Where has the time gone? We’re already at the fourth and last semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2018. This afternoon, SVT has released the snippets of this week’s seven songs. Is there a potential winner in the group?
This week, the Swedish super selection moves on to Örnsköldsvik. Amongst those competings are pre-contest favourite, Mariette. She’s slipped in the odds as the likes of Benjamin Ingrosso and Jessica Andersson have surged. Will the release of (some of) her entry, “For You”, push her back up?
Mariette is a wild favourite with y’all ahead of the snippets, at least. But could one of the other acts in this week’s semi-final become a favourite? Felix Sandman, formerly of FO&O, looks to be a potential threat with “Every Single Day”.
Or could Emmi Christensson, Elias Abbas, Felicia Olsson, Rolandz or Olivia Eliasson be the one? You can listen to the snippets below — simply click on the each artist’s name or song title.
Later on tonight at 19:00 CET, SVT will also release the thirty second rehearsal clips. Plenty of teasing to get us ready for Saturday, y’all!
MELODIFESTIVALEN 2018: DELTÄVLING 4 ÖRNSKÖLDSVIK
- Emmi Christensson — “Icarus”
- Elias Abbas — “Mitt paradis”
- Felicia Olsson — “Break That Chain”
- Rolandz — “Fuldans”
- Olivia Eliasson — “Never Learn”
- Felix Sandman — “Every Single Day”
- Mariette — “For You”
What do you think of the one minute snippets? Has your favourite changed as a result of them? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below. Remember to check back later today for the rehearsal clips as well!
My opinions: “For You”: Mariette can do better than this, it sounds so generic. Even her entry from last year was better. “Every Single Day”: Probably my favourite song in this semi. I love Felix as a person, and I see him going far in the competition. “Never Learn”: Out of the songs in this semi that have a similar structure, this one is most likely to end up on one of my playlists after the contest (if they release it in America hehe) “Fuldans”: From what I’ve seen in the comments, this is a song that has Swedish humour.… Read more »
Out of this horrendous Melfest, Felix is the only remember-able song and I really like it. All the other songs are just radio-friendly ones we have heard 1000 times already. Felix though stands out! Felix for Libson!
Icarus reminds me o Icebreaker in the chorus part. Anyone?
Brutal lyrics aside, sounds like it might be a half-decent song. I think it was the best of these snippets and compared to the other three semi-finals, one of the better songs in general.
I guess the she learned it from the same textbook from where Gisela learned that Casanova is a faithful guy or from which Paula learned that 1, 2, 3 is a perfect symmetry. 🙂
If Alcazar had entered this year with Blame it on the Disco they would have won easily
I guess Alcazar really had a winner song.
You may disagree but I love this year’s Melfest rather than in 2017! Most of the songs can easily beat Robin Bengtsson in any way!
Robin shouldnt even have won last year, there were way better songs
It seems Wiwi fans have not learnt their lesson from last week.
Elias will sail through as the only fun uptempo song in their.
The people saying he wont even make it to Andra probably also had Dotter as faves to win
Very disappointing Melodifestivalen. Full of joke acts, but then the big names are meh. I would choose Samir & Viktor, Jessica Andersson or Felix Sandman.
These Swedish songwriters never give any phuccs when it comes to the lyrics lmao
I hear not only a Melfest, but also a ESC winner in Felix Sandman.
Really? It’s cute, but..
If we came top 5 last year with that awful song I wouldnt be surprised to see Felix win Eurovision. On the other hand he doesnt have a beard or a heart disease so maybe not.
At long last
Just when I thought that Melfest was a disaster this year, these snippets are released
What a bloodbath this semi-final is
Apart from Rolandz, I wouldn’t disagree with any if the other selections qualifying
What were he organisers thinking of putting these all together?
The overall winner is definitely here but not sure which one!!
But Rolandz will probobly go directly to the final. Only Swedes get it. With an MF consisting of pointless humour this year then Rolandz is going to be liberating. And then Felix or Mariette to the final. Mariette has a lot of work though. And Felix is very emotional in the right way. The song fits him. The winner is probobly in this semifinal. If not, then Benjamin Ingrosso.
This is gonna sound weird to say, but Icarus sounds like an anime opening to me. I rather like it. Hope she delivers on stage with some good staging.
Sweden is screwed this year! Not a single good song!
The thing is I love Benjamins song but it would have been much better with another singer with more mature voice to be honest!
Benjamins voice and appeal is too weak for the song he wrote for himself weird enough…
Benjamin Ingrosso is definitely going to Eurovision
After listening to the snippets here’s my top 7 (opinions can change on Satuday) 1. Emmi Christensson- Icarus: I’m feeling this, I think it will be epic. 2. Felix Sandman- Every Single Day: Seems like it’s gonna be a nice atmospheric ballad 3. Mariette- For You: Not sure where this is going, if that’s the whole chorus, then it’s kinda underwhelming. 4. Olivia Eliasson – Never Learn: Nice and radio friendly but kinda empty. 5. Felicia Olsson- Break That Chain: Not fantastic and not bad, somewhat bland. 6. Rolandz – Fuldans: Not my cup of tea but it does have… Read more »
My prediction based on how well I know my country:
DtF: Mariette, Olivia
AC: Felix, Emmi
5th: Elias
6th: Felicia
7th: Rolandz
I think this is clearly the best semi-final and I really like every song except for Rolandz’. I still don’t think Mariette will win though because the Swedish public don’t really buy her songs or vote for her, if she does win she’s gonna rely on jury support.
Mariette must win this year
kind of disappointed in our national final this year…expected a song that could win Eurovision but it doesn’t seem like it from the snippets. Ultimately it’s up to the live show on Saturday. The staging seem to change people minds (I hated the snippet of “heroes” but the staging had me thinking otherwise)
Rooting for Elias (a family friend 😉 ) for and Mariette based on the snippet
BEST TRACKS:
Emmi Christensson – Icarus (Best Song In This Semi) – 9/10
Rolandz – Fuldans – 9/10
Felicia Olsson – Break That Chain – 8/10
Mariette – For You – 7/10
DECENT TRACKS:
Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis – 6/10
Meh…
Olivia Eliasson – Never Learn – 5/10
WORST TRACKS:
Felix Sandman – Every Single Day (Worst Song In This Semi) – 2/10
But, i might change ”Every Single Day” to a, 1/10
So much hype about Mariette, but this didn’t impress me…
I like Felix Sandman ”Every single day” the most- it sound simmple, emotional and very beautiful. That’s how you make good modern ballad.
Oh please not. Y’all can’t be serious, Mariette’s song is so generic and boring, what is the difference to all the other Basic Songs this year? I was expecting so much, but this here is a bigger disappointment than Margaret. By far. And meanwhile Felix has just climbed to my 2ndv place. Icarus is also okay… So, the only worthy winners would be Liamoo, Samir & Viktor or Felix Sandman(love that Name lol). Please, juries… Don’t try to make Benjamin Ingrosso or ;ariette happen, they won’t do well. Especially Mariette…So bad…
*Mariette, not ariette obviously.
Mariette’s clip is hopeful, but Olivia Eliasson’s clip is the one that is most intriguing to me and the one with the most promise. Will she be able to pull into the final, or will she fall to fifth like Ida Redig did? Ida Redig’s song was one that should have gotten way more interest and support than it did, so hopefully Olivia won’t fall the same way.
1/2: Mariette and Olivia Eliasson
AC: Felix Sandman and Emmi Christensson
5: Rolandz
6: Elias Abbas
7: Felicia Olsson
I continue to be unimpressed by Sweden. Based on the snippets, I’d go for Mariette. Because I find it okay and listenable and the studio version comes without her scary hairdo. That’s quite a low bar, but I did not expect much to begin with. Fanboys will be fanboys but Sweden’s reign of superiority at Eurovision, which I personally never subscribed to, should be over. However, depending on who will win and how good or bad the competition will be, another top five placing at Eurovision is entirely possible. I don’t quite remember much of the other semi finals at… Read more »
Mariete has failed with the song. Below expectations.
The best is Jessica!
Thank God, Mariette has saved this years disaster of a MelFest. But also, why did Christer make so many weak Semi’s when there are 5 songs in this one that deserve to advance over most of the ones that already have?
Because how else can he get Benjamin to win if better songs qualify to the final?
For those who were complaining that most of the people think that the previous semifinals were weak this one is the proof…except Rolandz and Elias the rest are so strong and it is unfair that the producers put all of the best on one semifinal! It’s hard to pick which one is the best and I think that both of the songs that will go to the Second Chance from this semifinal will go to the Final as well! P.S.: I am a Mariette fan but Felix (without expecting it coz I hated his boyband) and the three other female… Read more »
Icarus – sounds like your typical uneventful ballad you’d hear in Belarus’ selection. Mitt paradis – could’ve been decent but with that dated production issa no from me. Break That Chain – it’s a cute song, but it lacks charm. Fuldans – this takes us back more decades than we’d want to. Never Learn – again, super duper basic and soulless song with a cheap production. Every Single Day – it’s like Frans with listenable vocals. It’s cute but I hope it builds up. Bonus points because he looks like Isak from Skam, a certified hottie. For You – as… Read more »
Meh, I wish he was Isak or at least still have blonde hair.
Omg yes. Felix Looks like the love child of Isak from Skam and Timothee Chalamet from call me by your Name!
Mariette just doesn’t strike me as being particularly warm or likeable. (And yes, the dreadlocks need to go right now.) She’s very much this era’s BWO, i.e. destined to never get to Eurovision despite various attempts. (The difference being that BWO were actually rather fantastic.)
Omg Felix has the song, its really good! Mariettes song is awful and doesnt deserve to go to the final. I want Felix and Olivia!
My top 3 right now
1. Felix
2. Liamoo
3. Olivia/Renaida/Jessica
I like all songs. Really strong good songs. I can say for certain Jessica wont win:)
Mariette was best but I think i need to hear the longer snippet to decide if it is the best of all
Right now I think the boys will battle it out. But Mariette has winning potential..
Emmi is lovely, but would probably finish like Anna did I don’t really mind Elias. It’s enjoyable, but nothing special Felicia as well – it’s good, but I don’t think it’s a winner material Yay, Rolandz is silly and also bad and also I don’t like it Olivia’s song is the first that I would except something from. Maybe it will achieve something Oh, great, first FO&O, now Felix. And I don’t like both songs Mariette, finally ! It’s not a wow, but it can definitely be something better live I think it’s Mariette and Olivia DTF And I have… Read more »
OMG my jaw kept dropping lower with every second of For You. Mariette could’ve sent a mediocre song and she probably would’ve finished top 3 at Melfest. But this song is GREAT and somehow managed to live up to its hype. I think this may be a surefire winner. We’ve only heard what sounds to be the first third of the song and I can already say with a decent amount of confidence that if Mariette wins Melfest, then Sweden will be going straight to my number one, at least given the thirteen songs we know so far…
Sure Jack.
Why aren’t any of my posts getting thru?!
Ok that one went thru apparently (1/2) All fairly strong songs this semi-final imo. I really think it is going to come down to their live performances and what they bring. Mariette is a strong singer so my HUNCH is that she’ll do well, go direkt till final. The others I am not sure what to expect. Elias is very young so he could appeal to the younger vote (who apparently like to spam the app?), and judging from the last sf, people seem to like the latin-pop stuff (even when voices aren’t that strong or the song itself is… Read more »
Rolandz gives me Owe vibes from last year, and in a ‘weaker’ SF could maybe get far (especially with all the similar sounding pop songs this round).
Olivia, Felicia and Emmi (and even Mariette to a degree) all have songs with somewhat similar vibes so I feel votes could easily get dispersed amongst them. I think this also comes down to staging, vocal capabilities and even stupid superficial factors like age.
Based only on the snippets Olivia is the song that stands out more than the other 2, to me, so I guess we’ll see what goes down.
Given Dotter’s result last SF, I am slightly worried Mariette could get the Loreen treatment from last year and only move to AC, but we’ll see.
So I guess tentatively for now my top four that go to AC/DTF are (in no order): Mariette, Felix, Olivia, and MAYBE Felicia (but again, I feel like it could easily be a toss up and I’m almost tempted to say Rolandz makes it.. which kinda would be a nice inclusion to switch it up from all the pop spam).
(sorry for spamming this in separate posts, but the whole thing would NEVER go through when I tried to write it as a single comment)
Is it only me or this semi is the strongest? I like most of the songs.
“Icarus”: I kinda like this one. Beautiful.
“Mitt paradis”: That’s an up-beat dance song. It comes down to staging here.
“Break That Chain”: It’s fine. Not so excited though.
“Fuldans”: Clearly a fun song and an entertaining act.
“Never Learn”: Beautiful voice. Nice beat, the chorus feels strange.
“Every Single Day”: Love ballad here. Beautiful.
“For You”: I really liked the verse, but I expected a stronger chorus. I like it’ss up-beat. Good job Mariette!
Margaret needs to make it to the final and then Sweden will have a winner. “In My Cabana” is actually catchy and interesting.
Better than last week. But that’s not saying much.
The strongest semifinal by far. Mariette’s full song will kill it. Especially with THE performance. But I really liked Icarus too. Hope it will go direct to the final too.
Well Felix’s ballad is 100 times better than John Lundvik’s so he should qualify.
Agree
I love Melodifestivalen but this year has been so disappointing. Mariette’s song seems average at best. If it was anyone else singing no one would even give it a second look. Maybe it’s just the trend of Spotify-influences sound permeating every National Final of serviceable songs that you would not skip but would be generic as stage shows. I can’t believe Christer turned down Alcazar for so many of these songs. I don’t think that their latest song is their best but at least it felt like it was trying to say something. I feel like the party left Melfest… Read more »
Unimpressed by Mariette’s song 🙁
Jessica FTW
Without the performances:
Emmi Christensson — “Icarus” 10/10
Felix Sandman — “Every Single Day” 10/10
Mariette — “For You” 9/10
Well looks like Samir & Viktor, or Jessica will win. Oh Mariette I think you can do a whole lot better than that song 🙁 Please return in 2020,with a great bop of a song!
I have a feeling this will be a tense final, as most of the songs are not that amazing if I am honest. The only one I will download will be Jessica’s song, as that is the only one I really like.
First of all, WAIT FOR THE FULL 3 MINUTE PERFORMANCES. Secondly, Samir and Viktor and Jessica have zero chance of winning. It’s either Ingrosso or Mariette.
If a song does not hook you in immediately. It has already failed to impress. That is why I do not like the song by Mariette.
Her staging could be impressing, and She will be able to perform it live, but the song itself does not impress me at all.
Ingrosso for da win
As I expected Mariette is saving this Mello’s honour. For You FTW (despite being such a generic song).
My predictions:
DTF: Mariette and Olivia
AC: Felix and Emmi
Sweden deserved semifinal last year, deserves again if they send Benjamin or LIAMOO. Melodifestivalen for me is one of the worst NF in Europe!
If the national juries end up being impressed by the staging rather than the song itself (the Swedish public is not decisive anymore for the outcome of the winner, thanks to the bad implementation of the voting app) I can see Benjamin winning the whole thing. I hope so! Pleeease juries send him ??
Sweden is gonna burn if juries pick again their winner.
Björkman should be careful this time
1. Mariette
2. Felix
3. Emmi
4. Felicia
5. Olivia
6. Elias
7. Rolandz
Solid top 3 in my opinion
I thought Mariette was the queen of epic and empowering songs until she came with that song. “For You” is pretty generic and uninspired, which is a shame because she is my favorite artist. “Icarus”, and “Every Single Day” for me.
“For you” is great! And I’m sure if Mariette has a great performance (probobly innovative) then I’ve found my winner! Finally!
This is the strongest semi btw. Was a little dissapointed with Felix. I can’t almost hear what he’s singing..