Fans won’t get to have their first taste of Melodifestivalen 2020 until Thursday lunchtime when the first snippets emerge for semi-final one of Sweden’s Eurovision selection. But accredited media in Linköping were given a first-listen to all seven competing songs on Wednesday evening.
Based on these early reviews — taken from Aftonbladet and Schlager Profilerna — Robin Bengtsson and FELIX SANDMAN look like the two to beat in deltävling one. Here’s a full round-up of what both publications had to say about each of the acts.
Note, our Dayana will be providing on the ground coverage from Thursday through to Saturday.
Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final One Previews
1. “Move” – The Mamas
Aftonbladet’s Tobbe Ek describes the sound as “warm and soulful”, remarking that it’s not impossible to imagine the “smart and carefully thought out” number in the final. Schlager Profilerna is even more emphatic, branding it “a great opening and obvious top 4 material”. While gospel in flavour, it’s “more midtempo dance pop” than the Melfest 2019 winner “Too Late For Love”.
2. “Moves” – Suzi P
Aftonbladet notes the attitude in Suzi’s voice. Staging will be key and the entry may surprise if she can get “an Ace Wilder wow effect”. Schlager Profilerna describes it as “urban dance pop… with a great beat”. Very Spotify-friendly. We’re told to think of “Mina bränder” from last year’s contest, “but less Mello-ish”.
3. “Take A Chance” – Robin Bengtsson
Wow! Schlager Profilerna is extremely excited by Robin Bengtsson’s comeback song. It asks “Can someone really win again this close to another win?” It’s simply a “great fun pop-song with enough… fun little twists to stand out as something really special”. The blog adds that it’s better than his two previous efforts and has “a huge Ed Sheeran-vibe”. Meanwhile, Aftonbladet commends the first verse’s drive into a jaw-dropping chorus. In conclusion, “it feels like Robin is breathing in some nitrous oxide and just letting everything go in all directions”.
4. “Ballerina” – Malou Prytz
She was a surprise breakout star of Melfest 2019. But despite recruiting ISA and Ace Widler, Malou Prytz leaves both outlets slightly underwhelmed. Schlager Profilerna draws comparisons to Billie Eilish, but if Billie was singing a Sia song. It says it’s far from “I Do Me” and wonders how Malou will carry if off. Aftonbladet also hears Sia along with some Rihanna. While it has a nice chorus, it “sounds just like lots of hits we have heard before”.
5. “Inga problem” – OVÖ
Aftonbladet suggests that OVÖ’s fate will depend very much on their stage performance. It’s “easily accessible rap” designed for a broad TV audience. Schlager Profilerna says it’s closer to Panetoz than Einár. It’s “Spotify-friendly party music from the suburbs”.
6. “Sluta aldrig gå” – Sonja Aldén
Neither publication holds out much hope for Sonja Aldén. Although, Aftonbladet concedes that she sings this “classic schlager ballad” amazingly. Schlage Profilerna says it’s “exactly what you expect. Nothing more. Nothing less.” Adding that it’s weaker than her sixth-in-the-semis effort from 2012. But there is one note of optimism — “no one died of a bit of retroschlagerballad from the late 2000s”.
7. “Boys With Emotions” – Felix Sandman
After an almost all-conquering solo debut in 2018, FELIX SANDMAN arrives to Mello 2020 with a lot of expectation on his shoulders. And the hype seems to be completely justified. Aftonbladet carefully compares the entry to Ed Sheeran, saying it’s a grower that could benefit from going to the final via Andra Chansen. Schlager Profilerna, on the other hand, has no such reservations. “A great modern pop song… a midtempo version of (Justin Bieber’s) “Sorry” for the 2020s”. It’s confident that it will definitely go direct to the final on Saturday. Also, the writer cheekily adds that “Sweden hating ESC fans will explode”. Apparently, it is everything such fans hate — “A young boy. Midtempo with dance beat. No chorus. And a huge hit”.
The first song snippets will be published at 13:30 CET on Thursday. Rehearsal clips will follow at 21:00 CET.
What do you think of the reviews? Which act are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.
Paul Rey
Previews are up! I had a quick listen. Surprisingly I think Malou’s song appealed to me the most, but I’ll have to re-listen again more carefully. Maybe mama’s as my other dtf and robin + felix to ac (or Suzi p). The remaining two songs I don’t see having a chance.
I can’t go on was one of the most disgusting Sweden’s entries ever. I usually like Sweden’s entries (like previous two years) but that one still gives me nightmares, ew.
I am starting to get tired by Sweden sending generic pop songs all the time that are appreciated only by the jury. Of cource we, haven’t heard the songs yet and everything could change when we do but up to now it doesn’t seem very promising. I think that one song really had the opportunity to change this situation last year and that was Jon Henrik’s song which unfortunately ended up fourth.
Given Swedish people’s choices on previous years my prediction is as follows:
Finalists: Felix and Robin
Andra Chansen: Malou Prytz and maybe Sonja Alden (yes I know this is probably the worst one but oldies are going to be voting her)
Oldies don’t vote though..
Yeah right, like they don’t put a schaller every year on the final…
I would probably like most of these submission, if it weren’t crafted by, like, 3 to 6 people who mostly just comes back and back and back to the competition. But it’s Melodifestivalen, so why should I wait for a surprise?
Melodifestivalen is a special kind of forum that well established artists (the elite) don’t want to be connected to, while for new faces it can become a great way to expose yourself to the public and media. The returnees usually have problems with their careers outside Melodifestivalen and uses the competition for new exposure. It’s the place where they get attention for a while and perhaps get a hit once again. But Sweden’s so called “elite” probobly won’t perform in Melodifestivalen. They think they are too good for that 😀
I love Sweden’s national festival. They know how to stage performances and to build excitement. They know first and foremost it’s a tv show as much as a music festival. To me it’s the most perfect method to showcase a country’s music scene—a cross section of established talent across age groups that appeal to different audiences with the bulk of the songs being radio-friendly tracks. I wish they took more chances but the overall package is slick. I can see they often end with a bit sterile package that juries love for its professionalism but audiences appreciate but often are… Read more »
Felix seems literally like the typical pop singer that girls like and has a lot of followers. 6 years in a row with a male singer having a pop song its not ok
We kinda already knew Robin Bengtsson and Felix Sandman would do well, that’s not shocking.
No, I’m more rooting for a Frans/Malou Prytz/Ellen benediktsson effect, where someone completely unknown and no one expects anything from manages to come in from left field and surprise us all. That is something MF hasn’t had for a while..
In my opinion Felix is going to win because he is popular among younger audience and he came second with a song that nobody remembers. Sending for the 6th time a pop song with a male vocalist would be a disaster. Hopefully they would celebrate diversity for once lol
Every single person remembers his song that was robbed off winning by the generic “Dance You Off”, stop talking nonsense
Sending Felix to Eurovision would end with a NQ
Sounds like a lot of hype around Robin! I liked his previous two entries, I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to offer tmr!
Hype?!!? This is the first time I read something “hypish” about him!!! The only other thing I have read is that people are hoping that he isnt doing a Charlotte Perrelli and goes with something slow, way too personal and not suitable for eurovision….
The hype is all about Felix Sandman.
This is what I read about him in this post. If you don’t consider the following as ‘hype’, then perhaps we simply have different definitions of the term:
Schlager Profilerna is extremely excited by Robin Bengtsson’s comeback song. It asks “Can someone really win again this close to another win?” It’s simply a “great fun pop-song with enough… fun little twists to stand out as something really special”. The blog adds that it’s better than his two previous efforts and has “a huge Ed Shearan-vibe”.
I miss choruses.
while dance you off and if i were sorry didn’t really have much in the chorus department, i think most of the other recent swedish entries did…
Undo that sad. Choruses are the heroes of our time. Cos this is my life, my friend. I can’t be no-one else. I want you to stay, but, I can’t go on. 😀
Ed Sheeran? Justin Bieber?
These entries sound awful.
Sweden has been one of my favorite countries for years in this competition.
But the last few years just seems “all fur coat and no knickers” – looks good but lacks anything inside.
I hope they ditch the hipster vibe of their entries and return to just delivering bops.
I want Sweden to start being Sweden again at ESC. I love this country.
Generic means: That doesn’t do anything unique and doesn’t do the sound it’s going for in any way better than other acts. So chill with the generic talk. Its 99% of all songs then.
Explained correctly, thank you ! There are still any questions about that topic ?
Im getting tired of people calling Songs generic all the time. They dont get that almost all songs are that so i dont get the point to say it all the time. Its not easy to be 100% original but people here dont seem to understand it. I dont think 1 of our 28 songs are 100% original in Melfest. It will be pop, etno, ballads like in all the other selections.
That’s just not true. The crucial element is emotion, and something that’s genuine – not conveyor belt hits straight off the factory line.
Felix will probably win this entire thing.
I also think so….
6 boys in a row that sings a pop song. I hope not:)
how about we listen to the song first : )
Where will the snippets be available tommorow? I reappy want to hear them
They will be able around 1 pm
Yea but where
They usually post them on SVT Play. 🙂
https://www.svtplay.se/genre/melodifestivalen
I think everybody was expecting Felix and Robin tho.
I hope someone will surprise ala Frans/Nano/Jon/Ace 2014. I miss loud debuts in melodifestivalen.
I’m so excited for MF 2020. The best NF for sure.
Can’t wait to hear Robin’s song. Look forward to hear Sonja, Felix and The Mamas too.
Go SWEDEN!
Well as far as i understand this is an upopular opinion, but i am really happy to see Robin Bemgtsson back. Also i am really curious about Felix’s song since everyone talks about it and after this post i also expect malou’s entry? In any case these reviews fill me with expectations and hopefully this year we will watch a better melodifestivalen!!
I’m super excited for Robin’s song! I want to see him going direct to the final and winning the whole thing! On the other hand, I’m totally unexcited for Felix, he’s actually my last place even before hearing the songs.
(For everyone complaining about Robin’s personality: he’s actually a really warm person on the inside, he just doesn’t really show it. Well, Swedish nature.) (For all of those worrying about the Ed Sheeran vibe: DON’T worry. Robin’s music is rarely similar to Ed’s.)
“I’m totally unexcited for Felix, he’s actually my last place even before hearing the songs.”
One of the most idiotic statements I’ve heard in a long time on here and I’m not even a massive Felix stan. But, ranking someone last without a song is… I-…
Would love to see a woman/women represent Sweden this year..the Mamas were wonderful last year and really uplifted the song so can’t wait for what they bring. Wasn’t a fan of Robin Bengtsson in 2017…and not sure I’ll be a fan again but we shall see. Overall I’m most hyped for Mamas and Felix, and I’m sure Melfest will be brilliant this year….the best part will be watching Rasmus get offended over every small comment from the “Sweden hating ESC fans” 😉
i love the mamas but they’re opening their song with a fight/alright rhyme n i have a hard time supporting that
Gosh arent you boring
i just have standards
A huge chunk of this crowd doesn’t know what standards are. They think it’s being mean lol
I agree with you – but I doubt that Malou is my cup of tea. How about Mariette and Anna Bergendahl ?
Actually, I hate generic pop trash from Sweden, such a talented country sending the same song almost all years.
Felix has that “something else” and his voice is beautiful. I’m with him and Anna this year.
do you know what generic means? Then all songs last year in ESC was trash to you? because all have been heard before. Thats what generic means. Look it up before you call ALL songs trash. No song anymore is 100% original
Ah… I didn’t think Felix would have a dance song…
All of his previous songs were basically dance songs, even in his boy band days so I think this was probably obvious
I didn’t want to see Robin go to Eurovision in 2017 and I don’t want to see him go this year either.
right i hated his interviews and his one-word answers. zero personality.
Who can blame him, though? Unbelievable what Eurovision artists have to put up with. Hundreds of idiots with zero journalism skills asking the same boring questions.
Its weird for me to say you hate an artist and say he/she have 0 personality. Its really mean and i would never say that about a person i dont know.
I think you are being a little unfair. I suggest you check out the wiwibloggs interview on youtube entitled “Robin Bengtsson on ‘Liar’, his barber shop and Salvador Sobral’s Eurovision speech” – he does have a very calm persona but that doesn’t he has zero personality. I only mention that interview because it shows that he has a nice personality imo!
“Statements* was the winner that year. I still CAN’T BELIEVE that robbery.
Omg yes! We could have had Loreen back with us that year with an absolute banger! I still listen to Statements.
Then i hope he wins on saturday so you wont be watching anymore. Please go to the final Robin <3
You haven’t heard the song. Until then you have no idea.
Happy to see Robin has fallen from 2nd in the odds to 5th.
Don’t mind me, just waiting for the slightly offended mob after the ‘sweden hating esc fans’ remark
sure jan. not with those mediocre lyrics… felix sandman, on the other hand, really got me hyped, i think his song will sound like a 2020 song which is what melfest lacked last year
I was getting excited for Robin’s song, then I read “huge Ed Sheeran vibe” and my heart sank.
After the huge letdown from the other Nordics so far (minus ‘Oculis Videre’), I’m hoping Sweden will have numerous songs that I like.
No chorus on Felix’s song. That is making me scared.
He’s talking through the “chorus”..