07 February 2024

Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu has become my favourite national final for a few years now, and it’s due to a small number of consistently high quality and diverse entries, and quality winners that go on to do well at the Eurovision Song Contest. UMK 2024 is no different with its seven contenders, and let’s not forget the extraordinary interest Finland has earned due to last year’s winner, Käärijä with Cha Cha Cha. He won the hearts of almost everyone to such a degree that he’s become as big an icon out of Liverpool 2023 as the winner, Sweden’s Loreen. In winning with Tattoo, she became only the person to win Eurovision twice.

Only the Eurovision juries failed to see the magnetism of Käärijä, and while there’s no Käärijä, nor anything approaching his caliber, in this year’s UMK, it’s still an excellent field. It’s also pleasing to see three entries in Finnish and one in a mix of Finnish, Estonian and English. The other three are in English.

My Top 7

(Click here for the playlist)

7 Jesse Markin – Glow

For a hip-hop style of song, which ordinarily is not to my taste, this is highly listenable, and with a pleasing chorus. Jesse has announced he will boycott Eurovision due to Israel if he wins UMK. Meanwhile, Israel has announced it will boycott Eurovision due to Jesse Markin if he wins UMK.

6 Sini Sabotage – Kuori mua

This is quite catchy to start with, and has an impressive vibe. It’s just that the chorus doesn’t carry it further.

5 Mikael Gabriel x Nublu – Vox Populi

Linking with Nublu, probably Estonia’s biggest rap star, Mikael Gabriel has brought an interesting rap collaboration featuring an addictive chorus, and both the Finnish and Estonian languages. It will be interesting to see the staging of this, notably if the duo reprise the astronaut costumes from the preview video.

4 Sexmane – Mania

Mania! This is probably the closest to a Cha Cha Cha reprisal with its mix of styles. Rap during the verses, and an engaging pre-chorus into a bombastic full chorus, and then a guitar solo during the bridge. Crazy stuff, and it works!

3 Windows95man – No Rules!

This is closest to my actual favourite song of last year’s UMK, Samaa Taivasta Katsotaan by Portion Boys. A high energy and highly compelling pop/dance song. If they don’t do well, time to upgrade to Windows 98 Second Edition.

2 Sara Siipola – Paskana

A beautiful, deep voice drives this dramatic and powerful song. Reminiscent of something from TATU, it really kicks into overdrive during the chorus with this big synth effects and glorious vocals. If Sara doesn’t get close to winning, I’ll be a f***ing wreck. Incidentally, the song’s subtitle is I’m A F***ing Wreck, and is expressed in the song as Mä oon paskana.

1 Cyan Kicks – Dancing With Demons

Cyan Kicks, with their entry Hurricane, finished second to the Rasmus at UMK 2022, and it was actually my preferred rock option between those two. This year they don’t have such direct competition and arguably have a stronger entry. There’s definitely a heavier tinge to it, a much stronger vocal component, and plenty of guitar thrashing and drum bashing.

Running Order

1 Sini Sabotage – Kuori mua
2 Cyan Kicks – Dancing With Demons
3 Jesse Markin – Glow
4 Mikael Gabriel x Nublu – Vox populi
5 Sara Siipola – Paskana
6 Sexmane – Mania
7 Windows95man – No Rules!

Prediction

The betting shows Sara Siipola leading the way, which very much pleases me, followed by Mikael Gabriel x Nublu and Cyan Kicks quite close together as second favourites. The rest are a bit out of it. Like last year, there’s not much to read into the running order. Käärijä was positioned third and romped it in, while Portion Boys finished second from the final position. This year it’s another party song to finish, while a weaker one to start. It seems set up for Cyan Kicks to make a splash and then Sara Siipola to make the final statement. That she performs right after Mikael Gabriel x Nublu and will likely leave them looking like cosmic dust and suggests some of their popularity in the betting market could because of their names, especially when the Finnish public get a 75% say in the result (the jury only 25%).

I’d be happy to see either Cyan Kicks or Sara Siipola win. I’d love to see Finland send powerful rock again, and I’d also like to hear the Finnish language beautifully expressed on the Eurovision stage again. As much as Käärijä did perform in Finnish, given the chaotic and frenetic pace of Cha Cha Cha, it could have been in Swahili for all it mattered. My heart will be determined on the night after the performances.

UMK provide an English commentary option, so it’s definitely a show not to be missed. It can be watched live or on delay. Also provided is a UMK page in English with artist profiles, interviews and other interesting content. Their Youtube videos include English captions (as above). The service to fans is superb, well appreciated and should be rewarded!

UMK 2024 takes place on Saturday 10 February 2024, starting at 20:00 CET (03:00 Sunday AET).

UMK 2024 with English commentary

For all things UMK 2024 in English

Finland: Käärijä with Cha Cha Cha wins UMK 2023

Finland: The Rasmus win UMK 2022 with Jezebel