Monday, May 31, 2021

The Charts Day #223 (part 2)

CHARTS

"Zitti e buoni" is not the only Eurovision song that is succeeding in the continent: there are others that are also starting to appear in charts across Europe. We now highlight Barbara Pravi's "Voilà", which is #3 in the Netherlands, #10 in Finland, and #18 in Norway and Sweden. But the list goes on and on.

Most of the other songs are going well in their own countries (with some exceptions in the Netherlands and Scandinavia). "Dark side" is #1 in Finland. "Discoteque" is #19 in Finland. "El diablo" in #7 in Finland, #12 in Norway, and #20 in Sweden. "Fallen angel" is #14 in Norway (in its version in Norwegian), and #20 in Finland. "Mata Hari" is #20 in Norway. "Shum" is #17 in Finland, and #19 in the Netherlands. "10 years" is #8 in Finland, and #15 in the Netherlands. "The wrong place" is #1 in Belgium. "Tout l'univers" is #1 in Switzerland, #5 in Finland, and #16 in the Netherlands. "Voices" is #8 in Sweden, and #10 in Norway. And the 2019 winner, "Arcade", is #3 in Portugal, and #16 in Switzerland.

The Charts Day #223 (part 1)

CHARTS

Winning Eurovision has made Måneskin's "Zitti e buoni" start playing all around the continent. As a result, the Italian song is appearing in several national charts. It's #1 in the Netherlands and Sweden, #2 in Finland, Italy, Norway and Switzerland, #9 in Belgium and Germany, #13 in the United Kingdom (the first time in decades that a song in Italian has entered the British charts), and #14 in Ireland.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Serbia | Nataša Bekvalac - "Original"

BRAND NEW

Serbian star Nataša Bekvalac has just released a new single. And we cannot stress it enough: "Original" is simply irresistible! It's a highly captivating and entertaining Balkan pop song.

Switzerland | Ana Whiterose - "Stone cold heart"

BRAND NEW

It's time to listen to another awesome single by Ana Whiterose. The Swiss rising star has just released "Stone cold heart". It's a groovy pop song with modern beats and a hypnotic ambience. So cool!

Updated on July 17th, 2021, with the official video.

Slovenia | Žan Serčič feat. Anabel - "Rada"

BRAND NEW

There's a very cool collaboration going on in Slovenia! We're talking about Žan Serčič and Anabel, who released "Rada". The song is an approach to soft retro pop, quite an uncommon mix in the country.

Poland | Marcin Maciejczak feat. Natalia Nykiel - "Ciepły front"

BRAND NEW

Two of the biggest talents of Poland got together to release a new single. We are talking about Marcin Maciejczak and Natalia Nykiel, with "Ciepły front". It's a wonderful guitar-led song with a growing melody, which explores the best of their qualities.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Spain | Ana Guerra - "Tik tak"

SONG OF THE WEEK

Spanish star Ana Guerra has just released a new single. And we are totally addicted to it! "Tik tak" is an outstanding pop-rock song, with a passionate and highly addictive melody, and a vocal performance that takes it all to an even higher level. We are listening to it nonstop: it's our song of the week!

United Kingdom | Amy Macdonald - "Bridges"

BRAND NEW

British singer Amy Macdonald returns to Sounds European! with an emotional new single. "Bridges" is a classic pop-rock song that talks about the confidence to stand up for yourself and not being afraid to use your voice. It surely puts you in an empowered mood!

Germany | Sotiria - "Herz"

BRAND NEW

German star Sotiria has an amazing new single on offer. It's entitled "Herz". The song is a very fun electropop with a highly inviting melody and a chorus that is a party on its own!

Updated on August 8th, 2021, with the official video.

Russia | Maxim Fadeev - "Ostan'sya"

RECENT

Russian star Maxim Fadeev has a new single on offer. It's "Ostan'sya". It's a great song, with a haunting mood and a deep melody. The result is very hypnotic!

Friday, May 28, 2021

France | Olympe - "Fort"

BRAND NEW

It's been quite some time since we last talked about Olympe. So it was a great surprise to see a new single of his! "Fort" is a beautiful ballad with a touching melody, in which Olympe's voice shines through.

Spain | Beret feat. Morat - "Porfa no te vayas"

RECENT

Spanish singer Beret keeps releasing amazing collaborations. This time, he teamed up with Colombian group Morat in "Porfa no te vayas", a uniquely Latin pop-rock song with a compelling feel-good melody.

Germany | Anna-Carina Woitschack - "Einmal unendlich"

BRAND NEW

Anna-Carina Woitschack is a German singer who was born in Helmstedt in 1992. She rose to prominence when she took part of the eighth season of the talent show DSDS, in 2011. Meet her with her brand-new single, "Einmal unendlich". It's a very danceable schlager song!

United Kingdom | Jack Savoretti feat. Nile Rodgers - "Who's hurting who"

BRAND NEW

British singer Jack Savoretti teamed up with Nile Rodgers in a groovy new single. "Who's hurting who" is a delicious mix of tropical instrumentation and Jack's unique raspy voice, which makes it even more alluring. The song will be part of Savoretti's new album, "Europiana", to be released in June.

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Netherlands | The Overslept - "Tunnel vision"

BRAND NEW

Dutch band The Overslept are back with a fabulous new single. In "Tunnel vision", they bring an appealing synth touch to their powerful rock music, which turns the single into a very enjoyable one!

Denmark | Pauline - "Ny og næ"

BRAND NEW

Pauline Aggerholm is a Danish songwriter and lyricist hailing from Aarhus. She is kicking off her music career with the release of "Ny og næ", a sultry, retro-inspired pop that will melt in your ears!

Spain | David Otero feat. Adelén - "Corazón malherido"

BRAND NEW

Spanish singer David Otero had Norwegian singer Adelén explore her Spanish roots with a stunning collaboration. "Corazón malherido" brings pop, rock and a lovely country inspiration, in which both artists's voices meet wonderfully!

Greece | George Sabanis - "Tipota"

RECENT

We are now landing in Greece, to listen to the latest single by George Sabanis. It's entitled "Tipota". With it, the Greek star offers an emotional track with an amazing vocal performance and a very marking chorus. We love it!

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

France | Patrick Fiori - "On se love"

BRAND NEW

French singer Patrick Fiori surprised us with an upbeat new single. In "On se love", he explores an appealing kind of pop with a powerful chorus in which both his voice and the instrumentals explode.

Slovenia | Gašper Rifelj - "Tvoje ime"

BRAND NEW

Slovene artist Gašper Rifelj has just released a very entertaining new single. It's entitled "Tvoje ime". It's a folk pop song with characteristic, local instruments, and a melody that is quite fun.

Netherlands | Davina Michelle - "Sweet water"

BRAND NEW

Dutch star Davina Michelle has written and recorded a new single, which she presented during this year's Eurovision Song Contest. It's entitled "Sweet water". It's a haunting song with a moody melody and a very strong vocal performance.

Portugal | Paulo Sousa - "Amar sem medos"

RECENT

Portuguese singer Paulo Sousa returns to our site to show us his latest single. We are talking about "Amar sem medos", a touching ballad with a powerful instrumentation that talks about love from the perspective of a person who was hurt before and needs to regain trust.

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Spain | Alvaro Soler - "Si te vas"

BRAND NEW

While getting ready to release his new album, "Magia", Alvaro Soler keeps promoting singles included in his work. The latest is "Si te vas", a song that screams international hit: a classic Spanish flare, introspective verses and a chorus that will hook you up and never let you go!

Denmark | eee gee - "Favourite lover"

BRAND NEW

It's time to get to know a great new talent hailing in Scandinavia. eee gee is Danish singer and songwriter Emma Grankvist. She has just released her debut single, "Favourite lover". It's a moody pop song with classy instrumentals and melody, and a vocal performance that follows the ambience in a flawless manner.

"'Favourite lover' is about the journey from feeling restlessly dark, bored and un-datable to owning the moment of lonely self-care. It's about transforming loneliness and longing into something blissful. Realizing you don't need anyone but yourself...", eee gee explains.

United Kingdom | Silvertwin - "Saviour"

BRAND NEW

British band Silvertwin has just released another amazing retro rock song. We are talking about their brand-new single "Saviour". It has that trademark Silvertwin sound that we are learning to love more and more!

According to the band's main-man, Isaac Shalam, the song "is heavy and energetic and takes inspiration from the more rocky ELO and Wings songs. The heavy lead and disco rhythm parts are intended to complement each other in the verse. The guitar solo was going through a unique 1950s tube console, which was not intended for guitars but gave it a distinctive sound which we loved".

Germany | VIZE feat. ILIRA - "Dynamite"

RECENT

VIZE and ILIRA have collaborated in a great single! We're talking about "Dynamite", a song in which the duo's electronic beats and the singer's quirky vocals and interpretation blend beautifully!

Monday, May 24, 2021

Spain | IZARO - "Oso blanco (Plata)"

BRAND NEW

IZARO is Izaro Andres Zelaieta, a Spanish singer and songwriter who was born in Mallabia, in the Basque Country, in 1993. She has just released an amazing new single, entitled "Oso blanco (Plata)". It's a great indie pop-rock song, with a classy ambience and a perfectly fitting vocal performance. We love it to bits!

Denmark | Emi Wes - "Take me to the Moon"

BRAND NEW

Sounds European! remeets Danish new talent Emi Wes. She has just released another awesome new single, entitled "Take me to the Moon". The track promises to be a super sexy and soul-infused song, about desire and the pure pleasures of a short-lived fling. It delivers that, and much more: its involving melody, full of personality, makes you feel like listening to it once is not enough at all!

Russia | Stas Mihailov - "Kod Da Vinci"

BRAND NEW

Russian singer Stas Mihailov has just released a new single. We are talking about "Kod Da Vinci". The song is a well-paced pop with catchy beats and a very cool groove.

Greece | Josephine feat. Anastasios Rammos - "Allo ena psema"

RECENT

Two awesome Greek stars got together for a new song. We are talking about Josephine and Anastasios Rammos, with "Allo ena psema". It's a marvelous duet, with a delightful melody and a very strong chorus.

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Spain | Aitana - "Ni una más"

BRAND NEW

Aitana has a new single on offer! The Spanish singer has just released "Ni una más". It's a beautiful ballad, with wonderful instrumentals, an endearing melody, a delightful vocal performance, and very strong lyrics. The result is absolutely great!

Iceland | Poppvélin - "Sumardans"

BRAND NEW

As summer arrives in Europe, singles to celebrate the heat start to pop up everywhere. And in Iceland, Poppvélin are the ones to kick off the season! They are a music production company formed by Örlygur Smári, Sólveig Ásgeirsdóttir and Valgeir Magnússon, who have experience writing for many local artists. They have just released "Sumardans", a funky mix of pop sounds and infectious vocals that sounds perfect to enjoy by the pool!

Portugal | Ana Moura - "Andorinhas"

BRAND NEW

Ana Moura is back with us to share her new single. In "Andorinhas", she delivers a contemporary twist on Portuguese sounds. This results in a fresh folkloric song, whose lyrics deal with freedom in a very beautiful way.

Belgium | Claire Laffut - "Hiroshima"

BRAND NEW

We are now landing in Belgium, to listen to a brand-new release by Claire Laffut. It's "Hiroshima", a moody song with a very catchy melody and a chorus that is strong and quite marking. We love it!

Saturday, May 22, 2021

United Kingdom | Paloma Faith - "Monster"

SONG OF THE WEEK

British singer Paloma Faith keeps showing us her unique talent single after single. And the release of "Monster" (extracted from her latest album, "Infinite things") is no exception. The song is a fabulous mix of pop and disco with an irresistible groove in which Paloma reflects upon her relationship with the music industry. We love it to bits: it's our song of the week!

Spain | Rozalén - "El paso del tiempo"

BRAND NEW

It's time to listen to Rozalén in a totally different fashion! She has just released "El paso del tiempo", a song which explores the retro pop wave in a very fun manner. It is absolutely a party on its own. Rozalén's voice is the perfect lead for the entertaining beats and melody the track has to offer. We are dancing nonstop!

Germany | Christin Stark - "Das kann ich ab"

BRAND NEW

German star Christin Stark has just released a new single. And you know what it means: it's time to listen to a great new song! "Das kann ich ab" is a great sample of the best schlager has to offer. It's catchy, captivating, and highly inviting. It's impossible not to dance along with its melody!

Finland | Janna - "Maailma meidän jälkeen"

BRAND NEW

High time to remeet Finnish singer Janna! After a three-year hiatus, she is back to the music business with "Maailma meidän jälkeen", a synth-pop ballad that creates an involving atmosphere both melodically and vocally.

Friday, May 21, 2021

Poland | Natalia Zastępa - "Wiesz jak jest"

BRAND NEW

Sounds European! remeets Polish star Natalia Zastępa. She has just released a new single, "Wiesz jak jest". It's a groovy song which adds a unique R&B twist to Natalia's usual style of pop music. The result is very enjoyable!

Italy | Diodato - "L'uomo dietro il campione"

BRAND NEW

Italian star Diodato has just released a new single. We are talking about "L'uomo dietro il campione". The song, which is part of the soundtrack to the film "Il Divin Codino" (about one of Italy's biggest football idols, Roberto Baggio), is simply amazing! It's a marvelous pop-rock which uses the best of Diodato's talent. It's a song to listen on repeat!

Spain | Meler - "Cometas"

BRAND NEW

Jonathan, Javier and Lorenzo are Meler, a Spanish band which was formed in Madrid. Meet them with their single "Cometas". It's a very entertaining song: the melody and the vocals work greatly together, in order to offer a very fun mood. We love it to bits!

France | Slimane - "Tous les cris les SOS"

BRAND NEW

French singer Slimane returns solo with a new single. "Tous les cris les SOS", a ballad with a soft instrumentation which relies on his powerful vocals to convey a wide range of emotions.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Albania | Ermal Meta - "Uno"

BRAND NEW

Ermal Meta is promoting his new album, "Tribù urbana", with a fantastic new single. We're talking about "Uno", an anthemic pop-rock track with an ever-growing melody and a delicious chorus.

Denmark | Fyr Og Flamme - "Kæreste"

BRAND NEW

Ahead of their Eurovision adventure, Danish duo Fyr Og Flamme released another fantastic '80s-infused single. We're talking about "Kæreste", a song that channels classic pop ballads in a lovely synth mood!

Sweden | Gemelle - "Lower East"

BRAND NEW

Gemelle are a Swedish duo formed by twins Tove and Emma Ekström, from Vaxholm. They have just released a new single, entitled "Lower East". It's a song with a smooth melody and a very enjoyable ambience. The chorus is very fun!

Italy | RUGGERO - "Si tú no estás"

BRAND NEW

Latin idol, Italian singer RUGGERO has just released a new single. It's "Si tú no estás", a groovy ballad with a lovely melody and a strong and imposing chorus. RUGGERO's voice fits this style of song perfectly!

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Spain | Veintiuno feat. Chica Sobresalto - "Nudes"

BRAND NEW

Spanish artists Veintiuno and Chica Sobresalto have collaborated in a bubbly single. We're talking about "Nudes", a rock track that brings memories of 2000s sounds in a liberating melody.

Germany | dArtagnan - "Völkerschlacht"

BRAND NEW

German band dArtagnan has a new single on offer. We are talking about "Völkerschlacht". The song offers the best of dArtagnan's blend of sounds: an irresistible mix of rock and folk, wrapped by schlager influences in the melody and Celtic elements in the instrumentals. We love it!

Denmark | Soon - "Soda"

BRAND NEW

Soon is August and Andreas, a Danish duo hailing from Aarhus. Get to know their sound, a mix of R&B, pop and electronic beats, with their brand-new release, "Soda". It's so entertaining and inviting! We simply cannot resist it.

About the song, the band says: "'Soda' is all about letting go of your worries. It came together after a long writers' block and is a reminder of the importance of naivety and immediacy in life. It's charming, persuasive and youthful – and we hope 'Soda' will make you let go of your worries and inspire you to go after what you really want in life!"

Updated on September 6th, 2021, with the official video.

Switzerland | Stefanie Heinzmann - "Would you still love me"

RECENT

Swiss singer Stefanie Heinzmann returns to our site with a very groovy new single. In "Would you still love me", she brings compelling beats and an intense bass-based chorus that creates a perfect hook for the whole song! The song is part of her latest album, "Labyrinth".

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Italy | Majello - "Tic tac"

BRAND NEW

Italian singer Tony Maiello is now releasing music under the name Majello. His new release is the single "Tic tac", a song in which he mixes classic Italian ballads, contemporary beats and a retro synth undertone that wraps it all together beautifully.

Denmark | Stefan Hjort - "Du holder mig vågen"

BRAND NEW

Time to check up on Danish singer Stefan Hjort! He is now releasing "Du holder mig vågen", an explosive pop track with retro beats and a totally captivating chorus.

Spain | Dani Fernández - "Clima tropical"

BRAND NEW

Dani Fernández returns to Sounds European! with a brand-new single. In "Clima tropical", he brings a warm pop-rock ballad in which his voice takes prominence to hook you within its melody and story.

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Charts Day #222

CHARTS

A curious thing is happening this week in European charts with "Save your tears". The Weeknd's song is not #1 in any country of the continent, but it's consistently well placed in several countries: it's #2 in Denmark, #3 in Belgium and Norway, #4 in Ireland, #5 in the United Kingdom, #6 in Austria, Germany, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, #7 in Bulgaria, and #12 in France. Because of this consistency, even though it's not #1 in any country, it's #1 in Europe. It's a very rare occurrence!

You've Seen Here: 2021 Eurovision Song Contest

EUROVISION

After two years waiting because of the cancellation of the 2020 edition, it's finally here: it's Eurovision week! And we are retaking a tradition of ours: we're presenting our guide to the 2021 contest, remembering all of the competing entries (as most of them were already reviewed on Sounds European! during the past months).

As was planned in for last year, the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest is going to be held at Rotterdam Ahoy, in Rotterdam, following the 2019 victory of the Netherlands, with "Arcade". Before the 2021 rehearsals, the bookies had Malta and Switzerland as the big favorites for this year's trophy. Now, Italy, France, Iceland, Cyprus and Bulgaria.

We now take this opportunity and highlight a song we really enjoy, but weren't able to publish before, Russia's "Russian woman" – as Manizha was born in Tajikistan:


Check the full list of the 2021 entries, with their running order in the shows:

Semifinal 1 (May 18th, 2021):

1. Lithuania | The Roop - "Discoteque"
2. Slovenia | Ana Soklič - "Amen"
4. Sweden | Tusse - "Voices"
6. North Macedonia | Vasil - "Here I stand"
7. Ireland | Lesley Roy - "Maps"
10. Croatia | Albina - "Tick-tock"
13. Romania | Roxen - "Amnesia"
14. Azerbaijan | Efendi - "Mata Hari"
15. Ukraine | Go_A - "Shum"

Semifinal 2 (May 20th, 2021):

1. San Marino | Senhit - "Adrenalina"
3. Czech Republic | Benny Cristo - "Omaga"

Final (May 22nd, 2021):

TBD. United Kingdom | James Newman - "Embers"

Sunday, May 16, 2021

Netherlands | Douwe Bob - "Ready or not"

BRAND NEW

It's high time we remet Dutch star Douwe Bob. He has just released "Ready or not". It's such an enjoyable country pop song! The melody is as captivating as one can be, and it sets an irresistible mood. It's a song to get hypnotized from first to last second.

Updated on May 28th, 2021, with the official video.

Romania | Felix Noa feat. Nicole Cherry - "In deriva"

BRAND NEW

Felix Noa is the stage name of Felix Popescu, a Romanian singer, songwriter and musician who was born in Craiova in 1990. Nicoleta Janina Ghinea is Nicole Cherry, a Romanian pop singer who was born in Bucharest in 1998. They've just released a single together, entitled "In deriva". It's a very entertaining song, with a fresh vibe and an involving melody.

Greece | Dimitris Giannoulos - "Irthe i ora"

BRAND NEW

Dimitris Giannoulos is a Greek singer hailing from Mytilene. He has just released a new single, entitled "Irthe i ora", and we are totally addicted to it. The song is pure Greek passion: it's so intense!

Latvia | Samanta Balcere - "Pārak daudz"

BRAND NEW

Samanta Balcere is a Latvian singer from Liepāja. Meet her with her brand-new single "Pārak daudz". It's a strong pop song, with an involving melody and a great vocal performance.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Denmark | H.E.R.O. - "Made to be broken"

SONG OF THE WEEK

Time to meet our song of the week: it's new single by H.E.R.O.! The Danish group returns with the thrilling "Made to be broken", an explosive song that incorporates heavy guitar riffs and synth influences with the mastery that only they can provide. The song addresses the past of their front-man, and the issues of suddenly being abandoned by the people you were supposed to love the most. This is a teaser of the band's next album, on which they've been working during the pandemic. We can't wait!

Spain | La Oreja de Van Gogh - "Sirenas"

BRAND NEW

La Oreja de Van Gogh keep promoting their latest album, "Un susurro en la tormenta". The song they chose to do so is the deep "Sirenas". Musically, it brings a delicious alternative taste to classic La Oreja sounds. But lyrically is where it all grows: it tells the story of a mother-daughter conversation regarding an ETA murder portrayed in San Sebastián, the city where the band comes from. The sirens in the song are both the mythological creature but also the sounds from the ambulances that represent the violence of the situation.

Sweden | Anton Ewald - "DeLorean"

BRAND NEW

Anton Kim Ewald is a Swedish singer and dancer who was born in Stockholm in 1993. He rose to prominence with his participations in Melodifestivalen (the Swedish National Final for Eurovision) in 2013, 2014 and 2021. Anton has just released a new single, entitled "DeLorean". The title already hints what the song is about: it's a retro pop song with an irresistible vibe!

Germany | Wincent Weiss - "Wo die liebe hinfällt"

BRAND NEW

Wincent Weiss has a new single on display! We're talking about "Wo die liebe hinfällt", a song that drives him through a pop-rock route that reminded us of the sounds we'd hear in the 2000s. You can find this track in his latest album, "Vielleicht irgendwann".

Friday, May 14, 2021

Ukraine | VIA Gra - "Rodnikovaya voda"

BRAND NEW

Sounds European! remeets Ukrainian group VIA Gra. They have just released a new single. And we cannot stress it enough: "Rodnikovaya voda" is a great pop song! The melody is well-paced and catchy and the chorus is strong and marking.

Slovenia | Samantha Maya - "Sanjava / Runaway"

BRAND NEW

Slovene singer Samantha Maya has just released a new single. And it's already becoming a hit in the country! It's "Sanjava / Runaway", a smooth song with cool beats and a very enjoyable ambience.

Denmark | RoseeLu - "Fuck with my feelings"

BRAND NEW

We are now landing in Denmark, to listen to a great new release by RoseeLu! It's "Fuck with my feelings", a song which offers a great mix of R&B, pop and grunge. It's all wrapped by one of the most talented voices to be rising in the Nordic music scene.

According to RoseeLu, the song "is about the insane state of mind you are in when you are in love – but also the addiction which I know way too well from past relationships".

United Kingdom | Hatty Keane - "Club 69"

BRAND NEW

Hatty Keane has promised us lots of new music this year. And the British singer is not only keeping the promise, but she is also doing it in style! Her new release, "Club 69", is another sample of that: it's a funky song with an irresistible groove. We are listening to it nonstop!

Updated on July 22nd, 2021, with the official video.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Turkey | Madrigal - "Bambaşka"

BRAND NEW

Madrigal is a band formed in Kocaeli, Turkey, in 2007. Currently formed by Anıl Erdem Cevizci, Ceyhun Kaan Karakaş, Kaan Buyer, Sanli Akgun and Burak Emir Kamaci, they are promoting their latest album, "Neogazino", with a great single: "Bambaşka" is an entertaining trip through alternative sounds with a touch of retro taste.

Portugal | Tomás Adrião feat. Elisa - "Infinito"

BRAND NEW

Portuguese singer Tomás Adrião has just released his debut album, entitled "Perdoa se há em mim pressa para ser feliz". And he is promoting it by releasing a new single, which features fellow singer Elisa (Elisa Silva, born in Madeira in 1999). "Infinito" is a tender track which plays between traditional sounds and contemporary ballads, blending the artists's voices beautifully.

Commenting on the song, Tomás explains: "It's the first time I sing something that is not about me, but about everyone and everything that surrounds us. It's about my questions with no end and no answer".

Finland | Titta - "Elämä on nyt"

BRAND NEW

It's been some time since we heard from Finnish artist Titta! She is finally back with us for a beautiful single: "Elämä on nyt" brings an uplifting sample of synthpop that will have you dancing in no time!

Denmark | Tim Schou feat. SOWFY - "Mad love"

RECENT

Tim Schou has a new single! He's featuring SOWFY (stage name of Sophie Darum, a singer hailing from Assens, Denmark) in "Mad love", a pop song that is driven by infectious guitar riffs and in which their voices match beautifully.


Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Norway | Carina Dahl - "På frifot"

BRAND NEW

Norwegian singer Carina Dahl returns to our site with another fun new single! "På frifot" brings together synth, electronic, country and pop in an explosion of sounds!

10 Questions For: Arde Bogotá

INTERVIEW

They are one of the most promising bands in the Spanish rock scene. Their previous singles wowed us with their mind-blowing power and moving beats. And, just last week, they released their much awaited debut album (which you can listen here). We had the pleasure to talk music with a band who lives and breathes it 24/7. These are our 10 questions for Arde Bogotá:

Sounds European!: Let's begin the interview talking about the origins of the band. How did you meet? When was the band formed? Where does the name, Arde Bogotá, come from, and what does it mean?

Arde Bogotá: Pepe (bass), Dani (guitar) and Jota (drums) met playing in different bands from the Cartagena local scene when we were teenagers. By the end of 2017, we decided to get together to make music, but we missed a voice. It was then when, in one of the old nights, Antonio (voice) and Dani met talking about the status of rock in the country. One said he sang and composed; the other, that he had musicians. A WhatsApp talk in the early hours with a primitive version of "Antiaéreo" convinced us to give it a try, and it was a success. After testing many names, one of the band members traveled to Colombia and, while still feeling the jet lag, he was invited to a party in a very crazy Bogotá night. After telling us about the adventure, someone said "¡Arde Bogotá!" ["Bogotá's on fire!"], and we thought it was powerful and fun.

SE!: We imagine each of you brings different musical influences. What artists did you listen to when you were young? And who inspire you nowadays as a band?

AB: We come from genres such as hip-hop, Spanish and Anglo-Saxon indie, arena rock or even singer-songwriter music. We still listen to those bands we love, such as Héroes del Silencio, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys, Foals, Second, Viva Suecia, Carlos Cano, Camarón, Metallica, and others. When composing the album, we were sure that we wanted to tell a story in a rock key, which is what we can do best. However, we allowed ourselves to experiment and be flexible, listening to artists like Kanye West, Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, and others, from whom we got beats and melodic lines more related to hip-hop and mainstream music, which allowed us to experiment a lot.

SE!: You have a very characteristic sound, but we would like you to explain it yourselves. If you had to, how would you describe your music genre?

AB: Arde Bogotá plays rock. No disguises, no surnames. We intend to give it a fresh touch without letting power and dancing aside. We play rock for people who forgot they liked rock.

SE!: You are releasing your first album, "La noche". How was the recording process? What would you like your fans to feel when listening to it? What differences did you notice compared to recording your EP?

AB: The process of creating "La noche" was very choral. Someone brought an idea, and we developed from it. There was a point when we saw we could establish a connection with stories that can happen and have happened to us in nights like before. To such a point that we decided to tell a story and work on a concept, which made the composing process more interesting.
Pre-production was just like with the EP. We were many hours together with our producer, Lalo GV, who knows us and is a friend of ours. We recorded with him at the Neo MusicBox studio in Aranda de Duero. During the two weeks we were recording, we finished composing some songs under the pressure of recording them immediately, but we work quite well under pressure. The EP was all artisanal, but so is the LP. We don't know another way of working.

SE!: We feel the lyrics of your songs are very relatable. What inspires you to write? What topics do you like talking about in your songs?

AB: We like using direct and unyielding language, but that doesn't mean our songs would lack meaning. We believe it's a way of conveying a message that works well and is ear-catching. We eventually talk about topics that we all went through as a generation. We talk about love, future, uncertainty, all kinds of relationships, sex, what makes us angry.

"We play rock for people who forgot they liked rock" (Picture: Peter Walters)

SE!: The scene of Spanish rock is quite competitive, but it seems to be in a down slope compared to other genres. Do you agree with this? What's your experience with making rock music nowadays?

AB: Rock went through the same phase as jazz when the latter was replaced by rock. There are also urban genres that grew, developed and evolved pretty well, and set on the market. We believe this made rock gain a different meaning somehow. And let's not kid ourselves: everybody likes rock, and releasing anger and energy at some point. Making rock music is what we like, and what we enjoy the most on stage. It's easy to bring it to the public because it transmits a lot, and the audience feels it that way. It's something that must be lived live, and you can't beat that experience.

SE!: How is your experience when playing live? What can we expect in a show of yours?

AB: An Arde Bogotá show is rage, passion, dancing, sweat and a lot of energy. We compose and rehearse as if we're playing live, and that is passed down to our songs. In our concerts, we can tell the same stories we offer in "La noche", but in a more striking way. Missing a live show is not an option.

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

AB: Miley Cyrus, Sen Senra, Dani Fernández, Maren, Rayden, Second, Mark Ronson, and anybody who makes us get out of our comfort zone.

SE!: What are your projects for the near future? What can your fans expect from you for the remainder of 2021?

AB: We're releasing the album we wanted to do, a full album that tells a story in the rhythm of pure rock. We'll defend it and get it on the road with all our energy, wherever we're allowed to, in a series of concerts that will go on through the year.

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

AB: We all have our favorite songs, and some of them are not singles. But the song that started it all, and with which we made a deal with the devil, was "Antiaéreo". Some things just can't be explained.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Italy | Ligabue - "Essere umano"

BRAND NEW

Ligabue brings all his power in a new single. "Essere umano" portrays what the singer likes most in music, as he described himself: "I always liked guitars. (...) It's definitely not an era of triumph for their sound: very few are expected in current productions. But I've always liked them and I've always put guitars in my pieces. I'm glad we chose to use 'Essere umano' as a single. For me it sounds stubbornly full of guitars. Stubbornly rock".

Belgium | Mustii - "Alien"

BRAND NEW

Belgian talent Mustii returns to our site with a brand-new single! We're talking about "Alien", a song in which he explores a more rock-like instrumentation without losing his alternative twist and that is also the first single from his upcoming album.

Mustii explained on his social media: "This album and this song are tributes to my uncle and his extraordinary life as he navigated through his schizophrenia until he finally ended his days 17 years ago. He is my red thread through this album. By trying to give voice to my uncle's life, I began a deeply intimate and introspective journey, one that was both reinvigorating and unexpected".

Germany | Despina Vandi - "Petra"

RECENT

German-born, Greek diva Despina Vandi is back with a new single. In "Petra", she delves into her emotions wrapped in a folkloric melody, creating an atmosphere that is bound to cause goosebumps!

Russia | Sergey Lazarev - "Aromatom"

BRAND NEW

We remeet Russian star Sergey Lazarev! He has recently released "Aromatom", a song in which he treats us to a dose of '80s synth pop from start to finish. This kind of more mellow melody really suits his voice!

Updated on September 12th, 2021, with the official video.

Sunday, May 09, 2021

Spain | Arde Bogotá - "Cariño"

BRAND NEW

Spanish band Arde Bogotá are releasing their very first album, entitled "La noche". And here comes the third amazing single to promote it! "Cariño" is a song that mixes funk and rock and in which the deep, low-pitched vocals make it extra alluring!

North Macedonia | Lozano - "Vardare"

BRAND NEW

It's finally time to remeet Macedonian singer Lozano. He has just released a new single, entitled "Vardare". It's folk music at its best! Its ambience is deep and passionate, and Lozano's talented voice is the perfect lead for it.

Switzerland | KARAVANN - "Bring back the feeling"

BRAND NEW

Danish Tobias Jensen and Swiss Fabian Imper are KARAVANN, a duo formed in Gommiswald, Switzerland, in 2013. Their most recent single is a glorious sample of pop: "Bring back the feeling" boasts anthemic beats that create an uplifting melody, all accompanying a chorus that you just won't get out of your head!

Ireland | Picture This - "LA house party"

BRAND NEW

Irish band Picture This have just released a new single. We are talking about "LA house party". It's a very entertaining pop-rock song, with great lyrics and a very cool and creative melody.

Saturday, May 08, 2021

Italy | The Kolors - "Cabriolet panorama"

SONG OF THE WEEK

The Kolors are living a wonderful moment in their career. Every new single they release is a huge banger. And their brand-new one, "Cabriolet panorama", is no exception to that. It's an extremely enjoyable retro pop song, with a delightful ambience, and a melody that is inviting from the first to the last second. It's absolutely outstanding: it's our song of the week!

Finland | Paul Elias - "Sanat takas"

BRAND NEW

Paul Elias is a Finnish singer and songwriter from Helsinki. He was recently involved in the amazing project Joel Herttua, and now it's time to see his solo work! His single "Sanat takas" is an empowering synth-pop track that talks about a person in a relationship who always threatens to leave.

Iceland | September feat. Birgir - "Already better"

BRAND NEW

Icelandic artists September and Birgir are back together for a beautiful collaboration! Their single is titled "Already better", and it is a cozy ballad with a captivating piano hook, beautiful lyrics and an anthemic chorus.

Denmark | Troels Gustavsen - "Lykkelig fortabt"

RECENT

We are now landing in Denmark, to listen to a new single by Troels Gustavsen. And we cannot stress it enough: "Lykkelig fortabt" is a great pop song! The melody is very captivating, and the chorus is simply amazing.

Friday, May 07, 2021

Poland | Marcin Maciejczak feat. LUNA - "Nie proszę o więcej"

BRAND NEW

LUNA is a new artist rising in the Polish alternative music scene. She has joined Marcin Maciejczak to release an amazing new single. "Nie proszę o więcej" is a song which seizes the best of their talents, offering the perfect set for them to shine brightly.

Greece | STAN - "Ki an"

BRAND NEW

Greek star STAN has just released a new single. And we are totally into it! "Ki an" is an involving folk pop song with a great melody and a flawless vocal performance.

United Kingdom | The Trusted - "Rebel song"

BRAND NEW

Sounds European! remeets British band The Trusted with their brand-new release. We are talking about "Rebel song". It's a great rock song, with an exciting raw energy which takes you on a unique journey!

Updated on November 2nd, 2021, with the official video.

Turkey | Bulut Atlası - "Bitmez gece"

BRAND NEW

Kaan Cengiz, Ensar Budak, Kadir Yüksel, Serhan Sefil and Çağrı Ayçiçek are Bulut Atlası, a Turkish band hailing from Istanbul. They captivated us with their unique take on alternative rock, as we can appreciate in the single "Bitmez gece". It's a very good sample of the genre!

Thursday, May 06, 2021

Spain | Miki Núñez - "Sin noticias de Gurb"

BRAND NEW

Miki Núñez has a new single from his album "Iceberg". We're talking about "Sin noticias de Gurb", a very fun pop-rock song that brings out the best in Miki's sounds!

Denmark | mags - "I can't get over you"

BRAND NEW

Margrethe Tang is mags, a Danish singer hailing from the city of Ry and who is ready to conquer Scandinavia with her stunning approach to pop. Check out her most recent single: in "I can't get over you", she delivers a uniquely '90s-infused track that talks about unsolved love. We're enjoying every beat!