The excitement is building as Finland’s national selection show, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2025, revealed its seven artists yesterday! These talented acts were chosen from a whopping 485 songs submitted to Finland’s public broadcaster YLE.
The seven songs will be released between 8th and 16th of January at 23.00 CET.
Here are the names of the artists and their songs with the release dates:
• NEEA RIVER – ‘Nightmares’ (Release date: 08/01)
• Nelli Matula – ‘Hitaammin Hautaan’ (Release date: 09/01)
• Costee – ‘Sekaisin’ (Release date: 12/01)
• VIIVI – ‘Aina’ (Release date: 13/01)
• One Morning Left – ‘Puppy’ (Release date: 14/01)
• Goldielocks – ‘Made Of’ (Release date: 15/01)
• Erika Vikman – ‘ICH KOMME’ (Release date: 16/01)
Let’s meet the artists!
NEEA RIVER – “Nightmares”
Having released her song yesterday, NEEA RIVER is known for her hauntingly ethereal vocals and storytelling. “Nightmares” is a cinematic and spine-chilling addition to UMK! It will be the first time River will perform one of her own songs in public.
Nelli Matula – “Hitaammin Hautaan”
Pop powerhouse Nelli Matula makes her UMK debut with “Hitaammin Hautaan” (translating to “Slower to the Grave”). Expect smooth beats, sharp lyrics, and her signature sultry voice, which has already made her a household name in Finland. The song has a strong meaning to Matula as it is inspired from her personal life.
Costee – “Sekaisin”
Dark and introspective, Costee is a rising star in Finnish alternative pop. His track “Sekaisin” (meaning “Confused”) might delve into love, heartbreak, or both—wrapped in a moody, electronic soundscape.
VIIVI – “Aina”
VIIVI has been capturing hearts with her soulful performances, and “Aina” (meaning Always) is rumored to be a poignant ballad. Her vocal range and emotional delivery could make her a standout act this year.
One Morning Left – “Puppy”
Get ready for chaos and fun! Finnish metalcore band One Morning Left is bringing their playful yet aggressive energy with “Puppy”– which is a song about a puppy. Known for their quirky lyrics and epic riffs, this track could bring some much-needed edge to UMK. The band had been planning to apply for UMK for a long time.
Goldielocks – “Made Of”
The youngest contestant of this year’s UMK, Goldielocks blends pop, electro, and experimental beats. “Made Of” is expected to explore themes of identity and resilience, with a futuristic production style that screams Eurovision-ready.
Erika Vikman – “ICH KOMME”
One of the biggest pop stars in Finland, Erika Vikman, is back with “ICH KOMME” (meaning “I’m Coming” in German). Known for her bold performances and unapologetic attitude, Erika could very well steal the show again with this provocative and theatrical number.
She is no stranger to UMK. In 2020, she participated with the song “Cicciolina“, which finished in the 2nd place and became a viral hit in Finland. The following year, she performed UMK’s opening number together with Antti Tuisku. At last year’s UMK, Vikman and Käärijä performed their duet “Ruoska“ during the intermission.
Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2025
With such a diverse lineup, UMK 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable show. The UMK one-show is on Saturday, 8th of February and will be held at the Nokia Arena in Tampere at 20.00 CET. The hosts of UMK 2025 are Sanni and Jasmin Beloued.
Who are you most excited about? Will we see another breakout hit like Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha, or will a dark horse surprise us all?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to check out the songs as they’re released!
