Sweden's Melodifestivalen 2023 has cut down the songs in the previous four heats (here) and it's time for the semi-final, formerly known as Andra chancen aka Second chance round. In previous four heats two songs qualified for the final directly, and the 3rd and 4th placed ones are here fighting for four places in the final line up.
It may not be a big surprise I haven't been a Mello fan for years anymore; great looking show, usually also very funny and entertaining but the songs haven't really made any impact on my own personal playlist, so let's see what they have in offer. I haven't followed the heats with attention, barely watching them when run on Finnish television delayed so basically all these songs are new to me.
Theoz - Mer av dig ***
Old school schlager and he's quite likable but there's zero emotion, just perfect choreography and performance. Sterile. But the song echoes mello of the yesteryears. More like an opening number than a competing entry really.
Mariette - One day ***
So this is where the sun from Turin ended up?! A bit odd staging but the song is one of the better ones but still not really going anywhere. I like her though. I wish she had better songs....
Viktor Crone - Diamonds **
I have a feeling all his songs sound the same. This one's even less inspired and interesting than the older ones. And the staging doesn't help either being equally uninspired and original. San Marino did the same for each and every song actually.
Tennessee tears - Now I know **
Mello goes folksy country Avicii pop. in fact this could be also Victor Crone's song. Somehow I expected more after hearing a bit of this earlier. But now I know, it's a no. And not very good live.
Elov & Beny - Raggen går *
No, just no. Whistling is the best bit. A bit Swedish Portion Boys I guess.
Melanie Wehbe - For the show **
Why am I thinking of Donatella Milani (if you know you know)? Melanie is lovely and I relaly would like to like this a lot more than I do. And what's that with the honey imaginary on stage? Is she queen bee? She isn't and this song's not going anywhere sadly.
Nordman - Släpp alla sorger ***
Very Nordman indeed in every way. Makes me feel nostalgic and also makes me like this song a bit more with every hearing... But I'm not going to **** yet.
Kiana - Where did you go ***
This could easily be some Malta's entry. An Eurovision dance anthem. I would like to give ** but at this point *** seems more proper considering the whole picture. The whole affair sounds very familiar though. And she can belt out those long notes without screaming, that alone earns the third *.
So, my wish list for the final is:
Theoz, Mariette, Nordman, Kiana
Update:
And the finalists are.... the ones I wanted! :-)
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