A little over two years ago, singer Eden Golan found herself inside a political hurricane. Chosen to represent her home country of Israel at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, she faced a boycott ahead of the May 11 finale in Malmö, Sweden. Mobs of protesters met her once she arrived, and she heard a cacophony of boos inside the arena for the semifinal rounds.
Just 20 years old, Golan took a lot on her shoulders in performing the song initially titled “October Rain” — namely, the collective trauma of a population still grieving its dead and abducted some seven months after the Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel by Hamas terrorists. Its lyrics were haunting, so much so that Eurovision parent organization the European Broadcasting Union required a rewrite for its entry. The too-political “October Rain” became “Hurricane,” and led Golan to a fifth-place finish.
In the time since, Golan, the daughter of Russian émigrés to Israel, has continued chasing her dreams, relocating for a stint to Los Angeles to work on her debut album, Imperfections, and competing on Israel’s version of Dancing With the Stars, where she suffered an injury while two-stepping to Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
To hear Golan tell her story, everything that’s happened was meant to be. On Imperfections she makes use of exacting word play, a supple lower register, and top-notch production, all while making music you can dance to. And she can still belt a ballad like nobody’s business. Golan spoke to Rolling Stone on the eve of her album release.
You’re fluent in multiple languages, including Russian and Hebrew, yet you chose an album entirely in English.
It’s the only language [where I feel] fully free and capable and comfortable writing in. English is the language I think in, dream in, write, and read in. I feel like I can fully express myself only in English. I struggle with it in the other languages I speak.
Imperfections features production by Johnny Goldstein, whose credits include songs by Coi Leray, Shakira, and David Guetta. That feels very modern compared to the vibes the album gives off. What was informing you musically as it came together?
I listen to so much different music, from R&B to hip-hop to pop. And I’m super influenced by the late Nineties and early 2000s music, like Timbaland. … I got to be at the top studios with amazing producers and writers who have worked with A list singers. It was such a pleasure and such an honor to create with these people. Sometimes I had to pinch myself like, “this is real; this is me in that session right now creating a song.”
You delve into deep emotional territory on the album. What was that rooted in?
I feel like I let myself get into very vulnerable and private parts of myself. Music is the only place where I can express those emotions. I’m really proud of the messages behind the songs. I love to bring confidence and a feeling of being worth it. Music has always helped me go through difficult things.
The song “Monster” feels like you’re working something out.
The album is a lot about what I went through being in a quite toxic relationship, and letting myself fall in love, be vulnerable, and to have that feeling of missing someone and needing them, but you don’t know if it’s the right thing for you. And you’re trying to find red flags, but there aren’t red flags. And it’s eating your head up, and you’re like, “I love him, but I’m feeling so many things. Is love a monster? Is it eating me up alive?” So yeah.
Now that you’ve had some time to reflect on your Eurovision journey, have your feelings changed over time?
It still feels surreal. It feels like an out-of-body experience — like I was detached from myself to some extent. Now that I’m looking back at it, I feel like that detachment helped me go through all of the things I had to go through at 20 years old. Honestly, the biggest feeling I get is pride. I’m so proud of that girl on that stage. I’m proud of myself that I was strong enough to stand there and not give a single damn about whatever anyone has to say. And I’m proud that I was able to stay myself and bring myself to that stage regardless of everything that happened.
Golan representing Israel with the song “Hurricane” at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden in 2024
Jessica GOW/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP/Getty Images
To your credit, “Hurricane” is not an easy song to sing.
Listen, I’ve sung so many songs — Celine Dion; Whitney Houston; you name it, I’ve sung it. And I don’t think I ever sang a harder song than “Hurricane.” The range from the verses being super low, the chorus being fully belted out nonstop on the same note, and then that breaking point of the high part. … It’s a lot. The technique needs to be on point if you want to survive that song.
How do you feel about the name and lyrical changes now?
The EBU didn’t accept the song and required us to change the lyrics, otherwise we couldn’t participate. So we [went] back in the studio and found alternatives and ways to express the same emotions using different words. … That’s what we did, and then we had “Hurricane,” which is my baby forever. It’s a song that changed my life. Everything is meant to be. I truly believe in that phrase. I got it tatted on my body.
Did you learn anything about the world from your Eurovision experience?
It’s a very cruel and dark place, sadly. I also learned that a lot of people are quiet [in that] it’s easier to be at home and write hate, but if you put that person in front of me, it might be harder. And I feel like we also got evidence that music makes people feel something beyond what they believe in, or what they think is right or wrong. That was one of the biggest things I saw: That music truly connects people. I choose to continue believing in that.
Israel’s participation in Eurovision is still being debated three years later.
Shocking. On the other hand, it’s hard to get rid of us. I feel like we’ll stand on that stage no matter what. But it’s also like: come on, wake up. It’s music. Eurovision’s literal slogan is “united by music” and they’re going against that.
Have you spent time with any of the hostages?
Daniela Gilboa was on [an episode of] Dancing With the Stars. I remember leaving the rehearsal room and seeing her with this huge-ass smile on her face, and just thinking about what she had to go through, and being able to smile and live life, even though it may be hard for her. It’s so inspiring. It makes you look at everything in proportion and view this world differently. … She told me, “Eden, you helped me so much in Gaza. The radio was on, and I heard your song ‘Hurricane,’ and it kept being played, and it was like this ray of light and hope in those tunnels.”
Do you think there’s hope for this conflict?
Yes. I will be positive until the very end. I want to believe in good. I want to believe there’s a better world and a better place for everyone. I want to believe in peace. It’s definitely a long journey, and I don’t think it’s around the corner, but I’m hopeful. I want to believe that my kids will experience a different side of this world, because it’s truly horrific what children have to go through nowadays.
