MELODIFESTIVALEN 2019: MY TOP 28

Hey everyone! So I decided to finally create this blog dedicated to ESC. I'm going to start reviewing each entry individually after the 10th March song deadline, so I'm going to do some national finals in the mean time. I used to do YouTube videos on ESC but the format is really restrictive and I think writing a blog will allow me to elaborate my thoughts more, and what better way to start my blog with the best national final?

After last year's colossal shitshow, Melodifestivalen got their act together this year and returned to form. There isn't a song in this lot that I passionately hate, so that's something! Here are my top 28 with my overall thoughts, score, etc. Enjoy!

28 - Bishara - On My Own (3/10)

no thank you x

In all seriousness though, Benjamin Ingrosso wyd. He went from being my number 1 last year to my last place with this songwriting nightmare. There's a reason this isn't on his album and went to Bishara instead. The lack of staging, the lack of presence, the pubescent vocal. No, sis, no! A lot of people are saying this sounds like Junior Eurovision, but everything in last year's JESC was better than this.

27 - Jan Malmsjo - Leva livet (4.5/10)

In a shocking turn of events this year, the older acts seemed to come through this year and serve us something that wasn't an absolute dirge! Jan Malmsjo + Anderz Wrethov was the anime crossover I truly didn't expect or deserve. The production is epic and works well as a song, but live it does manage to fall a little flat, especially as Jan seems to forget the lyrics at points during the song. It was cute but I'm not rushing to hear it again.

26 - Martin Stenmarck - Lat skiten brinna (5/10)

I'll be honest, I'm still raging that this qualified to Andra Chansen when literally the other 3 eliminated acts were RIGHT THERE with a better song, stage show, performance etc, while this literally broke no boundaries or did anything new or exciting. The standard should be high for Melfest, and the fact that more bold stage shows which a higher budget and creative concept are being overlooked this year.

Over time, it has grown on me slightly, but I still don't see why we need this entry to advance, as it's so middling in every way, shape of form. Well, at least it's getting crushed in Andra Chansen.

25 - Anton Hagman - Kanner dig (5/10)

The Loreen slayer returned this year to next to no hype, well everyone is still screaming about how Statements was robbed. Need I say any more?

Anyway, Kanner dig wasn't bad, it was just painfully middling. I can't say I remember anything about the song other than its staging. It was cursed the second he had a decent stage show, as it seems as if Swedes aren't looking for a flashy stage show this year and are focusing more on the show, which is a shame as I think the staging is the only memorable part of this entry.

24 - Vlad Reiser - Nakna i regnet (5/10)

There is nothing objectively bad about Nakna i regnet, but its also something I would never choose to listen to personally. The choreo isn't the tightest but the vocals and production were a pleasant surprise! I respect how difficult it is to go from his YouTuber background into a contest of this scale and have the more traditional media go against you unecessarily, and that makes me want to root for him more.

23 - Arvingarna - I Do (5.5/10)

Arvingarna were by far the act I was least excited for back when the acts where announced this year. Up until the night they were probably my 28/28, but they did pleasantly surprise on the night! Not only did they serve the biggest scream of the night with one of the members booking a holiday and not bothering to turn up for their performance, but the song did what it had to do and it was pleasant enough on the ears to not be a turn off for any international viewers. I don't need it in the final, but won't be mad if it manages to get there.

22 - High15 - No Drama (6/10)

It's great to have a girlband back in the contest. For me personally, it all seems a bit too early for High15. Sending a song which that can be compared to at least 3 different songs (Side To Side, Woman Like Me, Busy Doin' Nothing) just makes it seem as if High15 lack any individuality and aren't confident on who they want to be in the music industry yet, which is a shame. Not to mention a lot of the lyrics are lame (seriously, the Debs wrote this?! If this was in You Decide y'all would be cringing), and some of the members are definitely better than others, bringing me back to my main point - maybe its just too soon for these girls.

21 - Arja Saijonmaa - Mina fyra arstider (6.5/10)

This was a real pleasant surprise! Mina fyra arstider had the ability to appeal to all ages. The message of the song was about environmentalism but the upbeat melody didn't make the entry boring and lifeless. Arja looked stunning floating around the stage in her white flowy gown, and I loved the subtle Greek elements in this with the Bouzouki at the beginning! This year really proved that the veteran acts don't have to just turn up and sing a bland ballad without any context.

20 - Ann-Louise Hanson - Karleken Finns Kvar (6.5/10)

This is Ann-Louise's 14th appearance in the contest. Having given us schlager bops in the past, Karleken finns kvar has a more laidback and easy-listening approach. The song is about losing one of Sweden's legendary singers Lil Babs last year, and the translation of the lyrics is really beautiful. Not to mention that Ann-Louise is an absolute CINNAMON ROLL. If you weren't melting at the segment during the show where she's using instagram filters, you're lying! Young people love her, old people love her music, which is evidently why she managed to get to 5th place with this song. Another pleasant surprise, I'm so pleased she managed to exceed her expectations with this timeless song!

19 - Mohombi - Hello (7/10)

The first heat really was the strongest of the year though, and it feels unfair putting this that low! The reason this maybe didn't connect is possibly because it felt like that glossy early 2010s US pop sound, a sound I never really connected with as I felt it liked a sense of personality and individuality. I do respect the song's merits though and I am a fan of the stage show.

18 - Rebecka Karlsson - Who I Am (7/10)

Rebecka Karlsson was an act I was initially very excited about going into the contest. Having came runner up in Swedish Idol and the song being composed by Anderz Wrethov, I had high hopes! Vocally she's really good and the pre-chorus does build into something really exciting, but then it does one of the worst things imaginable in music - it pulls an ICEBREAKER (Norway ESC 2016). The main chorus is a slower tempo than the pre-chorus! Why do that? It builds the listener up to go nowhere, inevitably leaving them underwhelmed and leaving the song to grow on repeat listens. I also don't like the staging, I think its a little simple and basic. There are really strong elements here, but the overall package isn't the best.

17 - Andreas Johnson - Army Of Us (7/10)

Andreas was probably one of the acts I was least looking forward to seeing in this year's contest. His overall sound just doesn't appeal to me at all and I just didn't see the point in him returning so soon, especially after finishing last in his heat back in 2015, his most recent appearance. However, Army of Us was a surprise! It is very much Avicii/Coldplay/Swedish House Mafia, and although that sound is quite dated and oversaturated nowadays, it still connects with me. The staging does let this down though, it feels quite messy and disjointed. I don't think we'll see this in the final, especially as he is up against Anna Bergendahl, but Andreas can be proud of this entry.

16 - Nano - Chasing Rivers (7/10)

Nano was one of the most anticipated acts, with the audience and fellow contestants when he returned to the contest this year after his second place finish with 'Hold On' in 2017. This for me is much better than Hold On as it feels more personal to him and allows him to show off his vocal abilities much more, whereas Hold On felt quite generic and unoriginal. The staging is still a little too dark for me, and I'm not sure we'll be seeing it do well in the final as it seems like a poor man's 'Too Late For Love', but it's grown on me a lot since my first initial listen.

15 - Zeana feat. Anis don Demina - Mina brander (7.5/10)

Mina brander was truly the first major robbery of this Melfest season for me, especially as after the one minute snippets on that Thursday, they were my number one. I think the issue may have been that it wasn't as strong live, Zeana and Anis looked a little awkward and lost at times and didn't use the stage to its best. However, there's still no denying that the studio cut of this goes off and I will defnitely continue to play this in the future.

14 - Wiktoria - Not With Me (8/10)

Wiktoria was highly anticipated regarding her return to Melodifestivalen this year, but with a totally different style than her usual country-pop sound, instead leaning towards a ballad. The rain effect within the staging for this is a huge selling piece (I'll hands up admit i've performed this choreo in the shower a handful of times now), and it really adds extra emotion and power to the traditional ballad that it is. However, I feel more connection to Lisa Ajax's ballad in this contest, and I believe these two entries will cancel each other out. Lisa has the song, Wiktoria has the staging, so it will be interesting to see how they are against each other in the final.

13 - Dolly Style - Habibi (8/10)

I was surprised to see Dolly Style back in the contest this year, with the constant line-up changes and the fact they have never reached the final before, but it was a pleasant surprise hearing Habibi, which is probably my favourite I do think I'd enjoy it more if it wasn't sung by three white women and composed by white songwriters, given the Middle Eastern influences, as it does as times feel like they're using that culture as an 'aesthetic'. However, I'm a sucker for that type of song regardless so I still feel for Habibi's infectious melody, and it's some light fun that I can put on when I'm feeling good, and I have played it a lot on my Spotify since its release!

12 - Pagan Fury - Stormbringer (8/10)

Pagan Fury excited me from the second they walked out in the press conference. Swedes often lack a sense of identity, with their entries lacking a concept and character, which is something Pagan Fury capitalised on and stood out from the rest with their entry. The staging transported us to another universe and it is a CRIME that this finished last in its heat. Despite this genre not being my style they won me over completely and I'd love to see Pagan Fury live in the future.

11 - Lisa Ajax - Torn (8.5/10)

Lisa has followed in the same footsteps as Wiktoria this year by sending a ballad to the contest. So why do I prefer Torn over Not With Me? The lyrics to 'Torn' feel more complex and make me believe this ballad more than Not With Me, and the powerful notes throughout add so much more grit and power to this performance.

Despite not having the most innovative staging, I'm drawn in by Lisa for the whole 3 minutes. I also believe she fits this song way more than Loreen ever would, so I'm glad she settled with Statements over this in the end.

10 - Jon Henrik Fjallgren - Norrsken (Goeksegh) (8.5/10)

Starting off my top 10 is Jon Henrik. His third entry in the contest, Norrsken, is his most contemporary to date, and although not my favourite of his, it really has its moments. I personally love the dramatic middle eight into the final chorus, adding a sense of euphoria and that extra magical element the song needs. This song has managed to grow on me over the weeks, partly thanks to the budget jolking in Spirit In The Sky from Norway being nothing on JHF's vocal power, and that catchy hook getting under my skin, and I long for the day when we will see him at Eurovision, serving a different flavour for Sweden.

9 - Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO - Hold You (8.5/10)

'Hold You' is yet another entry that has crept up on me over the weeks. After initially not connecting to any of this, I have to admit that this song is really strong and Hanna & LIAMOO do sell it really well. They've been very clever in including lyrics that suggest their in a relationship (Hanna's first verse), which Sweden are totally falling for at the moment and I think could help them win the televote in the final. The staging has received mixed reviews, but I think it looks quite expensive when the yellow/orange lighting kicks in during the final chorus. Plus that 'Don't Let Me Down' part is fantastic and I've been screaming it all week in a Hanna Ferm fashion. We could be seeing this in Tel Aviv!

8 - Lina Hedlund - Victorious (8.5/10)

You can truly tell that Lina is a former member of Alcazar! Every piece of choreo, every camera angle, every note is on point during this! At first I was unsure of the song but once again, that chorus has got under my skin and is in my head 24/7! I also love her styling, it works perfectly with the performance. The only reason this isn't higher is because I don't go back to it that often, even if I enjoy it each time I do.

7 - Margaret - Tempo (9/10)

Margaret's comeback this year was the act I was most hyped for after the artist press conference. Even the title 'Tempo' was speaking to my bop loving self from the get go, and this didn't disappoint. That hook is HUGE and its a real shame it didn't qualify, because it managed to finish 5th despite lots of factors going against it. It seems as though Sweden are voting more traditional this year, whether that's because they don't want a music video effect after Dance You Off's performance in Lisbon last year, or whether its the new music system giving older viewers more weight. Not to mention she's Polish and was in arguably the strongest heat of this Melfest season. Margaret has lots of Polish material in the pipeline for her native though, so don't think she's going away any time soon!

6 - Omar Rudberg - Om om och om igen (9/10)

Now, everyone - THIS was a serve. After the one minute snippets this was one of my least favourites of the year, and probably would've been in my bottom ten had it have been performed by anyone else, but this is probably the performance of the year for me. Omar is MADE for the stage! Working with some the Fuego dancers for this performance, it oozed sass and confidence from each hair flip to the next. Maybe it was too ahead of its time idk but this was ROBBED!

5 - The Lovers Of Valdaro - Somebody Wants (9/10)

Okay, I need to have a word with Sweden. LAST in its semi final? Its such a shame they put The Lovers of Valdaro in such a competitive heat filled with recognised names, because this really didn't get its chance to shine. I've found myself going back to this song and performance numerous times of the last few weeks because its just so infectious. I do get the 'Can't Feel My Face' comparisons, but this feels more atmospheric and futuristic, and I loved the vision they had with the performance. This deserved more and we all know it!

4 - Anna Bergendahl - Ashes To Ashes (9/10)

It's been great to see Anna Bergendahl come back from what happened in 2010, and everyone get behind her once more with this song. When I first saw Anna performing 'Ashes to Ashes' with the gorgeous woodland staging and firefly special effects that come in throughout the final chorus, I got goosebumps. Not only is the hook infectious, but Anna performs it with so much vigour and its clear to see that her loveable charm that earned her the victory nine years ago is still there.

Watching this song creep up on the Swedish public has been so exciting, with her Andra Chansen performance being so much more confident and effortless than the one from the first semi (sadly that performance isn't on YouTube). Watch out for her in the final, she's the true dark horse!

3 - John Lundvik - Too Late For Love (9.5/10)

Okay - the big favourite to win the whole thing. 'Too Late For Love' is a fantastic effort from John Lundvik. Not only is he already going to Eurovision this year as a songwriter for the United Kingdom's entry, but I can also see him representing his home country with this effort. When I first saw this in the semi-final, I got instant goosebumps and winner vibes. You need to make that instant impact on stage and Eurovision and I think Too Late For Love could do that! That gospel choir add so much power to this and I really didn't expect to be stanning a John Lundvik entry of all people this year! Not only is this a potential Melodifestivalen winner, but I would see a potential Eurovision winner depending on the quality of this year's acts.

The only reason its not a 10/10 is because the staging feels a little too dark at times, and I wish it would get brighter as the song goes on, as the song is filled with positivity and hope, and the staging should reflect that a little more. I also don't know if I'll go back to this that much, because like I say, its very instant and makes the most impact on first listen. That's no negative in this competition, though!

2 - Oscar Enestad - I Love It (9.5/10)

Who would've thought that I'd be stanning the two members out of FO&O this year after Gotta Thing About You back in 2017? Anyway, I Love It is my most streamed entry of this year. It has that catchy, replayable factor and its clear to see why its getting an international radio push. The lyrics are about his 50 year old girlfriend and how others judge him, which is probably why this finished last in the semi, as I've been told Swedes are tired of hearing about it in the media, but that means nothing to international ears. This is a super catchy, fantastic pop song with an incredible androgynous, futuristic aesthetic in the staging.

The only reason this isn't number one is because vocally it didn't quite match the studio version, and I was really toying between my number one and number two, and in the end I decided to give it to my number one as I believed the live vocal was much stronger. Let it be known though that this is a fantastic entry that I won't be getting tired of anytime soon. You could say, I LOVE IT.

1 - Malou Prytz - I Do Me (10/10)

Yes, I didn't see this coming either. Malou Prytz, the completely new name who is only 15 and has never performed live on Swedish television before is my favourite of this year. I'm still not entirely convinced its my winner but I just keep coming back to this performance and its the only entry I cannot fault!

THIS is how you write, produce and perform a pop song. The constant pace thanks to the bassline and rhythm throughout means the song never loses energy which I adore, and although it could be seen as basic, it manages to avoid that with the unique vocal chopping effect repeated throughout the song. Not to mention that Malou seemed so confident on stage and her vocal was faultless! I was delighted when she went direct as everything seemed to be against her in this heat, and I just can't stop coming back to this. A lot more people are starting to say this is their favourite, and I can see the jurors appreciating its all-female team and Zara Larsson-esque sound, so don't rule this one out on the night!

Thanks so much for reading! I'll be soon moving on to the 41 competing entries in Eurovision 2019 once we have each song announced. What do you think of my opinions on Melodifestivalen 2019? Send me a tweet @ESCTBy.