Sweden- Melodifestivalen Semi 3 Preview

Last week was another good one for my predictions here, nailing the top two again and also landing the last place this time around. The highlight however was Eva and Ewa making Andra Chansen, at double figure odds no less, making this a great selection season so far. I know many folk were on this and it's a shame they couldn't pull off a Direkt- I get the impression Anton didn't pip them to second by much. Anyway, let's crack on with semi 3 which features quite a few names I’m less familiar with.

1. Charlotte Perrelli – “Still Young” I’m not sure who Charlotte is trying to convince with that song title as she returns with another schlager ‘banger’. It’s got all the key words in there that harken back to previous Melfest and Eurovision entries- impossible, invincible etc etc. Her fans should be happy enough and in the field should be going to Andra Chansen at least, most likely Direkt.

2. Emil Assergård- “Om allting skiter sig”

A name I’ve never heard off, in the second spot, with a song in Swedish. There’s not much here to suggest this would be in with much of a shout but the way this semi has turned out, this is actually one of the better songs. There's a sing-a-long predictability and familiarity here that is no bad thing at Melfest. It's a shame he's been shafted by the draw and the staging, otherwise this may have pulled of a shock.

3. Klara Hammarström – “Beat of Broken Hearts”

You just knew from the moment you saw the title this would be a Kempe song and it’s one he’s had sat in a draw for a good five years by the sound of it. It's typical second tier Swedish pop and you'll all have your own song it reminds you of. I don't think there's enough oomph to it really and the staging looks a bit tacky. Andra Chansen the limit.

4. Mustasch – “Contagious” Now, this is a bit better. ‘Contagious’ is a better song than Lillasyster’s pretender from week 1 and is a good antidote to the more generic entries in this semi. We do have the lead singers controversy to consider, but any drag on votes might be made up for by the groups sizeable enough fanbase. I think this should also be heading to Andra Chansen.

5. Elisa – “Den du är” A bit more of that Schlager sound but slower and by someone without Charlotte Perelli’s profile. Not the best mix in this semi. There’s no full on 'ballad’ this week in the mould of Nathalie Brydolf or Frida Green so this could get some of those votes maybe, but I can’t see any path through. Early last place odds were very generous.

6. Alvaro Estrella – “Baila Baila” Lame is the word I would use to describe this. It’s a watered down, cliché of a song and is honestly a bit embarrassing. I’m not sure who this is for other than a few young girls, so this may struggle on the demographic breakdown. Should be avoiding last with an outside shot at a.c.

7. Tusse – “Voices” I’ve mainly seen this as a Dotter vs Mama’s rematch, with the guys in just for promotion and viewing figures and my opinion hasn't really changed. It’s just a middle of the road radio song, which is not as anthemic as it thinks.

He will be safe with the works being thrown at this and the weakness of the semi but something like 4th-5th in the final looks realistic atm. This is admittedly much better live but I think it's one that grows on you, rather than being instant. The general opinion seems to be ‘I don't like it but the juries will’ and I'd kind of agree. There's something a bit off again-it's good but is it likeable?

Tusse has a great voice but I'm not sure about his charisma. I'm also not sure how Sweden shortened in the market after the release of this bunch of songs, think we might be getting a bit of the old ‘I don’t know what else to back so I’ll just bet on Sweden’ money.

Melodifestivalen hasn’t got out of second gear this year yet and this is another poor semi, although in fairness most of the entries are better live. I had the impression I wouldn't get involved too much here and that's still the case. There's only the last place market of much interest to me here, and Elisa is the pick to go 3/3 solo females. Early 7s were a steal here and anything above 3 is value in my opinion still.

Anyway, here’s my prediction for Saturday:

1. Tusse

2. Charlotte Perelli

3. Mustasch

4. Klara Hammarstrom

5. Emil Asergard

6. Alvaro Estrella

7. Elisa