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.

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"

3. Russia | Manizha - "Russian woman"

4. Sweden | Tusse - "Voices"

5. Australia | Montaigne - "Technicolour"

6. North Macedonia | Vasil - "Here I stand"

7. Ireland | Lesley Roy - "Maps"

8. Cyprus | Elena Tsagkrinou - "El diablo"

9. Norway | TIX - "Fallen angel"

10. Croatia | Albina - "Tick-tock"

11. Belgium | Hooverphonic - "The wrong place"

12. Israel | Eden Alene - "Set me free"

13. Romania | Roxen - "Amnesia"

14. Azerbaijan | Efendi - "Mata Hari"

15. Ukraine | Go_A - "Shum"

16. Malta | Destiny Chukunyere - "Je me casse"

Semifinal 2 (May 20th, 2021):

1. San Marino | Senhit - "Adrenalina"

2. Estonia | Uku Suviste - "The lucky one"

3. Czech Republic | Benny Cristo - "Omaga"

4. Greece | Stefania - "Last dance"

5. Austria | Vincent Bueno - "Amen"

6. Poland | Rafał Brzozowski - "The ride"

7. Moldova | Natalia Gordienko - "Sugar"

8. Iceland | Daði og Gagnamagnið - "10 years"

9. Serbia | Hurricane - "Loco loco"

10. Georgia | Tornike Kipiani - "You"

11. Albania | Anxhela Peristeri - "Karma"

12. Portugal | The Black Mamba - "Love is on my side"

13. Bulgaria | Victoria Georgieva - "Growing up is getting old"

14. Finland | Blind Channel - "Dark side"

15. Latvia | Samanta Tīna - "The moon is rising"

16. Switzerland | Gjon's Tears - "Tout l'univers"

17. Denmark | Fyr Og Flamme - "Øve os på hinanden"

Final (May 22nd, 2021):

23. Netherlands | Jeangu Macrooy - "Birth of a new age"

TBD. France | Barbara Pravi - "Voilà"

TBD. Germany | Jendrik - "I don't feel hate"

TBD. Italy | Måneskin - "Zitti e buoni"

TBD. Spain | Blas Cantó - "Voy a quedarme"

TBD. United Kingdom | James Newman - "Embers"

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.

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.