XTRA Preview & Review: Sweden – Melodfestivalen 2018: Deltävling 4

Sweden’s most popular television programme continues into its fourth week tonight. The fourth semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2018 takes place in the northern city of Örnsköldsvik. We’ve taken a look at the entries and the procedure below, so here is the XTRA Preview & Review!

XTRA Preview: Melodifestivalen – Deltävling 4

Seven acts will be taking part tonight in order to make it through to the final of the Swedish national final for Eurovision, Melodifestivalen. Again the lineup includes a mix of new artists and some familiar faces who we have seen at Melodifestivalen before. Mariette makes her third appearance, last appearing in 2017 with “A Million Years” which qualified directly to the final. Felix Sandman returns after debuting last year with FO&O with their song “Gotta Thing About You”.

The host of tonight’s show is David Lindgren. The singer returns for his second hosting job in the contest he tried winning a couple of times before. SVT 1 will air the show at 20:00 CET. Two acts will qualify for the final, two more will make it to Andra Chansen. For the other three, it’s over after tonight.

We will be tweeting throughout the show, live at @ESCXTRA!

Emmi Christensson – Icarus

Tim: I did not expect a ballad to open up a show, it’s such a good song but I am just really worried that this might get lost. With big acts on show tonight, this might get lost somewhere.
Score: 6/10

Miki: “Icarus” it’s the type of a song we’ve heard plenty of times in multiple national selections. I don’t think that this song would leave a huge impact at Eurovision. However, I do appreciate the certain soundtrack feel it has, but sadly it’s the ending credits and everyone leaves the theater during it.
Score: 6/10

Nick: A mythical Greek creature as a song title. It then all needs to fit in perfectly. The build in this is phenomenal. The first chorus is divine. It will be a challenge to do this, but if she does, she’s right up there this year for me. I have the utmost faith in here and this is a classic for me already.
Score: 9/10

Sami: “Icarus” is very classy, but also very 2000s. It has a magical feel to it, but it needs a stunning performance to make it through from this semifinal. The highnote is just amazing and I hope she nails it live too.
Score: 6/10

Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis

Tim: This song is such a bop! I like the dance vibes the song gives. I just want to get up and dance. It sounds so fresh and memorable. I wouldn’t be surprised if he does well in the end.
Score: 8/10

Miki: Alright, this is fun but it sounds like a World Cup anthem more than anything else. I don’t find it particularly amazing or special at all, but I guess the catchiness helps out.
Score: 5/10

Nick: Sure, this is fun and I really want this guy to do well. It’s a challenge to go into that competition at such a young age. At the same time, this song does not do a whole lot for me. It’s like a Behrang Miri or Samir&Viktor song by someone who can actually sing.
Score: 5.5/10

Sami: It’s not bad, but Panetoz did this so much better and it makes me miss them. We also already have so many songs with this tropical sound through to the andra chansen and I am not sure if I want this there as well.
Score: 5/10

Felicia Olsson – Break That Chain

Tim: Break That Chain sounds so current and I am loving it. However, I am a bit worried that it sounds consistent throughout that the public might not like it I hope she pulls through.
Score: 7/10

Miki: “Break that Chain” isn’t a bad song but it is a tad forgettable. That might be the downfall of it, but hopefully Felicia manages to deliver it well live and prove us wrong.
Score: 6/10

Nick: Highly uneventful. In other words: A complete borefest. This is three minutes of cliches raked together by an instrumentation a composer still had in his backroom. Surely this is coming last?
Score: 3/10

Sami: This really is quite boring. She has a nice voice, but the song isn’t giving me anything. It works as background music, but you quickly forget what you are listening to.
Score: 4/10

Rolandz – Fuldans

Tim: It sounds like a throwback, I feel like I’m in a children’s TV show and the host is just dancing ,  It’s like they are about to start a dance craze with this song.
Score: 5/10

Miki: Yes, it’s camp and maybe the Swedish public will get behind this but I certainly can’t.
Score: 2/10

Nick: Dansband, comedy and three minutes of light hearted fun. Yes, I am on board with this. Of course this is not going to win Melodifestivalen, but the Swedes will love this. As do I.
Score: 8.5/10

Sami: This obviously is more a Melodifestivalen song rather than a Eurovision song. And I absolutely hate it. It’s so annoying and trying to be catchy, but is just giving me a headache.
Score: 1/10

Olivia Eliasson – Never Learn

Tim: I like this a lot!!!! It sounds a bit Zara Larsson, which I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing :/ but I would not mind listening to this again, I hope she gets at least AC.
Score: 7/10

Miki: This has to be my favorite song in this semi final. I truly do hope that Olivia will manage to perform this well live, and go directly to the final. It’s catchy, memorable and sounds like a song ready to hit the charts.
Score: 9/10

Nick: “We want to give Olivia a song ready for the charts, any ideas?” – “Yes, we still have “Never Learn”. Lisa Ajax and Zara Larsson didn’t want to touch it with a ten foot pole, but she surely will?” Not buying it. Literally.
Score: 4/10

Sami: This sounds very Swedish, but it’s more an album track by Zara Larsson than an international hit. The chorus is pretty boring, but maybe the song works better with a performance.
Score: 6/10

Felix Sandman – Every Single Day

Tim: It guts to have your debut single to Melodifestivalen. I really like the simplicity of the track and his performance. I hope he pulls through tonight.
Score: 8/10

Miki: I actually really like this song. I think that if Felix can deliver it well this could be a serious thread in the Melodifestivalen final. Plus, it has a certain current/radio friendly feel to it which is never a bad thing for a song.
Score: 8.5/10

Nick: From plastic pop boy, just with the band for his looks, Felix has moved on to become a credible pop artist. This is a good ballad. I’m slightly worried by the fact the audience didn’t buy this last night, but this at least feels sincere. Not as plastic as you would guess.
Score: 8.5/10

Sami: The short snippet got me very excited, but the full song is quite boring. The lyrics are also quite stupid. I enjoy it for the first minute and then I’d skip it.
Score: 5/10

Mariette – For You

Tim: This is Mariette’s time to shine,  and I think she has a clear shot of winning Melodifestivalen with For You. I really hope the Swedish people connect with the song and put her through.
Score: 9/10

Miki: Mariette is back with a banger. The only thing that kinda bothers me is the chorus. It feels kinda unimaginative and repetitive. Nonetheless, I do think that this would be a potential winner especially in this years lineup.
Score: 7.5/10

Nick: Put a wrap around this, send it to Lisbon, make it a major hit. The potential is there. I just fear this is going to be another Danny Saucedo like return… Where Björkman sort of puts you in to finally let you win and then some outsider waves you goodbye on the scoreboard. I very much hope this wins, though.
Score: 9.5/10

Sami: This is not the Melodifestivalen winner song we all waited for, but it doesn’t meant this couldn’t still win it all. It’s a good pop song and the chorus is pretty catchy. But there’s nothing special, nothing to make this stand out from all the others songs, next to maybe the performance. Mariette also struggled to connect with the Swedish audience before, so I am bit worried that she fails with that again.
Score: 8/10

Who do we want?

The XTRA Jury, this time consisting of Tim, Miki, Nick and Sami has spoken. Below you can see the average each song achieved. Their favorite for tonight’s show is Mariette with “For You”!

1. Mariette – For You: 8.5
2. Felix Sandman – Every Single Day: 7.5
3. Emmi Christensson – Icarus: 6.8
4. Olivia Eliasson – Never Learn: 6.5
5. Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis: 5.9
6. Felicia Olsson – Break That Chain: 5.0
7. Rolandz – Fuldans: 4.1

Which of this week’s competitors do you like best? Do you agree with our jury? Let us know your opinions and thoughts below or at social media @ESCXTRA.