Alexa – "Tongue Tied"
Alexa won Christer Björkman's Eurovision attempt in the USA, the American Song Contest. She lives in Seoul and works in K-pop, which is noticeable in "Tongue Tied". Here fast rap segments are mixed with hip-hop rhythms, dreamy melodic loops and a darker bridge that repeats the mantra "ttt-tongue tied". The chorus breaks off with a fast EDM bass.
Juliett – "Far from everyone else"
The guys in Juliett share the main part, which gives a sing-along vibe right away, and "Far from Everyone Else" starts off peppy with "1–2–3–4" shouted in the introduction. This is an unmistakable sing-along song with a dance band intro, which you can easily imagine being sung at a student fraternity in June. The sound is reminiscent of other modern Swedish "boy bands" like Mares or Bolaget, although less alcohol-romantic.
Bladë – "Who you are"
Isa Tengblad competed in 2015 and 2016, performing under her first name, and made it to the finals for the first time. Now she's back as the artist Bladë with a finely tuned ballad where the chorus almost howls out. The lyrics have a space theme and it's accompanied by pulsating rhythms and powerful choruses.
Little Al-Fadji - "Delulu"
Edward af Sillén makes his debut as a songwriter in Melodifestivalen with the year's most humorous entry - the comic character Little Al-Fadji's "Delulu". The verse begins with an accordion, and the entire song is musically Balkan-style, with lyrics full of jokes and references. This is definitely this year's Sean Banan-style hit, with a chorus that will soon ring out in preschools across the country.
Vilhelm Buchaus – "Hearts don't lie"
Cornelia Jakobs's songwriter has taken on 24-year-old Vilhelm Buchaus and made a "Hold Me Closer" with new lyrics and melody. It's the same sound as the 2022 winning song, but Buchaus also stands on his own two feet. His Melodifestivalen entry "I'm Yours" narrowly missed qualification for last year's final.
Sanna Nielsen – "Waste your love"
Sanna Nielsen hasn't competed since she won with "Undo" in 2014. Now she's back with an uptempo song that breathes ABBA, not least through the lyric's flirtation with "Lay All Your Love on Me". The verse is built up with strings and ends in an effective chorus with hockey choirs and a true schlager-like hook from Sanna.
Ann Edliden/TT
Facts: They compete in Sundsvall on February 28th
TT
Alexa – "Tongue Tied"
099-908 01 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
Juliett – "Far from everyone else"
099-908 02 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
Bladë – "Who you are"
099-908 03 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
Little Al-Fadji - "Delulu"
099-908 04 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
Vilhelm Buchaus – "Hearts don't lie"
099-908 05 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
Sanna Nielsen - "Waste your love"
099-908 06 (10 SEK per vote, of which 9.13 SEK goes to Radiohjälpen)
