Why does all new pop music sound the same?

Actually, great pop, rock and folk are still alive and well in Finland.  In Finland the people speak Finnish, the most musical of all languages and the inspiration for Tolkien's elven language used in the Lord Of The Rings. Yes, Finland, one of the last good places left on Earth.  The largest country in Europe, yet the least densely populated and located between Sweden and Russia.  The only country to have ever kicked serious Russian ass in recent history, the 1939/40 Winter War (Talvisota) and also home to legendary classical composer Jean Sibelius.  Today's contemporary music in Finland is very unique, where old Nordic folk and classical melodies are fused with influences from the English speaking music world of the last 50 years.  If you listen, you can hear as well what has been called the "Nordic Blues", different from the Chicago or Delta Blues.  The Nordic Blues stems from the long, dark, cold winters and history altering events such as the Winter War mentioned previously.  Nordic Blues is beautiful, yet can also be melancholy and dark.

My discovery of Nordic music occurred 8 years ago after my ears and mind had burned out on the popular music of the English speaking world.  Both old and new, for many of the same reasons others have mentioned in this post.  In short, my musical mind needed to grow and mature beyond what I'd been listening to for 48 years.  The journey has been life changing, from enrolling in formal Finnish language classes to traveling from the State of Maine to Finland and the rest of Scandinavia several times on vacation.  During these trips extra effort was placed on attending the great summertime music festivals under the mid-night sun.

If your not Finnish you will not likely understand the lyrics of the music.  I tell my friends to consider the vocals as another instrument in the mix and to enjoy.  And to keep in mind, the lyrical content is very different than that of the English speaking world.  Melody is also key and not so much beats.

A few samples.

First up, Jenni Vartiainen, saw her in 2014 at Puruvesi Pop in Kerimaki, Finland.

Missä muruseni on, (Where is my Darling). https://youtu.be/EO0p_U1w89A
Suru on kunniavieras, (Sorrow is a guest of honor). https://youtu.be/5lJJeG6rtzs
Duran Duran, (Duran Duran). https://youtu.be/Hu1RAi5sdFE

Värttinä, from the Karelia province of Finland, along the Russian boarder.  East Karelia has been in Russian possession since the end of WWII.  I hope to see Värttinä on my next trip to Finland.  Värttinä also tours all over Europe.

Lasetus, old Finnish, I can't translate.  https://youtu.be/TlSPnk7j8DM

Suvi Teräsniska, hope to see her live next summer.  This girl has the Nordic Blues in spades.  Suvi was born and raised above the Arctic Circle in Kolari, Finland.

Vaiettu rakkaus, (Silent Love), https://youtu.be/pubqwUkwXiw
Pohjantuuli, (North Wind), https://youtu.be/1suVgycSJNc
Jos menet pois, (If you leave), with English translation, https://youtu.be/LvbmyHvEObQ


J. Karjalainen, very popular in Finland.  He would be like the Neil Young of Finland, working mans rock music.  I saw J. Karjalainen following the Laura Närhi concert at the 2013 Illosaari Rock Festival in Joensuu, Finland.

Mennyt Mies, (Gone Man).  https://youtu.be/6ym2F3rbKmM

Seija Simola, old school Nordic Blues 1967.

Kun aika on, (A Time For Us), https://youtu.be/0M0z1q1ruWE
Kun aika on, (A Time For Us) 2013, https://youtu.be/EhjKU8NtgR8

PMMP, a contemporary Finnish version of ABBA.  PMMP is a play on both female singers first names, Paula and Mira, Mira and Paula.  Good live band as well, saw them at the 2013 Illosaari Rock Festival in Joensuu, Finland.

Rakkaallen, (My Sweetheart), https://youtu.be/kb9BILNEiSM
Pariterapiaa, (Couples Therapy), https://youtu.be/zD3js8R8krM
Merimiehen vaimo, (Seamen's Wife), https://youtu.be/N_XWTjJPjYc


Enjoy through all your excellent computer audio systems.

inna,

Anteeksi (Pardon me), but I have experienced people in the USA asking me what language do they speak in Finland!  I suppose in full disclosure, that I could have answered truthfully that Finns speak Swedish in Finland.  After all, a smart individual like yourself should know that Finland is officially bi-lingual and that I was attempting to speak to a wide audience in my post.

Nähdään! (See you!)

iron57

Moi (Hi) Shhhh.....We don't want everyone relocating to Maine or Finland.  Doing so would spoil some of the last "good places" on the planet.  Although, as is often the case, when the non-acclimated relocate from typically warmer, more congested regions to Maine or Finland they usually leave after their first winter season.

Hyvää yötä! (Good night!)

Schubert,

Hei terve! (Hello!) Thank you for your kind response to my recent post. I've heard very similar responses from everyone I've spoken to who has visited Finland. Interestingly, Finland is a lot like my home state of Maine, with most visitors stating, "If only they could live in Maine". I've visited Finland three times and am always planning my next visit.  Each time we've always included a week in a second Nordic country, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and day trips from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia by high speed ferry.  A lot can be experienced in a day with 20 hours plus of Summer sun!  Extended stays in Finland have included Helsinki, Joensuu, Kuopio, Savonlinna and Kerimäki.  In full disclosure, my planning centers around the live concert schedules of my favorite recording artists. No matter the location of the live performance, there are always uncrowded historical sites, museums and restaurants nearby.

Nearly as entertaining as the live music, sitting in public spaces or cafes listening to the local women and girls engage in conversation. The spoken Finnish language, combined with the pitch and cadence of the female voice is very musical and pleasing to listen to. That observance, combined with the desire to understand song lyrics and engage in meaningful conversation has led me to enroll in formal Finnish language classes and attend an upcoming 40 hour language "boot camp" in June 2018.

If you would be so kind, would you forward to me the names of the Finnish tango artists you spoke of in your reply?

If you are interested, I purchase newly released Finnish recordings from, yes, a real brick and mortar music chain in Finland called Record Shop X. I've visited the stores in Helsinki and Kuopio and have engaged in enjoyable and wide ranging conversations with the employees in both. Purchases typically arrive in seven days and I've never had an issue with a transaction, the business accepts PayPal. https://www.recordshopx.com

Hyvää illanjatkoa! (Have a nice evening!)  Or, depending on your time zone.  Hyvää yötä! (Good night!)

inna,

Kiitos (Thank you), I am familiar with the origins of the Finnish language.  Additionally, I don't recall reading another post stating that Finnish was the oldest European language.  The most musical sounding yes, I recall writing that in my post.  That statement of course is subjective, like individual taste in music.  For that oversight I stand corrected.

I am hoping you can now answer my question.  Are there any contemporary musical recording artists wring and recording lyrics using the Euskara, Basque language?  If so, could you please provide a link(s) to where I can listen to the music?

Hyvää illanjatkoa! (Have a nice evening!) Or, depending on your time zone. Hyvää yötä! (Good night!)