Iceland’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 came in the exuberant form of “Róa” (stylised as “RÓA” and pronounced [ˈrouːa]). Released on January 17, 2025 via Alda Music, the song was performed by the electronic duo Væb, composed of Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson. It secured its place at Eurovision after triumphing in Söngvakeppnin, Iceland’s national competition, and ultimately finished 25th in the contest with 33 points.
Unusual storytelling and homegrown success
“Róa” stands apart for its central metaphor: a group of frogs determined to climb a mountain, spurred on by a message of steadfastness in adversity. According to Væb, the song draws from a tale they encountered in church and evokes themes of resilience. In the story, only one deaf frog reaches the summit, unaffected by the naysaying crowd. This allegory, the band said, also hints at the biblical account of Jesus calming the storm, offering encouragement to persevere through challenges.
Væb and their collaborators Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson and Ingi Þór Garðarsson crafted the song with high-energy melodies and danceable beats. Originally, the melody narrated a journey of two pirates, but its direction shifted to frogs and their uphill journey when prepared as a contender for Söngvakeppnin 2025. The lyrics weave in quirky references, including mentions of Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and a nod to Icelandic TV host Gísli Marteinn Baldursson. Cultural commentators suggested the song embodied a spirit of innovation and confidence typical of Generation Z.
The music video, directed by Óli Gunnar Gunnarsson and produced in just two days, follows Væb as they travel across the Atlantic, stopping in the Faroe Islands and Greenland before recounting their story in a bar. Aided by the quick production and local interest, “Róa” rose rapidly in Iceland’s charts, peaking at number one, and even entered the top ten in Sweden.
Reception, controversy and Eurovision journey
Despite its popularity at home, “Róa” saw mixed critical reception abroad. While some reviewers praised its kinetic energy and spirit, others pointed to a lack of lyrical depth or critiqued the duo’s vocal performance. The song’s blend of techno beats, rapping, and fiddle elements divided opinion, eliciting descriptions that ranged from “ravishing earworm” to “disaster of a song.”
“Róa” was selected for Eurovision through Söngvakeppnin, where Væb topped both jury and televote scores in the grand final, amassing 167 points. The duo’s performance became a hit in Iceland, inspiring children to wear replicas of their outfits for Öskudagur, the local Ash Wednesday celebration. Shortly before the contest, Væb operated a pop-up store in Reykjavík, further cementing their cultural presence.
Not long before their Eurovision appearance, Væb faced accusations of plagiarism with similarities claimed between “Róa” and an Israeli song. The duo denied the allegations and, after the complaint was eventually withdrawn, the issue subsided without affecting their participation.
Eurovision 2025’s final saw “Róa” finish 25th, marking another energetic but polarising Icelandic entry in the competition’s eclectic history.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
