Today the Wiwi Jury—our in-house panel of music un-professionals—gathered to review David Lindgren’s “Skyline”. Did it reach the dizzying heights of David’s 2012 entry “Shout It Out”? Or did this former High School Musical star take a major dive this year? Read on to find out…
Deban: Lindgreen brings blue-ribbon pop to the table. This is a song that has the right pitch, killer hook, and an instrumental bridge that incorporates strobe lighting into the baddest choreography. If quality is what’s being judged, then, this should win the contest hands down. If you’re going to do pop, then, do it well. Lindgreen achieves this feat with excellence. He’s fresh faced, bursting with energy and his passion is infectious. He knows his camera angles, and manages to squeeze in a couple of winks in his three-minute number. If Skyline wins MF, Sweden will finish in The Top 5 at ESC 2013.
Score: 9/10
HK Dick: This was probably the best song from its semi-final but that isn’t saying much. It’s an OK, generic Melodifestivalen song and will soon be forgotten. The dancing is impressive!
Score: 5/10
Mr Häggkvist: It’s ok, I’m not crazy about it. All the hand movements during the performance are really funny and stupid and for some reason his performances are quite boring (come on, we had Eric Saade & Danny before), so he looks like an amateur. Sorry, but I think overall this doesn’t have anything special, new or innovative about it.
Score: 5/10
Vebooboo: Last year I had wet dreams about baby-faced DL, who broke off the Swedish version of Broadway and onto the MF circuit. He worked his pristine vocals and kick-ass break-dance moves into my heart. This year the moves are still there, but so is a bit of a cocky attitude. My favourite moment of this act is the random ‘take jacket off, put jacket back on’ moment, followed immediately by a smirk at the camera. But while attitude is aplenty, unfortunately vocals are not. DL is a break-dancer, but he can’t run around the stage at Jackie Joyner Kersey pace and simultaneously sing on pitch. David is a talented hunk, but he is not God. Nevertheless, he’s still my boo.
Score: 7/10
Wiwi: The first time I saw this I cried “Derivative Loreen!” But after suffering through this year’s lackluster Melodifestivalen, “Skyline” has really grown on me. The song is catchy and inoffensive, and it doesn’t make any effort to elevate itself beyond generic pop. That’s fine because he embraces it. But whenever I see him perform I’m left thinking he isn’t really a star. He’s clearly talented and can move and sing…but something feels hollow. He’s more of an Ashlee Simpson than a Jessica, and more of a Solange Knowles than a Beyonce.
Score: 7/10
The Wiwi Jury Verdict: 6.6/10
You can read all of this year’s #melfest reviews by clicking here. Then be sure to vote in our poll “Who Should Win Melodifestivalen 2013?”
Sorry not Inpress darling !
Wow… Diverse and split opinions among the wow jury going on this year for melofifestivalen!
The song is not as great as his entry last year. But I really want him to do well.
There’s a lot to admire in this performance. And rewarding hard work and acheivement inspires others and keeps cynicism at bay, so there’s that angle.
But I don’t feel any connection with it, and without that it’s harder to overlook flaws and irritants. It’s like an interval act to me; I don’t feel compelled to see it, and won’t go out of my way to hear it again.
It’s a good act skillfully excecuted, but I want more magic from a song contest.