Käärijä LP Review

When it comes to fusing electronica, rap and metal sounds into one impressive piece of music - Käärijä is an absolutely unbeatable champion. Finnish rapper from Vantaa has many years of practice to polish off that signature tone found in his previous releases – Extended Play 'Peliä' from 2018, long play 'Fantastista' from 2020, as well as numerous singles released since 2016. But today, I would like to introduce you to the newest addition to this list – the album named pretty accurately to his Eurovision near victory - 'People’s Champion'.  

The 35-minute album contains twelve highly paced, energetic and often slap-in-your-face tunes inspired by various genres that I have already mentioned. Metal fans – especially Rammstein lovers, will definitely be pleased with the fast-paced rap and electronic sounds. While the overall music accents in 'People’s Champion' focus on a happy, party vibe that makes you want to dance and enjoy life – not every song on this long play should be perceived as such though. When I was listening to its joyful melodies, something deep in me clicked to check the lyrics in Finnish to get the full understanding of what Käärijä is trying to portray in his mother tongue. And there are two songs I would like you to talk about a little bit more in depth. 

Tracks five and six: 'Skit' ('Skip') and 'Autiomaa' ('Desert') are something else compared to his usual 'party boy' vibe that normally Käärijä is portrayed as having. 'Skit' which is a minute and twenty-two seconds interlude, in my opinion will be most likely to be skipped by most of his listeners. I have such a bad feeling it will be most likely perceived as a filler track on the album, as I genuinely feel that non-Finnish speakers will not bother to understand the deeper meaning behind it. As someone who does not understand this language at all and was always hooked on the pure sound of music and voice of Käärijä, I felt like it was my journalistic duty to translate the lyrics and try to comprehend the bigger picture. 

When I read 'Skit's' lyrics, I felt emotional and suddenly felt like I am seeing someone who is going through a rough therapy session – tackling childhood traumas, exhaustion, trying to find general meaning in life through multiple sessions with their therapist and bringing more emotional baggage. As a final point in this song, he is being asked to consider getting a 'real-life job' because realistically how many people are successful enough to become artists and make a living of it these days?

Another deeper and more depressing feeling continues with the next track 'Autiomaa'. Käärijä is sharing his feelings of being abandoned in life, filled with emptiness as well as being lost in his thoughts. As he shared with us – he managed to get back on track in life. I am grateful that he shares his life struggles through his music despite his happy persona on stage. I reckon that sharing his hardships humanises him and helps serve as a reminder that artists you see on stage are also humans with real emotions too. Considering he has been through a lot of physical pain too due to his past Ulcerative Colitis struggles, and it makes it extra meaningful to see he does not shy away from sharing vulnerabilities and raising more awareness. 

Aside from these two, heavier meaningful songs, I also cannot leave this review without mentioning the self-titled, last song on the album - 'People’s Champion'. The anthemic sound of this song is accompanied by phenomenal heavy guitars. But similarly to the songs mentioned above, it’s the lyrical base that totally warmed me up knowing the incredible backstory of his success. Käärijä is telling us how being a runner-up on Eurovision 2023 changed his life and how much he owes it to his fans that made him almost an overnight success. His example shows that you don't have to be a winner to steal people’s hearts. Just be your authentic self. 
 
'People’s Champion' is not the typical piece of popular music – while you get a nicely packaged album that makes you think it is going to make you happy.It should also make you feel like it is okay to have human emotions. Despite the fact I skipped a vast number of songs that are about partying and having fun in different ways (well, let’s not forget the most known song from Käärijä - track two 'Cha Cha Cha' - and its story of being drunk at a party). These darker songs really shine through to me, and they have a special place on the album. Life can have ups and downs and if you struggle in life and somehow you landed here to read this review – I am here to say: “it’s going to be fine”. Follow your dreams, work hard, and maybe you will be the next 'People’s Champion'.