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EUROVISION 2023: SWEDEN - MELODIFESTIVALEN 2023 FINAL REVIEW


Melodifestivalen is here again and this year Loreen has electrified the otherwise somewhat snooze fest and everyone seems to be taking for granted that she will again and that she will also win Eurovision in Liverpool again. Maybe she just got pissed off when Euphoria was kicked off from the first place in the ESC250 this New Year's? Who knows. She has entered Mello three times before, twice not making the final at all but this time the hype is real. But more about that later.
A lot has been said about the quality of the songs, and especially the songwriters as there are names having six and four and who knows how many songs in the final, and each and every song having about a dozen songwriters. I find that a bit boring to be honest.

Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods - Where are you (Sávežan) *
Poor Jon Henrik used as a prop! And still he's the only interesting part of this mediocre pop song that goes on three minutes and vanished without a trace... 
Tone Sekelius - Rhythm of my show **
The obligatory Latino bangert that goes nowhere. This would need some southern divaism, she's all too sweet for this to make this stand out. Yawn.
Mariette - One day ***
Very standard old school Mello song saved by Mariette, who's likable and has a very nice voice. Also very predictable and unoriginal. Carola would have sung the hell out of this me thinks. 
Marcus & Martinus - Air *****
I was never a fan of them, then again I never listened to them so I'm not familiar with their music. But I loved this one from the start. It's indeed airy, hint of Italo Disco, lovely melody and vocals. Fantastic laser staging. My favorite by far! They're having fun on stage and it shows and that also counts. 
Panetoz - On my way **
Fun and colorful for the summer. Maybe 2am at bar on holidays with a drink in my hand... Long three minutes.
Maria Sur - Never give up *
Thumbs up for the back story but the song's not worth it and Kiana beats her easily with vocals (I hate those throat vocals she sadly does occasionally. By her and anyone who does them). Simply boring.
Smash Into Pieces - Six feet under *****
Blind Channel, is it? Sorry we did that already. This said this could be a great alternative for Loreen. Killer chorus. Poppy enough but rough enough, too. Just like Blind Channel. 
Kiana - Where did you go ***
First of all she's quite amazing vocalist for that age. A bit like Carola back in the day. But she's not Carola and times have changed, megastars don't just born one night anymore (unless you are Käärijä). The song's been heard a million times but the staging works, she's likable and those long notes get an extra star. She's a star and I hope she comes back next year with something better and wins!
Nordman - Släpp alla sorger ****
Classic Nordman. Catchy and good. Sounds familiar because it sounds just like all best Nordman songs. If only Sweden sent something like this for once!
Loreen - Tattoo ***
The song: First a bit of Abba's Winner takes it all vibes, then it keeps growing and growing until midway, then.... meh.... until we get Madonna's Frozen vibes (that are pretty much the best part of the song) and then again the pretty mediocre chorus. I wonder if this wan't sung by Loreen, who btw sounds rather harsh at times, would people aka fandom go nuts for this? I doubt. But they have managed to create this hype that might carry on to victory in Liverpool but I hope not. The staging is simple yet effective but besides the prop and her nails nothing extraordinary. And she lacks emotion and this whole affair is a bit cold and calculated in my opinion. 
Theoz - Mer av dig ***
Fun Mello pop. Theoz of male Anna Book of the 2020's. 
Paul Rey - Royals *
He opened the season and ends it, too. But not as a winner. Annoying fast beat, all too busy and chaotic. Shouty. No. Just no. 


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