnetic and enjoyable, and you’ll want to keep spinning this one.

Meet England’s M. Pike @michaelpasut with edgy but thoughtful rocker “Worthy”

M. PIKE, “Worthy”

“Worthy” is a song that seems to belong in part to a couple of different eras, the post-grunge of the late 90’s when Green Day emerged, and the post-punk of the late 70’s when Elvis Costello and The Clash came into prominence. I’m not sure if that’s what Italy-born, London-based singer/songwriter M. Pike had in mind, but it certainly fuels his music with appeal.  Labeling himself as “the artist of new era”, “Worthy” is bold, edgy and thoughtful – my immediate comparison is to 80’s British rocker Pete Wylie (aka The Mighty Wah), right down to the spoken word reassurance to us all at the two and a half minute mark.  M. Pike’s voice reminds me of Wylie-meets-Billie Joe Armstrong, but with a soulful and more precise undercurrent. “Worthy” tricks you into thinking it will be an all acoustic jam, but the song ignites and you’re in for a pleasant, unique rockin’ ride for these times.

Meet Finland’s Lalalow with a dreamy song written with introverts in mind called “Sensory Deprivation”

LALALOW, “Sensory Deprivation”

With a title like “Sensory Deprivation”, you might expect some heady, minimalist, experimental electronic work that might just go right over your head.  Instead, meet the Finnish duo Lalalow (vocalist/keyboardist Nina Jackson and guitarist/bassist Tommi Laivamaa) who have put a lot of thought into creating a brief dreamscape with introverts in mind with “Sensory Deprivation”.  This is not to say that everyone can’t find something to enjoy about the song. The worthy idea here is that introverts (like yours truly) enjoy their time with themselves and do a lot of creative thinking, so why not channel that into a mellow, surreal escape, with Nina’s voice sounding like a cousin of Jessie Ware over lovely instrumentation full of subtleties.  At only 2:54, the song is over sooner than you are aware, making it well worth repeating.  So in the end, don’t think, just sit back, relax, and imagine…

Toronto’s @theAvaKay creates cinematic, sweeping pop with debut single “Wild Again”

AVA KAY, “Wild Again”

Perhaps even a deeper hidden secret in the music biz than fellow singer/songwriters Sia and Julia Michaels, Toronto’s Ava Kay has been behind the scenes for years writing for others, including Afrojack, Raghav and Tyler Shaw, and has had her songs placed in by Disney, Hallmark, and Canada’s CBC.  Stepping out of the shadows, Ava makes a notable splash with her debut single “Wild Again”. Led with a beautiful, rich vocal, “Wild Again” is cinematic pop of the best kind, a reflective song that, as she says herself, was made “without any compromises”.  I’m so glad to be hearing strings (or, as it is sometimes, synth strings) in recent releases again, and here they are used to their best effect, making the emotional song sweeping and magnetic.  We can’t help it here in Canada if we keep churning out great talent – watch for Ava Kay to make her mark again, this time as a performer.

French producer @GianniKosta returns with Canada’s @Dragonette for earworm “Phantom”

GIANNI KOSTA x DRAGONETTE, “Phantom”

It’s great to see two talents come together who haven’t been often in the public lately, them being French producer and remixer Gianni Kosta and Canadian duo Dragonette.  Gianni Kosta is a well-respected producer known for high-powered remixes of songs by the likes of Demi Lovato and Lost Frequencies, and releases his own music now and again.  “Phantom” takes a few spins but it’s definitely an earworm that has pop radio potential.  Since their last album, 2016’s Royal Blues, Dragonette has largely been a collaborating force, most recently with artists like Shaun Frank (2018’s Canadian pop radio hit “Tokyo Nights”, also with Digital Farm Animals), Autograf, Klingande, and Plastic Plates. “Phantom” brings back to our attention the definitive voice of Martina Sorbara, who also co-wrote the song with Gianni.  “Phantom” is a tease with a dash of sleaze, and fans of both Gianna Kosta and Dragonette will enjoy it immensely while it attracts new fans as well.

French-American rock singer/songwriter @NordiBlu returns with taut, anthemic “Eye Of The Hurricane”

NORDI BLU, “Eye Of The Hurricane”

I wrote about Nordi Blu’s powerful debut single “Skin” back in 2019, and the promise of more music from the talented French-American (but Berlin-raised) singer/songwriter who had previously placed in the quarter-finals of “The Voice Of Germany” TV contest had to wait two years, which can be a long time in the fast moving music industry. Needless to say, she has picked up where she left off with “Eye Of The Hurricane”.  Singers in the rock genre often don’t have polished voices with great tones, and that is where Nordi Blu has a noteworthy advantage. Her vocal allows “Eye” to be a better-than-average anthem, while contributing heavily to its taut, commanding atmosphere.  I would love to see Nordi Blu duet with Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons and hear them both blow the house down!  Now that she’s back, I hope we’ll get to listen to more fine new songs from Nordi Blu this year.

Check out the chill but haunting dance-pop of “Take It Slow” by Washington DC’s @TeddyBeats with vocal by Baltimore’s @JoleeNikoal

TEDDY BEATS and JOLEE NIKOAL, “Take It Slow”

“Take It Slow” is the kind of chill but rhythmic dance pop that helps set the stage for a big party.  It’s haunting, hypnotic and graceful, brought to you by Washington DC producer Teddy Beats and Baltimore vocalist Jolee Nikoal.  Both have worked together a number of times over the past few years, and there is an obvious chemistry here.  Teddy Beats is otherwise known as a future house DJ and remixers whose music has received high level support by SiriusXM Chill and placements on playlists like Starbucks Coffee House Pop.  He’s remixed for the likes of Don Diablo, Loud Luxury and Throttle, among others.  But circling back to his own songs , there is another musical identity to explore now, when people are likely to be at their most attentive, which is the perfect time to get to know it through songs like “Take It Slow”.