I’m not quite sure why my brain went to Eurovision when I heard Luka Winters’ debut single “Someone Like You”, but maybe it’s because his country of Belgium often gets kicked down in the competition (and they deserve much better! Justice for Red Sebastian!) But the Peer-based songwriter has something in his sound that makes me believe that if he went to the international song contest, he would not only help Belgium qualify, but also do quite well.
On “Someone Like You”, Winters defines his sound: Alternative pop rock taking inspiration from the likes of Coldplay, Fontaines D.C., and Belgium’s own Zornik. There is a blend of tenderness and grit that empowers Winters to run the gamut of emotions in his music, allowing him to get cinematic and anthemic with his writing. The new single would fit in an arena for sure, what with the rush of guitars and driving rhythm, the searing guitar solo at the instrumental section, and Winters’ powerful vocal delivery.
Winters, just 24 years old, writes about “the experiences of young adults, aiming to capture the vulnerability and uncertainties that come with growing up.” On “Someone Like You”, for instance, Winters channels the anxiety and self-doubt that comes with starting a relationship, fearing that he is unfit for a partner whom he sees as way out of his league. To quote the chorus: “And no matter how hard I try / There’s something inside of me / That knows that someone like you / just won’t love someone like me”.
And while Winters bills these issues as those of younger people, they are universal: Everyone feels a little insecure about themselves, regardless of age. Therefore, “Someone Like You” rings universal, and the powerful music that backs the lyrics only helps to strengthen the emotional connections listeners will make with the debut single.
I say this is a rollicking first release from Winters, and I hope we’ll hear much more soon. Perhaps we may even see him on a massive international stage someday. Again, I’m just saying that Belgium would really love their first Eurovision win since 1986.
Take a listen to “Someone Like You” below.
Written by Will Sisskind
