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Laika Party

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"Laika Party"
The cover artwork for "Laika Party". The cover features a pink astronaut helmet amongst a background of outer space.
Single by Emmy
Released20 January 2025
Genre
Length3:00
LabelADA Nordic
Songwriter(s)
  • Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Larissa Tormey
  • Truls Marius Aarra
  • Henrik Østlund
Producer(s)
  • Henrik Østlund
  • Jonas Jensen
Emmy singles chronology
"Mom Is Home"
(2025) 		"Laika Party"
(2025)
Music video
"Laika Party" on YouTube
Eurovision Song Contest 2025 entry
Country
Artist(s)
Language
English
Composer(s)
  • Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Henrik Østlund
  • Larissa Tormey
  • Truls Marius Aarra
Lyricist(s)
  • Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen
  • Henrik Østlund
  • Larissa Tormey
  • Truls Marius Aarra
Finals performance
Semi-final result
13th
Semi-final points
28
Entry chronology
◄ "Doomsday Blue" (2024)
Official performance video
"Laika Party" (Second Semi-Final) on YouTube

"Laika Party" is a song by Norwegian singer and songwriter Emmy. It was written by Emmy alongside four other songwriters and produced by Henrik Østlund and Jonas Jensen. The song was released on 20 January 2025 through ADA Nordic. "Laika Party" represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, where it failed to qualify to the grand final after placing 13th in the second semi-final with 28 points.

The song is described by Emmy as a story that creates an alternate reality for Soviet dog Laika, where she survived in space instead of dying on the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. It received mixed critical reception from both Irish and international media, receiving some praise for its musical composition but also receiving criticism for a lack of uniqueness compared to other Eurovision songs.

Background and release

[edit]
Refer to caption
"Laika Party" is based off of the story of the Soviet dog Laika, who died while upon the Sputnik 2 spacecraft in 1957.

"Laika Party" was written and composed by Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Erlend Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Larissa Tormey, Truls Marius Aarra, and Henrik Østlund.[1] The song's subject is based off Laika, a Soviet dog who died while in low Earth orbit upon the Sputnik 2 spacecraft on 3 November 1957.[2] Speaking with The Irish Times, Emmy stated that she first learned of Laika's story after reading a quiz question in a newspaper, writing the song in a Norwegian songwriting camp.[3]

In multiple interviews, Emmy stated that as an "animal lover", she was sad after learning how Laika died and wanted to create a happier alternate reality for Laika where she never died, instead spending her eternal time in space partying.[4][5] In an analysis by Wiwibloggs' Tom Hendryk, the song also references the fear of loneliness and being put in bad situations with no choice, advocating for perseverance through tough times.[6]

Music video and promotion

[edit]

Along with the song's release, an accompanying music video was released on 12 March 2025.[7] The video was filmed and produced over the course of two weeks in Emmy's native Norway.[7] To further promote the song, Emmy participated in various Eurovision pre-parties before the contest throughout the months of March and April 2025, including Melfest WKND on 7 March,[8] Eurovision in Concert on 5 April,[9] the London Eurovision Party on 13 April,[10] and Pre-Party ES on 19 April.[11] On 7 May, Emmy premiered a video of her performing "Laika Party" at Trinity College Dublin on The Late Late Show.[12]

Critical reception

[edit]

Irish media and personalities

[edit]

"Laika Party" received mixed critical reception. The Irish Times' Laura Slattery stated that the song "has lots of wonderful things going for it", describing the song as a "more arch melancholic bop than sad banger".[13] The Irish Examiner's Tom Dunne described "Laika Party" as a "martyr song". He further criticised the Irish Eurovision delegation for "outsourc[ing] our Eurovision entry to Norway", stating that while an Irish dog could have been chosen for the song's subject, "the glamour of space trumps mythology every time."[14] Television presenter Donal Skehan stated in the Irish Independent that while the song had "really great production", the song was not memorable to him. In comparing the song to 2024 Irish entrant Bambie Thug's "Doomsday Blue", he stated that Bambie "was far more memorable in terms of just that shock on screen."[15]

[edit]

In a Wiwibloggs review containing several reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.73 out of 10 points,[16] earning 26th out of the 37 songs competing in that year's Eurovision in the site's annual ranking that year.[17] Vulture's Jon O'Brien ranked the song 19th out of 37, writing that the song was a "surprisingly touching tribute" to Laika but added that it was a "jaunty, nonsensical ditty not a million miles away from fellow Scandinavians Aqua".[18] ESC Beat's Doron Lahav ranked the song 23rd out of 37, stating that while it was "catchy and danceable", he criticised the lack of change of musical composition within the song.[19]

The BBC's Mark Savage described the song as a "trance-pop anthem" that "despite a peppy performance, it's a bit of a downer".[20] The Guardian's Angelica Frey including the song in her top ten best Eurovision 2025 songs, describing it as a "delightful synthesis of Aqua, Grimes and a hint of Mario Kart’s Rainbow Road".[21] Eurovision Stars' Jon Lewak wrote that the song was "very catchy"; however, he added that the qualification of the song from the Eurovision semi-final heavily depended on the song's staging.[22]

Eurovision Song Contest 2025

[edit]
Main article: Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Eurosong 2025

[edit]

Ireland's national broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) broadcast a Eurosong 2025 special episode of The Late Late Show on 7 February 2025, to select the Irish entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. This edition was the ninth iteration of the contest. The winning song out of six entries was selected via a combination of international jury, national jury, and public voting, with each group having a third of the total vote.[23][24]

Initially, Emmy submitted Laika Party to Melodi Grand Prix 2025, the Norwegian competition to select Norway's representative for Eurovision 2025. However, she was rejected by NRK.[25][26] She later applied to Eurosong 2025,[27] where she was announced as a participant on 23 January 2025.[28] According to RTÉ, Emmy was allowed to participate as one of the songwriters, Larissa Tormey, was Irish.[29] She was drawn to perform in the sixth and final position.[30] In the final, she finished second in the international jury vote, scoring 10 points. However, she was able to win both the televote and the national jury votes, securing two sets of 12 points, combining for a total of 34 points. The total was eight more than runner-up Samantha Mumba's "My Way". As a result, the song won the right to perform as the Irish entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.[31][32]

At Eurovision

[edit]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 took place at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 13 and 15 May and the final on 17 May 2025. During the allocation draw on 28 January 2025, Ireland was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[33] Emmy was later drawn to perform third in the semi-final, behind Montenegro's Nina Žižić and ahead of Latvia's Tautumeitas.[34]

Refer to caption
Emmy performing "Laika Party" at a Eurovision 2025 dress rehearsal before the second semi-final.

For its Eurovision performance, Marvin Dietmann was appointed as the staging director.[35] The performance featured Emmy alongside her brother Erland and four other female background dancers: Vilde Skorstad, Karin Aaeng Stuge, Kristiane Lindvik, and Christiane Bergersen.[36] All six performers wear silver clothing, with Emmy herself wearing a "pleated skirt, silver boots, and a helmet-like hood" according to ESC Beat writer Doron Lahav.[37] In the background, LED visuals of neon-coloured marching dogs, a star constellation that forms the shape of Laika, and neon planets all show during the performance.[37][38]

Emmy failed to qualify for the grand final, finishing in 13th out of 16 songs in the semi-final with 28 points.[39] The highest set of televoting points she earned in the semi-final was a set of seven points from the United Kingdom.[40] The result was the eighth non-qualification for Ireland in the last decade.[41] In response to her non-qualification, she stated to the Irish Independent that "there are so many emotions... Of course I am a bit sad if I have disappointed Ireland. But at the same time they have been so nice and supportive and we have received so many beautiful messages."[42] She later posted on Instagram that she was "so sorry" to Ireland at not qualifying.[43]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Laika Party"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[44] 49
Lithuania (AGATA)[45] 77
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[46] 87
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[47] 91

Release history

[edit]
Release history and formats for "Laika Party"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 10 March 2025
[‡ 1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Schulte–Wieschen, Claire (8 February 2025). "Laika Party! Emmy wins Eurosong and will represent Ireland at Eurovision 2025". Eurovision World. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  2. ^ Fox, Matt (10 May 2025). "Eurovision: Irish entry EMMY ready for lift-off with Laika Party". BBC. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  3. ^ McGreevy, Ronan (9 February 2025). "How a chance meeting in a Norwegian songwriting camp inspired Ireland's Eurovision entry". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 9 February 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  4. ^ Lee, Samuel (4 April 2025). "Eurovision 2025 Ireland profile: Laika Party by Emmy". Aussievision. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  5. ^ Farren, Neil (9 March 2025). "🇮🇪 An Interview With Emmy - 'I Hope People Will Join the Laika Party'". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 9 March 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  6. ^ Hendryk, Tom (3 May 2025). ""If she didn't fly, nor would you and I" — EMMY paints a hopeful picture in the "Laika Party" lyrics". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b Farren, Neil (12 March 2025). "🇮🇪 Ireland: "Laika Party" Music Video Released". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  8. ^ Vecic, Tamara (2 March 2025). "🇮🇪 Ireland: Emmy to Perform at Melfest WKND". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  9. ^ Granger, Anthony (5 April 2025). "Tonight: 🇳🇱 Eurovision In Concert 2025". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  10. ^ Granger, Anthony (13 April 2025). "Today: 🇬🇧 London Eurovision Party 2025 & Your Voix 2025 Semi-Final One Finalists Announced". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  11. ^ Farren, Neil (8 April 2025). "🇪🇸 PrePartyES 2025 Presenters Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 27 April 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  12. ^ "Watch! EMMY brings Laika Party to Trinity College Dublin". RTÉ. 7 May 2025. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  13. ^ Slattery, Laura (15 May 2025). "Eurovision 2025 second semi-final live updates: Ireland's Emmy is knocked out before grand final". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  14. ^ Dunne, Tom (12 February 2025). "Tom Dunne: I'm really not sure about outsourcing our Eurovision entry to Norway". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  15. ^ Knox, Kirsty Blake (13 May 2025). "Eurovision 2025: 'Bambie Thug was more memorable,' says Eurosong judge Donal Skehan". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  16. ^ "Wiwi Jury: Ireland's Emmy with "Laika Party"". Wiwibloggs. 20 April 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  17. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (13 April 2025). "Eurovision 2025: Reviews and rankings by the Wiwi Jury". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  18. ^ O'Brien, Jon (6 May 2024). "Every 2024 Eurovision Song, Ranked". Vulture. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  19. ^ Lahav, Doron (12 April 2025). "Eurovision 2025 Song Reviews – Part 4 (Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Serbia)". ESC Beat. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  20. ^ Savage, Mark (10 May 2025). "Magic spells, innuendo and riddles: Your guide to all 37 Eurovision songs". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  21. ^ Frey, Angelica (13 May 2025). "Sauna fiends, space dogs and Jesus Christ Superstar: it's the 10 best Eurovision songs of 2025!". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  22. ^ Lewak, Jon (9 April 2025). "Eurovision 2025 Song Reviews: English-Language Nations". Eurovision Stars. Archived from the original on 14 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  23. ^ Ntinos, Fotios (31 December 2024). "Ireland: Eurosong 2025 will take place on February 7th!". Eurovision Fun. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  24. ^ Farren, Neil (7 February 2025). "Tonight: 🇮🇪 Ireland Selects for Eurovision 2025". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  25. ^ Knox, Kirsty Blake; McTaggart, Maeve (18 February 2025). "Eurosong winner has not breached competition rules for Eurovision entry, says RTÉ". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  26. ^ Hendryk, Tom (10 March 2025). "EMMY: 10 Facts about Ireland's Eurovision Singer". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  27. ^ Omerović, Sana (12 May 2025). "Everything to know about the Nordic acts at Eurovision 2025". Vogue Scandinavia. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  28. ^ Adams, William Lee (23 January 2025). "Norwegian singer EMMY will compete in Ireland's Eurosong 2025 with "Laika Party"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  29. ^ Power, Ed (10 May 2025). "'RTÉ said we don't have any problem with Emmy. We have an Irish writer on the team': Ireland's Eurovision singer from Norway". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  30. ^ Conte, Davide (6 February 2025). "🇮🇪 Ireland: Eurosong 2025 Running Order Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  31. ^ Veen, Renske ten (7 February 2025). "EMMY will represent Ireland at Eurovision 2025 with "Laika Party"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  32. ^ Broin, Cian Ó (7 February 2025). "Norwegian singer Emmy to represent Ireland at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest following Late Late Eurosong victory". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  33. ^ "Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Draw Results". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. 28 January 2025. Archived from the original on 28 January 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  34. ^ Adams, William Lee (27 March 2025). "Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final running order revealed...with Cyprus and Finland closing their shows". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  35. ^ Granger, Anthony (21 March 2025). "🇮🇪 Ireland: Marvin Dietmann Creative Director for Emmy's Eurovision Performance". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  36. ^ O'Rourke, Evelyn (15 May 2025). "Emmy takes to the stage for Ireland at Eurovision in second semi-final". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  37. ^ a b Lahav, Doron (5 May 2025). "Eurovision 2025 Rehearsals Day 3". ESC Beat. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  38. ^ Farren, Neil (6 May 2025). "🇨🇭 Live from Basel: First Look at Day 3 of Eurovision 2025 Rehearsals". Eurovoix. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  39. ^ Adams, William Lee (18 May 2025). "Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final results: Ukraine and Israel won their shows". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Second Semi-Final of Basel 2025 - Ireland Grand Final Results Allocation". Eurovision Song Contest. European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 19 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  41. ^ McTaggart, Maeve (16 May 2025). "What next for Ireland after failing to reach Eurovision final for eighth time in 10 years?". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  42. ^ Knox, Kirsty Blake (16 May 2025). "'There are so many emotions' – Eurovision's Emmy fails to make it through to final, but Ireland will still be represented". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  43. ^ Slater, Sarah (15 May 2025). "Eurovision 2025: 'So sorry, Ireland' says Emmy as Laika Party fails to ignite voters". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  44. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  45. ^ "2025 21-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 23 May 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  46. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 May 2025.

Primary sources

In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. ^ "Laika Party - Single by Emmy". Apple Music (US). 10 March 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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