Eurovision wouldn’t be Eurovision without its heartbreak anthems. And this year, Estonia’s Janek pulls at the heartstrings with the powerful pop ballad “Frozen,” a fan favorite among the 16 finalists in Eesti Laul 2025.
With Estonia’s one-night national final just a month away, we caught up with the Estonian-British star, to chat about “Frozen” and the pathway to Eurovision. Watch the music video and check out our interview below!
What was it like to receive the news that you were a finalist this year?
It was a great feeling, but not the same as last time, because I was extremely confident that “Frozen” would be in. When you know, you know. You could not have left it out!
How would you introduce yourself to new fans who are starting to discover you?
Hey, I’m Janek. I’m here to tell you my story, and I hope to inspire you, motivate you, and of course, give you goosebumps!
Many of our readers may remember you from when you competed in 2023 with “House of Glass.” What was the most impactful thing you learned from your experience in Eesti Laul?
Focus on yourself and your song, stay true to yourself and people will stay beside you.
What is the story and meaning behind “Frozen”? What message would you like to leave with listeners?
“Frozen” is a love song that captures the struggle of moving on after losing someone you deeply cared for. It portrays the emotional numbness that comes with heartbreak and the longing to heal while feeling stuck in the pain of the past.
I hope to encourage listeners to embrace their emotions and allow themselves to feel everything they’re going through. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to grieve, to miss someone, and to take time to heal. Most importantly, I want people to know that they’re not alone in their struggles, and that their feelings are valid and shared by many.
The music video for “Frozen” was stunning! Can you tell us about the concept behind it and your experience filming it?
Thank you! At first we were thinking about binding it with the Estonian nature, but one day when I was still in London, I walked out of my house to buy something from the shop and when I was listening back to “Frozen,” I pictured “programming codes” in my mind and thought that we should do something futuristic and not make the performance or the music video necessarily literal and too straightforward by using say, snow or ice… I really resonated with the concept and felt like I was in my own element. The fast moving images around me represent the life that moves on fast while I’m stuck in a glass box.
Can you drop any hints about what the live performance will be like?
There will be one or two unseen elements that have never occurred on the Eurovision stage before (I think). I’m working with Jaagup Tuisk (Eesti Laul runner up and creative director), Sander Allikmäe (director of the “Frozen” music video), and have some help from Sacha-Jean Baptiste as well (Sweden). But in short, it’s all about the emotions and the confidence I should portray as an artist when performing “Frozen.”
What kind of personal connection do you feel to Eurovision? Do you have childhood memories of watching?
I remember first seeing Junior Eurovision 2006 when my grandmother was changing channels. I was stunned by the show and started exploring Eurovision.
Who are your favorite artists and inspirations, both from Eurovision and outside of the contest.
One of my first inspirations was Urban Symphony, and then the first ever song that gave me goosebumps was “Euphoria” by Loreen. She is one of my favourite artists alongside Jessie J, Sia, Kygo, Alan Walker, and Benson Boone. I listen to mostly pop, pop rock, and dance.
Is there anything you’d like to share about yourself that fans might be surprised to learn?
Outside of music, I work as a manager at a hedge fund — people can’t picture me doing the two things at all!
Any final message for readers and fans?
Please vote with your heart, not your mind. Listen to the songs and their meaning. Find a song that means something to you and moves you.
