Discovery of the Week: KUUMAA
Finland’s pop sensation: from a modest indie debut to packed stadiums, major radio hits, and a triumphant run at UMK
KUUMAA emerged in 2016, after which its Helsinki-based members recorded their first demo, “Hulluista runoista,” which secured them a contract with the major music label Universal Music Group. This milestone marked the beginning of work on the band's debut studio album, produced with the assistance of Jonas Olsson and Joonas Parkkonen. The self-titled debut full-length record, KUUMAA, was released in April 2019 and peaked at number ten on the official Finnish albums chart.
The band continued working on new material, and their subsequent tracks, “Oo vielä sekunnin mun” and “Tulipalo,” achieved massive popularity in their home country. In January 2023, it was announced that KUUMAA would participate in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the competition determining Finland's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.
They entered with the single “Ylivoimainen,” which shot straight to number one on the official Finnish charts upon release. Despite its commercial success, they finished fifth in the UMK final, scoring a total of 107 points. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from winning the “Band of the Year” category at the 2023 Emma Gaala awards.
The band continued working on new material, and their subsequent tracks, “Oo vielä sekunnin mun” and “Tulipalo,” achieved massive popularity in their home country. In January 2023, it was announced that KUUMAA would participate in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the competition determining Finland's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest.
They entered with the single “Ylivoimainen,” which shot straight to number one on the official Finnish charts upon release. Despite its commercial success, they finished fifth in the UMK final, scoring a total of 107 points. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from winning the “Band of the Year” category at the 2023 Emma Gaala awards.
The band's second studio album, titled Hyvikset ja pahikset, was released in March 2023. Much like their debut, it was recorded under the guidance of producer Jonas Olsson. Hyvikset ja pahikset not only broke the records of their previous release but also dominated the top spot on the national albums chart for a long period.
They entered with the single “Ylivoimainen,” which shot straight to number one on the official Finnish charts upon release. Despite its commercial success, they finished fifth in the UMK final, scoring a total of 107 points. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from winning the “Band of the Year” category at the 2023 Emma Gaala awards.
They entered with the single “Ylivoimainen,” which shot straight to number one on the official Finnish charts upon release. Despite its commercial success, they finished fifth in the UMK final, scoring a total of 107 points. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from winning the “Band of the Year” category at the 2023 Emma Gaala awards.
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer