Fans won’t get to have their first taste of Melodifestivalen 2020’s second semi until Thursday lunchtime when the first snippets emerge. But accredited media in Göteborg were given a first-listen to all seven competing songs on Wednesday evening.
Based on these early reviews — taken from Aftonbladet and Schlager Profilerna — Anna Bergendahl and Paul Rey 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.
Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final Two Previews
1. “Nobody” – Klara Hammarström
Klara’s entry is compared to a quartet of female artists. Aftonbladet hears “nice Shakira and J Lo pop”. By contrast, Schlagerprofilerna describes the number as an “I don’t need you I’m better off by myself” song from “Camila Cabello land”, suggesting that Margaret fans should like it. The track also has a “latin touch mixed with heavy horn beats”. Aftonbladet considers it “a little too generic”.
2. “Miraklernas tid” – Jan Johansen
The entry was originally attached to Thorsten Flinck before he was sensationally disqualified last weekend. However, given the short notice, the media were played his version rather than Jan’s. It reminds Schlagerprofilerna of Björn Kjellman’s “Älskar du livet” from Melfest 2006. The blog describes it as “Theatrical. But not over dramatic”. Aftonbladet is a fan of the refrain. However, ultimately, this is obviously the biggest unknown among the seven. Schlagerprofilerna says it would be “without a chance” if Thorsten was still singing it, but wonders if Jan “can give this some schlager life”.
3. “Bulletproof” – Dotter
After Malou last week, the Sia comparisons are back! Schlagerprofilerna predicts listeners will be surprised by “how much Sia a song can sound”. This is coupled with some “Marina & The Diamonds-weirdness”. The writer concludes that the entry is probably “easier to access” than her 2018 effort. Aftonbladet reaches a different verdict. The paper says it is “significantly less direct” than “Cry” and the verses don’t “grab”.
4. “Vamos Amigos” – Mendez feat. Alvaro Estrella
The publications also disagree somewhat on the merits of “Vamos Amigos”. Aftonbladet praises it for finally kicking off the party while expressing surprise that so much of the verse is in Spanish. On the other hand, Schlagerprofilerna is “underwhelmed”. The song is “not as schlager” as Mendez’ previous efforts and “not as happy/party”. Instead it “looks more towards the current reggaeton trend”.
5. “Alla mina sorger” – Linda Bengtzing
After a slew of non-qualifications in recent years, Linda will surely be thrilled to read that she “can definitely move on this week”. So says Aftonbladet. The author admits to missing the beat in his stomach, commenting that the track takes time to grow — starting off “mournfully” before picking up in the chorus. Schlagerprofilerna tells us that it’s “more of a regular Swedish popsong than a classic schlager”. However, the lyrics are “classic Linda”. It reminds the website of Krista Siegfrids’ Mello entries, “but better”.
6. “Talking in My Sleep” – Paul Rey
Whatever about talking in your sleep, Aftonbladet feels that Rey’s Melfest debut “is the song you want to listen to when you cry alone in bed”. But it’s also one you want to sing along to when taking a “drive in the inner city” The chorus is strong and “this can definitely be his big breakthrough”. Schlagerprofilerna brings in yet another Ed Sheeran comparison — “midtempo, arena pop with a great rock voice”.
7. “Kingdom Come” – Anna Bergendahl
And, for once, it seems like producers have saved the best for last. While acknowledging that Anna’s comeback isn’t as “delicate” as “Ashes To Ashes” Schlagerprofilerna calls it a “bonafide hit” that’s “more of an upbeat country dance hit”. The blog boldly predicts that this is “probably the most certain qualifier this week. It has all the ingredients for a finalist”. Aftonbladet is just as gushing. “I don’t think anyone will be disappointed”, writes the paper’s Mello expert Tobbe Ek. ABBA pianos, country guitars and Anna’s voice are a “perfect trio”.
What do you think of this semi’s line-up? Who are you most excited to see live? Let us know in the comments.
Saying it again.. Anna should’ve qualified with This is my life 🙂 excited for the snippets..
It seems this is Anna and Paul’s to lose.
If Aftonbladet calls a Melodifestivalen song “too generic”, well then…I’m worried for Klara
Paul’s song seems to be the most interesting one for me… especially if he has a rock voice and I do prefer rock. Cant wait for the snippets this Thursday.
Hmm well he does not really have a rock voice, if you think of John Legend, that is the type of voice he has (kind of).
Not exactly John Legend.
Country dance hit? Now were talking… Count me in! This heat sounds much better than the first one, and that one was really good!
I also wouldn’t count out Paul Rey. He is unknown but so was Ace Wilder. And Frans, who was forgotten…
How is Paul Rey unknown? He has millions of listens on Spotify, for example?
He’s unknown in Sweden
For a mainstream audience he is unknown
Weird isn’t it? His songs are great.
I already love Anna’s song. DTF and possible winner! <3
Excited to hear Paul’s song now!
Someone here have taken over my name. I dont know how but i cant write as Rasmus no more. All comments from Rasmus is from some crazy person that are spamming like hell So get mad at him if you want. he deserves it. I write as Johan now.
And i will write very little so you can see that is true
OMG so Anna is really going full on ABBA? my dream! Kinda sad about the Dotter lack of hype 🙁
Im super exited for Anna B and Paul:)
Same here, also for spanish and finnish people living in Sweden…Paul is half Finnish (his dad is Finnish) and Chilean (his mom is Chilean) so he probably speaks both Spanish and Finnish 😉
So vote for him!
ok I will stop comment now, posted too many comments hahaha
Love Pauls music as well! Looking forward to Saturday
Do you only vote for you own people? seems like that
Paul is Swedish so whats your point?
Anna’s voice is perfect? To me the way she sings sometimes sounds like a sheep. ?. Hope I will be surprized and overwhelmed by her performance.
Jan Johansen gives Schlager gravitas, so I have hope for him. Anna sounds promising.
Only one decent looking contestant. Lets go for the lady in pink!
Do you judge looks? how shallow are you?
A shallow comment for a shallow coverage. I have yer to meet a swede with a sense of humor.
I would just love to see Dotter in AC at least.
likewise! That’s my one major hope for this semi.
I mean the same review last week raved about Felix Sandman and that he, I quote, “will definitely go to the final on Saturday”. I’m waiting for the snippets before even making a small judgement.
My thoughts exactly
It was his prediction, and he wasn’t the only one..
Why is sweden so overexposed on wiwibloggs. Its ridiculous to read about how many dancers there is in a national semifinal. What hairspray Robin is using. Is this blogg swedish funded?
Because honestly it is the most enjoyable NF in Europe at the moment, that is why…
Crap! It looks and sound like the sawdust Ikeas furniture are made from.
yet IKEA is one of the most successful furniture store in the world 😉
Im the real Rasmus
Your all fake and idiots. My name was blocked here so i cant even write no more. And NO your not! bye
shut up Johan
Did you know that Trump used the word honestly all the time. Since you have seen all the NF the past years I will draw your attention to San Remo which is in another league.
Not a huge Sweden fan (I’m a Eastern Europe ESC fan), but we can’t denied that Sweden is THE country of this contest. It’s the one that generates one of the biggest hypes, so, it’s normal that they give them so much space. They’re not Belarus (?).
And I love Belarus (?), but I need to be objective. XD
Then write about the music and not about every garment they are wearing etc. It has become totally obscure. I would expect equal exposure and not 25% about elderly female polar bears.
I think wiwibloggs writes about what their readers find interesting and, naturally, melodifestivalen is one of those things. It’s a NF with a long tradition and a high production value, which makes total sense for eurovision fans to be into. You couldn’t figure this out yourself?
I can figure out that you are a swedish guard dog with a flavour for canned food. In the rest of Europa we are more civil.
It’s Rasmus-ception!
Well, I can see that discussing the topic at hand obviously wasn’t going great for you.
Perhaps when you wrote high production value you hit a nerve. It may sound somewhat patronising. By the way it seems like all swedes think they are better at everything. How did you get that idea?
I mean look at it like this. For example two artists are going to release an album the same day, one is Beyonce and the other one is Kelly Rowland, who do you think will get the most exposure internationally? I mean both were in the same group, both very talented but one is more popular at the moment than the other, so of course everyone wants to follow every single step that Beyonce does rather than Kelly Rowland (even the haters because they want to hate on Beyonce probably). It is the same with the NF’s. People loves all… Read more »
Fair point
Because it’s the most popular national final among fans???
No! It must be bribery. Christer is handing out gifts to all young male writers. Perhaps even inviting them on cruises. Btw are swedes familiar with irony?
Marina and the Diamonds? Oh yes please! Looking forward to seeing Dotter now.
Likewise, the wait is killing me.
From the sound of things, it looks as though Anna Bergendahl is THE act of this semi. And I can’t wait! I also like what I hear about Linda Bengtzing’s song. Though I would like to see Dotter at least go to AC, I’m worried based on what the critics are saying. It SEEMS as though the top spots are going to Anna and Paul Rey with the AC spots being almost a complete tossup between Dotter, Mendez, Linda and Klara. For now, I’m going to hope that Dotter and Linda get the AC spots (especially after they were out… Read more »
No Anna sure will go to DF but not Paul Rey, he is too unknown in Sweden unfortunately and Swedes thinks ballads will bore the hell out of ESC fans so they rarely do well even if the artist is really really good (only if someone really famous Swedish artist sings it), but if Paul is lucky he will reach AC. If i know Swedes right Anna and Mendez will go to DF and the AC spots will be between Paul Rey, Dotter and Klara (horse people vote like crazy on their own kind so don’t be surprised)
Interesting thoughts Ana! Thanks for sharing. I’m a bit surprised to hear about Paul Rey (his song with Snoop, “california dreaming” is one I’ve heard on the radio before, here in Canada) but what you say makes sense. Only reason I question Mendez DtF qualification is that he went to AC last time (and his vocals can be a little questionable at times) but he did to very well in the popular vote in the final in 2018. Is Linda no longer a potential AC qualifier? I know she didn’t do so well the last few melo’s but her participation… Read more »
I feel Anna and Mendez as well right now.
If they have the feel good entries of the night then Swedes will go for it as we saw last week. Paul might do it if his entry feels honest instead of “I’m trying too hard”
(damn I wrote a huge response and it looks like the filter blocked it – long story short thank you for sharing your input and hopefully my big comment gets permission to be posted, haha)
yes it will get filtered if you use any curse-words in the comment hehe
looks like its been accepted now! Yay!
Dotter’s song sounding like it has MARINA elements makes me excited!
Same, I always enjoyed Marina’s sound. I’m hopeful.
YAY my two favorites got the best review, really hope the songs are good now!