Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

New week, new #Finpop tunes for your enjoyment! Evelina / ANI - Me ei kuuluta toisillemme Intiaanikesä - Löytäjä Jenna Veen - Bondi & Ruusunen Sana - Sä tuut muistaa

Syksyn sävel, or Song for autum, used to be a big thing and has provided a string of huge hits in the late 1960's and 1970's especially when Euroviisut - the Finnish national selection was very far from commercial success, while Syksyn Sävel's function was shamelessly commercial and often humoristic. Syksyn Sävel run from 1968 to 2001 and again 2011-2013. When it was announced the contest returns this fall one was hoping for the same; big names and hits in the making but when the list of participants was out it is clear it is not aimed for hit lists and streaming platforms but to the elderly schlager dance band audiences in the provinces. Sigh  Among the participants previous winners Mikko Alatalo (1978, 1980, 1981, 1986) and Anja Niskanen (1984) with many names from tango music circuit or ex-Tango Kings and Queens (Johanna Pakonen 2002, Saija Tuupainen 2003, Jukka Hallikainen 2008, Kyösti Mäkimattila 2013, Teemu Roivainen 2014. One can also add Antti Ahopelto, three times

Last night the huge tribute event took place in the Arena di Verona with 50 artists to honor and commemorate late Franco Battiato. Originally the plan was to tribute his La Voce del padrone album, released 40 years ago and one of the most sold albums ever in Italy. Twist of fate and everyone was there but the maestro himself. His closest collaborators had created his songs in their original arrangements played live and the singers who worked with him like Alice and Juri Camisasca, and singers who wished to work with him but didn't make it in time like Diodato and Mahmood along with singers who had covered his songs or simply considered him a real idol. The four hour long event was a celebration of life and his art that goes well beyond music rather than a mourning. When his latest song Torneremo ancora (We will be back) was played at the end of the show with a lonely spotlight on stage indicating where he would have been one could only think "He is still here". Indeed,

  Another week, another dose of new #Finpop tunes. Enjoy! Sara Siipola - Tyhjii lupauksii Paul Elias - Pimeän värit Aurora - Puhu mulle Jussu Pöyhönen - Morsiamen ryöstö

We may still have no host city but Belgium has revealed its entrant for the Eurovision song contest 2022 somewhere in Italy. Jérémie Makiese, who won the 9th series of The Voice Belgique in April will next take on the Eurovision stage following season one winner Roberto Bellarosa and season three runner up Loïc Nottet. The silky voiced geology student and amateur football player  Jérémie was born in Antwerp, Belgium to Congolese parents.  His name wasn't a surprise as he had already voiced loud and clear he would like to do Eurovision and Belgium and his name was widely rumored all summer.

  Another dose of recent releases, including Eurovision veteran Hanna Pakarinen's comeback! Benjamin Enroth - Lupaan olla sinun Happoradio - Maalissa Hanna Pakarinen - Sun aika tulee vielä Lauri Tähkä - Keskiyön cowboy

  It's September and those new releases are pouring in so it's time to dust off this #Finpop series. Enjpy! Sofia Zida / Timo Kiiskinen - Rakkauden arvoinen Thelise - Voiks vielä vaihtaa elämää Bess / Nopsajalka - Viisi kesää Katri Ylander / Disco - Jos tänään kuolen

Now and them combined, as they sing in Don't shut me down . Abba is back and what a relief they still sound like themselves and instead of the break of 39 years it could be three years, or nine. But then again, the 1980's sound is back so the timing is perfect - or was it this they were waiting all this time?  Agnetha and Frida may have lost the crystalline edge of their voice but they still are totally recognizable. A bit deeper and huskier but still the voice mix that always made Abba stand out. Despite the comeback the ladies have chosen to stay out of spotlight and leave the talking to Björn and Benny. While the two now released songs ahead of the album Voyage to be released in November 2021 are already storming the global charts it will be interesting to see how this develops. Another album after this one? Or is this is, with the virtual show in London May 2022 and eventual world tour after that. Meanwhile the fandom all over the world has gone crazy and one can pre-order

Francesco Gabbani is back and it already sounds like a hit.  La rete has the fashionable hint of 80's vibe in its sound and this blogger couldn't be happier! ( Just like with Marco Mengoni's Ma stasera) . Gabbani gives also a stunning music video where he basically runs from the mountain top to the sea level and into the sea through various beautiful environments from sunflower fields to olive trees and all. Lovely sight indeed! And the song is great, too! 

Everyone knows Ricky Balboa, an underdog like Blind Channel at Eurovision 2021 where they sneaked into sixth place - Finland's second best showing ever! Måneskin may have taken over the world but also Blind Channel hasn't come back empty handed. They have a new international record deal and their summer tour in Finland has been sold out. The tour continues in Europe in January! Their gig in Helsinki's Allas Sea pool in the city center is now watchable in Yle Areena .