Maija Vilkkumaa channels rage on cinematic ninth album Karaoke-queen

Maija Vilkkumaa released her ninth solo album, Karaoke-queen, on 2 October. The rock artist examines the human mind and the tenor of our times, centring on anger as a theme.

She says the record is about rage, what sparks it and how it appears in people. "Rage is an egalitarian emotion: everyone feels it, whatever their circumstances. My own anger rises from belittling and being overlooked," she said. Framing the album as a response to the current culture, she noted social media amplifies both empowerment and violence. "At its best rage empowers, at its worst it paralyzes and causes terrible things. Social media revolves around anger and empowerment and has given us the beauty of #MeToo but also the violence at Capitol Hill," she added.

The 10-track album includes the title song and the previously released singles "Oo mun kaa" and "Esikoinen." Other tracks move between quieter moments and straightforward rock numbers. She described the record as cinematic in scope, saying the album "unfolds like a film and moves from darkness into light."

The album is supported by a nationwide tour that began on 2 October aboard the cruise ship Viking Grace and concludes on 18 December at Helsinki's Kulttuuritalo. The schedule covers major Finnish cities, with Tampere on 12 November at Tavara-asema. We previously covered the release of the single "Esikoinen" and noted the Tampere date when the single arrived in September.

Karaoke-queen is available on streaming platforms and in physical formats. She will perform songs from the album throughout the autumn tour, reinforcing her place on Finland's live rock circuit.