Ukraine | Oleg Verd - "Maniya"

BRAND NEW

Time to remeet the charismatic Oleg Verd! He returns to Sounds European! in "Maniya", an electric pop-rock track with synth elements that will bring a distinctive retro flare.

Slovenia | Gašper Rifelj - "Manj je več"

RECENT

Slovene star Gašper Rifelj has a new single on offer. "Manj je več" is such a delightful guitar-led song! The melody is sweet and endearing, the vocals are perfectly fitting, and the chorus is the perfect cherry on top of it all. It's so lovely!

Greece | Andromarchi - "Na soun psema"

RECENT

Andromarchi Dimitropoulou is a Greek singer hailing from Athens, who first appeared for the big public in the second season of The Voice in her country. Her most recent single is entitled "Na soun psema", and it brings a delicate side of ethnic folk-pop. How not to love it?

Moldova | Irina Rimes - "24:00"

RECENT

Get ready to listen to an amazing new single coming from Moldova. It's "24:00", by Irina Rimes. Pop can't get more addictive than that! It offers one of those choruses which stick to the head without a way to let it go.

Germany | Tim Bendzko - "Jetzt bin ich ja hier"

BRAND NEW

Tim Bendzko is on fire promoting his new album, "Filter". Here comes one more single from it: "Jetzt bin ich ja hier" is a tender approach to pop which retains the majesty of Tim's sounds!

Slovakia | Zuzana Smatanová - "Bergen"

RECENT

We are happy to remeet Zuzana Smatanová and listen to her new single. The Slovak singer has recently released "Bergen". It's a captivating alternative pop song, with a mysterious ambience that builds up until reaching a very big flow of sounds during the chorus.

Ireland | Niall Horan - "Nice to meet ya"

BRAND NEW

Irish superstar Niall Horan is returning to the music scene with a fabulous new single. "Nice to meet ya" follows the singer's trend of playing with elements from classic pop and rock adding his own personal flare.

Kosovo | Yll Limani - "Pse je me to"

RECENT

Kosovar star Yll Limani is back with a wonderful new single on offer. It's "Pse je me to", an ethnic pop song with spices of dance and electronic. The result is highly inviting!

United Kingdom | Mark Ronson feat. YEBBA - "Don't leave me lonely"

BRAND NEW

British producer Mark Ronson is on fire! His latest album, "Late night feelings", is giving us gem after gem, and the latest one of them is "Don't leave me lonely". Featuring vocals by American artist YEBBA, the song is a calmer kind of electronic pop.

Bulgaria | Mihaela Marinova - "Samo teb"

RECENT

It's time to listen to a great new song coming from Bulgaria. It's Mihaela Marinova's new release, "Samo teb". It's a deep electropop song with marking beats and a very memorable chorus. You can also listen to its version in English, "Now or never", clicking here.

Italy | Modà - "Guarda le luci di questa città"

BRAND NEW

Italian band Modà are back with a beautiful ballad. "Guarda le luci di questa città" brings a different side of the band: a sweet ballad with an inspiring instrumentation.

Norway | Gabrielle - "Tenker på deg"

RECENT

We are now landing in Norway, to listen to the latest release by Gabrielle. It's "Tenker på deg", a smooth and involving electropop. A special highlight to its inviting beats and minimal approach in the melody and the ambience.

Spain | Sergio Dalma feat. Andrés Dvicio - "Donna"

RECENT

Spanish star Sergio Dalma has just released "Donna", his latest studio album. And, to begin its promotion, he released the single that gave the album its name. The track features Andrés Dvicio and is a fresh approach to Latin pop!

Ukraine | ela. - "Ehrlich kompliziert"

RECENT

ela. is the stage name of Elżbieta Steinmetz, a Ukrainian-born German singer who was born in Smila in 1992. She rose to prominence as the lead singer of Elaiza. She has just released a solo single, entitled "Ehrlich kompliziert". It's a wonderful pop song, with a contagious melody and a very addictive chorus.

Lithuania | GJan - "Ruduo"

BRAND NEW

GJan is living a very prosperous new phase. So far this year she has only released songs in Lithuanian language, and has ditched the cheeky-sounding pops for a more intimate approach to music. Her new single follows that trend: "Ruduo" is a really captivating ballad!

Croatia | Mateo Pilat - "Dok odlaziš"

RECENT

Croatian singer Mateo Pilat is set to take our breath away once again with his new single. "Dok odlaziš" is a passionate pop-rock song with sweet verses and an intense chorus. What a wonderful vocal performance!

Italy | Levante - "Bravi tutti voi"

BRAND NEW

There is a new single by Levante! The Italian singer has recently released "Bravi tutti vuoi", a joyous sample of alternative pop that doesn't lose the Italian flavour we all know and love!

Ireland | Aimée - "Break me"

RECENT

Irish singer Aimée is back to our site. And she has a great new single on offer! "Break me" is a soft, groovy pop with a well-paced and well-marked melody and a lovely vocal performance.

Switzerland | Nicole Bernegger feat. Candy Dulfer - "Yes I gotta say no"

RECENT

The new album by Nicole Bernegger, "Alien pearl", is delivering a succession of gems. And the latest one of them is "Yes I gotta say no", in which she features Dutch saxofonist Candy Dulfer. The song is a fantastic throwback to sounds from the '50s and '60s!

Latvia | Arturs - "Aplī"

RECENT

Arturs Gruzdiņš is a Latvian singer from Rūjiena. He was the first winner of The X Factor in Latvia. Arturs has just released "Aplī", a very entertaining pop-rock, with a captivating melody and a very strong and catchy chorus. We love it!

Greece | Aspa Tsina feat. Phoebus - "Akou"

RECENT

Aspa Tsina is a Greek singer who was born in Larissa in 1977. She has joined Phoebus to record and release "Akou". It's such an irresistible song! The melody is extremely inviting, and the chorus is as great as it gets. We are fully in love with it: it's our song of the week!

France | Carla - "Bim bam toi"

BRAND NEW

Carla Lazzari was born in Nice, France, in 2005. She gained popularity after participating in the fifth edition of The Voice Kids in her country, and went on to become the French representative for the 2019 Junior Eurovision. Her song for the festival is "Bim bam toi", a sweet upbeat track that mixes classic French sounds with a really catchy melody!

Belarus | Maria Ermakova - "Vetra"

RECENT

As happens with the grown-ups version, some countries choose to select their Junior Eurovision entries via a National Final. This year, one of the highlights of the season was in Belarus. Maria Ermakova, born in Minsk, captivated us all with her mix of dark and traditional sounds in "Vetra". Sadly, she couldn't win the selection, but her song will remain in our playlists!

Spain | Sinsinati - "Indios y vaqueros"

RECENT

Sinsinati are a Spanish band formed by Alvarito de Luna, Carlos Matamoros, Pedro Montero and Manuel Portero. They have just released such an entertaining pop-rock song! "Indios y vaqueros" offers an intense melody and the perfect amount of Latin flavors added to it.

Sweden | Isak Danielson - "Silence"

BRAND NEW

Isak Danielson is a Swedish singer born in Gothenburg in 1997. His uniquely melancholic take on pop took him to become one of the hottest new names to emerge from the Swedish music scene. And you can confirm such a strong affirmation in "Silence", his latest single. The track is a gem of noir pop!

Updated on November 23rd, 2019, with the official video.

Denmark | Nicklas Sahl - "Four walls"

RECENT

Danish star Nicklas Sahl has a great new single on offer. We are talking about "Four walls". It's a song that is led by fresh guitar sounds, and perfectly completed with a very marking chorus.

Armenia | Gevorg Martirosyan - "Eli mi ban"

RECENT

Gevorg Martirosyan is a singer born in Hrazdan, Armenia, in 1983. His most recent single is entitled "Eli mi ban", and it brings a romantic flare with a slight ethnic touch that form a compelling ballad.

Malta | Kevin Paul - "IDWK"

RECENT

Maltese singer Kevin Paul is back to our site with his new single. It's entitled "IDWK" ("I don't wanna know"). It's a very cool electropop song, with a groovy melody and a very modern chorus.

United Kingdom | Maisie Peters - "This is on you"

RECENT

British singer Maisie Peters returns to our site with a lovely new track. "This is on you" brings a soft pop with a dreamy chorus that will hook you up in it's tunes!

Germany | voXXclub - "Anneliese"

RECENT

It's time to have lots of fun: it's time to listen to voXXclub's new single! The German group has just released "Anneliese", and music can't get more fun than that. It's absolutely entertaining, from first to last second.

Denmark | Lukas Graham - "Lie"

BRAND NEW

Danish band Lukas Graham have been preparing new releases, and the first of them to see light was "Lie". The song is a downtempo alternative pop with their classic contemporary twist that elevates anything they touch!

Romania | Elena - "Armana mea"

RECENT

Still taking a the trip into her own country's roots, Romanian star Elena gifts us with another single. It's entitled "Armana mea". It's a song with a beautiful melody, perfectly spiced with folk instrumentals.

Kosovo | Nevena Božović - "Sanjam"

BRAND NEW

Kosovar-born singer Nevena Božović returns to our site with a quite interesting new single. "Sanjam" shows a kind of music closer to pop, with a kind of international sound that is sometimes hard to find in the region.

Slovenia | Siddharta - "Blizu"

RECENT

Slovene band Siddharta have a new single on offer. It's entitled "Blizu", and it's a hypnotic rock song with an irresistible mood, which could only be built by them. We love it to bits!

Spain | Antonio José - "Me equivocaré"

BRAND NEW

Spanish singer Antonio José returns to Sounds European! with a new single. "Me equivocaré" mixes the nostalgic notes of Antonio's voice with a soft Latin melody, a combination that is hard to resist!

Slovakia | Nocadeň - "Svitanie"

RECENT

It's finally time to remeet Slovak band Nocadeň, and see what's new with them! Their latest single is "Svitanie". It's a rock song with a lot of personality! It offers an epic vibe which is simply irresistible.

Austria | Fabian Wegerer - "Besser wenn ich geh"

RECENT

Fabian Wegerer is an Austrian singer born in Kirchdorf an der Krems in 1997. Listen to his most recent release: "Besser wenn ich geh" mixes pop and R&B with perfect majesty!

Armenia | Artem Valter - "Gna"

RECENT

Armenian star Artem Valter is back with a new single. It's "Gna", a song with a lovely melody, which is piano-led in verses and electronic in the chorus, and a very fitting vocal performance. The result is very cool!

France | Jérémy Frerot - "L'homme nouveau"

BRAND NEW

Jérémy Frerot is a singer born in Bruges, France, in 1990. He rose to prominence as part of the duo Fréro Delavega, and is now launching his solo career with a very sweet new single. "L'homme nouveau" is a calm pop that will charm you instantly!

Sweden | Mando Diao - "Long long way"

RECENT

Swedish band Mando Diao have a new single on offer. It's "Long long way", a great song which offers a wonderful retro trip with its sounds. The spices of classic rock are all over the instrumentals, the melody, the vocals... We love it!

Greece | STAN - "Ximeroni"

BRAND NEW

Greek singer STAN is becoming one of the biggest names in the local pop scene. And, with every single, he confirms this. The latest example is "Ximeroni", a tender ballad with a lovely ethnic feel.

Norway | HAYES feat. Nico & Vinz - "Where I belong"

RECENT

HAYES is Thomas Hayes, a Norwegian actor and singer who was born in Akershus in 1997. He has just joined Nico & Vinz to record and release a new single. "Where I belong" is a smooth and hypnotic song with a very contagious beat!

Switzerland | ILIRA - "Extra fries"

BRAND NEW

Time to check up on Swiss pop sensation ILIRA! She has recently released another great single, "Extra fries", a fantastic electronic pop to dance along!

Slovakia | TWiiNS - "Que me gusta"

RECENT

Slovak duo TWiiNS are back with a new single. "Me gusta" is an awesome approach on the current trend of modern electropop songs with Latin spirit. It's dancy and highly inviting!

Spain | Alejandro Sanz - "El trato"

BRAND NEW

Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz is finally back with new music! His latest single is entitled "El trato", and it brings a melancholic sound that will give you goosebumps.

Germany | Sotiria - "Nacht voll schatten"

RECENT

German star Sotiria is back with a new release. It's one more version of Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly's hit "Moonlight shadow" (which has had covers from all around the world, from Argentina to France). With her rendition, we have a captivating and highly inviting schlager with electronic spices that are just irresistible. The instrumentals are a perfect fit for it all!

Denmark | MØ - "I want you"

BRAND NEW

Danish singer MØ returns to our site with one of her latest releases. The single is entitled "I want you", and it is a fresh electronic pop that will put you to dance in no time!

Serbia | Katarina Didanović - "Tebi srećan put"

RECENT

Sounds European! remeets Serbian singer Katarina Didanović. She has recently released a new single, entitled "Tebi srećan put". It's a very catchy Balkan pop, with a melody that is quite involving and inviting. The chorus is specially fun!

Spain | Soraya feat. Jon Secada - "Por si no vuelves"

BRAND NEW

It's time to present our song of the week! Spanish singer Soraya has recently teamed up with Cuban-born superstar Jon Secada to release a beautiful new single. "Por si te vas" brings the kind of Latin ballad that never fails to tickle our feelings!

United Kingdom | Jack Savoretti feat. Mika - "Youth and love"

BRAND NEW

British singer Jack Savoretti teamed up with Lebanese-born, British star Mika to release a surprising new single. "Youth and love" mixes Jack's latest approach to classical instruments with Mika's pop groove to create one of the catchiest singles we've heard lately.

Armenia | Iveta Mukuchyan - "Im anush Hayastan"

BRAND NEW

Armenian diva Iveta Mukuchyan has recently released a fantastic new single. In "Im anush Hayastan", she sings about the beauty of her country in a song with a strong ethnic instrumentation. You shouldn't miss the video, either: it has mesmerizing visuals!

France | Pascal Obispo - "Allons en fan"

RECENT

Pascal Michel Obispo is a French singer and songwriter who was born in Bergerac in 1965. He has just released a new single, entitled "Allons en fan", and we are totally addicted to it. It's such an intense and captivating pop-rock song! The chorus is very catchy.

Spain | Carlos Right - "Perdóname"

RECENT

Carlos Right, from Esplugues de Llobregat, is another talented Spanish singer to be introduced on Operación Triunfo. Carlos has just released "Perdóname", and it's a song to listen on repeat. It's a beautiful and heartfelt piano-led ballad, with a stupendous vocal performance!

Croatia | Doris Dragović - "Brod za nabolje"

RECENT

Doris Dragović is a Croatian singer and songwriter who was born in Split in 1961. Doris has represented both Yugoslavia and Croatia on Eurovision, holding Croatia's best result in the country's history in the contest. She has just released a new single, entitled "Brod za nabolje". It's a beautiful song with a lovely melody, endearing instrumentals, and a passionate vocal performance by Doris and the backing vocals.

Belgium | The Lighthouse - "Pretty classy"

RECENT

Belgian band The Lighthouse have just released their debut album, "Whatever comes our way". And, to celebrate such a marking moment, they also released the fourth single to emerge from it: "Pretty classy" is a synth rock ballad that shows a different, yet equally captivating, side of their music.

Finland | Laura Närhi - "En tunnusta ikinä"

RECENT

Look who is back! It's Finnish star Laura Närhi. She has recently released "En tunnusta ikinä", a light and well-marked song with soft electronic beats that lead a hypnotic melody. Laura's voice is perfect to complete it all!

Italy | Antonella Lo Coco - "Solo per te"

BRAND NEW

Italian singer Antonella Lo Coco returns to our site with a wonderful new single. "Solo per te" is a compelling guitar-driven pop rock that brings an uplifting feeling!

Latvia | Dana Sokolova - "Z pokoleniye"

BRAND NEW

It's time to land in Latvia, to listen to another great single by Dana Sokolova. "Z pokoleniye" offers a huge roller coaster of emotions, from smooth and captivating verses to a powerful and exhilarating chorus.

Portugal | Fernando Daniel feat. Melim - "Se eu"

BRAND NEW

Portuguese singer Fernando Daniel has teamed up with Brazilian trio Melim to release a wonderful single. We are talking about "Se eu", a sweet ballad that will fit perfectly into a romantic evening.

Moldova | Nicoleta Nuca - "Tot mai rar"

BRAND NEW

Moldovan singer Nicoleta Nuca is back with an outstanding new single. It's entitled "Tot mai rar". The song is an excellent power ballad with a highly catchy chorus and an awesome vocal performance.

Sweden | FELIN - "Lalala"

BRAND NEW

Swedish pop duo FELIN is back to our site with an exciting new single. "Lalala" is a retro pop with garage rock inspirations that will have you on the edge of your seat!

France | Marina Kaye - "Twisted"

BRAND NEW

We couldn't be any happier, as one of our favorite French singers is finally back with a new single. Marina Kaye has just released "Twisted". It's a highly haunting song, from start to end. It's impossible not to be hooked by its dark vibe, more and more, second after second!

Netherlands | Matheu - "Dans met jou"

BRAND NEW

The 2019 Junior Eurovision is taking shape, with all participating countries releasing their entries. Now, it's time to check up on the Netherlands: Matheu Hinzen (born in Weert in 2006) will fly the Dutch colors with "Dans met jou", a cheerful pop with electronic hints.

Greece | Dimitris Dimopoulos - "Psemata ola"

BRAND NEW

Dimitris Dimopoulos is a Greek singer hailing from Patras. Meet him with his new single "Psemata ola". It's a beautiful and touching Greek ballad, with endearing melody and a lovely vocal performance.

United Kingdom | Bastille - "Bad decisions"

BRAND NEW

British band Bastille returns to our site with a brand new single. "Bad decisions" brings the band's classic quirk into a delightful indie pop wrap, complete with a very fitting music video to convey the message of the song.

Slovenia | Gašper Rifelj feat. Eva Boto - "Dovolj je poletja"

BRAND NEW

Gašper Rifelj and Eva Boto got together for a new single, "Dovolj je poletja". It's a lovely ballad, with a beautiful melody and a captivating ambience. And the vocals? Well, it's no surprise: when you put two of the most talented voices of a country together, only marvelous things can happen!

Romania | Nico - "4 pereti"

BRAND NEW

Romanian singer Nico returns to our site with a lovely new single. We are talking about "4 pereti", a pop ballad with a marking chorus in which Nico conveys an emotional message.

Finland | SANNI - "Yksinäinen milleniaali"

BRAND NEW

Finnish star SANNI has just released a new single. It's entitled "Yksinäinen milleniaali". The song is alternative pop at its best! It's highly hypnotic, with a mysterious and haunting vibe and an infatuating melody.

Germany | Adel Tawil - "DNA"

BRAND NEW

German singer Adel Tawil is promoting his latest album, "Alles lebt", with a brand new single. "DNA" brings an introspective melody to show a different side of Adel's talent. It's emotions on bloom!

Netherlands | Kris Kross Amsterdam feat. Nielson - "Ik sta jou beter"

RECENT

Two huge Dutch names got together for a new single. It's Kris Kross Amsterdam and Nielson, with "Ik sta jou beter". It's a groovy and catchy song with an irresistible melody, specially in the chorus. We felt some irresistible references to '90s and 2000s music there!

This song doesn't have an official video on YouTube, but you can listen to it on Spotify.

Ukraine | The Hardkiss - "Zhiva"

BRAND NEW

Ukrainian group The Hardkiss return to our site with a grandiose new single. "Zhiva" is an electrifying dark rock that will empower you with its strength.

Slovenia | Stella - "Ocean"

RECENT

Stella is the stage name of Špela Jezovšek, a Slovene new talent from Šentjur. Meet her with the marvelous "Ocean". It's an alternative pop song with a very captivating melody. We are totally into its ambience and Stella's awesome vocal performance!

Belgium | Hooverphonic - "Horrible person"

RECENT

Belgian band Hooverphonic have started the 2020 Eurovision season when, earlier this month, they were announced as the representatives of their country in Rotterdam. While they are in the process of selecting their song for the competition, let's all enjoy their latest single: "Horrible person" is a relaxed alternative pop-rock that will have you swinging along!

Lithuania | Valdas Lacko - "Tik tavęs vienos"

RECENT

We are now landing in Lithuania, to meet Valdas Lacko, from Rusnė. He has recently released a great single, entitled "Tik tavęs vienos". It's a cool and groovy pop song with fun beats and a very marking chorus.

Spain | Melani García - "Marte"

BRAND NEW

Hailing from Valencia, Melani García is a 12-year-old singer who is becoming a very promising star in Spain. She won the local version of The Voice Kids last year, conquering the public with her impressive lyrical skills. And, now, she will fly the Spanish flag in the return of the country at the 2019 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Marte", a compelling R&B ballad which also adds lyrical notes to show the talents of Melani.

Finland | Ellinoora - "Viha, kipu ja rakkaus"

RECENT

It's time to listen to another track of Ellinoora's new album! We now highlight "Viha, kipu ja rakkaus", a well-paced mid-tempo pop song with cool beats and a chorus that is highly involving and captivating.

Germany | Matthias Reim - "Eiskalt"

RECENT

Matthias Reim is a German singer and songwriter who was born in Korbach in 1957. He has just released a new single, entitled "Eiskalt", and we couldn't be more in love with it! Melody can't get more inviting and catchy than this. We love it to bits: it's our song of the week!

Malta | Ira Losco feat. Michela - "Cannonball"

BRAND NEW

Maltese diva Ira Losco (who recently gave us a lovely exclusive interview) has teamed up with rising star Michela Pace for a really nice single together. "Cannonball" is a lively pop with subtle country influences that mingle their voces beautifully!

United Kingdom | White Lies - "Hurt my heart"

BRAND NEW

British band White Lies return to Sounds European! with a stimulating new single. "Hurt my heart" blends their synth influences with old school rock in the chorus, creating an explosion of sounds!

Croatia | Tragovi - "Na staroj adresi"

BRAND NEW

Croatian band Tragovi are back with a great new single. We are talking about "Na staroj adresi". It's a captivating pop-rock song with an inviting melody and a very catchy chorus.

Ukraine | Ani Lorak - "My narushayem"

BRAND NEW

Ukrainian superstar Ani Lorak is back with new music! She has recently released "My narushayem", a song that brings together pop, synth and ethnic sounds in a downtempo show of charisma.

Updated on December 6th, 2019, with the official video.

Greece | Kaiti Garbi feat. Phoebus - "Kormia chamena"

BRAND NEW

Two great Greek stars got together for an amazing new single. It's Kaiti Garbi and Phoebus, with "Kormia chamena". The song is a very captivating Greek folk pop. Its instrumentals build an inviting melody, and the vocals fill it all with perfection!

Updated on November 8th, 2019, with the official video.

Czech Republic | Chinaski - "Láska a data"

BRAND NEW

Czech ensemble Chinaski is back to Sounds European! with their latest release. "Láska a data" is a tender rock ballad that shows a softer side of the band's extensive portfolio.

France | Giordana Angi - "Chiedo di non chiedere"

RECENT

Giordana Angi is a French-born Italian singer who was born in Vannes in 1994. She rose to prominence as the runner-up of the 18th season Amici (which also had Alberto Urso and Alessandro Casillo). Meet her with "Chiedo di non chiedere", a raw, straightforward pop-rock with a groovy and marking chorus. The whole song presents the perfect set for Giordana's unique voice to shine in a great manner!

Romania | Delia - "Sa-mi canti"

BRAND NEW

Romanian star Delia is back with a new single! We are talking about "Sa-mi canti", a powerful pop ballad which creates an intimate atmosphere with the help of an involving instrumentation.

Germany | Cascada - "Like the way I do"

RECENT

Sounds European! remeets German group Cascada and their new single. "Like the way I do" is an electropop song with an irresistible melody and a very marking chorus. We couldn't expect anything else from them!

Italy | Elisa - "Tua per sempre"

BRAND NEW

Italian singer Elisa is promoting new music! Her latest single is entitled "Tua per sempre", and it brings a jazz-infused ballad with a marking orchestration.

Bosnia and Herzegovina | Zdravko Čolić - "Ono malo sreće"

RECENT

Bosnian-born Serbian star Zdravko Čolić has a new single on offer. And we are fully sure: "Ono malo sreće" is traditional Balkan pop at its best form! It's catchy, captivating and highly passionate. Čolić always adds unique quality to his music!

Spain | María de Juan - "12:30 de azul"

BRAND NEW

María de Juan is a singer hailing from Valencia, Spain. Living a very musical life from an early age, she has recently released an exciting new single: "12:30 de azul" is a sultry approach to indie pop, a delicacy of the Spanish music scene.

10 Questions For: Alphabeat

INTERVIEW

Few Danish artists have achieved as much as they have. And they are not nearly done conquering our hearts and ears: after a six-year hiatus, they are back, and ready to bring joy to our lives once again! We had the opportunity to talk to them about their return, and you can read it all now. These are our 10 questions for Alphabeat:

Sounds European!: We like to start our interviews getting to know a bit about the artists' backgrounds. What artists and genres did you enjoy listening when you were growing up? And do you feel they have influenced, in any aspect, the music you currently make?

Alphabeat: Each band member has had its own musical upbringing listening to things like David Bowie, Prince, Michael Jackson, The Cure, The Smiths, and the list goes on forever. As a young band we were obsessed by a group from Sweden called The Ark and we were really into a Danish band called Superheroes.

SE!: Now let's talk about the band's origins. How did you guys first meet, and how was the band formed? Going beyond in time, we know that one of the first important moments of your history was in 2004, when you won LiveContest DK. How did it happen, and what did winning it mean to your career?

A: Some of the guys were already playing music together in high school from the age of 15, but the final form of five boys and a girl happened in 2003, when Stine joined the band as a backup singer. It quickly got serious from that point, we rehearsed a lot and played local gigs – and then decided to try out for LiveContest in 2004. Winning that competition was a big deal for us. It really gave us a confidence boost and confirmed our gut feeling: being a real band playing pop music with full on energy was special and worth continuing. We got more live experience because we won a live tour around Denmark and the guy [Christian Backman] who ended up signing us was actually a judge in the LiveContest final.

SE!: Your debut album, "This is Alphabeat", was a huge success, and not only in Denmark. It reached the top ten in the British charts – which makes you one of just four Danish artists to have ever achieved this feat –, besides appearing in the lists of Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands as well. How did you face such an instant success? And how does it feel to know that your work has been crossing so many borders?

A: It didn't feel super instant to us actually. "Fascination" took ten months before it reached its peak on Danish radios and we spent three years promoting the first album. That being said, it was quite crazy to experience "Fascination" becoming a hit in the UK. We were supporting a band, and during the tour, the song was being played more and more on the radio and the audience started walking out on the headlining band because they just wanted to see us.

SE!: Alphabeat decided to go on a hiatus in 2013. Why did you decide it was the moment for a break? Then, when did you realize it was finally time to get back together? And how have things been since the reunion?

A: The hiatus felt like a must for us. We'd been in the band and working nonstop for almost ten years, so we felt a bit drained and confused about where Alphabeat should go from there, musically. To protect Alphabeat's future, we decided to let it rest and let us all go out and find out who we all six were as individuals. We grew up together in this band and needed to just stand on our own feet for a while.

Starting everything up again was basically because Anders B and Anders SG had a few ideas for some new songs, that they realised could very well be Alphabeat songs. So they reached out to us all and we started talking about making a whole album together and start touring again. It was a big decision, but it felt so right for us.

SE!: More than half a decade has passed since your hiatus, so we imagine that all of you have evolved, changed, musically speaking. Would you say that you returned different, with new musical additions? In other words, how do you compare the band you are today with the band you were before the hiatus?

A: It feels like coming home musically. The new songs all feel very organic and the songwriting process has been a great experience. In the past, we wrote most songs individually, but now Stine, Anders SG and Anders B have co-written a lot of the new album. This is very new to us and it has given us so much inspiration, motivation and energy.

"We believe that the happy feeling [you feel in our music] is what happens when the six of us join forces and make something genuine" (Picture: Elisabeth Eibye)

SE!: We feel your music is very unique within the Danish scene. It's almost a "trademark sound": we listen to the positive vibes and happy melodies you offer, and we instantly know it's Alphabeat. When you are making music, what do you aim, what are your objectives? What do you want people to feel when listening to your songs?

A: Thank you! We've never really tried to listen to anyone else, but just followed our own ideas and inspirations, though sometimes being quite retrospective in both our songwriting and productions. On this upcoming album, we've been very focused on nailing that special Alphabeat vibe and energy and really stuck to our gut feelings all the way. We ignored charts and finding a concept for the album. We just wrote what felt natural. We believe that the happy feeling you are talking about is what happens when the six of us join forces and make something genuine. Super catchy of course, but you gotta feel the people behind in order to touch your audience, we think.

SE!: You have just released two amazing new singles, "Shadows" and "I don't know what's cool anymore". We cannot praise them enough – seriously, we love them! What can you tell us about these songs? What feelings and messages did you want to express in them? And we know there is an album coming soon. What can we expect from it?

A: Thanks! "Shadows" was one of the first songs we worked on as a band after the hiatus. The main parts of the song were written in about 30 minutes. The energy sorrounding the band was so positive around that time, and this song pretty much wrote itself. The lyrics are maybe not as cheerful as some of our older tunes and it is in a key but it still feels positive and infectious. We really liked that balance. "I don't know what's cool anymore" was fun to write. It's about staying true to who you are and not to be affected by what everyone else is doing.

SE!: In addition to the album release, what are your professional projects for the near future? What can your fans expect from you?

A: We wanna write more music together, so some of our time will be spent in the studio, but we've also got a lot of live plans in the calendar, that we look so much forward to. Just lined up three gigs in the UK in April, and in Denmark we are doing our biggest shows to date in late November.

SE!: If you could choose anyone, who would be some Danish and international artists you would like to collaborate with?

A: Mark Ronson!

SE!: We would like to finish this interview with a song of yours. What is your favorite song by Alphabeat, and why?

A: We are so thrilled about all the new songs at the moment, but if you want us to name an older favourite, "The spell" is definitely one of them. It reminds me [Stine] of the crazy years living in London together and playing 200 gigs in a year, putting our pop spell on new kids every night. :)

That song kind of expanded how Alphabeat could sound too and it was the first song Anders SG wrote and co-produced, so a little milestone right there. And I always loved singing it!

France | Julie Zenatti - "Tout est plus pop"

BRAND NEW

Born in Paris in 1981, Julie Zenatti is a French singer with an extensive career that spans almost 20 years. After a hiatus since her previous release, she is finally back on track with the lovely "Tout est plus pop", an entertaining pop that will get stuck to your ears!

Updated on November 30th, 2019, with the official video.

Russia | Kristina Kosheleva - "Zver'"

BRAND NEW

It's time to remeet Russian singer Kristina Kosheleva. She has just released a new single, entitled "Zver'". It is pure raw energy, flowing through an irresistible track. Kristina's voice owns it all, with a unique performance.

This song doesn't have an official video on YouTube, but you can listen to it on Spotify.

Sweden | Violet Days - "Ink"

BRAND NEW

Swedish band Violet Days are finally back with us! They have recently released the single "Ink", an exquisit pop ballad that is a reflection on the effects of a toxic relationship and breaking from their damaging restraints.

Greece | Fay Roubini - "Spasta ola"

BRAND NEW

Meet Fay Roubini, a Greek singer hailing from Thessaloniki. She has just released "Spasta ola". It's an entertaining Greek pop song with a very marking chorus!

France | Florent Pagny - "Si une chanson"

BRAND NEW

French singer Florent Pagny returns to Sounds European! with "Si une chanson", a tract extracted from his latest album. The song is a beautiful ballad with a retro kind of feeling that is certainly elevated by its emotional videoclip.

Armenia | Sirusho - "Gozal"

BRAND NEW

Get ready to listen to an excellent new song coming from Armenia. We cannot stress it enough: Sirusho's "Gozal" is a masterpiece of folk pop! The melody is outstanding, and only a talented artist as Sirusho could keep up with such a high-level demand. We love it to bits!

United Kingdom | James Smith - "Hollow"

RECENT

Hailing from Upminster, in East London, James Smith is an up-and-coming British star who rose to prominence after being a finalist of season 8 of Britain's Got Talent. James caught our attention with his most recent single, "Hollow". It's a folk-inspired pop ballad that will surely resonate within you!

Moldova | DoReDoS - "Otpusti"

BRAND NEW

Marina Djundyet, Sergiu Mîța and Eugeniu Andrianov are DoReDoS, a Moldovan folk pop group from Rîbnița. They rose to prominence with "My lucky day", the Moldovan entry for Eurovision in 2018, the third best result in the history of the country in the contest. They have just released a new single, entitled "Otpusti", and we couldn't be more in love with it. It's a groovy, well-marked ballad with a very memorable chorus.

Denmark | Off Bloom - "Are you feeling it too?"

BRAND NEW

In the middle of their tour, Danish ensemble Off Bloom keep captivating us with their music! "Are you feeling it too?" is a compelling pop with a sweet beat and a retro feeling that will have you hooked.

Sweden | EEVA - "Jimmy from the gym"

BRAND NEW

It's time to meet a great new singer coming from Sweden: EEVA (stage name of Emelie Eriksson). She has just released "Jimmy from the gym", an entertaining pop song with a laid-back, very enjoyable melody. Who's Jimmy, you ask? "Jimmy’s the one who makes the most noises in the gym. You should ignore that guy", EEVA says. We can surely ignore him, but not this song: it's a great one!

Portugal | Diogo Piçarra - "Coração"

BRAND NEW

Diogo Piçarra has a new single for us! The song is entitled "Coração", and it is an introspective ballad with deep lyrics and a melody that aids in creating an intimate atmosphere.

Slovenia | Eva Boto - "Naj vedo"

BRAND NEW

We couldn't be happier: Slovene star Eva Boto has finally released a new single! It's "Naj vedo", a song that offers a great mix of a fun, sweet melody and an amazing vocal performance by Eva. It has such a positive vibe!

Romania | Vunk - "Deja vu"

BRAND NEW

Romanian band Vunk are back with a new single. And it's a song that shows how fun music can get! "Deja vu" is one of the most entertaining pop-rock songs we've got to listen these days. We love it to bits: it is our song of the week!

Italy | Nek - "Cosa ci ha fatto l'amore"

BRAND NEW

Look who's back! Italian singer Nek returns to Sounds European! with "Cosa ci ha fatto l'amore", a sweet ballad with a grandiose rock-inspired chorus.

Belgium | Laura Tesoro - "Limits"

BRAND NEW

Belgian singer Laura Tesoro has had a very active couple of months recently. She participated on the show "Liefde voor muziek", and now has shared a new single! "Limits" is a minimalistic pop with a compelling chorus.

Denmark | Rasmus Seebach - "Lovesong"

BRAND NEW

Look who is finally back with a new single! It's Danish superstar Rasmus Seebach. He has just released "Lovesong", a midtempo pop song with well-paced verses and a very cool chorus.

This song doesn't have a full-length video on YouTube, but you can listen to it on Spotify.

Norway | Ina Wroldsen - "Haloes"

BRAND NEW

Norway's Ina Wroldsen is having a very successful streak of hits. The last one on the chain is "Haloes", an electronic pop that starts with a soft instrumentation and goes in crescendo as it reaches its chorus.

Update on October 12th, 2019, with the official video.

United Kingdom | Charli XCX - "White Mercedes"

BRAND NEW

It's time to listen to a song that is surely gonna be a hit worldwide. We are talking about Charli XCX's new single, "White Mercedes". It's a smooth, involving and captivating pop song, with a chorus that is quite memorable!

Updated on November 3rd, 2019, with the official video.

Czech Republic | Slza - "Hoď tam trsa"

BRAND NEW

Our favorite Czech male duo is back: Slza have a new single on offer! "Hoď tam trsa" brings an intense groove that climaxes into a chorus with a marking beat and a deliciously infectious instrumental.

Moldova | 7 Klase - "Plec din Chisinau"

BRAND NEW

We are now landing in Moldova, to listen to the new single by 7 Klase. It's entitled "Plec din Chisinau". The song is a groovy pop with hints of R&B, which is set to make you fully addicted!

Germany | Mark Forster - "194 länder"

BRAND NEW

Mark Forster is back! The German singer has recently released "194 länder", a single from his latest album, "Liebe". The song is a catchy ethnic pop that will put you on your feet in no time!

United Kingdom | Larkins - "Not enough love"

BRAND NEW

Single after single, Larkins keep surprising us. And here they are, once again hitting it, with their new single "Not enough love". Man, this song is a true banger! It's impossible not to get addicted to such an entertaining song.

Spain | Arnau Griso - "Yo"

BRAND NEW

Spanish duo Arnau Griso return to Sounds European! with a brand new single. "Yo" is a soft pop with Latin influences and the duo's classic quirk lyrics.

Romania | 3 Sud Est - "Prietenia"

BRAND NEW

Romanian gorup 3 Sud Est are back, and they have a new single on offer. We are talking about "Prietenia". It's a fresh and entertaining pop-rock song with a highly captivating melody and a very cool chorus.

Germany | Max Mutzke - "Schwerelos"

BRAND NEW

German singer Max Mutzke makes another stunning appeareance in Sounds European! with "Schwerelos". His latest single is a soft ballad that will captivate you with its simple melody.

10 Questions For: Ira Losco

INTERVIEW

We are now landing in Malta, to talk to one of the biggest divas of European music. We love her songs, we love her voice, and, after this interview, we are sure we love her as a person, too – with views and opinions we respect and agree with. These are our 10 questions for Ira Losco:

Sounds European!: We like to start our interviews getting to know a bit about the artists' music backgrounds. What are your first memories with music? What artists did you enjoy listening when you were growing up? Do you feel they have, in any sense, helped shape the artist you are today? Going further in time, what were your first steps as a professional singer?

Ira Losco: My parents listened to a variety of music while I was growing up. My dad had loads of LPs from the psychedelic rock era, my mum listened to lots of pop. I got a really good mix of everything. I studied piano from the age of seven and started appreciating and loving classical music too. Then at school I discovered musical theatre. I also joined a choir and we got to do lots of standard numbers. I then met my best friend Jamie who introduced me to alternative music and grunge at age 14. I fronted our band for six years, also sang with another band, a death metal band, a punk band, also, and then started doing festivals. There was no stopping me, I wanted to do it all. Then after that I did pop-rock. I've always loved all genres. Of course all of this has taught me and geared me towards who I am today as an artist. What inspired me the most was watching other artists take the stage. It's another world and you must be brave in that world. It takes know-how and experience to get there.

SE!: In 2002, you were 12 points from winning Eurovision Song Contest, with "7th wonder". It is, to this day, Malta's best result in the festival. What are your memories of that day? How did it feel then, and does it feel now, to know you were so close to winning, yet still giving your country such a historic result?

IL: I didn't expect it, I don't think anyone in my country did. I was very much liked, but no one thought Malta could ever win unless it was some ballad. During the week of rehearsals in Estonia, the press started taking daily interest in me and many said I was the dark horse of the competition. They were right, it seemed. It was an exciting time for me. I had stars in my eyes. I came back to Malta and started writing my first album. Then I toured and never looked back. I'm very happy to still be doing music and to have collaborated and sung with some of the world's biggest artists.

SE!: In 2016, you decided to return to Eurovision. What made you want to participate in the contest for the second time? And how was your experience, comparing it to 2002? Did the way you face the competition change after 14 years? Last but not least, you were pregnant when you performed in Stockholm. Did that have any impact in what you lived there?

IL: The differences were many. In 2002 there were no semis, I was one of the youngest participants in the contest and record labels weren't exactly involved in the choice of the artists or songs. As years went by and social media was on the rise, more Eurovision fans took to the socials and congregated into a substantial reachable audience. That's when record labels started seeing the potential of the contest for selling records and taking some of their artists to Eurovision. The competition has become wider. There are over 40 countries participating with two semifinals, so statistically it is a much harder competition. Being pregnant didn't hinder me physically, neither emotionally. Vocally I felt I had an advantage, my second trimester made me feel I was super woman. :-)

SE!: You have recently featured in the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, "Colors", with Jason Derulo. How did the invitation happen? And how did you feel being part of one of the biggest events in the world?

IL: I've been an ambassador for Coca-Cola for many years. In fact I also collaborated with former The X Factor USA participant David Correy for "The world is ours". In 2018 Jason Derulo asked artists from all over the world to collaborate with him on the official anthem for the FIFA World Cup and I was the one approached from Malta. It was a huge honour and I met him a bit after the video release, he was full of praise and it was lovely to talk with him.

SE!: We really enjoy your work – "We are the soldiers", for example, was in our list of the 50 best songs of Europe in 2017. As we see it, your songs are very powerful. You can go through different styles, but you always keep a personal touch, with strong and passionate melodies and choruses. What are your musical goals when you are developing a new work? How do you like your songs to be? What would you like people to feel when listening to your songs?

IL: I like to write without parameters. I do not like to write with the intention of a song having to be liked by others. Obviously when a song is liked by many, it's a win-win situation. However, I write because I feel the need to, and only when I'm inspired. I have co-written with my songwriting partner and producer Howard Keith for 17 years now and we really know when we have something great in our hands. I think the most exciting part about songwriting is the release. I am an overthinker by nature, but this helps me to meticulously store my thoughts to then use them accordingly in my songs.

"I have a voice which I use to sing, but also to speak about things which I feel very strongly about"

SE!: In addition to your work with music, you also deal with important social issues. You are an advocate for LGBTI rights, you support anti-bullying initiatives and you are part of campaigns to fight revenge porn. What made you choose these causes, and what can you tell us about them and your work with them? And how do you see the role of influential people in dealing with such issues?

IL: Nowadays people are hailed influencers because they own an Instagram account and fill it with content which is interesting to small or larger communities. Many of these communities are consumed with fashion, make-up and physical appearance. I think age has taught me that when all that fades, you can't just have been an individual with no strong beliefs or a gut which doesn't allow you to be quiet about certain issues that need to be dealt with and issues which need awareness. I have a voice which I use to sing, but also to speak about things which I feel very strongly about. I believe that influencers should use their voices to speak about important issues too.

SE!: In 2008, you were awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (Medal for Service to the Republic), a medal which is presented by the Republic of Malta to citizens and organizations with distinguished service to the country. That is a huge recognition! How do you feel knowing that your music has made you achieve things that are seen as a distinguished service by your country?

IL: All I have ever wanted to do is to write songs and perform them on stage to audiences. It fills me with joy when people get in touch to tell me how much my music has helped them through tough times or how much they enjoy my shows. I put a lot of heart in what I do so I really appreciate these things.

SE!: We have already mentioned your collaboration with Jason Derulo for the World Cup song. But there are several other amazing artists you have performed alongside, such as Elton John, Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5 and Ronan Keating. Who were some of the artists you most enjoyed working with? What are some good memories you have with them? And if you could choose anyone, who would be some Maltese and international artists you would still like to collaborate with?

IL: Recently I had the honour of singing a duet with maestro Andrea Bocelli that is one moment I will treasure forever. For the simple reason that I kept looking at him while we were singing and his face was so expressive and I could tell how much he loves what he does. To share music with people who have the same passion is really something. I also had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Joseph Calleja, our very own Maltese tenor. It was a very special moment.

SE!: What are your professional projects for the near future? What can your fans expect from you?

IL: There are a lot of exciting projects I've got in mind. Obviously I cannot disclose any. I will continue to release new music and music videos. I am always so eager to share my work with my audience.

SE!: We would like to finish this interview with a song of yours. What is your favorite song by Ira Losco, and why?

IL: There are over 100 songs in my repertoire, mostly written about personal experiences, so it's extremely difficult for me to choose an ultimate favourite. If I had to pick one of the most important songs, it would be "Love me or hate me" as it very quickly described who I was to an audience who had only experienced "7th wonder" from me. "The person I am" is also a track which is important to me. It came at a time after I had a very painful writer's block and also during a time where I didn't like myself all.