Finnish broadcaster YLE has published the first of the songs that will participate at this year’s UMK, format to select Finland’s next representative for Eurovision 2022.
The song is called “Hurricane” and will be performed by Cyan Kicks. Listen to it and watch the official clip video below:
About Cyan Kicks
The most rock entry in this year’s Contest for New Music UMK is Helsinki-based Cyan Kicks, whose members are Susanna Alexandra, Niila Perkkiö, Leevi Erkkilä, and Pietari Reijonen. Cyan Kicks was founded in 2016, and the group has so far released two albums’ worth of music, which has been streamed over 10 million times. The group describes its music as unique modern rock with a fusion of styles.
We aren’t afraid to combine different elements to make our own, distinctive sound. One song might be completely electronic, while another will be seriously heavy, but, at the end of the day, it always sounds like Cyan Kicks
Susanna Alexandra
Their UMK entry Hurricane is an ideal example of this when it comes to style. Its verses are electronic, while the choruses and guitar solos form the heavier parts. Elize Ryd, one of the lead vocalists in Danish-Swedish group Amaranthe, collaborated in writing the song. American musician-producer Chris Walla and producer-mixer Zakk Cervini also added their own touches to the song.
Finland is well known for its heavy metal chops and, as recent years have shown, rock music can also succeed in what is typically a pop-dominated music contest.
Rock’s always been around, and it’s always been mainstream music, even if it hasn’t always been the centre of media attention. We want to do our part in really keeping rock in the limelight
Cyan Kicks
Finnish broadcaster has received hundreds of songs, of which only 7 will be able to compete at UMK 2022. Each song will be published one at a time every 24 hours, in other words, one each day. This is the official list of participants:
- Cyan Kicks – ‘Hurricane’
- Bess – ‘Ram pam pam’
- The Rasmus – ‘Jezebel’
- Younghearted – ‘Sun numero’
- Olivera – ‘Thank God I’m an Atheist’
- Tommi Läntinen – ‘Elämä kantaa mua’
- Isaac Sene – ‘Kuuma jäbä’
The Contest for New Music, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) is a competition organised by the Finnish Broadcasting Company. It is open to all music makers in search of the best new Finnish song. For the eleventh consecutive year, since 2012, UMK will be the format to select Finland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.
The UMK winner will be chosen at the UMK22 event and final on February 26 at Logomo arena in Turku. The final will be broadcast for international audiences on Yle Areena starting at 9pm local time (8pm CET). The broadcast will also include English-language commentary.
The winner will be chosen jointly by Finnish television viewers and international juries. The public will account for 75 % of the vote and the juries for the remaining 25 %.