The Wiwi Jury — our in-house team of music unprofessionals — continues to review the songs competing in the grand final of Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2018. Next we look at Swedish Idol winner Liamoo with his song “Last Breath”. Did it leave us breathless? Read on to find out!

Liamoo – “Last Breath”

“Last Breath” reviews

Anthony: Amidst all the glitz and glamour of Melodifestivalen, LIAMOO turned up to the arena and showed how to deliver a subtle, polished performance whilst the staging is kept to a minimum. Brimming with full of confidence and the vocal talent that won him Swedish Idol, he managed to integrate the rap verses elegantly without cranking up the aggressiveness or the cringe factor.

Score: 7/10

Antranig: If you’re not a fan of rap, steer clear. If you are, sit back and let Liamoo take you on a three-minute emotional rollercoaster. Lyrically stirring, musically moving and visually appealing, “Last Breath” is a phenomenal entry that would undoubtedly keep Sweden in the top 5. The lyrics bring a tear to my eye and Liamoo has the charisma, swagger, vulnerability and likeability to sell it. Liamoo is the complete package.

Score: 9.5/10

Chris: Despite repeated listens, there’s just something not quite clicking on “Last Breath”. There’s a slight disconnect, perhaps, between the emotion in the lyrics and Liamoo’s actual performance. Stylistically, it just seems a bit too produced. Compare it to something like Stormzy’s “Blinded By Your Grace”, for example, and “Last Breath” just doesn’t hit that emotive high.

Score: 6/10

Luis: “Last Breath” is a well executed, well-performed song that outshines many of this year’s Melfest hot messes. It’s very likeable, even if you’re not really into rap, but it’s also a bit inoffensive. Liamoo is the highlight, he’s so professional and switches from rap to pop with an ease that’s to bow for. Sadly, the song doesn’t reach his potential. It’s as if Liamoo was entering Melodifestivalen with the fifth single from his album.

Score: 6/10

Natalie: It’s awesome to see such a modern and slicky-produced song here, and Liamoo performs it with such ease. By all means, this should be a front-runner not only for Melfest, but for the whole Eurovision. But there’s something very annoying about this song, and I struggle to find it. It just seems so easily performed that it lacks spark, inspiration, passion. It’s as though Liamoo knows his song is superior and doesn’t feel the need to try. As far as modern hip-hop songs go, there’s nothing here that I haven’t heard on the radio before anyway. I mean it’s excellent – don’t get me wrong – it’s just not pulling at my heartstrings like it should.

Score: 7/10

William: He’s got a nice voice that works across pop and hip-hop. It’s just a shame that he has to sing this underwhelming track. “Uh-oh-oh-oh” doesn’t count as a climax and the melody isn’t particularly memorable, feeling more like background music than a standalone track. The rap segments feel pedestrian — there’s no thrust or drive, and at times it feels like he’s just half-heartedly chatting. I’m not a fan.

Score: 5/10

In our Sweden Wiwi Jury, we have 16 jurors but only room for 6 reviews. The rest of our scores can be found below:

Angus: 6/10

Bernardo: 8.5/10

Bogdan: 5/10

Cinan: 6.5/10

Deban: 5/10

Jordi: 7/10

Josh: 7/10

Robyn: 6.5/10

Ron: 6/10

Tobias: 5/10

 

 

 

 

 

Before calculating the average score, the highest and lowest scores are dropped. This is to remove outliers and reduce potential bias. We have removed a low of 5 and a high of 9.5.

WIWI JURY VERDICT: 6.32/10

Read all our Melodifestivalen 2018 Wiwi Jury rankings here

Read more Melodifestivalen news here

26 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I thought the rap would annoy me, but it actually doesn’t. I love the chorus and the meaning of the song.
7.5/10

Mil
Mil
6 years ago

Stirring lyrics is not enough to win the Eurovision. You forget that huge amount of people watching Eurovision simply don’t speak English.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  Mil

And how many speak Portuguese? (talking about last year winner). I have to say lyrics are important part for me personally, but not crucial factor for general audience.

Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Much like Hold On last year, this song is an elegy for the forgotten. A prayer for a nation in search of a new identity. As the scourge of neoliberalism has shattered the promises of the 20th century social democracy, we turn inwards and ask ourselves whether our former ambitions were misguided. Baptiste’s brilliant staging unveils a confusing, detached reality. Flashing lights, spectral colors, a disentangled dystopia wrapped in a technocratic fantasy. In the middle stands a rootless protagonist, of ambiguous origins, with the dazzling appearances of a Greek God. He asks for forgiveness, knowing full well that the age… Read more »

Rich
Rich
6 years ago

LIAMOO to Lisboa!

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

Could be a nice choice for Sweden, I also like Benjamim Ingrosso and Felix Sandman.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Anything that stops Ingrosso or “Party Voice” to win will do for me. I like the chorus.

Jordan
Jordan
6 years ago

I’m in love with this song! I would be so happy if Sweden took this to Lisbon. I think Benjamin, Felix or maybe even John Lundvik would do well at Eurovision as well but I think LIAMOO is exactly what 2018 needs! It’s emotional, yet urban and I really like that. Sometimes the emotion may not come across on stage but I am sure LIAMOO can work on that in rehearsals. By far my favourite in melfest this year. Good Luck LIAMOO! 😀

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Ugh, I’ve never though I would say this about a Melfest Wiwi rating, but this is very underrated…

Edinho
Edinho
6 years ago

I don’t get as to how some worse songs are into 7 rating but this song is just a 6? Really blows my mind.

Antranig Shokayan
Editor
6 years ago

As much as I love Mariette and Samir and Viktor, I think Liamoo would get the best Eurovision result. Love this song so much, good luck Liamoo!

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
6 years ago

Just because you like it, doesn’t mean it would do well at Eurovision. Rap has a very poor record, and this is an unspectacular effort.

Soy
Soy
6 years ago

Antranig with some good taste finally /w\

Marc
Marc
6 years ago

Underrated. I like the song, staging and specially him.

Off Topic: Shuffla is already number 1 on Spotify in Sweden. Kings doing it again.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I don’t find it particularly catchy or interesting. The idea is cute with the rap verses and pop chorus but it’s poorly developed.

Ana
Ana
6 years ago

“If you’re not a fan of rap, steer clear”, says one of your opinions. Well, I’m not a big rap fan, but I just love Liamoo’s song. It’s definitely my favourite one from this Melfest. Of course, as I’m a Pole, I wish the best to Margaret, but I would be really happy if Liamoo went to Lisbon.

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

I want this to win Melfest. It’s original, adds something different to this year’s mix and is very current. Rap can be hit and miss at Eurovision but instead of a usual Eurovision song with a bit of rap thrown in, this is a proper rap song. It won’t be to everyone’s taste but I love it

Eric
Eric
6 years ago

This is so underrated entry. Liamoo should win MF. It’s different and catchy

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

This is one of the better songs in Melfest and actually seems to have some sincerity to it. Liam sells what he is singing and keeps me gripped all the way through. Studio version is still a lot better than the live but am still impressed at the quality he manages in both his rapped verses and sang choruses. I feel professional music juries will appreciate this more than the public.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

This is actually quite good but got burnt by the Wiwi jury! Rap has been amalgamated well into the song. And I really like the singing parts. I just am not a fan of the dog-pant like yeah-yeah-yeah in the second verse.
A 8/10.

Pasadena
Pasadena
6 years ago

I love how genuine this is, with no apparent hook to flirt with the traditional Eurovision format. This is the only entry from this year’s MF I would stand fully behind. Miles ahead of its MF competition.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

I am with Natalie on this one. It’s a well made entry, the combination of rap and singing is functional, and Liamoo is clearly saying something that comes off as personal. Yet, the song never delivers a WOW punch! I mean, as Melfest this year goes, this might even be in top 10, but that doesn’t mean it could be on ESC.

6.5/10

Sami
Sami
6 years ago

It is nothing new in terms of mainstream music. This style has been on the radio for the last 20 years. HOWEVER, in Eurovision we haven’t heard it yet. LIAMOO can rap at an incredibly high level and he isn’t even a native speaker. Rap hasn’t done well before, but this could make an exception. Also for some reason the chorus has also become an earworm of mine 😛 9.5/10

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Sami

UK Eurovision 1995 entry

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

I can’t really understand how this got such a lower score than Benjamin…. But whatever, he’s my 3rd after S&V and Felix. I wouldn’t be mad if he won, a solid 7.5/10

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

It is very good! Sweden might choose this. It would be a much much better choice than Benjamin.