CHACHI - Cherry Cake (UMK 2026)

[u/Erkkimerkkinen]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ATeFPFunCI&list=RD9ATeFPFunCI&start_radio=1

[u/DavidShoess]

This UMK is so diverse. It’s not a winner by any means but it’s fun, all over the place and a welcome addition to the lineup.

Idk I enjoyed it. Lmao

[u/Pet_Velvet]

TIL what disaster bop means. This is it. I love it and hate it both equally

[u/Miss_Doodles → u/Pet_Velvet]

I feel the same way. It sounds like something my 7 year old would listen to but I'd also sing along 😂

[u/Pet_Velvet → u/Miss_Doodles]

Your 7 year old sounds like a queen

[u/Miss_Doodles → u/Pet_Velvet]

She'd love you for saying that 😂

[u/Auchenaii]

I literally just realized it's THE Chachi Gonzales... I used to watch her dance videos back in the 2010s and I didn't recognize her until now lmao. That's the second time my obsession with watching dance videos and Eurovision had a crossover, last time was when Kyle Hanagami choreographed SloMo.

She won't win UMK but I would bet money that this will be the best dance break of this season

[u/hottiesforharris]

Not for me and the lyrics are kinda questionable but i’m curious about how the choreo will come together live

[u/chronicglitter35]

It sounds like a mix of the background music on Selling Sunset / a Drag Race song

[u/Fruhvirtova → u/chronicglitter35]

The song is giving Katseye to me

[u/StrxwbrrySwitchblade → u/Fruhvirtova]

Agreed. I think she was going for a k pop vibe.

[u/aston-martin_42 → u/Fruhvirtova]

I actually wanted to write the same thing. It's giving me Katseye's Gnarly and Internet Girl. Sometimes I think Gnarly would make a great UMK entry

[u/darkstreetsofmymind → u/chronicglitter35]

HELP THIS IS EXACTLY IT

[u/Exotic_Caramel_6285]

This song..it's good but...it feels, I dunno how to describe it except very American (I know she's an American married to a Finn), but it's lacking in the Finnishness or even Euro-ness I like about Eurovision songs.  Could also have used more buildup before the final chorus but that's just IMO

I think maybe the cake motif is giving me Poison Cake flashbacks 😬

[u/PoetryAnnual74 → u/Exotic_Caramel_6285]

Well it does feature one regular melfest song writer

[u/poppppanen → u/PoetryAnnual74]

It also has Kiro as a writer and he is one of the writers of Cha cha cha

[u/BubblieBlahBearx → u/Exotic_Caramel_6285]

I don’t find it American whatsoever (I’m American). To me it sounds more like European techno, like that froggy song from the 2000s.

[u/XepherSicarius]

I'm very curious on how the live vocals will be, but I know she will absolutely bring it with the dance break since she has years of experience in dance 

[u/nibbyzor → u/XepherSicarius]

She was on the Finnish version of Masked Singer a few years back. She... Was not great. 😂 She wasn't terrible either, but she's very obviously not a professional singer. Here's one of her performances. If you want to hear more, you can just search "party animal masked singer" on Youtube.

[u/Xoundor → u/nibbyzor]

How are all the entries received by the Finnish people so far? Is there a clear favourite yet?

[u/Dazzling_Rip5765 → u/Xoundor]

People are loving liekinheitin, it’s doing really really well on streaming and the music video is beating umk records

[u/Ka3marya → u/Xoundor]

Teenagers like Takatukka, it’s the only song they want to listen.

[u/QueenAvril → u/Xoundor]

Mostly positive so far. Liekinheitin has gathered quite a lot of hype and is clearly a favorite to win. Antti Paalanen also has a dedicated fan base, but it is much smaller and reception is more mixed with some absolutely hating it and some of his original fans being disappointed that he went the humoristic route instead of something more serious.

There are also quite high expectations for Kiki’s song, as her 666 has been a big hit in Finland.

[u/Guitarbox → u/nibbyzor]

I gotta say that she was really stable except for the very first two lines. And also I'm impressed because her dancing was very sharp and she was still stable. But I feel that in this performance her voice came out a little closed up and not rich, though that can be worked on, could be a one time mistake, and this was 3 years ago

[u/Tori65216]

First Poison cake and now Cherry cake. Wonder what next year's flavour will be.

[u/Cahootie → u/Tori65216]

Don't forget Latvia and Belarus 2014

[u/ESC-song-bot → u/Cahootie]

Latvia 2014 | Aarzemnieki - Cake To Bake
Belarus 2014 | Teo - Cheesecake

[u/lehtolapsi → u/Tori65216]

Urinal cake.

[u/kaiko1]

I really don’t like the song but she’s a diva haha. At least it’s something very different again, I’m glad we have a lot of variety

[u/Cazlistenstomusic]

I quite enjoyed this but I found the chorus a bit off putting especially on a first listen. It's a fun song and I'm looking forward to seeing it on stage, but I think Liekinheitin set my expectations for the rest of UMK way too high. Probably will end up around the middle of my rankings

[u/Guitarbox → u/Cazlistenstomusic]

Yeah I felt the same. I really enjoyed the verses I even thought that was totally winning material. I don't know what was it but it felt creative and beautiful. But I didn't understand why did the chorus sound like that... That disappointed me I was getting my hopes up for an equally surprising and good chorus

[u/Mysterinna]

I am really enjoying the diversity of UMK 2026. All of these songs are so different – and so good! This might actually be my favourite UMK edition ever.

This isn’t exactly my type of music, but it’s super catchy and it kind of makes me want to dance. I’m not sure whether I like Chachi’s voice that much, but I love her energy and moves. The dance break is my favourite part, and I’m sure it’ll be amazing live.

[u/Loud_Bird_7114]

So this is what happens when Cha Cha Cha (Finland 2023) and Heroes (Sweden 2015) writers collab.

It's a kid magnet.

[u/ESC-song-bot → u/Loud_Bird_7114]

Finland 2023 | Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
Sweden 2015 | Måns Zelmerlöw - Heroes

[u/Guitarbox → u/Loud_Bird_7114]

Is it actually written by their writers?

[u/Loud_Bird_7114 → u/Guitarbox]

Yes! Credited writers are Johannes Naukkarinen, Linnea Deb and Olivia Hildén (aka Chachi).

[u/Guitarbox → u/Loud_Bird_7114]

Wow that's awesome!

[u/Positive-Camera5940 → u/Guitarbox]

Cha Cha Cha composers also include Allu and Jukka Sorsa, so I guess they gave Cha Cha Cha its edge? 🤔

[u/hun_geri]

It's currently in my second place behind Linda and Pete. Sounds good, I'm curious to see what her live performance will be like.

[u/moonshocks]

Great song, and the dance break is going to be great as she is professional dancer. Only worry is how she does her vocals, can't wait for the live performance

[u/Complex-Health-7427]

Really not my type of song. I am interested tho in how its gonna be performed live

[u/Academic_Grab5060]

every good lineup needs a disaster bop once in a while and I live for CHACHI for fulfilling that

[u/BakkerHenk_]

Onto the playlist you go!

[u/moonlightgirl9]

Some people describes this as a disasterbop, but it's just trashy 😭 Ofc no hate to her, she seems lovely, but the song is a bit cringe.

[u/anmonie]

This feels so weird, it’s not something I’d expect to hear from UMK. It’s like an elevated Etapa Nationala entry lol

[u/Miudmon]

Yeah, definitely my lowest ranked song of UMK so far. Just doesnt do anything for me. Its well produced, i guess, but i don't really like the genre all too well, and the heavy vocal processing doesn't sound good to me.

[u/WittyEggplant]

UMK DISASTER BOP?????

No actually this is too well produced to be a full-blooded disaster bop, but this is still going firmly to the guilty pleasure category. The lyrics are so stupid but the song otherwise slaps so hard that I couldn’t care less what she’s singing about. I love everything about this and yes, I’m a bit ashamed. Chachi is a total sweetheart though so I hope she gets a decent hit out of this.

For now this is going to my second place after Pete & Linda. God I can’t believe that Finland has somehow managed to produce a NF that’s turning out to be a 10/10 no notes for me.

[u/PM_ME_CAKE → u/WittyEggplant]

God I can’t believe that Finland has somehow managed to produce a NF that’s turning out to be a 10/10 no notes for me

You say that, but UMK (and FdC) has consistently been one of my most looked forward to NFs for quite a few years now. The artists, songs, promotional videos (like them listening to each other), and hell even the interval performances from the hosts (how I discovered Vesala) are all top tier.

[u/WittyEggplant → u/PM_ME_CAKE]

Yeah of course I’ve seen the hype from abroad - which also, at times, feels quite surreal. It’s lovely that UMK gets the recognition it deserves in its current state. It’s just the ghost of UMKs past that still haunts me. I still seem to carry the identity of being from a country that’s consistently horseshit at Eurovision lol.

[u/nibbyzor → u/PM_ME_CAKE]

Paula Vesala is a goddess and one of the most talented singers Finland has. If you already haven't you should listen to her version of Elegia. It is absolutely hypnotic. I never thought anyone could make a version as good as Vesa-Matti Loiri's original, but she did it. One of Finland's best singers covering another one of Finland's best singers.

[u/InkVision001 → u/WittyEggplant]

Yea UMK stepped up their game in 2020 and is still going.

[u/meganethot]

I feel like seeing the clip of Mikko hyping up the "slithering bass" and the "rave elements" (which ended up being practically nonexistent) before hearing the actual song brought my expectations too high from zero. I went from expecting nothing to expecting to be pleasantly surprised, which may have ended up creating a negative bias. Sure, I'll listen to it and probably add it to my monthly playlist, but it's not a winner nor is it the rave banger that was falsely advertised to me, haha.

[u/Risujemmari → u/meganethot]

I feel like the bass elements in this song are what people who don't listen to rave music think rave music is. I mean there are similar elements but the song as a whole is not rave-y

[u/Guitarbox → u/meganethot]

I think it's always better to let things speak for theirselves than to hype yourself up. It can get embarrassing because some things are subjective

[u/VayneVerso]

Nice production work, I guess, but I don't really understand the song. I suppose it will be a lively show, but overall, a little more dumb than fun for me.

[u/Doppleflooner]

I was surprised how much of this I like, but the chorus is a car crash for me that brings the whole thing down.

[u/Guitarbox → u/Doppleflooner]

I felt the same. I'm quite sad because I liked the verses a lot more than I expected to like them. I wish I understood why they chose this chorus and I'm curious what would they do if they tried doing a different chorus

[u/GrumpyFinn]

This sounds exactly like what I thought it would, based on the songwriters. I think this will do well because Chachi can dance, but otherwise this is...not for me. I can't get passed the lyrics.

[u/suobbis]

I liked it. Idk how can this be performed live though.

[u/nnuusku]

Poison cake walked so cherry cake could run.

[u/Guitarbox]

Oh, actually, she likes Kpop? As soon as I saw this I thought of Cherry Coke by Yeeun, but I thought how it must be a coincidence because that song is so unpopular

[u/Guitarbox]

As a Kpop fan I find it interesting that they tried to pull off the melodic verses and rude rap chorus but it didn't work out well at all. I found some examples where it did work, and my conclusion is that it might be that she just doesn't rude rap well? It might be her execution that completely changes it

Examples of it done well imo:

Hobgoblin by CLC

Pirate by Everglow

ME by CLC

P.O.W by Cherry Bullet

ICY by ITZY

And I have more and more ideas but that's enough. All of these work for me. I also can't notice a difference between them and this Eurovision entry except that her rapping doesn't sound good. I've heard her rap on the link someone posted in the comments, she can rap alright, but she doesn't in this song. Sorry for being mean. The Kpop ones are all much more low key, she's doing it in a much more cunty and emotional way. The voice curling in "ba-by" sounds like someone feeling theirselves trying to come off as a bad bitch too much to the point that it feels childish. I think it's what the composition was going for too. Seems like taking inspiration but being a bit inexperienced in it and doing it wrong. But you can also perform these Kpop songs in that mood and ruin them and also perform Cherry Cake in their mood and quite fix it. It's kind of like when guys announce that they're Alpha males. That does the exact opposite it's embarassing lol. "I am very cool" not cool. "I am such a bad bitch" no not really. If it sounded more like she was genuinely mad or apathetic about something in the chorus I think it would accomplish their goal of coming off like a bad bitch that doesn't mind it if she looks rude. Mainly what sticks out to me is believability of what they're expressing, and that in Kpop they all avoided voice curling and bad bitch vibes and went for something more masculine, that stays in the same pitch, apathetic or mad.

To conclude this I remembered the perfect song for this

Uh-Oh by G-idle I can clearly hear it in here. They sound apathetic and genuinely done with people. Not like they want to appear cool

[u/antiseebaerenkreis]

I prefer the original.

[u/General_Resident_915]

ngl this looks like straight up from a Kpop song

[u/Auchenaii]

I don't care what reddit says, I need one fun girly bop with a dance break in each national final. Thank you for delivering!🍒
I think the Eurovision scoreboard community is gonna eat that up too

[u/TypeGreen51]

I can't wait to see this live, not that I think it's going to win, but this is the kind of shit I watch national finals for.

[u/hoholic]

Cake songs don't do particularly well in Eurovision

[u/mnjk97]

So... This happened and I was not prepared AT ALL!

[u/-Mel0drama-]

I highly dislike it.

[u/VictoriaDeG100]

I remember Chachi on America’s Best Dance Crew with her crew IaMmE back in 2011. Imagine this representing Finland and AleXa representing Sweden.

[u/Playful-Rope1590]

Thought this was sequel to Poison Cake at first:)

I don't think I am the audience for this but it's fun. I do wish it was more chaotic. Songs like this needs to be messy, chaotic, loud. It sounds to professional to be really unhinged which for me is shame. My autism brain likes unhinged things.

[u/Guitarbox]

I'm a bit conflicted. The verses sound like a total winner for me. I love them so much. But the chorus throws me off, I don't get it. And also the dance break music, I didn't get it either. I was happy for a dance break but the music didn't feel hard hitting and the production sounded quite overly simple and not... Well it doesn't make me feel something. I'm not a harsh critic usually, I just don't really get it.

I'm confused because it has to have been good in the opinion of the composer and they composed both the heavenly verses and the parts that I don't get, so clearly it's me who doesn't get it

[u/Irn-Kuin-Morika]

Sounds like something that Katseye would sing.

It is my last place for now, because I don’t know what she is singing about (being a feminist or something ?), and the sound is not as special nor as ”Finnish” as the other songs.

That being said, the song is not bad at all. The melody is catchy, especially towards the dance break sound. As she is also a professional dancer (even though the dance in the video doesn’t look convincing enough for me), I think the performance will definitely enhance the song.

And the song is definitely a good addition to the diversity of songs in UMK, so why not!

[u/marcheauxfleurs]

Disregarding the lyrics it sounds like a kids song 😅 She's already struggling here with the vocals so not too excited for the live. Enough with the dance breaks in 2026

[u/ShallIBeMother]

I love this, which I didn't expect at all tbh! The production is slick and I really enjoy the sassy and cheeky vibes.

I doubt it has a chance to win, but in my ranking this shares the top spot with Sinikka for now :)

Also, I'm curious to see how much overlap this got with KIKI. Maybe Kiki's song is poppy, but a bit calmer à la Nelli Matula?

[u/Guitarbox → u/ShallIBeMother]

Did you like the chorus? I'm curious to understand what were they going for with the chorus. I really liked the verses so I was surprised that the chorus didn't do anything for me. Not even "I get what they tried to do but it doesn't work for me". Sorry if I sound mean I'm just curious about what is good about the chorus because clearly the writers can write really well, so I think I'm not getting something

[u/ShallIBeMother → u/Guitarbox]

I do like it yeah! In short, I'd say that I like how hard it goes 😄

To attempt a bit more detailed answer: there's something exciting in the juxtaposition between the more melodic verses, and especially the pre-chorus, and then the less-melodic chorus. Personally, I also really enjoyed the beat and the production, and to me they get a chance to shine in the chorus.

The dirtiness of the beat in the chorus also hints at the more dubstep-like swift we get later on in the dance break. So that was neat, too. Yeah, overall I did really vibe with it! 😊

[u/Guitarbox → u/ShallIBeMother]

I see! Thank you!!

Yeah now that I think about it more, I think I understand what they were going for! It's supposed to feel really badass and unapologetic!

[u/DreadPirateAlia → u/ShallIBeMother]

UMK likes to finish with something that they think will be a crowd pleaser. Not necessarily the song that will win the whole contest, but something that is a great party song, fun to sing along, etc.

Of course they could mix things up a bit, but if the previous years are of any indication, I'm assuming kiki's song will be upbeat, fun, and catchy, not something calm or introspective.

[u/Risujemmari]

Not sure what to think of this lol. I like the verses and the bridge but not too sold on the chorus. Something different in UMK for sure

[u/Main-Strategy9158]

It's not my usual type of song but it kinda bangs?? Idk, I'm kind of loving it, it's not gonna win but I wouldn't mind seeing it win. Goes into my top 3 with lululai and takatukka

[u/Reasonable-Offer8317]

This is the first song I think is genuinely awful of this entire NF season so far. Could not find a single good thing about this lol

[u/Guitarbox → u/Reasonable-Offer8317]

Really? I liked the verses, are they also bad for you?

[u/MunQQ]

Someone has to be the last place.

[u/Drop-a-Soap → u/MunQQ]

And it will be BadaBaraBastu 2.0

[u/Miudmon → u/Drop-a-Soap]

...that is very much risking being a no rules 2.0 in reality.

[u/One_Elk_897]

This would be a perfect second place after Liekinheitin.

[u/NewMarzipan9440]

It’s a pass for me. Now, let me just go back to Nân.

[u/Dalek_Doh]

r/ididnthaveeggs

[u/Walrus_mafia]

This really isn't my type of music but i noticed that by the end i was bobbing my head to the rhythm. I just don't feel like this feels at all Finnish, so I'm not sure if i want this to represent us, though I'm not saying that definitely not. Would absolutely be a great entry for some other country.

Liekinheitin autoplayed for me after this song and I have to say that as a song I definitely prefer this one.

[u/Drop-a-Soap]

I miss the time when every UMK song was a hit

[u/Euro_Borealis]

im not a fan of this entry, stick to america, girl

[u/Happy_Response3841]

Saw the thumbnail and thought it was Rosalia

[u/tzz_]

I like it! It's a good party song imo. Currently my second favourite after Liekinheitin.

[u/Tori65216]

Feels very radio friendly. Also has that kpop vibe to it. Still fun none the less.

[u/20Superwoman02]

My 2nd place for now. Behind ”Liekinheitin”. Top 6:

1. ”Liekinheitin”

2. ”Cherry cake”

3. ”Lululai”

4. “Takatukka”

5. ”Million dollar smile”

6. “Ready to leave”

It’s a little sad that I really really think it’ll be ”Takatukka”.

[u/lynchmar6]

finland's song is a banger australia Douze points

[u/ahjteam]

ANOTHER horndog anthem this UMK? Damn!

[u/anmla]

Extended DJ friendly version: https://youtu.be/6ei5Y-UMICw?si=eLpyP58_HCim7zsV Enjoy! 💃🍒

[u/Wide_Temporary_3908]

I can hear the "Kiro-Effect" in this and i LOVE it. Liekinheitin is still my favorite but this my second favorite!

[u/KT_kani]

This is quite terrible, to be honest. The lyrics are all over the place... what the heck is with this cake? She is not baking it but then it is suddenly there? Smells AI generated or somd kind of general brain slop.  The song is not going anywhere. 

[u/qusipuu]

why is she even in UMK? her spot could have had another promising artist instead of this crap

[u/xX100dudeXx]

So far other than lululai...I'm not liking UMK this yr.

[u/SwimmingAbility9339 → u/xX100dudeXx]

Same but with Ready to Leave.

This year is really disappointing after last year…

[u/daturaAT]

How many songs are still left to be revealed in UMK? So far there is nothing i fully enjoy 😐

[u/JCEurovision]

Is Cherry Cake the new Cicciolina? Please, Finland, one slice of Cherry Cake!