Rehearsals for the first heat of Melodifestivalen 2022 are underway in Stockholm. And again this year, SVT is holding the media listening sessions online. Today SVT previewed studio versions of this week’s competing songs for the Mello media. Join us as we bring you our first reactions to the seven competing entries in heat one.

Seven acts will compete in the first heat of Melodifestivalen 2022. Two acts will go directly to the grand final, while another two will get another shot in the new second chance semi-final. Fans will get their first listen of the heat one entries when 60-second snippets of the songs are released on Thursday.

Melodifestivalen 2022: Heat 1 first reactions

Disclaimer: The media listening sessions involve the studio versions of the competing songs being played over a video call. This is not the same as the experience of seeing the song performed live so please keep that in mind. We will do our best to convey our first impressions of the songs.

Malou Prytz – “Bananas”

Sample lyric: I should be working out / But it’s heavy / (And sweaty)

This is how you get the show started! “Bananas” has hints of pop-punk, but doesn’t go all the way to that genre and is more rooted in pop with some synth flourishes. The chorus has a catchy “woooo” hook, along with singalong, (and spell-along) lyrics. “Bananas” was co-written by Ace Wilder, and it very much has her cheeky spirit all through the song. There’s even a super cool moment where the song pauses and Malou sarcastically asks “What?!” We know that Malou can dance and there’s so much potential for really fun staging that will capture the cheeky spirit of the song.

Theoz – “Som du vill”

Sample lyric: Baby du är festen (Baby, you are the party)

The verses of the song have an edgy synth-pop sound, kind of like The Weeknd from four years ago. But the chorus doesn’t keep going in that direction. It’s more upbeat and that feels like a sudden change of mood. As the song goes on, it starts to feel repetitive. But hey, it’s a fun song and Theoz seems like an endearing performer. “Som du vill” feels like it might be a summer radio hit (or a Spotify hit) but it doesn’t feel like a serious contender for the Melfest trophy.

Shirley Clamp – “Let There Be Angels”

Sample lyric: Never ever let another pessimist drag you down / Do not you see there are miracles all around

Shirley easily has the best vocals of this heat. Her voice is strong and expressive with excellent control. It’s a pleasure to listen to. I’m less enthused about the song though. “Let There Be Angels” is an uplifting ballad, but the lyrics are fairly predictable. There is a key lyric that subverts the Shakespeare quote, insisting “‘Cause all that glitters is gold”. The song doesn’t feel like an obvious qualifier, but could make it through the second-chance semi.

Omar Rudberg – “Moving Like That”

Sample lyric: Oh, I know you’re really not a good idea / Oh, but I can’t / No, I can’t

“Moving Like That” is a reggaetón number with plenty of Latin guitar flourishes. The song is all about being charmed by someone you should be avoiding, as they are seducing you with their moves and general hotness. It feels more like an Omar Rudberg single than a serious Melodifestivalen contender. But that’s ok! It’s a fun dance number, with plenty of opportunities for Omar to show off his dance moves. It feels like a cool summer jam, but is probably not destined for Turin.

Danne Stråhed – “Hallabaloo”

Sample lyric: Jag vill bara spela för syster och bror, och jag fick sjunga mina do-di-li-do
(I just want to play for sister and brother, and I got to sing my do-di-li-do)

“Hallabaloo” is somewhere between reggae and ska wrapped up in dansband styles. And I’m not sure why, but I really enjoyed this! It’s just a really fun song that has very family friendly vibes. The lyrics even have a throwback to “Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley” when Danne sings of people dancing in their gyllene skor. I’m not sure if this will end up in the grand final, but it always seems like there is room for at least one song like this.

Cornelia Jakobs – “Hold Me Closer”

Sample lyric: So baby bye bye / Know it’s for the best / Still I can’t see how that would ease the pain in my chest

There’s a lot going on with “Hold Me Closer”. The song itself is fine, with the lyrics coming to terms with an ill-fated relationship. But musically, there’s a little too much going on. Sometimes there’s a Lana Del Rey feeling, then it gets rough and rock, then a little country, then a synth-pop sound. It can leave the listener feeling discombobulated, with no familiar place to be grounded. The live performance could compensate for some of this, ideally bringing a more cohesive sense.

Robin Bengtsson – “Innocent Love”

Robin is bringing a feel-good synth-pop number that feels like the perfect song to close the show with. It’s an interesting choice of song for him. Robin has a brooding intensity that was a good match for the cocky “I Can’t Go On”, but will it work for an upbeat, uncynical love song? The song even throws in a key change which sadly feels like padding the song out to three minutes, rather than used for a specific moment of emotional impact. This seems like it will make it to the grand final, but it’s not a shoo-in for the win.

45 Comments
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Carlos
Carlos
2 years ago

very weak semi final!

Malin
Malin
2 years ago

Efter att ha lyssnat endast en gång. Brukar ändra mig.Spontant ingen låt jag blir helt såld på förutom Cornelia. 1. Cornelia Jacobs. Mest känsla och modern 2. Omar Rydberg. Älskar latino rytmer, men lite dussinupplaga man hört hört tidigare Kräver grym show.  3 Sherly Clamp, främst för hennes röst. Lite för mycket kliché text. Önskat svensk text.  4. Malou Prytz, Bra inte mer – gillar inte refrängen. Synd tycker om henne. 5 Theos. Poppig och glad. Tror inte rösten håller live.  6. Robin Bengtsson, saknas något för att få riktig retrokänsla som den verkar sträva efter.  7. Danne Stråhed. Kan… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Malin
Nikos
Nikos
2 years ago

OMG – listening to the one minute snippets now. Shirley – looove it. Her voice is outstanding.

Niklas
2 years ago

Where are the snippets?

Gretle
Gretle
2 years ago
Reply to  Niklas

They will be out 20:00 CET
You can hear them on SVTplay now aswell but they’ve done some kind of “snippet”-show with a host and a worthless panel that judge each snippet

Gretle
Gretle
2 years ago

Appearently Cornelias song is supposed to be best out of this group

Adnama
Adnama
2 years ago

So excited for Robin! <3 Hes my crush since constellation prize! 😛 <3
I’ve loved all his Melfest entries so far.

Last edited 2 years ago by Adnama
ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago

Sounds like Malou Prytz is my favorite entry of this weak semi, let’s see what’s in store on Saturday! 😀

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

As I love Ace Wilder entries, I’m intrigued by Malou entry this time, and this title to start the Melfest it’s iconic.

Kim
Kim
2 years ago

Good to read your review Robyn, hope you can come over to Europe this year for your beloved Song Contest.

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Shirley Clamp is much better in Swedish, her English songs are always disappointing. So I don’t expect this year will be different
Other than that it is a pretty typical first heat. No winners but some bops, bangers and children’s favourites. Though I do think Omar Rudberg will be a surprise finalist, he has the momentum!

Sergio
Sergio
2 years ago

Seems like the winner won’t be coming from this semifinal, so hopes up high for Anna Bergendahl & Lisa Miskovsky!

Denis
Denis
2 years ago
Reply to  Sergio

Bergendahl won’t win though..

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
2 years ago
Reply to  Denis

True, because just like Eurovision and San Remo, winning Melodifestivalen twice is quite hard.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

True but some have been lucky and won 2 or 3 times. Carola 1983-1991-2006, Tommy Körberg 1969-1988, Roger Pontare 1994-2000, Charlotte Perrelli 1999-2008 and some more

Jake
Jake
2 years ago

Ouch. This is a rather subdued reaction. And not too dissimilar from other press outlets who’ve heard the songs. I’m hoping they come more alive in performance and staging like Bulletproof did when the press heard it the first time without seeing the finished package. Crossing my fingers for a good show and thank you for the update—have been waiting for it all week.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago

Wait, melfest is beginning this weekend? I thought it wasn’t gonna start till next week.

Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Yes, Saturday. It’s great

Last edited 2 years ago by Erik
BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Erik

Yeah, I really thought it started next week.

Sale
Sale
2 years ago

I feel like this year the winner of Eurovision will be a ballad since every national final is filled with synthpop dance tracks and pop songs which is already too much.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

vladana’s breathe victory confirmed ?

Sale
Sale
2 years ago

Soo true, she’s coming in like Portugal in 2017

Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

If it’s Jude york I’d explode (affectionately)

#synthsareawesome
#synthsareawesome
2 years ago
Reply to  Sale

Or a miracle will happen and somebody will bring something that doesn’t fall into any of these categories.

Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
2 years ago

My reactions to your reactions (Rereactions?) Malou: I was not expecting punk from malou but now I am intrigued, we need more like this in Mello Theoz: I have been subject to so much Theoz against my will that I no longer can give an honest review of anything from him. Shirley: There’s quite a lot of this in mello, won’t be anything exeptional but I’ll probably enjoy it. Omar: I respect the dude, Om och om igen was great, he’d be nice in the semi. Danne: This is gonna be the kind of old person song by an old… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Ukraine stan
Por no estar
Por no estar
2 years ago
Reply to  Ukraine stan

Now let me react to your reaction to their reactions ? =))

Last edited 2 years ago by Por no estar
Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
2 years ago
Reply to  Por no estar

react-ception

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
2 years ago

The snippets are going to be released on Thursday, but is there an exact time stamp for it?

Meow
Meow
2 years ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

10:00 CET in the Melfest app and on SVT Play

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
2 years ago
Reply to  Meow

Noted. Thanks.

Lolek
Lolek
2 years ago

Thanks so much for the reactions. I am especially intrigued by what Bananas will sound like – and I do quite miss Ace Wikder’s involvement (whether as a performer or behind the scenes) so I am looking forward to the final product there.

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

early prediction but Benidorm would have higher quality and variety than Melfest. If only the spanish fans were not that toxic

Last edited 2 years ago by esc1234
Erik
Erik
2 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Huh? Both higher quality and variety? But fans demolishes this? What does that say about the Swedish fans? Would melfest be different with other fans? I really don’t understand the comment. People will always vote mainstream.

Stian F
Stian F
2 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

You are probably right. In a strange way Mello always try to be diverse and then all songs sounds almost the same still – but its probably because they all go through the same Mello factory conveyor belt… Only time will tell though. Biggest problem in recent years are still poor vocals by those taking part evev when the songs are not that bad…

Aria
Aria
2 years ago

Shirley’s song sounds extremely dull. I really like her voice and thought burning alive was great and she didn’t even qualify with that one.

Last edited 2 years ago by Aria
Brko
Brko
2 years ago

I still can’t forget how you described last year’s Eric Saade “Every Minute” as a song where Eric is bragging how horny he is and how lyrics are ridiculous and that has set me up for a disappointment! But then I heard the song a few days later and thought the song was a winner! hehe..

Thank you for your impression on “Innocent love”, but I want to hear Robin’s song myself first to make any judgements since Robin was my favorite back in 2017 and I do have high expectations this year too. 🙂

ete sech
ete sech
2 years ago
Reply to  Brko

Her review on “Every Minute” wasn’t far off at the end of the day, though 😀

Stian F
Stian F
2 years ago
Reply to  Brko

Eric Saades song was absolutely aweful last year and the lyrics literally was all about him being horny. He is an developed artist, but his music isnt…

Alo
Alo
2 years ago

From reviews around Twitter I understand that a very weak semifinal is in front of us unfortunately.
At least we have San Remo final and the Israeli final to watch this Saturday.

Last edited 2 years ago by Alo
ola john
ola john
2 years ago
Reply to  Alo

AND Pabandom is Naujo mate. Wiwibloggs are not covering it at all, no videos on YouTube. Where are the videos?

123
123
2 years ago
Reply to  ola john

They are not covering anything except NFs that they find “most popular” lol…If you are looking for relevant esc news source, you’ve come to the wrong place

Moonstar
Moonstar
2 years ago
Reply to  ola john

Pabandom is Naujo’s second semifinal is really strong. All songs are great!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
2 years ago
Reply to  Moonstar

Yeah, PIN’s second semifinal is going to be really tough. With the next article on Lithuania is published, I’m gonna do a prediction of which four songs could go through the final.

Addie
Addie
2 years ago
Reply to  Moonstar

I know,they’re great! Like you said, it’s really strong, so I’m not sure whether my favorites would qualify….

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

i read pop-punk, i’m on board ! my 3rd year stanning malou prytz i fear…