This week, Mello moved to Växjö, 200 km northeast of Malmö and home to 2007’s The Ark (“The Worrying Kind”).
First was Jacqline, with “Effortless,” a catchy, funky banger co-written by, among others, the very successful Dino Medanhodzic, the prolific Thomas G:son, and “Tattoo” co-writer (and fellow competitor) Cazzi Opeia. The lyrics are middling (“Call the police, ’cause you just stole my heart… / Epiphany in the backseat of your car”), but everything else was a cut above: the red staging and red-clad dancers behind her feathery black outfit, the sultry choreo, the hook… Best song this year so far.
Next: Clara Klingenström (5th in Mello 2021), who brought another guitar ballad, “Aldrig mer” (Never Again), about loving oneself. Against a backdrop of billowing strips (“Holding my own hand / I have to believe it'll turn out well / Cutting all the bands”), she strummed and sang until the song built to quasi-anthemic proportions. However, it did not equal her previous effort.
First-timer Kim Cesarion sang “Take My Breath Away,” featuring a plucky electronic sound reminiscent of Marcus & Martinus. Alas, it was a bit repetitive, and the stage performance was lacking. His sparkly shirt and dress pants did not do him many favors. Lyrics included “It's in the air / I give it all up / Show me the edge / You know that I'll jump.”
Clad in a beige sweater vest, white shirt, and gray pants, first-timer Klaudy (24) crooned “För dig” (For You), a ballad written for his (possibly terrified) girlfriend: “Let me love you / Until my lungs shut down… / And I'll hold you so hard / That my fingers change color.” It had some rousing parts, but was not as impressive as the foggy, leafy island on which he performed.
Sixty-five-year-old a model, actor, reality star, and TV host Gunilla Persson sparkled in a snazzy, short, silver dress, for “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla),” which had an upbeat western theme. The four cowboy backup dancers and graphics served her well, but her vocals were just okay, and she seemed a little stiff. The lyrics illustrate the Swedish attitude toward swearing: “Talking shit behind closed doors / Spreading rumors to even scores / La la Gunil-la / I won't bend / No, I won't break… Honesty as our guiding light / Let's leave the bullshit / And do what's right.”
Finally, Cazzi Opeia (9th in Mello 2022) also co-wrote her own memorable song, “Give My Heart a Break,” along with Thomas G:son and others. Starting out in a big, flowery keyhole, she sang well to this bop featuring bold colors, dazzling flower and jellyfish graphics, and fancifully dressed backup dancers (reminiscent of Dr. Seuss) with eyes on their gloves. In all, a treat! “Wanna be weightless like a butterfly / Sometimes I wanna fly away / From all the expectations / Just need to have a little fun tonight.”
Jacqline was rightfully sent “direkt till finalen,” giving Thomas G:son the most songs that have made it there. Following the public vote totals, Cazzi Opeia (and G:son) had a doubly good night, as she too won a ticket to the finals. (This is also the first time two songs going to the finals both had more than one woman co-writer.) Klaudy clawed into third place at the last moment, and Gunilla will join him in the “final qual” phase of Heat 5. On to Eskilstuna!
