Melodifestivalen Heat 2 - Dennis W Flores

The second heat of Sweden's six week national final Melodiffestivalen was on 13 February 2021. As with all shows this year, it was held in the Annext arena hall as part of the Stockholm Globe Arenas. The main host, the General of Melodifestivalen, Christer Björkman, was joined by former competitors Oscar Zia and Anis Don Demina. The postcards were different compared to the first week's show, instead of the singers walking around Stockholm landmarks to an orchestrated version of the Melodifestivalen theme, they were instead interviewed by Oscar Zia and Anis Don Demina (by the way, this is a hosting duo I did not know I needed, they did a great job) in an informal and comedic fashion over snacks. Also featured in-between songs, was another comedy element titled Stars Tour Mello 2021 Edition, featuring Oscar Zia and Anis Don Demina running into former Melodifestivalen stars like Robin Bengtsson and Nanne Grönvall out and about their daily routines


The current Melodifestivalen format, as established during the tenure of Christer Björkman, the seven competing entries first undergo an initial round of televoting to narrow the field to five songs, from which these five are put in a second round of televoting where the top two advance to the Final and the third and fourth place entries go to the Andra Chansen round.


Song #1 - "New Religion'' (Anton Ewald)

Anton Ewald returns for his third entry in Melodifestivalen (having previously competed in 2013 and 2014). This song reminds me of a mix of Bad-era Michael Jackson song with 90s NKTOB. Visually reminds me of his 2013 entry "Begging" complete with the leather jackets, high-waisted pants, plain white shirts, and two dancers. Filling the stage with lasers and smoke, it's very entertaining to watch. Vocally, Anton isn't the strongest (which is not a surprise when looking back at his previous entries), but I think this song is better suited for him vocally, he's not struggling to hit higher notes. (My Ranking: #3 of 7)


Song #2 - "Rich" (Julia Alfrida)

Julia Alfrida makes her debut at Melodifestivalen. She was the first announced competing artist as she won the P4 Nästa competition over in 2020. Julia is alone on stage but does feature a wall of faces behind her. Immediately when the song starts, it reminds me right away of Lorde (slow, a little dark), but then it becomes an empowering anthem song. I feel like a majority of the song is the chorus, by the end of the song I completely forgot how the first song went. Overall, nice for a debut song, but doesn't have the stand out factor. (My Ranking: #7 of 7)


Song #3 - "90-talet" - WAHL featuring SAMI

Tracksuits and Cyan Yellow Magenta theme, it screams the 90s which conveniently is the English translation of the song title. There are 90s pop culture references mentioned in the song, but I don't remember the 90s sounding like this. The song is a hybrid of a rap verse and a singing verse, but it sounds like it's a mash up of an 80s high energy group fitness song.. (My Ranking: #6 of 7)


Song #4 - "The Silence" - Frida Green

Frida Green makes her Melodifestivalen debut, previously known for being a finalist on Sweden's version of Got Talent. It's quite obvious that Anna Bergendahl co-wrote this song, a country ballad with a deep meaning. Frida is featured simply in alternating orange and green lights alone on stage until she is joined at the end by three backing singers. In my opinion, having the backing singers come in at the very end doesn't make sense to me. I think it would have been more powerful to feature Frida alone the entire time and not walking around on stage too much to let the song shine through. (My Ranking: #4 of 7)


Song #5 - "Rena rama ding dong" - Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos

Classic schlager style song. The two actresses Eva and Ewa are featured on a gold and purple stage with four dances. It's a very theatre act filled with comedic elements. In all honesty, the chances that Sweden would send this to Rotterdam are extremely slim, but these ladies know how to have fun. Vocally, can't complain about anything. It's entertainment for the entire family to enjoy! (My Ranking: #5 of 7)


Song #6 - "Tears Run Dry" Patrik Jean

Patrik Jean makes his debut as a singer in Melodifestivalen, but he has actually already won Melodifestivalen; last year he was one of the co-writers for The Mamas winning song "Move." Break-up song in the style of a Top 40 pop ballad, a lot of falsetto. Patrik is joined by a circle of four dancers in purple lighting, smoke, and some strobes here and there. I enjoyed this one, when not jumping to falsetto his voice is very calming to me, but feel that the song could have ended better as it ends way too abruptly. (My Ranking: #2 of 7)


Song #7 - "Little Tot" - Dotter

Last year's runner up returns with a high-energy dance song. Definitely different than "Bulletproof" and "Cry," but still undeniably comes across as a Dotter song. In a dark stage with just spotlights and joined by a group of four dancers, and numerous camera cuts, this was the best entry visually. Gave off the feeling of a lot of movement on this year's small stage, fitting for the show to end with this one. Without a doubt Final material, although personally I don't feel it as catchy as "Bulletproof.," but it still stands out as a strong entry. (My Ranking: #1 of 7)


Results:

7th Place: Julia Alfrida

6th Place: WAHL feat. SAMI

5th Place: Patrik Jean

Andra Chansen: Frida Green

Andra Chansen: Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos

To Final: Dotter

To Final: Anton Ewald