Ah, finally, it’s time to review all of the songs that made it to the Melodifestivalen final. As most Eurovision fans are aware, Sweden are an absolute powerhouse in this competition, but I don’t think I’m the only one who’s finding this a very weak year. Anyway, onto the songs!

Méndez – Everyday:

I should absolutely hate this. I should despise it, because I usually hate Spanish pop, but I think I like it. Though the song is very similar to a mashup of Despacito (urgh) and Faded by Alan Walker, the music is well produced, modern and enjoyable. My only concern is Mendez, having heard his live performances I can tell you he’s not the best of performers. He rarely hits his own notes, has a tendency to forget his own words, and generally looks depressed and miserable onstage, so if he’s improved on this, it could make or break the performance.

Prediction: 5th

Renaida – All The Feels:

I think this was the first entry in Melfest I listened to, when the snippets were released. It left a good impression anyway. Renaida, originally from Tanzania, has the voice that reminds you of exactly that, pouring soul into the song. The whole ‘All The Feels’ theme is not what I expected it to be, less ‘Feels’ by Calvin Harris and more sexual adventure. From the vibraphone touches and the bass drop, this song is a good shot, but second in the running order will kill this.

Prediction: 8th

Martin Almgren – A Bitter Lullaby

This is different, but I love it. Martin is a charismatic and likeable performer, and brings character to this performance. A lovely little folk pop song enhanced brilliantly by Martin’s powerful deep voice, this is a very well done attempt, and at first I dismissed this and thought it’d be confined to Andra Chansen at best, but after a few listens I was delighted it went Direkt Til Final. With a good live performance, this could pull off a key sweep with the juries.

Prediction: 4th

John Lundvik – My Turn

Well apparently, John Legend has moved to Sweden and made a few changes to his surname. Honestly, this is a sweet little song, but it was John’s live performance and vocals that saved the song in the semi final. The song in itself is nothing too special, and brings nothing special to the table, other than being another male ballad. I would have much rathered if Sigrid qualified from this semi with her more upbeat number than this.

Prediction: 10th

Jessica Andersson – Party Voice

You go girl! Jessica Andersson is a Melfest veteran, and even at the age of 44 she’s as good as ever, with this party anthem. Party Voice is brilliantly arranged and catchy, reminding you of the kind of chart topper you’d get back in 2010 – usually this isn’t a good thing, but this is pretty good. My main concern is Jessica’s onstage outfit – I mean come on, surely you can pull off something more dangerous than a Spandex suit from head to toe.

Prediction: 6th

LIAMOO – Last Breath

The ante-post favourite before the songs were released, I’m not sold on this. The song itself seems more kids motivational music than an actual Melfest song. I don’t find his rapping in any way enjoyable, and even his singing parts are nothing too special. And the lyrics are rather cringe worthy, with a non fitting chorus to top it off. Altogether, this would be one of the biggest disappointments of Melodifestivalen for me.

Prediction: 9th

Samir and Viktor – Shuffla

After Groupie and Bada Nakna, my initial reaction to Samir and Viktor returning to Melfest was, ‘Oh, not these two again!’, but with this song they’ve changed my mind. This is a good song you can dance to, it’s incredibly catchy and very well produced. It does the chorus superbly, all the way up to the chorus, and then the cherry on top of this song is the sax solo. Samir and Viktor are very engaging performers, though they have a tendency to miss notes, and they’ll bring this performance to life in the final. I’d love to see this do well, but the juries will likely kill it.

Prediction: 2nd

Mariette – For You

Sadly, Samir and Viktor seem to be stuck in the middle of a disappointment sandwich. I was expecting something purer and less risky, like A Million Years, but Mariette underwhelmed me slightly with this. But altogether, it ain’t half bad. The block synthesisers in the background are rather enjoyable, and the vocal effects in the chorus are a great touch. Altogether, I was slightly underwhelmed. But it’s not bad I guess.

Prediction: 7th

Felix Sandman – Every Single Day

And onto the shock of the year. I expected a catchy pop number a la Gotta Thing About You, but I got better. I absolutely love this. Felix, with a voice like Zayn Malik, pours emotion into this broken hearted ballad. The instrumental in this is gentle and sweet, but sends shivers down my spine, and by the time the instrumental before the final chorus kicks in, I’m holding back tears. If Sweden picked this, I’d be a very happy man, and the juries could be what saves this, if Felix has recovered from his cold.

Prediction: 1st

Margaret – In My Cabana

Ew. No thanks, no thanks. This song is not what I expected. I was expecting another latch onto Spanish pop – but clearly Poland doesn’t do pop well. Uhhh. It’s awfully disappointing at the first chorus, when we’re expecting a climax or a bass drop or something, all you get is the words ‘Oh boy, oh boy.’ Margaret offering to dance with you in her cabana may be a tempting offer for some, but I’m gonna pass on it.

Prediction: 11th

Benjamin Ingrosso – Dance You Off

The penultimate song (and the last serious entry, you could say,) has been given a fantastic place in the running order, and is in the frame to win. Seamlessly produced and catchy, it does the Swedish pop vibe brilliantly. The bassline and Benjamin’s falsetto vocals remind you of a Charlie Puth song. He utilises LEDs quite a lot in his performance, but in Lisbon I doubt he’d be able to replicate this, little do the Swedes know. Anyway, a good song.

Prediction: 3rd

Rolandz – Fuldans

Sweden, why? You could’ve given someone serious the last spot in the running order, and you gave the ROLANDZ the spot! Jesus. Rolandz bring a bit of fun to the competition with this absolute mad entry, but musically and in general, this is a joke entry and nothing more, and I’m expecting it to do an Owe Thornqvist, and be ruined by the juries but not flop completely in the televote.

Prediction: 12th

PREDICTIONS (partially what I want to happen, partially what I think will happen)

1. Felix Sandman – Every Single Day

2. Samir and Viktor – Shuffla

3. Benjamin Ingrosso – Dance You Off

4. Martin Almgren – A Bitter Lullaby

5. Mendez – Everyday

6. Jessica Andersson – Party Voice

7. Mariette – For You

8. Renaida – All The Feels

9. LIAMOO – Last Breath

10. John Lundvik – My Turn

11. Margaret – In My Cabana

12. Rolandz – Fuldans

Anyway, I think this’ll be my last of the National Final song reviews for quite a while, so thanks to all you guys for all the support on my reviews. It really means a lot, and to get 600 visitors on your blog in the first month is a great achievement for me. You guys rock!