Sara's "Paskana" is, in my opinion, in the "emotional bop" category, just like Cornelia's "Hold Me Closer"; it feels like a ballad, but it has enough beat to still be called a "bop".
Spotify-update: Sara reclaimed her front-position (in terms of UMK-songs in the charts) in the finish Spotify-charts after Mikael Gabriel entered two days ago above her. I think she really has a shot to win this. And I would be happy, although I needed four listens to resonate with the song.
If Finland chooses Paskana, they'll have my vote again and second year in a row that they would be my personal winner. Has so much potential if they are able to nail the staging, and they have a good track record with that.
It seems to be between vox populi and paskana. They did a poll where u could vote ur favorite and vox populi and paskana are tied at #1 place with about 24% of all votes
@@munkayttaja6913The live performances can easily change peoples minds tho (and I hope it does, because I personally don't like either of those songs lol). I kind of expect that it's hard to mess up the performance for a ballad (she doesn't seem like a weak singer), but vox populi can flop. Rap very often doesn't sound good live and I suspect that especially Nublu's style might not work well live, but we'll see.
@@ellem8990 Mikael is a big artist in Finland so I feel like finns know what to expect from him and know what he sounds live, but Nublu's part in it all will be interesting to see and what their staging will look like. It has a great potential to raise the song higher. Sara Siipola is a newer artist so all there is to say really is that she has a powerful voice and it propably won't change at all in the live show, could be even better actually. I really don't know how the live peformance can be made interesting for a powerballad, but we'll see ig Sexmane is also an artist who is very well known for having great live shows so he can actually suprise us
@@munkayttaja6913 I'm finnish so I'm aware, but I haven't personally seen MG perform live. I'm just going based off of how rap usually works live and their personal style, that's why I'm less sure of Nublu (I'm more confident that MG will perform his rap well). Of course things can go either way, I was just pointing out a few reasons why it might not go well. What you said about Sara is basically the same thing I said, but with different/more words, so I guess we agree. I'm unsure why so many leave Mania out when discussing potential winners, since Sexmane already has fans and his song has been the most streamed the last time I checked. I think there's a solid chance for him and I can already imagine him utilizing camera work to make the performance look a bit chaotic to fit the song (I can't properly explain it with words, but I have specific image of it).
I love your love for UMK and how its become one of your favourite national selections. I think i was too hard on the first few songs because i was comparing them to last year. I started out just feeling 'meh' because they just werent hitting the glass ceiling like they did last year, but i find that im re-visiting the UMK selection a lot more than the other national selections thus far so the songs have been creeping further in to my field of interest so im starting to like a few of them a little more than i did a week of two ago. For me Sini Sabotage is my number 1. I love everything about it, from the hypnotic sensual beat to her sass. Cyan Kicks i rated so highly at one point based solely on the visuals. Its dropped down for me as im wearing thin from hearing it without the visual support. Reminds me of something that wouldve sat well on a Kelly Clarkson album back in the day. It dropped from my 3rd to my 5th place. Sara Siipola has moved up from my 5th to my 3rd over all. I like the song, but i dont totally love it. That 'love' belongs to Sini this year. Top 7 for me is as follow: 7 - Mikael Gabriel & Nublu 6 - Windows 95 Man 5 - Cyan Kicks 4 - Jesse Markin 3 - Sara Siipola 2 - Sexmane 1 - Sini Sabotage I think Finland will do will with any of the (top 5) songs they send this year.
People have quite forgotten that in the past 15 years, Finland has made it to TOP20 only three times. And this year there's definitely a few of songs that are TOP20-worthy, and some are even worthy of TOP10. I'm quite sure that this year Finland will have its 3rd or 4th best placement since 2009 depending who gets chosen.
Exactly! I feel a bit sorry in advance for whoever goes to Eurovision, because after last year some people won't be happy with anything less than Käärijä's level of success, so in their minds this year's artist is already set for a failure. If we take a little bit of a historical perspective, we have often struggled to qualify to the final. I think all of the songs this year have a chance to qualify and some of them could do quite well, even if they didn't end up as high as Käärijä. Top 20 placement would be good and top 10 would be amazing 😊
I allso think that Finland gets some point cos of käärijä. And can think If Finland And Sweden are example on top songs... I really think that Finland gets point out from Sweden
@@kriseliana this! if we look last 20 years most of the time finland has been nq or bottom 5 in final. only 4 top 15. results. 1. 11. 6, 2. this year top 15 would be very good, top 10 amazing. for me top 20 or top 30 (if the place is 18.-last place) is not good bc finland has been in those places so many times if finland is 15. or higher im happy. more higher more happy
@@henriikkak2091 Well, IMO one should always go for the 1st place, otherwise what's the point, but then also be happy with whatever placing one gets, at the end 😉
i feel like Yle reviews their strategy for UMK every year - like you said, last year was more pop oriented, this year they went for more rap songs with potential for chart success. personally, this is not my wheelhouse (i am a more indie/alt rock/synth pop type of a person), but i can still see that the quality is there. we can't have a Käärijä each and every year, and this is a good, strong selection of songs. personally i am rooting for the girlies this year for ESC. Sara Siipola has the best emotional banger of the bunch, i live for Sini's unhinged onion realness (she is an icon already), and Cyan Kicks provides a safe but quality option, which will probably be staged to perfection. i am not that keen to send a rock song, so my votes are going to Sara and Sini. Jesse is my personal favourite of them all (the production in the song is SO STRONG), but realistically there is no point spending money voting for an act that will not be going.
I had to read the lyrics of Vox Populi. To have at least something to say about the controversy. It really is up to what perspective it comes from. However, it does seem like MG is rapping self-consciously about his frustration when he was young and was not allowed to say anything he wanted. He does rap: "I wonder what is so wrong when I open my social media, I am worried about the state of the young, I remember when I was an outsider sometimes..." He seems to understand understand where all the frustration comes from: "Sometimes I wanted to smash everything into pieces, send my greetings to you who try to limit my freedom of speech: go to hell (now what should I say to that?)" There is certain acceptance that you should not be saying anything and everything that comes to your mind and then takes the relative aspect: "all the opinions are equally wrong" and continues: "if you are lions why does your herd bleat like sheep". It does seem like the song is written to the frustrated young people who follow the opinions of others and are easy (mis)lead. So it is much about the hatred spread on social media and the frustrations of the people. The relative aspect is trying to wake up people to be more self-critical about their thoughts. It is not saying it straight-forwardly: "Consider that you might actually be wrong with your opinion", but it says, "all the opinions are equally wrong." Not sure whether that is the right way to go. I do not really know what the actually message should be, but this is how I interpret the message of MG and Nublu.
I fully agree with you, but I think it also gives a nod to the people that want to vote with their middle fingers to the ESC because of the controversy last year. And if you only hear it once or twice that might be the takeaway (not least because Vox Populi is the only word an international audience understands from the lyrics).🤷 No matter how much they meant to day something else.
Tom you are such a nice person, thanks for sharing your thoughts ♡ i think this selection is high quality, but as a finn i was missing more "finnishness" - not a word, i know 😂 but its like someone giving me liquorice when i asked salmiakki (salty liquorice).
My top 7: 1. Windows95Man - No Rules 2. Everyone else This is my Trentenul, Let 3 and Shum of the year. Eurovision needs these types of songs. I love this song
I really admire your commitment to these videos. Many others do not do research before creating these videos, putting these songs just anywhere on their TOP 7’s just because. It’s interesting to hear about the artists backstories. I really love that you aren’t as judgmental and take the songs with a positive reach. Thank you for creating these videos for us to see, agree, disagree! Keep doing what you do! Much of luck from me, from Estonia & Finland!! ❤
interestingly, Mania is the most streamed song on spotify out of this selection, and still is my favourite btw, can't wait for your reaction to Veronika
Every song has their own strengths but the song that I am litterally constantly listening to is Windows95man. There’s a reason UNO was the most viewed song multiple times last year and that was because it was a catchy song and full of energy, cha cha cha again catchy song with a beat, but I would love windows95man to go through
There is a different story with UNO. Little big is a big artist in Russia and every one of their music videos has hundreds of millions views. UNO was only published on Eurovision channel so it gains all the views. Thats why it cant be used in context of views from only Eurovision bubble.
Omg your top is almost exactly the same as mine !! (at this quality tbh, I don’t think that the order of the top three matters that much, they’re all SO GOOD). I’m really glad I watched this, you explain so much better than me my own feelings about the song hahaha. I kinda bought my UMK tickets in the dark without knowing what to expect, but after hearing all of the songs, I am SO HAPPY to travel 7000km to hear them live!
Watching this to get ready for tomorrow, I'll be enjoying it all live at the arena! It's completely up to the lives for me, I honestly don't have a big favorite at the moment. Thank you again for a great video! Also idk if anyone has said this already but the "Sii" part in Siipola is pronounced the same way as the word see :)
Sini Sabotage is right now my favorite but I wouldn’t mind at all if Sara Siipola went to Eurovision! It is sad to see how much here in finland people are bashing this year’s umk… But I’m very sure that we can get a good placing in Eurovision with any of these songs since they are all very good!! :) Btw are you going to make an afterwards analysis video og mgb heat 2?
Not as strong as last year, but still a very good batch of songs. What makes this edition more exciting in a way is that it's very open. Unlike last year there's no clear winner. Also glad that you too like Windows95man - it's been roundly trashed by many 😭
I don’t mind this selection overall. Lots of variety and some songs aren’t really my thing but that is fine. I do like loads of the songs though and it is a great selection. My top 7: 7: Korri Mua: the lyrics here irk me but the song itself is decent. Sini absolutely sells it though. Rap is not really my vibe especially when the lyrics are this layered and sexual (without necessarily meaning to be). 5/10 6: Vox Populi: this has a great message and I like the idea of an Estonian and Finn collabbing but the song itself is decent. Not my vibe but I appreciate it all the same. 5.5/10. 5: Paskana: I like the lyrics loads but the song itself is solid. I don’t really like that the style of the instrumental and that makes it hit less for me. 6/10. 4: Glow: the chorus is incredibly catchy. He is a good rapper and I love the lyrics and the vibe of the song even if it is a bit repetitive. 7/10. 3: Mania: this song has incredible production and I love the use of auto tune here. Very good lyrics as well and the song itself is totally my vibe. 9/10. 2: No Rules: this is a bop and so quirky. Absolutely love the concept of this and it is just so well-executed. It is so infectious too listen to and is honestly iconic. 9/10. 1: Dancing With Demons: this is head and shoulders above the rest for me. Incredible sound, production, progression, vocals, lyrics and visuals. I expect them to absolutely slay live as well. Can’t wait to see how they elevate this on stage. 10/10.
Yeah, I was irked by the "Kuori Mua" lyrics at first too, but then I listened to it again and realized that they're not about sex but about people making assumptions about her and her character. So she says that you should peel off the preconceived notions about her and actually find out who she is.
Great analysis Tom. It's a very high quality national final with a wonderful variety in artists and styles; there's no song that's a clear winner or a guaranteed top 5 in Malmö, but people maybe forget how special Cha Cha Cha was. Finland's still on a great trajectory here. My top 7: 1. Sini Sabotage; I just think this is totally awesome! Hope she can deliver live tho. 2. Jesse Markin; it's pretty close with my #1, I can totally see this being fantastic on stage. Love the vibe of the song and his style. 3. Sara Siipola; beautiful emotional song. 4. Sexmane; really like the story and urgency behind this. 5. Windows95Man; it's fun, but it's best taken in small doses. 6. Cyan Kicks; not bad, but I just don't really vibe with this. 7. Mikael Gabriel & Nublu: again not bad, but I find it quite annoying.
My order is 1. Sara Siipola 2. Sini Sabotage 3. Jesse Markin 4. Mikael Gabriel & Nublu 5. Sexmane 6. Windows95man 7. Cyan Kicks I think this year nothing stood out that much. There were multiple great songs. I actually think many of them are great and it is hard to place them. I enjoy them but that is it. Nothing groundbreaking Only songs that I don't like are my bottom three songs.
I really don't get the hate for Cyan Kicks (not meaning you Tom, but many Finns and commenters here etc), IMO it's great and would be my 2nd choice after Sara! And as seen here, it seems to be a community favourite as well. But you're so right, Tom, at least UMK is not beige, like so many other NF's! ;) And to me, there is one more or less 10/10 song, Sara's :)
Personally, as heavy and rock are my genres, Cyan Kicks are too safe and kind of unsuprising. I feel they need.. well, more kick. Maybe they are a solid rock band for people who don't usually listen to rock.
@@kat4428 Hmm, I do listen to rock & metal (though not as much as I did when younger), so don't really fall into that group ;), and while it may be slightly safe, it's still way more rock than most other NF songs, in any NF... So that's why I don't get the dislike. (And even more to all those who do not normally listen to rock, as you noted.)
I feel I'm not with the general consensus this year. I'm not overly keen for Cyan Kicks or Sara Siipola. My top three this year:- 1. Windows95man - I enjoy how fun it is. How much it's trashy europop. 2. Sini Sabotage - there's something about this song that seems so fresh. 2. Sexmane - just love me some Finnish rap.
For me 1. Mania or Sara are the best. 3. Really close is Sini and Jesse. 5. No Rules 6. Cyan Kicks, solid, but not for me and it feels bit boring 7. Vox Populi bit confusing song, im not even totally sure what they want to say I would be happy if any of my top four songs would go for ESC. They all feel pretty autentic and genuine with good lyrics. Would be ok with 5-6 positions as well .
Are you coming to Finland to see UMK live? I'm excited to see what it's gonna be like now that they've upgraded to a bigger arena and I'm so lucky I got last minute tickets! I can't waitttt
At first, I had hard time connecting with the entries. I felt that none really hit me the right way, but after many many listens the have started to grow on me. Well, win95man was an immediate success for me - I like silly as long it is well produced and not just taking the piss! My top 7 is still under construction but first two are Sara and Sini, followed by win95man and Cyan kicks, then Jesse, MG&Nublu and Sexmane in this order. I would not mind any of these going to ESC, all would earn their place. The UMK show on 10 February will be AMAZING! The artists are all really promising as performers and I have high expectations for their ability to sing live very close to the recorded ones (expect for Sexmane, I have my doubts on that. Will be very happy if proven wrong). So bummed I did not get the tickets! Everyone going are in for a treat and show for a life!
I'll be honest, most of these songs sound better than most songs already submitted by other countries so far, can we have like 4 Finnish entries this year?
Still processing the songs but at the moment my top is Sara's. Mikael Gabriel's populist themed song lays on the bottom and I hope we don't choose that
I don't have a clear favourite this year, at least at this point. I need to see all of these live before making a decision. My least favourite ones are Mikael Gabriel and Cyan Kicks. Mikael Gabriel because I don't know what to think of him as a person - and the song just is a bit weak. Cyan Kicks because their sound is too polished and stays a little too distant for my liking. I need more personality. I think I'll enjoy hearing Sexmane's song on the radio, but the amount of autotune might destroy live performances - I hope I'm wrong. I think, musically, Jesse Markin's song is my favourite, but it gets repetitive really quickly. Sini Sabotage sounds okay, I'm weirly liking Windows95man a lot, but sending it after Cha cha cha might imply we do campy funny songs only. If Sara Siipola gives a good live performance, she might be it. It would be great to send a female singer for a change, and the contrast to last year's song would be big enough.
Been Eurovision fan for 38 years, omg!!!!! Not even that old am i?! Second year I watch Umk again, after some years, it’s like Icehockey for me and well, a lot of tears and frustration during the years . . But yes, Sara we should send, she would do the best. But history wise, we’ll send the cyan or Gabriel, even if the performance of Sara is good. Maybe, hopefully, I am wrong. They’ll do ok I guess…
In my totally honest opinon, this year was so much better than last year especially as regards diversity of music. A year ago all songs seemed to follow more or less a similar formula (with one exception of course 🙂), whereas these seven songs are so different from each other. Thank you UMK for this experience! Well, everyone has to have a top 7, and this is mine: 1. Cyan Kicks 2. Sara Siipola 3. Sini Sabotage 4. Sexmane 5. Jesse Markin 6. MG x Nublu 7. W95Man As always, the live performances will decide everything, but I would be extremely surprised if someone else than Sara Siipola or Cyan Kicks wins. PS. Cyan Kicks should have won in 2022, and this song is so much better than Hurricane and Jezebel, imo.
Well, *especially* regarding diversity of music this year is worse, as there's mainly just rap! Last year, there were many different genres, so it's actually completely the opposite of what you say 😆
@@elvinam888 Really? Last year there were four songs in the totally same category, i.e. pop. How was that more diverse? Also, although there may be four songs with rap or rap elements in them, these songs are so different from each other that I wouldn't put them in the same category at all, as they are a mash of different genres. Take e.g. Vox Populi, which I would categorise mostly as a punkrock song. But, you seem to have a problem with rap in general... To each his/her own.
@@irene6119 Such a weird comment, as four of the songs last year were clearly within a single genre - pop. The four songs with rap or rap elements are, however, extremely far from each other musically. And what on earth has age to do with good music? PS. No Rules probably caters a lot to those nostalgic for their youth in the 90s.
@@toinenosoite3173 have you ever watched Eurovision or its national finals? Pop is the default genre. Such niche genres (yes, niche in eurovision context and from the perspective of the whole population, also those who don't listen to Spotify) presented so widely, no matter how "different" they are is not variety. I didn't say anything about the quality of the music, I have nothing against rap, but the show should cater to more than one or a few segments of the society. I don't want Umk to become the contest for new rap music or for only teenagers to enjoy.
i think mg and nublu's song is trying to be supportive to the the oppressed people, but mg has some anti-vaxx and transphobic tweets and he used to have a putin tattoo, so the message of the song definitely comes across as conservative / priviledged
Thanks for sharing your opinion! It's been really interesting listening to everyone's thoughts this year, as I don't really prefer Sara's and Sini's songs and videos -- apart from the messages being cool. When it comes to Sara I'm afraid it's going to be too boring and also I'm not a huge fan of her vocal style. Also, for me it sounds like they used a fair amount of autotune on the recording so I wonder how she's going to pull it off live. My favorite at this moment is probably Windows95man, I think it could be really fun and entertaining on stage
Idk why i have a gut feeling that Sara is going to be top of the odds and win the jury in a landslide but then either Michael Gabriel or Windows will just barely win overall by televote
The only poll where Sara didn't become the clear favorite was obviously skewed by online trolls (like huge amounts of votes in just a moment). I also doubt MG+N will do well live, except for Mikael's presence. They will most likely be the last one in jury votes and it's also likely that Sara will win the jury votes with a landslide or at least become close with Cyan Kicks, leaving a big gap behind them. It's hard for Mikael or Windows95man to overcome that, especially since the non-eurofans usually don't vote more than the one free vote.
The only song that I really, and I mean really, like is Kuori mua. Paskana is fine at best lyrically but I hate, and I mean really hate, the trash drums or rhythm section in that song. What I miss for example, is the imagery, the poetry, that elevates the song, stuff that Arcade and Bridges had. Kuori mua however slays in that regard.
Paskana: My number one so far. I really relate to the lyrics and I believe Sara when she is singing them. Vox Populi: My number 2. I feel uncomfortable with the artist’s views (from what I understand, his controversies are having a Putin tattoo (that he now denounces), being a climate change denier, and being against masking. Please anyone let me know if I’m missing anything!), but if I put it aside this song works for me. As far as I’m aware, he’s not rapping about those views, so that helps me separate them from the song itself and I have to admit I do like the song. However, if I missed anything else about his views that would be too much for me, then that’s when I’ll draw the line. Mania: My number three. I’m worried that this song wouldn’t actually do well if it made it to the Eurovision final, but without the contest in mind I really like the song! I always find myself headbanging when the chorus starts lol. Dancing With Demons: My number 4. I like this song, especially the breakdown, but what holds it back from being something really special to me is that it sounds too safe for my taste. I think that’s why I really liked the breakdown: it sounded “edgier” for lack of a better word. It would be the “safest” option to send to Eurovision imo and I believe Cyan Kicks would do a perfectly fine job if they got to go. Glow: My number 5. I really like the instrumental on this one and Jesse’s rapping is really good! It’s a little bit repetitive, but a perfectly fine song! No Rules!: My number 6. The song is not bad at all, it’s actually really fun! I’m sure the staging for it will be amazing! Kuori Mua: I feel so guilty for putting this as my 7th because I love the meaning behind it, and I definitely see the song’s appeal. I like Sini’s rapping and confidence in the song, but I just can’t get behind how muffled they made her singing sound in the production. For these types of songs, I personally like clearer and less subdued vocals. However, a lot of people rightfully love the song, so there’s no harm to Sini if I’m more lukewarm to it. And maybe my opinion could change anytime before the show!
Mikael has had some controversies in the past, but has also grown alot. He publicly apologized for the Putin tattoo (which he already got covered years ago) and admitted he did wrong. During covid he criticized the government's decision to force nurses to get covid vaccinations but at the same time he advocated people to get vaccinated, so not really anti-vaxx. And like the other commentor said, he is currently supporting the Green party president candidate who is also openly gay. So not as black and white as some people have painted him, but controversial anyway.
I think you can most easily pronounce "Siipola" if you pronounce the first syllable like English word "Sea". Then, just a single p. I think Sara Siipola is easily the best singer, and the song is high quality, but I have personally gone through periods of depression, and I feel that song is sucking me back to that abyss, so I just can't get behind of it. Objectively it might be the best song, though, and if I was a better, I'd probably bet that it will win UMK: (However, if she is going to Malmö, I wish they will dress her up less like Loreen than in the video.) But personally I'm following my heart and rooting for Windows95Man. If you read the lyrics, which might be difficult when the video is distracting all the attention, it has quite an empowering message. ("Call me what you may, see if care, see me slay!" and "If I'm not alright, tell me why do I feel so beautiful tonight".) Henri has actually quite good vocal talent, and the whole song is uplifting. It is also taking me back to my youth, so I'm sold. How these songs might succeed in the ESC, isn't an issue for me. After last year I feel betrayed by ESC, and have zero confidence to the juries and the whole organisation behind it. I have decided not to watch ESC in Malmö. But I will definitely follow UMK, and wish the best song will win. What happens after that, isn't my concern.
Mikael gabriel - he have been canceled of his support to putin and trump. He had putin tattoo but then he took away when people doesnt liked it and he said he understood that what P is doing in ukraine doesnt feel fair anymore. Maybe Mikael Gabriel have changed? He doesnt speek opinions of politics anymore. But still I think this risk.
Sara Siipola seems to be the favorite among Finns, but Sexmane isnt getting any love. Mania sounds overproduced and incomplete at the same time. I can see W95 getting lots of public votes, although the artist doesnt seem as likable as Käärijä. CK and Jesse are great live. MG has a lots of fans and Sini Sabotage is a total wildcard, so basically anything can happen as votes will be split between all songs.
Community ranking = my ranking. I don't understand the appeal of Vox populi, it's annoying, repetitive and never liked Mikael's rapping. It's one of those which I don't want to listen to ever again (along with Glow). I think it's his fans doing what The Rasmus fans did 2 years ago. Ugh. Will be voting for Sara and/or Cyan as I think they have the best chance to make it to Top10.
