Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

After last year's cancellation and many countries just sending the previously chosen artist to Rotterdam 2021 the edition 2022 sees an increase of national selections which is very nice. It also seems already that many previous entrants are after another go, so far Estonia taking the prize with six previous winners trying again compared to one in Spain (Azúcar Moreno), three in Sweden (Anna Bergendahl, John Lundvik, Robin Bengtsson) and four in Lithuania (Erika Jennings, Ieva Zasimauskaité, Monika Linkyté, Vilija Mataciunauté). So far. They are Evelin Samuel (1999), Anna Sahlene (2002), Elina Nechayeva (2018), Lauri Pihlap (2001), Stig Rästa (2015) and Ott Lepland (2012). Estonia's Eesti laul 2022 is already in full swing and after the last quarter final all but Lauri Pihlap (Eurovision 2001 winner as a member of 2XL) made the cut for semi-finals coming up next in February. So many songs in Estonian in the mix! Jaagup Tuisk - Kui vaid Stig Rästa - Interstellar Maian - Meeletu B...

Kaliningrad born Tanja (Tatiana Mihhailova, 30) isn't a new comer to Eesti laul as she already was a runner up back in 2002 with NightLight Duo and Another country song and took part again in 2003 . Since then she has become a household name and much admired person in theater, musicals and TV-shows. Several bands, talent shows and international festivals later she lands Copenhagen 2014 with partly self-penned Amazing . Robert: Like previous years, a very interesting preselection in Estonia. I like many songs of this Eesti laul like Maiken , Sandra Nurmsalu, Lauri Pihlap, Körsikud, Lenna Kuurmaa and MiaMee but in the end Traffic's song Fur Elise is the best for me. The winning song by Tanja is not at all appreciated by me. No final. Blogilkar :  I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to this among the Eesti laul semifinalists. The dancing & singing performance seemed a bit akward and yes, a bit Loreen-ish. The Estonian final was full of worthy songs, ...

Estonia will have its second semifinal tonight and another ten songs are competing and half of them making the final. Among the acts also Urban Symphony's Sandra Nurmsalu, a favorite that has divided the opinions after some have found her song a bit disapponting. There's also Lauri Pihlap, part of the Estonian team that won Eurovision back in 2001. My favorites are Nion, Traffic, Sandra and most of all Maiken! Listen all songs here . Norman Salumäe - Reach Lauri Pihlap - Lootus Nion - Muut pole vaja Maltised - Elu Sofia Rubina - Citylights MiaMee - Fearful heart Traffic - Für Elise Maiken - Siin või sealpool maad Sandra Normsalu - Kui tuuled pöörduvad Brigita Murutar -  Laule täis taevakaar

Estonian songs are also online now and once again there's a bit everything for everyone. EDM, folk, ballads, rock... but nothing like Winny Puh to mix it up and in general the mix of songs is less surprising as the few previous years. Or should I say boring? With the first quick listening I kinda liked Maiken, Nion, MiaMee, Traffic, Wilhelm.... fans will propably go for Tanja. The one I was waiting for the most to hear or Sandra is not yet there! The Estonian semifinals will be on February 14 and 21 and the final on March 1, 2014. ERR wil upload the performance videos of each artists in coming days and some of them are already there.... Semifinal 1 - February 14, 2014 Tanja - Amazing   The Titles - Flames   Wilhelm - Resignal   State of Zoe - Solina   Nimmerschmidt - Sandra   VÖÖRAD - Maailm on hull   Super Hot CosmOs Blues Band - Maybe-Maybe   August Hunt - Kus on EXIT? Kõrsikud - Tule ja jää Lenna - Supernoova     ...

Estonia's national selection for Eurovision, Eesti Laul has grown the past few years the most interesting and surprising one that always has a colorful mix of genres and styles in it, something the Finnish UMK is inspired as well. This year we have several familiar names in it as artists and songwriters, most of all Sandra Nurmsalu (ESC 2009), Lenna Kuurmaa (ESC 2005) and Lauri Pihlap, part of the 2001 winning team 2XL. Estonia will have two semifinals (February 14 and 21) and the final on March 1, 2014. Tanja - Amazing ( Timo Vendt & Tatjana Mihhailova) Sofia Rubina - City Lights ( Priit Juurmann, Sofia Rubina) Maltised - Elu   (Jakko Maltis) MiaMee - Fearful Heart ( Liina Saar, Liisi Koikson) The Titles - Flame   (Rasmus Lill, Markus Rafael Nylund) Sandra Nurmsalu - Kui Tuuled Pöörduvad   (Sven Lõhmus) August Hunt - Kus On EXIT ( August Hunt) Norman Salumäe - Search   (Norman Salumäe) Traffic - Für Elise   (Stig Räst...