She’s the energetic singer who worked high-impact choreography and a very long braid en route to the Top 4 of Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2020.

And it seems that “Wild” singer Raylee is keen to go a few places higher in 2021, as we’ve spied her at a songwriting session with Laurell Barker, Frazer Mac, Andreas Stone, Thomas Stengaard and Anderz Wrethov.

The meeting of minds took place in Malmö at Hydra Studios. On Friday, Frazer (known for Eurovision songs including Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” and Alicja Szemplińska’s “Empires”) shared footage of Raylee demo-ing songs as Anderz observed from the comfort of a nearby armchair.

Raylee — full name Raylee Charlotte “Lotta” Kristiansen — will know that Anderz’s opinion matters. He’s the genius behind Eurofan favourites like Margaret’s “Cool Me Down” and Eleni Foureira’s “Fuego”.

Wearing a simple white t-shirt and cozy sneakers, Raylee clearly felt right at home — and for good reason. She  worked with Anderz, Andreas and Laurell (all of whom live in Malmö) on “Wild”. Andreas has previously delivered hits like John Lundvik’s “Too Late for Love” and “My Turn”, while Lauell was the first woman ever to have three songs at Eurovision in the same year (Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me”, S!sters’ “Sister” and Michael Rice’s “Bigger Than Us”.

As if that weren’t enough, there was yet another hitmaker in the mix. Thomas Stengaard — who wrote Eurovision 2013 winner “Only Teardrops” — caught the train from Copenhagen. We’re calling this a perfect storm!

Raylee at MGP 2020

Ahead of the final of MGP 2020, our Luis was feeling “Wild”. He wrote: ” ‘Wild’ is such a tune. The verses drag you in, the pre-chorus surprises you and then — bang! — horns and a super infectious hook. It may be formulaic, but mastering the basics of a genre is often a way to succeed at Eurovision. Raylee is such an appealing performer and she’s proven she can dance and kill it on stage. This is a clear choice, Norway.”

Our Antranig agreed, and even began forecasting how “Wild” could do at Eurovision. He said: “When we first heard ‘Wild’ in early January, it was obviously the best song of 2020 so far. What’s surprising is that in mid February with all the national finals and internal selections going on, ‘Wild’ is still the best song of 2020 right now. While I suspect it won’t win Eurovision, songwriter Laurell Barker can expect a similar result to ‘She Got Me’. There is so much quality in Norway that I wouldn’t be disappointed with another outcome but this should be beyond a no-brainer. Raylee is the ultimate performer.”

Are you hoping that Raylee & Co deliver another banger? Do you expect her to compete in MGP 2021? Let us know in the comments box down below!

 

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Deryk
Deryk
3 years ago

Oh my!! I love Raylee. Without performers like her Eurovision isn’t as fun. Give the gays what they came for. Burn the stage!!

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

“Naturaaaaal animaaaaal” <3
Tbh, it wouldn't be a real Eurovision for me without ONE Laurell/Wrethov entry <3 Excited for a good uptempo-bop ^^

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

I assure you that there were Eurovisions before Laurell/Wrethov and they were very much real. 😉

FanESC
FanESC
3 years ago

At the beginning, I felt like something was missing in “Wild”, being too similar to “Fuego”, “Replay” or “She got me”. But in the end I loved it, and she clearly nailed it live. If she brings another bop but something more original, she could really win it, I think, or at least easily reach the super final.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

I rarely dislike a singer’s voice, but Raylee’s voice just annoys the hell out of me, she’s a great performer tho!

DanMarino
DanMarino
3 years ago

I think if she is I think she will go straight through to the final!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

Good performer but working with the same meh songwriters so expecting a similar type of meh song to the one she had last year. Not expecting anything remotely original or exciting if she were to enter again.

RavensHeart
RavensHeart
3 years ago

Best song of MGP 2020

Jake
Jake
3 years ago

Talented. Hopefully it will be more Cool Me Down than Sister.