Sweden's post-Christer Björkman Melodifestivalen is searching for its new identity and has been through four heats and one semi-final (aka andra chancen) hosted by Oscar Zia. Age group voting is ment to create suspence and excitement but I don't know, it feels kinda weird, especially as the votes have been announced in random order instead of really going from the youngest to oldest that would give a clearer idea for a watcher to see how and who voted for each artist.
As Finnish Yle was also broadcasting the shows (not live though) I have watched them all for a change this year. Generally the better ones got through or to the semi-final, except Omar Rydberg and Angelino that I would have sent through instead of Danne Stråhed and Lillasyster or Medina. Yes, Medina the big fan favorite. I would have preferred even Alvaro Estrella in final the line up.
In the final there will be televoting and the international juries. The big fan favorite seems to be Cornelia with Medina and Klara, while Bagge seems to be generally the one to beat. I'm all in with Bergendahl.
Klara Hammarström - Run to the hills **
Why am I thinking Nightwish? Except vocally, she isn't the strongest. Sounds very old and tired and yes, vocally weak lacking the power this could have. This said forgettable take on 80's and not very likely to be played in this household after Saturday.
Theoz - Som du vill ***
The somewhat 80's vibe continues with Theoz and this one works a lot better. In every sense from vocals to beat to stage presence. He's like fresh air after Klara's calculated stuff. Actually I like this more than I thought.....
Anna Bergendahl - Higher power ****
Anna keeps delivering and I'd really love to see her back at Eurovision and get her revenge for 2010. Out of her three recent entries this is my favorite, or maybe it still is Ashes to ashes, but this is very good anyways. I love her voice. But it seems she's not going even close to winning this time having made it this far from semi-final only. But one can hope, right?
John Lundvik - Änglavakt ***
Anna is followed by another unfortunate Eurovision veteran, who could forget his face when his televotes came and he didn't win in 2019? I really like his voice and all and this song is fine but it feels a bit out of place here, a left over from a Christmas album maybe?
Tone Sekelius - My way **
Another old fashioned bubble gum pop tune with a backstory much bigger than the song. Tone does a great job and comes across adorable but will I listen to this once this show is over? Hardly.
Anders Bagge - Bigger than the universe ***
The question is what made him to come and sing this himself and kick start his singing career at the tender age of 54 after producing dozens of global stars?? Did Carola & co. turn this down? This said, it sounds like a hit but in an American way, aka rather bland and boring yet not being irritating. Just meh. Yet kinda nice. This is what I suppose American song contest entries will sound like.
Robin Bengtsson - Innocent love **
Back to 80's and US Adult radio charts? Nothing wrong with this one but also nothing that would make me like it more than just being nice to listen to and then nothing. Forgettable.
Faith Kakembo - Freedom ****
This craps my attention in a way most of the songs here doesn't. Makes me actually stop and listen. Like Tusse did last year. Could she become a surprise winner and follow Lundvik, The Mamas and Tusse? I wouldn't mind.
Liamoo - Bluffin' ****
One of the better ones, He doesn't need dancers or anyone else on stage. This works. It's all about him and that's enough. Effective and enjoyable, catchy and sounds good and modern without gimmicks.
Cornelia Jakobs - Hold me closer ***
She may have given the performance of her life time in the first heat, even if she may have missed a few camera shots and such but the emotion was raw and real. Let's see if that is her or was it just a one time lucky charm? Great voice and atmosphere even if it seems to drag on a bit too long to fill the 3 minutes.
Cazzi Opeia - I can't get enough ****
This beats Klara in my books in every front. She's fun and colorful, her name would be hilarious in Turin. This is 80's bubble gum pop at its best today. This so goes into my playlist no matter what.
Medina - In i dimman *
Sounds like a any random World cup or Ice Hockey world champion's anthem. Annoying already in the first hearing. This will be huge in arena for sure and will the end the show with a bang. Hopefully it stays there.
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