Fans won’t get to have their first taste of Melodifestivalen 2020’s third semi until Thursday lunchtime when the first snippets emerge. But accredited media in Luleå were given a first-listen to all seven competing songs on Wednesday evening.
Based on these early reviews — taken from Aftonbladet and Schlager Profilerna — Faith Kakembo and Mohombi look like the two to beat in deltävling three. Here’s a full round-up of what both publications had to say about each of the acts.
Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final Three Previews
1. “Shout It Out” – Mariette
Describing Mariette’s latest effort as “nice pop which becomes a bit anonymous”, Aftonbladet delivers a damning verdict — “her weakest contribution in Mello so far”. Although the writer tempers his review by adding that strong staging may bring the audience to life. Schlager Profilerna is more generous, saying that “Shout It Out” is more like Mariette’s non-Melfest music. “This tries more to establish her as the artist she wants to be every day of the week”. We’re told to think “female Coldplay”. Both compare it to something David Lindgren might compete with, but “without the dance beat”.
2. “Livet börjar nu” – Albin Johnsén
Albin enjoyed a massive smash with “Din Soldat” in 2014, and ever since he’s been considered something of a one-hit-wonder. Schlager Profilerna speculates that this could be the song to erase that status. It reports that this isn’t rap in the “regular sense” and sounds more like “Norli & KKV and Hov1”. However, it fears the number may be too low key to become a true contender. Aftonbladet commends the hook but notes that it’s the type of song that performs better on the radio or Spotify than at Melfest.
3. “Piga & dräng” – Drängarna
Despite their better judgements, the two outlets both give positive reviews. Aftonbladet describes a “guilty pleasure” that “no one admits to voting or liking, but everyone will sing along to after a couple of beers”. Reluctantly admitting that it’s “really catchy”, Schlager Profilerna suggests that the band could be the Rolandz of 2020 — “if they play their cards right”. Both reviewers agree that kids will love the entry. In summary — “It’s like the dads of Timoteij”.
4. “Late” – Amanda Aasa
Amanda is this year’s P4 Nästa wildcard. To date, no Nästa act has broken out of their semi. And Schlager Profierna doesn’t see Amanda being the one to change this. The song “so desperately wants to be Veronica Maggio. But sorry. It’s not”. The writer concludes that while “not bad by any means”, the entry is “unnecessary”. Aftonbladet observes that this type of song tends not to work for female performers at Melodifestivalen, with viewers preferring “joy and warmth”.
5. “Vem e som oss” – Anis Don Demina
Aftonbladet offers mixed critique. It praises the “smartly produced hook”, acknowledging that Anis is at home with the audience. However, it grows “tedious” towards the end. Schlager Profilerna calls it an “upbeat party song” with references to “Behrang Miri or Samir & Viktor” and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us”.
6. “Crying Rivers” – Faith Kakembo
Like Amanda, Faith also took part in the P4 radio contest. However, she’s not here as a wildcard. Without hesitation, Aftonbladet says that this could be this year’s big hit. It’s the type of song that would be played last at “school parties and nightclubs”. Schlager Profilerna is equally impressed, leading with one word — “Wow!”. The blog puts it somewhere “between Norah Jones and a James Bond song”, calling it “a warm blanket here in cold Lule”.
7. “Winners” – Mohombi
Winners causes Schlager Profilerna to think of “Turkish ESC songs from the ’00s”, adding that that’s a “GOOD” thing. It’s “fun and catchy”, but not as modern or Spotify-friendly as “Hello”. It has an arena vibe, and the reviewer feels it’s the most certain qualifier. Although “the chorus and verse seem to live in different countries”. Aftonbladet thinks the verses and bridge are too long, but the chorus is “neat and effective”.
What do you think of this semi’s line-up? Who are you most excited to see live? Let us know in the comments.
Follow all of our Melodifestivalen 2020 news.
I see that Wiwibloggers often abbreviate Melodifestivalen to Mello. Out of curiosity, do Swedish people call Melodifestivan “Mello”?
Am I excited.. not
I think Mohombi and Mariette are going to the final based on reputation alone. I am going to reserve judgement, but I wouldn’t rule out any shock qualifiers at this point
Faith and Amanda’s songs are the ones I was looking forward to hearing (yes, more than Mariette and Mohombi) and I ignore these reviews to be honest.
At the end of the day it is all extremely subjective. Maybe the only correct assertion is about what the Swedish audience likes from women, generally, pop songs (Torn, Statements, I Will Wait – Second Chance)
I think Mohombi and Mariette are going to the final based on reputation alone. I am going to reserve judgement, but I wouldn’t rule out any shock qualifiers at this point
I think this is à show that SVT has to do whith a lot of fun acts . Songs for the younger audience and partysongs outside melfest, and has the potential to beccome a guilty pleasure . They must have songs for kids and skip the ESC perspective and it feels that this has a lot of songs that SVT know has nothing to do whith ESC, as long as the show are paid by Swedish tax payers, Sorry all ESC fans. Don’t judge us after this show. But we have to have all type of songs so the show… Read more »
Last week, they were right about Anna’s song being good and they were correct about Dotter’s song being far too much like Sia for me but they also said that Paul Rey’s song had appeal and I don’t think it did.
I don’t know if these media reviews are accurate when it comes to matching my opinion of the full songs. I’m excited about Faith but don’t know how much I want to hear a Norah Jones-type song in 2020, so hope they’re wrong on that front.
Markus Larsson from Aftonbladet says that Faith’s song is probobly the best song this year in his opinion. And that is usually a not a good sign. Ballads to his liking in the 3rd SF has not impressed the audience before. Like Amparo or Dotter. And I’m not sure of Faith’s abilities on stage.
Anyway.. many seem pretty sure that the winner of Melodifestivalen is not in this heat. We’ll see.
I agree, Larsson should never be taken seriously. He makes a sport out of not liking entries and never likes any of the songs
Amparo’s song was beautiful though
Vi måste få ett bidrags för kidsen till finalen tror jag. Tror detta är ett heat som SVT måste göra för att ha kvar bred publik. Måste vara musik som inte har med ESC att göra men som blir plågor på fester och för kidsen. Försvinner sånt tappar SVT tittare. SVT måste ha kvar kidsen. Tappar de intresset för mello så försvinner deras föräldrar tillslut. Då står vi snart där med minskade tittarsiffror vilket leder till minskat intresse för artister och skivbolag. Låtarna kommer då bli sämre och sämre och kritik mot flera deltävlingar kommer bli starkare. SVT lägger så… Read more »
Mohombi with an ethnic Bop is a yes for me.
Also never forget Turkey won in 2003 thanks to Swedish televote lol.
They loved “Everyway that I can” (8 points) and shockingly they didn’t like (or care) Sanomi at all (0 points). That voting always seems weird/interesting to me. Just a fun fact xd
I am so hyped for Mohombi. If he has an ethnic bop and goes to win melfest it would be the biggest surprise ever having ethnic flavor from Sweden but i stan
I’m happy Faith recurved a good review. Can’t wait to hear it!
Shame about Mariette tho…..
“sounds like Turkish songs from the 00s”… who told them EXACTLY what it was I wanted to hear!!! i’m hesitant as I always am when a song is hyped, but i’m also very excited. 🙂
Not hyped at all for this semifinal.. but hope the snippets prove me wrong. I can see myself voting for Albin, Drängarna and Amanda maybe. I hope Mariette miss out on the final
how can you be not hyped before you heard anything yet? haha. Thats so classical ESC fan and not in a good way
Because I know who the artists are? That usually gives you a hint. And im as far away from a classic ESC fan as you are going to get lmao
Cant they do other styles in your world? Often artists change their styles.
Still don’t trust these reviews after last week lmao…
Still a little nervous for Mariette though :/
I wouldn’t trust these reviews at all. Same goes with Italy, the press thought that Fai Rumore would get lost in the crowd. But even though I don’t really trust them, I can’t help but feeling worried for Mariette.
But these reviews are realistic about the semi final winners, Robin Benttsson and Anna Bergendhal probably won their respective semi finals and were both described as the “most sure qualifier in the semi final”.
Lmao at Mariette each year her entries get worse and worse ? Mohombi is doing Mohombi, nothing surprising and he is not a threat. I’m very curious about Faith now. This is really the year of women for Mello 🙂 could she be a threat for Dotter and Anna?
Hm, these reviews have me very curious now. Although they sometimes are right, they have also fallen short in terms of predicting who go DtF.
“Female Coldplay ” yikes :×
This is somewhat unrelated, but some of the candidate songwriter/producer teams for the Israeli selection are out. Idan Raichel and Doron Medalie are collaborating. I’m super hyped.
borefest
Classical ESC fan opinion before he heard ANYTHING yet, and not in a good way
Classical Johan calling almost everyone classical ESC fan and not in a good way, while being the only qualified musical expert.
*btw the word you’re looking for is typical, thank me later Johan.
mess at them calling mohombi’s song dated… not like “hello” didn’t sound like it was straight outta 2011, tho. the description for mariette is chilling, “for you” was extremely anonymous as well, idk why people have expectations from her at all anyway it’s not like she ever rihleased music that isn’t generic. amanda aasa pulling a veronica maggio has me interested, although they say it’ll be a letdown, we’ll see. we already got served by the mamas and anna bergendahl, so it’s not a tragedy if nothing good comes outta this semi!
“Crying Rivers” – Faith Kakembo is dotter of this week
Minus laser show, which means not memorable enough? Still remember Kristen Amparo with winning Mel song but with such poor stage and dress, so Faith might follow her? Who knows