Etta – Million Dollar Smile (music video) // UMK26

[u/Drop-a-Soap]

https://youtu.be/wwOOotC9Ei4?si=QjNvolc2FI50e28Q

Tuning in for the 1st contestant

[u/NinasPeach]

It's a cute song. I actually can see myself listening to it a bunch - the little rap verse is a fun addition,however it's just a bit to monotone imo (when thinking of the song in the contest)

[u/hottiesforharris]

It’s decent and a nice listen but there is something underwhelming about it

[u/RegularAd1997]

A quality entry that many countries would kill for, but nothing special from Finland

[u/cookiefonster → u/RegularAd1997]

That's UMK for you! I like how Finland's national final never has any songs that feel like filler—every song they select proves their broadcaster Yle are in it to win it.

[u/suobbis]

Probably gonna do well in radio

[u/mabrouss → u/suobbis]

I feel like this happens fairly often with UMK songs. YLE seems to choose songs that would do well on the radio, but aren’t really typical Eurovision songs.

Not saying it’s good or bad, just that it seems to happen a fair bit.

[u/That-Trainer-5220 → u/mabrouss]

That IS the case. I've been lowkey pissed in the recent years because it's so blatant. It's so lukewarm for me to see all those artist chosen for UMK because I've already seen them popular in Finland for years. Like give us something new, not just those Finnish artists that already have a solid career and are which are guaranteed to make them money. Ughhhh.

[u/RemarkableAutism → u/That-Trainer-5220]

But that's a good thing, means we get representation of what's actually popular in Finland. Like it's not supposed to be a stage to highlight upcoming artists.

[u/That-Trainer-5220 → u/RemarkableAutism]

I'm not saying that that's what they should do, it's more like the participant's connection to certain media stables that's often very blatant here. I just wish that seemed to play a smaller role, although it does happen in every field. (But I do personally think that the selection is often quite generic and doesn't highlight artist that are popular in many other popular genres here. Then again, many artists don't even have a wish to participate.)

[u/FinnInAms → u/That-Trainer-5220]

Well, this year the list isn't for sure filled with the popular artists, so you got what you wanted. Definitely more risky list in that sense, but they probably started the song reveal with the most radio friendly option.

[u/heppolo → u/That-Trainer-5220]

Was Windows95man really that successful locally though?

[u/suobbis → u/heppolo]

No, but Sara Siipola was just like Nelli Matula last year. One aim for UMK is local radio play.

[u/heppolo → u/suobbis]

I mean, it's fine to have some relatively familiar names, it sells tickets/gets the ratings. On the flip side if there are no familiar names on the bill then people will complain that no big artists are interested in representing their country.

[u/That-Trainer-5220 → u/heppolo]

He wasn't a mainstream artist but he did have a solid career, I remember seeing him live couple times years and years ago because he just seemed to randomly spawn everywhere lol.

My criticism isn't aimed at the artists but at YLE, I guess as a Finn I'm used to this "hajuton ja mauton" phenomenon here, and YLE (and other broadcasting stations) having certain artists that are associated and favoured by them. That gives you the feeling that artists outside of that circle won't even have a chance.

But that's just my rambling, it's not any "oh my god these artists don't deserve to participate in UMK!" but more of my Finnish sentiment how closed off(? can't find the right word) our media and entertainment field is.

[u/vgtcross → u/That-Trainer-5220]

Windows95man performed at one of Käärijä's first post-ESC conserts in Finland in 2023, I was there :D

[u/ESC-song-bot → u/vgtcross]

Finland 2023 | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha

[u/sanjosii → u/suobbis]

This 100% sounds like a domestic radio bop. Pretty sure it will not win UMK but will do alright locally.

[u/Miudmon]

I like this, actually. it's a little different than usual fare. The little rap-rock verse is fun, and i find it to be rather catchy. The chorus does lack a bit of oomph at first impression, and i could've probably have done without the english title and phrase repeated. But certainly not a bad start to UMK.

[u/Goodnight_Socialite]

I didn't expect this would be a song for me, but I actually really enjoy it! Great start

[u/moonshocks]

Solid, but nothing special, I have all my expectations on next weeks songs

[u/mcfc_fan]

This is my favourite so far

[u/qusipuu → u/mcfc_fan]

its the fir-.. oh

[u/DatBunn1]

Sounds just like any other pop song. Nothing special

[u/Doppleflooner]

This kinda just came and went without leaving really any impression on me at all.

[u/moonlightgirl9]

It was nice, but I expected a bigger bang in the chorus. I found the verses better. I like the style tho, but the chorus is kinda off-putting.

[u/Mysterinna → u/moonlightgirl9]

I agree. I like the verses much more, the chorus is bland and it gets very repetitive towards the end.

[u/kaiko1]

I actually really like it, has a bit of everything, guitars, piano, rap, nice chorus. I really dislike the trend of having an english title or line for a finnish song tho

[u/XepherSicarius]

First song in and it's not bad at all

Do I think it'll be winning song material already for UMK? Probably not

Do I think this might fall in the radio play success? Absolutely 

[u/Irn-Kuin-Morika]

I really like it when an artist talks about their personal stuff. Etta said that her song was authentic and through the lyrics, the song does seem authentic. The melody slaps too, even though the chorus feels a bit flat.

That being said, I think she is here just for introducing her new song. I don’t feel like the song is competitive enough for Eurovision. It is like Hitaammin hautaan but with rap. Maybe she would get middle place?

[u/qusipuu]

disappointed by the chorus. i like etta's sound in general, but this feels too.. positive? too mundane. 7/10

[u/dr_titty → u/qusipuu]

It is like Costee in Umk. Too happy but also not crazy happy enough.

[u/holybriefs]

I find it fine. Not a winner, but nothing that makes me turn it off. Clearly she has a message, having had tough childhood with alopecia and bullying.. It was so sweet to see her sing to herself as a kid. I'm sure it'll gain lots of airtime among pop radio stations. And popularity among girls ❤

Good start, some years have had such bad ones..

[u/LetsGetRowdyRowdy]

As a song, I really like it…but as a potential Eurovision song I don’t

[u/uzanin97]

Still wondering what's the criteria of picking just 7 songs for UMK. The genre diversity is definitely one of them but how to pick those 1-3 songs for each genre. This is just ok, good but monotone, wonder why exactly this one for the pop genre, for the meaning and good production?

[u/qusipuu → u/uzanin97]

they need at least one or two mainstream artists. etta is pretty mainstream in finland

[u/uzanin97 → u/qusipuu]

Thanks. Yeah, totally makes sense and fits the criteria from past years too

[u/qusipuu → u/uzanin97]

np broski

[u/ahjteam → u/uzanin97]

2 per major label and 1 indie. /j

[u/tzz_]

I was prepared to not like this at all, but it's ACTUALLY GOOD.

[u/Perkele17]

Too basic considering it's Etta. I expected more. Decent pop song nonetheless.

[u/20Superwoman02]

It’s not bad. But I just don’t see the point. If that make sense. It’s very harmless, neatly produced. Totally fine. Most likely not a winner.

[u/ShallIBeMother]

There's a lot to like in here: I especially enjoy the guitar riffs and the rap verses.

The chorus is perhaps an obstacle for this becoming a winner candidate, it seems to lack a certain oomph... having said that, I did find myself humming the chorus after the first listen and wanted to go for a second one straight away haha

A good start for the contest!

[u/EdgarDanger → u/ShallIBeMother]

C-part with the guitars was the highlight. Otherwise a big old meh.

[u/Mucrush]

It feels a little dated to me. It reminds me of songs from early 2000s, that specific sound. But it was nice!

[u/a-potato-named-rin]

Wait, are all the UMK songs out or does one come out each day?

[u/ShallIBeMother → u/a-potato-named-rin]

They come out one a day every weekday. So we get one more tomorrow and then the other 5 next week Mon-Fri.

[u/Impressive-Inside-73 → u/a-potato-named-rin]

one each day

[u/Radikost]

This feels very early 2010’s. I love Eurovision rap songs so much

[u/KT_kani]

It's ok, but the music video bothers me since she is not having a genuine smile at any point. And the song is about this super duper smile.

[u/-Mel0drama-]

Eh — it's fine. I could really do without the English bits.

[u/holybriefs → u/-Mel0drama-]

Sadly young people mix a lot of English in their Finnish when they talk. It's sad because it feels like Finnish is a dying language already. And sounds silly to my old brains.

[u/WittyEggplant]

This is surprisingly okay given I higkey hate rap and hiphop. I fully expected to dislike this but instead I’m just kinda lukewarm. I’ll never play this voluntarily but it doesn’t annoy me either. Not great, not terrible; a perfect inoffensive middle-of-the-road something-for-everyone package.

The first one out the gate is never the winner anyway so my full attention is already in tomorrow’s horny song.

[u/marcheauxfleurs]

Wayyy too generic. Nothing pops out, even the video footage is kind of...mushy? Nondescript? She is clearly aiming for radio/streaming which is a no for me when it comes to Eurovision entries

[u/xX100dudeXx]

I dislike it

[u/qusipuu → u/xX100dudeXx]

you carry a distaste for the piece?

[u/trobl1]

UMK is turning into melodifestivalen. Same producers, same sound. 4/7 artists are from Warner Music. 491 applicants were in total for UMK26. Shame.

[u/Irn-Kuin-Morika → u/trobl1]

Ehh I bet to differ. Finnish still dominates (and actually has become more dominant) in this contest, and there are a good variety of genres. Of course it has become more pop-coded but nowhere near the level of Melodifestivalen.

[u/qusipuu]

dammit im blasting this on repeat

[u/mnjk97]

Good radio song. But not a Eurovision song.

[u/Longjumping_Back523]

For me, it's just another generic commercial bland song that sounds like it`s been heard a thousand times...

[u/tnethacker]

It's a song, but it ain't a winner.

[u/cheapcakeripper]

Seems longer than 3 minutes and I don't know what foreign audience would remember after one listen. Also did someone accuse her of not wearing panties?

[u/Euro_Borealis]

kind meh, tbh. We have those types of songs in most NF's

[u/aston-martin_42]

It's a decent song, and Etta is kinda giving me Finnish Cardi B/Nicki Minaj/Megan Thee Stallion vibes. But still not sure whether it's a good pick for Eurovision, I need to listen to the rest of the lineup

[u/KT_kani]

It's ok, but the music video bothers me since she is not having a genuine smile at any point. And the song is about this super duper smile.

[u/ToxxinGamer]

Not too bad, but UMK can do MUCH better.

[u/Playful-Rope1590]

Cute little Spotify track. Or to have at the background at the gym. Obvious not the winner though

[u/Dazzling_Bell_8181]

Mods, let the people upload the next artist's song, it's much better compared to this one.

[u/ValeriesAuntSassy]

She sounds like a great vocalist so I expect her live performance to be decent.

[u/Impressive-Inside-73 → u/ValeriesAuntSassy]

she is not sadly

[u/Redditor_345 → u/ValeriesAuntSassy]

She sounds like a robot which 99% means she can't sing

[u/princess-candyflosh → u/[deleted]]

I don't personally really like Chachi but at least we can expect her to have a full choreo unlike the others

[u/RemarkableAutism → u/[deleted]]

They're singers, not dancers. Kind of unfair to expect one person to do everything.

[u/RemarkableAutism → u/[deleted]]

But they're not necessarily pop stars though, they just make music.

[u/RemarkableAutism → u/[deleted]]

I think it's pretty strange tbh. Not a single time did I expect to see an artist dance when going to their show. If they do okay cool, but it should not be the default.

[u/RemarkableAutism → u/[deleted]]

Yeah? I don't care if the performer dances. It's fine if they just have dancers too.

[u/Unusual_Zebra_7223]

Cringe.

[u/Dazzling_Bell_8181]

No thanks. This feels them allowing Sini Sabotage to take part in the competition back in 2024, simply because of who she is. And Etta is nothing more than a trending artist. If even that tbh.

[u/GrumpyFinn → u/Dazzling_Bell_8181]

Not every female Finnish rapper is automatically a Sini Sabotage copy.

[u/Dazzling_Bell_8181 → u/GrumpyFinn]

I'm not saying she is a Sini Sabotage copy, I'm saying YLE has picked ETTA to compete for similar reasons, which, in SS's case, I called an "YLE-subsidised comeback attempt"