This Saturday it’s the fourth and final heat of Melodifestivalen 2017! For all the info on what happened in heat 3, check out right here.
This week we have four former finalists – one of them both a Melodifestivalen and a Eurovision winner. We also have three Swedish Idol graduates – two of whom are debuting in the contest. And we have the annual entry to contest that has made it here from winning the Svensktoppen Nästa competition.
On name and song description alone, it’s looking like it’s going to be a very eclectic heat, sound wise.
You can now listen to minute long clips of the songs right here, AND watch thirty second video clips of rehearsals right here.
But until then – here’s your guide to what you can expect from the fourth heat;
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Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia – En Värld Full Av Strider
(Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Sara Biglert, Christian Schneider, Andreas Hedlund)
Really – you already know what this is gonna sound like. We all do. The best we can hope for out of this situation is some more pec-tastic topless shots of Jon being released around his participation this week. Sorry to objectify an artist like that, but if you’re gonna insist on churning out the same song over and over again, you gotta be prepared for people to reach for other positive things to say about you.
Alice – Running With Lions
(Anderz Wrethov, Andreas ”Stone” Johansson, Denniz Jamm, Alice Svensson)
The runner-up of Idol 2008 hadn’t actually released anything since 2010 – until the end of last year when she released ‘Woman’. Based on that form, we can deduce that she’s dabbling in synth balladry now. Though on ‘Running With Lions’ she’s got Anderz Wrethov (behind Margaret’s ‘Cool Me Down’) and Andreas Johansson (behind a LOT of K-Pop) on co-writing duties. And we think we’re gonna like this one…..
Les Gordons – Bound To Fall
(Jonatan Renström, Albert Björliden, Andreas Persson, Carl Ragnemyr, David Runebjörk, Jimmy Jansson)
These chaps won a competition to be in this line-up – Sveriges Radio’s Svensktoppen Nästa – and let’s face it, that never ends well. The sound they’ve been peddling thus far is psychedelic, retro rock. So they’re not just making up the numbers, they’re also fulfilling a genre quota too. The sole ray of light here to us, is the inclusion of Jimmy Jansson as a songwriter. He’s awesome. But after voters responded so favourably to alt-rock act Dismissed in Heat 2, Les Gordons are not to be counted out. They’re offering something very different to everyone else this week, remember….
Wiktoria – As I Lay Me Down
(Justin Forrest, Jonas Wallin, Lauren Dyson)
Melodifestivalen’s sweetheart of 2016 is an obvious choice to return once again in 2017. Since the contest she’s released two other singles – both as stellar as her debut. And with a song that remains faithful to the style of ‘Save Me’ that so many people fell in love with last year, we’d be very surprised if she didn’t make the final either DIREKT or via Andra Chansen. The girl gives great performance too.
Axel Schylström – När Ingen Ser
(Behshad Ashnai, Axel Schylström, David Strääf)
A graduate from 2015’s Idol series where he finished 4th, he’s therefore already got good form with the voting public. He’s described this song as something of a torch song anthem. And refers to it as up-tempo, fun, dance-worthy, and a party track.
Sara Varga & Juha Mulari – Du Får Inte Ändra På Mig
(Sara Varga, Lars Hägglund)
After making the final in 2011 with ‘Spring För Livet’, we’re surprised it’s taken SVT this long to invite Sara back. Certainly not disappointed, just surprised. And she’s back with a song co-penned by the guy behind ‘Spring För Livet’ AND Charlotte Perrelli’s ‘Mitt Liv’. WHAT JOY!
Loreen – Statements
(Anton Hård af Segerstad, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Loreen)
Sweden’s Eurovision winner in 2012 teams up with the writers behind Sweden’s Eurovision winner in 2015. Gothenburg 2018, perhaps? Maybe not. She’s been out and about describing this song as “some dark shit” and “filthy as fuck” – also comparing it to the punk sensibilities of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, and saying it’s ALL about sending a message. We get the feeling she’s only really here to promote her next album (the one she’s been working on and overthinking to the point of artistic and commercial ruin since 2013). And to be honest, that’s fine. ‘Cos Christ knows she needed to do SOMETHING to get most people to care about her music once more. We reckon she’ll be happiest with a second place scenario. All the spoils of the re-gained goodwill, without having to trudge to Eurovision once more. It had better be all systems go with that album post-contest though. Or we’re all gonna lose faith and interest in her once again. Perhaps forever this time.