07 March 2024

Following a series of strong Melodifestivalen contests in recent years, the time was due for a relatively ordinary one. In the year when Sweden will host the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, it’s a year where they won’t be sending their best to Malmö. There’s the usual mix of mainstream and derivative fare often thrown up at Melfest that includes pop, dance, ballads, rock and even country – and I assume a winner that ultimately will be well liked. Definitely expect an entertaining final, and probably a winner that impresses the most visually.

Curiously, I started this blog the last time ESC was held in Malmö – in 2013. In the first batch of posts was this: Sweden’s Melodifestivalen debacle, it’s all about the IDIOCY. It slammed Melfest 2013 as the worst ever and the winner, Robin Stjernberg, as lame and the worst candidate Sweden could possibly send since The Ark in 2007. Robin would go on to finished 14th with You. We can safely say, Malmö 2024 won’t have have such a lamentable winner!

The Heats

Another revision to the Melfest format, which dispensed with the semi final from last year and previously the second chance round. Five heats of 6 songs, with the top two progressing to the final and the third and fourth placed songs heading into a final qualification round of voting that took place after heat 5. The top two of those 10 songs would progress to the final. While the idea of dumping a second round show was definitely worthwhile, there was a sense the two songs from heat 5 – the freshest songs in the people’s minds – would most likely progress, and that’s exactly how it proved. Although, those two – Annika Wickihalder with Light and Jay Smith with Back To My Roots – did seem the strongest anyway, so hardly an injustice.

There were a few interesting entries that didn’t qualify from the heats, notably Clara Klingenström with Aldrig mer. Clara was my favourite entry at Melfest 2021 as she really warmed the hearts of many with her emotional and raw connection, and ultimately finished fifth. Aldrig mer, while good, simply did not have the same vibe, and was eliminated in the heats. If Clara returns again to Melfest, I would hope to see her keep it a bit more simple. She added some basic choreography and the strange shower curtain thing to her song this year, which ultimately did not add anything.

Elisa Lindström with Forever Yours was my favourite non-qualifier. It’s classic Melfest of older days with its infectious melody, vibrant staging, and big vocal moments. Elisa did make the final qualification phase, albeit finishing in tenth spot.

The other two entries worth seeing are those that finished third and fourth in the final qualification round of voting. One being Fröken Snusk with Unga & fria. Fröken Snusk translates to Miss Filthy and she always wears a balaclava. As of now, her identity is unknown.

Not much more to say about Scarlet and her crazy song, Circus X, except enjoy!

My Top 12

(Click here for the playlist)

12 Liamoo – Dragon
11 Danny Saucedo – Happy That You Found Me
10 Medina – Que Sera
09 Maria Sur – When I’m Gone
08 Dotter – It’s Not Easy To Write A Love Song
07 Jay Smith – Back To My Roots
06 Annika Wickihalder – Light

In Liamoo it’s a ballad by the numbers, as is the case with the dance song by “saucy” Danny Saucedo. Nothing inherently wrong with them; they just don’t do anything interesting. Similarly with Medina, it’s the typical party song from them. Maria Sur, who fled from Ukraine with her mother to Sweden, and finished 9th at Melfest last year, really doesn’t offer much that will improve that position. Still a nice song and performance.

It’s a big change for Dotter after an absence of 3 years, as she brings a stylish and powerful ballad. It won’t be enough to change her fortunes and finally win Melfest, so we just appreciate that it’s good to see her on stage. The two qualifiers from the final qualification round fill my next two places. Jay Smith brings a nice country song that won’t offend too many people. Nor will it attract big votes. Annika Wickihalder emerged from Swedish Idol in 2021, finishing third, and that vocal talent is clear present here – and appreciated – in her powerful ballad.

The Fab Five

05 Smash Into Pieces – Heroes Are Calling

Back from their third placed finish last year, Heroes Are Calling is much the same as Six Feet Under. While that’s clearly not a bad thing, because both are excellent, it also means comparisons are inevitable, and without clear improvement or differentiation, the instinct is to look elsewhere.

04 Lisa Ajax – Awful Liar

The pregnant (I hope!) Lisa Ajax returns with the best ballad this year, especially vocally. The vocals and visual effects towards the end are simply stunning, and let’s hope she doesn’t pop during the final when trying to reach those notes.

03 Cazzi Opeia – Give My Heart A Break

A very talented writer and performer, Give My Heart A Break is a fun entry with a catchy melody and with one of the more interesting presentations. It would be nice to see Cazzi get a good result following her ninth place in 2022. Cazzi was part of the writing team behind last year’s winning song, Tattoo.

02 Jacqline – Effortless

Effortless is the song title, effortless are the vocals. With a hint of Beyonce, this thing really bops and bounces, to be the most distinctive and interesting pop song in this year’s Melfest. Well choreographed too, and it’s the song that most often gets stuck in my head.

01 Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable

Finishing second last year with Air to Loreen with Tattoo, the Norwegian identical twin brothers would be an interesting choice to win Melfest and represent Sweden at home in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024. Affectionately known as M&M, it’s a rare year I pick a male act as my favourite (in fact, I can’t remember ever doing it!), and it’s a rare year I’m captured more by the visual effects than anything else. Hey, I’m not that superficial! In truth, Unforgettable is a very catchy song with an epic dance vibe, and it just pumps! It was the most impressive when watching all 30 songs following the heats, and it’s the most impressive of the 12 finalists now. You go, boys!

The Running Order

01 Maria Sur – When I’m Gone
02 Jay Smith – Back To My Roots
03 Lisa Ajax – Awful Liar
04 Smash Into Pieces – Heroes Are Calling
05 Cazzi Opeia – Give My Heart A Break
06 Annika Wickihalder – Light
07 Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable
08 Dotter – It’s Not Easy To Write A Love Song
09 Medina – Que Sera
10 Liamoo – Dragon
11 Jacqline – Effortless
12 Danny Saucedo – Happy That You Found Me

Prediction

It looks like we’re heading for an Effortless second place for Jacqline, and an Unforgettable win for Marcus & Martinus, if we consider my own not so vaunted opinion, the running order and the betting market. Marcus & Martinus are raging favourites, with Jacqline a distant second and Danny Saucedo just behind her in third. The rest essentially have no chance, with Lisa Ajax having even less than that. While Jacqline was given the plum second last position in the final, M&M are nicely placed at 7 and will stand out. Also consider the notorious teenybopper vote at Melfest that often latches onto the pretty boys. With M&M, there’s nothing more prettier, nor a snack more tastier.

The Melodifestivalen 2024 Final takes place on Saturday 9 March, starting at 20:00 local time.

Melodifestvalen 2024 Final with English commentary

Sweden: Loreen Wins Melodifestivalen 2023 With Tattoo – Review

Sweden’s Melodifestivalen debacle, it’s all about the IDIOCY