1. Arwin Ismail – “Glitter”
songwriter: Arwin Ismail, Axel Schylström, Dino Medanhodzic, Melanie Wehbe, Robert Skowronski
Background: Arwin Ismail was born in Haninge in 2007. In 2024 he achieved his breakthrough with the viral song “Too good to be true” and a subsequent summer tour. The following year he debuted at Melodifestivalen with “This Dream of Mine”, which placed fifth in the qualification. Has also appeared in television series such as “Ture Sventon” and “Ryktet”.
The artist about the post: “My contribution was that the world is completely fucked right now and you need a little sparkle.”
Telephone voting: 099-90801
Matilda thinks like this: “He deserves not to be stuck in the middle bubble,” I wrote about Arwin last year. Things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes it will be in one complete the other way around. Last year he competed with a classic, well-dressed Guy in Mello song in English (including “Cool Light”), this year he sings buttery Swedish ’80s pop on a spinning record. Teenagers and their fickleness! It’s hard to say what works best for him. “Glitter” is a nagging but charming song that will appeal to both nostalgic 50s and 60s fans as well as the occasional kid who discovered Niklas Strömstedt via Tiktok, but there will be no finale.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Four
2. Laila Adèle – “Oxygen”
songwriter: Laila Adèle, Jonas Thander, Marcus Winther-John
Background: Born in Morocco in 1978, grew up in Sweden and lives in Svedala. Participation in Melodifestivalen back in 2006 with the contribution “Don’t try to stop me”. Has released several albums and appeared in musicals such as “Hairspray” and “Dreamgirls”. Sang the Swedish version of “A World Full of Life” in the 2019 film “The Lion King.”
The artist about the post: “It’s a little story about what music and singing mean to me.”
Telephone voting: 099-90802
Matilda thinks like this: I guess this number was born out of the idea that Laila Adèle and her voice alone could carry a Eurovision-level power ballad. The problem is that this idea is not true. The voice is absolutely strong. The lyrics are personal, in places really well written. “Oxygen” would certainly have worked in conjunction with a movie scene where things finally work out with the animated animals, or as a musical song tied to a specific sequence of events. But such a steep up and down on a stage without dancers and significant scenography unfortunately becomes very boring.
Evaluation: 2
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Six
3. Robin Bengtsson – “Honey Honey”
songwriter: Gavin Jones, Par Westerlund, Petter Tarland, Robin Bengtsson
Background: 35-year-old artist who grew up in Svenljunga and made his breakthrough with “Idol” in 2008. For the fifth time at Melodifestivalen. In 2017 he won the entire competition with the entry “I can’t go on”, which came fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest. Also featured in “Let’s Dance” in 2019. “Honey Honey” is his songwriting debut at Melodifestivalen.
The artist about the post: “A country-pop singalong song I wrote last summer.”
Telephone voting: 099-90803
Matilda thinks like this: It is striking that Robin Bengtsson has spent large parts of the last few years in a toddler bubble. Among other things, he missed the land train coming and going. He joins the fight just in time for the other participants to stop pretending they know how to handle horses and hats. However, “Honey Honey” is far from the worst example of Mellocountry I’ve ever heard (“Yihaa” actually exists). Bengtsson is confident on stage and I appreciate him doing something different for the fifth time. This includes the change of genre, but also the fact that he co-wrote the song. Is he the next Bob Dylan? God no. But I welcome the attempt.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Second
4. Felicia – “My System”
songwriter: Audun Agnar, Emily Harbakk, Felicia, Julie Bergan, Theresa Rex
Background: Felicia Eriksson was born in Stockholm in 2001. In 2022-2025 she appeared as the popular anonymous epadunk artist Miss Snusk and made it to the finals of Melodifestivalen 2024 with, among other things, the contribution “Young & Free”. Now sings in English. Also appeared in “Masked Singer” and “Spelet”.
The artist about the post: “It’s about someone getting stuck in their head or heart.”
Telephone voting: 099-90804
Matilda thinks like this: Felicia seems happier without her Miss Snusk persona, and I wish she wasn’t carted around fragile folk parks with dodgy lyrics and music producers in tow. Nevertheless, I can miss the year of grace 2024, in which “Jung & Frei” brought color to the competition. It was fun. “My System” isn’t that much fun. While it’s a beautifully choreographed number, the song’s core of outdated EDM and Svenne techno isn’t exactly titillating. However, she sinks her teeth into the system, and if she actually throws off the mask live (she hid her face with large sunglasses on the rope), a final place is guaranteed.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: One
5. Klara Almström – “Where the whole world is waiting”
songwriter: Fredrik Sonefors, Jimmy Jansson, Klara Almström
Background: Born in Stockholm in 2004. Has been making music since 2018, placed third on “Idol” in 2022, and is popular on Tiktok, where she posts songs and has had guests like Molly Hammar. Has released singles such as “Find your way home” (2020) and “Hittat hem” (2025), a duet with Björn Holmgren. Makes his debut at Melodifestivalen.
The artist about the post: “Powerful is the first word that comes to mind, it’s kind of inspired by Laleh a little bit.”
Telephone voting: 099-90805
Matilda thinks like this: I’m generally very skeptical about the “happy self-help pop for prepubescent kids” genre that is strangely valued in Sweden, but sometimes I fall for it. Suddenly I’m sitting there, sipping Cava Complicado de Miss Li and feeling strengthened by a Swedish Laleh song. Klara Almström doesn’t feel completely confident on stage, but there is something that is almost incomprehensible inspirational quotes– the lyrics and the genre-typical children’s choirs, which are both emotional and shocking. It’s not enough for the finale, but it’s good enough for all those summer car rides with the radio on.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Fifth
6. Brandsta City Släckers – “Straight into the fire”
songwriter: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Kristofer Strandberg, Robert Skowronski
Background: Cult band from Helsingborg consisting of Glenn Borgkvist, Mats Nilsson, Ulf Johansson, Olle Östberg and Tom Börjesson. Founded in 1994 and became known nationwide at the Melodifestivalen 2002 with the contribution “Kom och ta mig”. Was elected to Melodifestivalen’s 2020 Hall of Fame and took part in an attention-grabbing interlude last year.
The artist about the post: “Smoke’n’roll 2.0! Energy, joy, warmth, heart.”
Telephone voting: 099-90801
Matilda thinks like this: First A-Teens, now Brandsta. This is truly the year my middle school days came back to haunt me. The firefighters haven’t even changed their uniform since 2002. What to do? The best exorcism is probably throwing yourself headfirst into a fire. I do. I can appreciate the plow side of Mello when executed with finesse and shot with a real dose of self-distance. The fact that the firefighters, who can hardly suppress their laughter under the rope, seem to have the same feeling is of course in their favor. The number is completely stupid and the lyrics are annoying. But there’s no denying that “Straight into the Fire” is right catchy.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Third
Melodifestivalen airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. on SVT 1 and SVT Play.
Facts.This is how voting works
Viewers vote in the Melodifestivalen app or by calling the Radiohjälpen number. App voting will be divided into seven different viewer groups based on age, while phone voting will form an eighth group.
In the sub-competitions Voting takes place in two rounds. After round 1, the entry with the most votes goes straight to the final. After Round 2, a second participant advances to the final based on the results of the spectator groups. A third entry will advance to the final round based on the number of votes.
For each Viewers can vote ten times via the app and ten times on the Radiohjälpen number, divided into five votes per round.
Facts.They are also taking part in Melodifestivalen 2026
Sub-competition 3, Kristianstad, February 14th
Patrik Jean – “Dusk to Dawn”
Crossed – “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”
Emilia Pantić – “Nothing”
Medina – “Viva l’amor”
Eva Jumatate – “Selfish”
Saga Ludvigsson – “Ain’t today”
Part 4, Malmö, February 21st
Cimberly – “Eternity”
Timo Räisänen – “Nothing is behind us”
Meira Omar – “Dooset Daram”
Felix Manu – “I hate that I love you”
Erika Jonsson – “From the Country”
Shattered Into Pieces – “Hollow”
Sub-competition 5, Sundsvall, February 28th
Alexa – “tongue tied”
Juliett – “Far away from everyone else”
Bladë – “Who you are”
Little Al-Fadji – “Delulu”
Vilhelm Buchaus – “Hearts don’t lie”
Sanna Nielsen – “Waste your love”
Made it to the final
Greczula – “Half of Me”
A-Teens – “Iconic”
Made it to the final
Jacqline – “woman”
From everyone In the sub-competition, two entries go straight to the final, while one goes to the final qualification. Two entries from the final qualification, which will be broadcast directly after the fifth part of the competition, will make it to the final. The final will take place on March 7th in Stockholm. The winner will represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna from May 12th to 16th.
Read more:
She was Miss Dirty – now Felicia competes as herself
Matilda Källén on the first part of the competition: Greczula can make it to the end
Unique data analysis: Mello has become nastier – and more talkative
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