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Some 163 million people around the world watched the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
That’s a lot of eager viewers and a brilliant way for any artist to get their name out there and raise their profile worldwide.
But all of the personal brand building can come to nothing if the follow-up tracks to the songs that got them noticed in the first place, come to nothing; happily, though, the class of 2024 have heeded that lesson well and their follow-up efforts are every bit as strong as their Eurovision entries.
Listen and hear for yourself …
“Eurostar” by Nemo (Switzerland)
THE ARTIST
If you were going to pick an artist that has it all, it’d be hard to go past the winningly lovely Swiss rapper-singer-musician (violin, piano and drums) Nemo, a non-binary music artist who combines the playful with the emotionally meaningful with endlessly likeable enthusiasm. Another musical prodigy who has played their chosen instruments since they were a small child – and if you want to feel old, that was the early Noughties; you’re welcome – Nemo, so says their Eurovision bio, “became famous overnight” through an appearance at live Swiss rap event, the “Bounce Cypher”, which sees over 80 rappers competing for fame and glory. Nemo’s appearance went viral on social media and led to the release of two EPs which spawned seven, count ’em, SEVEN songs hitting the Swiss charts and an appearance on second season of The Masked Singer Switzerland in 2021/2022, where the rapper, dressed as a panda, came fifth. Now writing and producing songs for other artists, and releasing songs in English, Nemo’s work focuses on “themes such as gender identity, mental health and finding one‘s place in this world”.
(courtesy official Nemo Facebook page)
THE SONG
Now THIS is how you shake off the Eurovision winner follow-up single slump! You release a song full of musical sass and drive and couple with lyrics that are at once ballsy and out there and yet emotionally intimate too. “Eurostar” is a shiny, bright piece of pop that dazzles with its presence, but it’s no musical Teflon, and while you are dancing to it brilliantly upbeat energy, those lyrical insights, garnered from a post-Eurovision move to London, are making a welcome mark on your soul.
For more, read this interview with NME
“Melodrama” by Angelina Mango (Italy)
THE ARTIST
Now here’s someone who has really made it clear how awesomely talented she is to anyone with eyes to see and ears to listen. Singer-songwriter Angelina Mango, real name by the way in case you were wondering (and yes, of course, you were) has to her credit, so says her official Eurovision bio, “4 platinum records, two gold records, and a completely sold-out tour … [making her] one of the break-out stars of 2023 in Italy”. Armed with a big following on TikTok, Mango really grabbed everyone’s attention with her 2023 singles “Ci pensiamo domani (We’ll Think About It Tomorrow)” and “Che t’o dico a fa’ (What Do I Tell You To Do)” both hitting the Italian top ten with the EP that preceded them, Voglia di vivere (Will to Live) peaking impressively at number two on the Italian Albums Chart. If that wasn’t enough to elicit a considerable numbers of “wows”, then the fact that she came second in twenty-second edition of the Amici di Maria De Filippi talent contest and then went on to win the prestigious and impressive Sanremo Music Festival 2024 – this gives the winner the first right of refusal to represent Italy at Eurovision – which surely establishes her as one of the artists to beat at this year’s contest.
(courtesy official Angelina Mango Facebook page)
THE SONG
The fourth single from Mango’s debut album, Poké melodrama, “Melodrama” completely captures the exuberant vibe of an artist who injects real passion and even fun into all of her songs. While it’s clear this is one pop artist who means business, the follow-up single to Mango’s Eurovision entry, “La Noia”, is all kinds of vivacious, danceably dramatic fun, the kind of song that you will want to learn Italian for so you can sing along with meaningful gusto.
For more on the song, go to Wikipedia.
“Tyliai Tyliai” by Silvester Belt (Lithuania)
THE ARTIST
Born in Kaunus, Lithuania, Silvestras Beltė, known to fans as Silvester Belt – he did not fall far from the nomative tree when it came to picking his professional name – has been involved with music from a young age, kicking things off at the extremely tender young age of four. Attendance at a music school was followed by study Juozas Gruodis Conservatory in Kaunas which was in turn succeeded by flying from the familial home by graduating from the University of Westminster in London with a degree in Commercial Music Performance. Naturally after living and breathing music for almost all his life, the bisexual performer, whose songs “personal life experiences, particularly drawing upon his memories of exploring his sexuality in a homophobic environment growing up”, started working in a beauty salon … wait, what?! Relax because come January 2021, he was signed to a record label in Lithuania, which followed appearances on TV musical talent shows such as Aš – superhitas (I Am a Superhit) in 2017 and X Faktorius (The X Factor). Drawing on influences from pop, electronic, rave and techno, Belt clearly has the range, talent and commitment to go far in music generally and Eurovision in particular.
(courtesy official Silvester Belt Facebook page)
THE SONG
Reflecting byt no no means copying exactly the same pop beats as his Eurovision entry, “Luktelk”, “Tyliai Tyliai” translates as “Quietly Quietly” and while the title indicates a hushed approach, the song itself bursts onto the dancefloor with exuberant escapism, bouncing along with a melody that may not be quite as in your face as its predecessor but which nonetheless is every bit as catchy and memorable. It’s a slice of brilliantly-realised pop that delivers on all fronts.
For more on the song, head to Songtell
“Mama” (feat. Micka Lifa) by Raiven (Slovenia)
THE ARTIST
The music has been youthfully strong with Raiven aka Sara Briški Cirman ever since she began studying music at the tender age of four at the Glasbena Matica in Ljubljana, which was followed by harp lesson at the same city’s Music School for nine years from the age of six. Here’s someone, like so many other Eurovision entrants, who has shown a prodigious propensity for capre dieming everything musical out of life. It’s no surpruse that with harp lessons, jazz singing and heavily awarded achievements in classical music to her credit that Raiven describes herself as a “musical alchemist”, with her range even extending to a burgeoning career in electro-pop. With an abundant love of music in all kinds of many and varied forms, and the talent and passion to do something remarkable with it, it will not surprise you one bit to learnt that Raiven has competed to represent Slovenia not once, not twice but three times with her songs always landing firmly in the top three. Fourth time has, of course proved the charm, and now she has her long-sought prize, does she has a song that will make the most of it?
(courtesy official Raiven Facebook page)
THE SONG
Kicking off with a pulsating quietness and vocals that are hushed and yet somehow forceful, Raiven bursts into full-bore vocal brilliance on “Mama”, a nod says Euro Alfa, to her Eurovision fans affectionately dubbed her “Mama”, a moniker and persona the artist has embraced without hesitation, “guiding her ‘children’ with her creativity, passion, and larger-than-life stage presence”. If that sounds very much like Lady Gaga levels of fan adoration, you’d be right and this powerfully atmospheric track is a thank you to all those people who followed her along her musical journey.
For more on her song, head to Euro Alfa
“Biggie Boom Boom” by Baby Lasagna (Croatia)
THE ARTIST
Hailing from Umag, a gorgeous seaside town on Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, Baby Lasgana takes the prize for the best name so far in the context for 2024. An audacious claim but then singer-songwriter-music producer Marko Purišić seems to be the kind of artist who wants to be remembered and having a memorably arresting artistic moniker is one of the ways to do it. As is his music, of course; serving as the guitarist for Croatian rock band Manntra from 2011 to 2016 and then again from 2018 to 2022, Purišić went solo in 2023, adopting the name Baby Lasagna so he could, in the words of his admirably brief Eurovision bio, compose the kind of songs he wanted to release”. The songs he has released, beginning with “IG Boy” in 2023″, feature what the bio terms “humorous and casual lyrics” but that doesn’t mean a lack of serious intent. In fact, Baby Lasagna is a lyrical proponent for the environment with his mission being “to entertain you while drawing attention to the social and spiritual challenges of individuals and society.”.
(courtesy official Baby Lasagna Facebook page)
THE SONG
If Baby Lasagna gave the impression that he’s a party starter with an eye for some delightfully introspective lyrics, then that sense of who he is as an artist will be reinforced even further with “Biggie Boom” Boom”. And while sure, it’s not any kind of soul searching deep, it’s enormous fun, a dancefloor powerhouse that moves with the same melodic forcefulness that powered his Eurovision entry, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” and which is very bit as infectiously listenable and, of course, danceable.
For more on this song, head to Eurovision.tv
But wait, there’s more! Read about all the other entrants’ releases …
And if you want to revisit all 37 entries from this year’s contest, here’s your chance!