Eesti Laul 2021: The Highlights of Estonia’s Eurovision Selection

We truly loved Uku Suviste’s theatrical ballad What Love Is so we are excited that the star is campaigning for Estonia’s 2021 Eurovision selection. However Uku has some stiff competition from seasoned dance divas to up and coming pop talents. We’ve run through the 2021 submissions and brought you the highlights – thankfully sifting out some rubbish including a transphobic, COVID denying track (sigh).

The semi-finals of Eesti Laul 2021 will be held on the 18th and 20th February, while the grand final will take place on 6th March 2021.

Tanja – “Best Night Ever”

Tanja compels us to the dancefloor on contemporary anthem Best Night Ever. Angelic vocals paired with synth and brass heavy production helps the track shine as a breezy disco delight. The track is written by Tanja, Mihkel Mattisen and Timo Vendt.

Nika Marula – “Calm Down”

Nika Marula’s Calm Down, written by Andrei Zevakin, Nika, and Daniil Kotilevits, is a moody mid-tempo. With icy production and impassioned delivery from Nika the track is an attitude filled treat. Singing about a heated relationship, Nika notes “Hey, you know you drive me insane
So don’t you start this all again, If you don’t want me, walk away, Calm, calm down.”

Suured tüdrukud – “Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight”

Did anyone order to iconique disco divas? Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight is a classic piece of schlager pop with Suured tüdrukud translating as Big Girls. We stan. With a joyous message of positivity, the Big Girls sing “Let’s just live for the finer things in life, and don’t let the moment pass you by,
Life’s a game of truth or dare, Heaven’s not that far tonight,” against theatrical pop beats.

Kéa – “Hypnotized”

Slick contemporary pop comes in the form of Kéa‘s slinky banger Hypnotized. Written by Ketter Orav, Sander Sadam, Alvar Antson, and Karl-Mathias Saarse, Kéa asserts herself as a solid Eesti Laul contender on the track which is an ambitious, slice of modern pop.

Gram-Of-Fun – “Lost In A Dance”

With echoes of indie-pop talents The 1975, Gram-Of-Fun’s slick energetic Lost In a Dance is another contender for Eesti Laul. A nostalgic, eighties inspired pop-rocker which celebrates the joy of losing yourself in the music with that special someone. “Don’t leave me now, When there’s nowhere to go, And all the lights are out, We tear them down,” the band sing against soaring synths and pop-rock production.

Rahel – “Sunday Night”

Rahl delivers a quirky pop gem with Sunday Night – an uplifting and wholly original treat that sparkles with energy and creativity. Rahel’s smooth, wholesome vocals shine – especially when paired with silky backing vocals and electric guitar, brass, and synth production. Sunday Night is a gleeful slice of nostalgic pop.

Uku Suviste – “The Lucky One”

2020 champ and general Estonian pop hunk Uku Suviste drops the bombastic theatricality of his previous entry for a more contemporary release, The Lucky One. The moody, contemporary pop gem’s production mounts with Uku’s strong vocals gliding over dark synth beats building to a vocal powerhouse in the track’s steely powerful chorus. This is another deserving winner for Uku.

Sissi – “Time”

An emotive spot of contemporary neo-soul completes our list. Sissi’s Time is a heartfelt soul number with an uplifting spirit in its lyricism noting “Our dreams are high up above we’re down below, But we’ll grow we’ll grow…” This is a classy entry that could prove to be a dark horse.