1. Patrik Jean – “Dusk till Dawn”
songwriter: David Lindgren Zacharias, Joy Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Patrik Jean
Background: Born in Österåker in 1990. Wrote The Mamas’ song “Move” in 2020, which won Melodifestivalen 2020. The following year he returned to Melodifestivalen as an artist with the song “Tears run dry”, which did not advance from the competition. Subsequently contributed as a songwriter, including on Dolly Styles’ “Yihaa” from last year.
The artist about the post: “The song has a little different worlds. It’s both grand and dark.”
Telephone voting: 099-90801
Matilda thinks like this: We’ve seen it before and we’ll see it again: man with very well-cut hair in front of Schlager-EDM-Pop, tailor-made for the Eurovision stage, complete with “cool light”, in this case an illuminated box and an unbridled amount of lightning in the background. On the contrary, Patrick Jean can hardly think of anything groundbreaking, but it must be said that he still has his own expression. The voice in particular stands out; it borders on theatrical without becoming parodic, and the dancers jump forward just when you start to miss them. In terms of genre, “Dusk till Dawn” competes primarily with Felicia’s “My System,” but the stage show doesn’t reach the same heights.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Third
2. Crossed – “King of Rock’n’Roll”
songwriter: Andreas Werling, Pedro Sanchez, Kristofer Strandberg, Stefan “Ubbe” Sjur
Background: The rock band, founded in Älvdalen in 2019, was previously called Korslagda Kukar. Consisting of Ubbe Näslund (Stefan Sjur), Dallas (Per Kronqvist), Björn Boj (Andreas Bölling), Pedro Sanchez (Håkan Sörle) and Hubertus Boogie Dahlberg (Carl-Johan Dahlberg Fogelklou). Has released two albums. debuts in competition.
The artist about the post: “It’s about getting the rock ‘n’ roll devil into your body so you have the courage to go on stage.”
Telephone voting: 099-90802
Matilda thinks like this: I listen to Tropical Fuck Storm and I’m not against ambiguous band names, but it’s still too good that Korslagda changed her mind. I didn’t want to miss this. No, “King of Rock’n’Roll” can’t keep up with the big names in the genre, it attracts both bushies and cheeky small town parties, but still: varieties like Smash Into Pieces made me long for classic, dirty rock on the middle stage. It’s fun and unexpected, and a little unclear why they chose to be here when they could have been playing in a dingy ’70s garage somewhere, but maybe it’s a rock ‘n’ roll move in itself? I choose to see it this way.
Evaluation: 4
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Second
3. Emilia Pantić – “Nothing”
songwriter: Emilia Pantić, Fredrik Andersson, Jakob Westerlund, Theodor Ström, Wilmer Öberg
Background: Born in Gothenburg in 2000. Debuted in 2022 with the single “Roadkill”, which was followed by the EP “Hatar att du let us go”. Was a band led by Thomas Stenström and toured with Rix FM. Makes her debut at Melodifestivalen with a contribution written with, among others, the duo Noll2, which was eliminated in the first part of this year’s competition.
The artist about the post: “It’s very intimate and personal and based on a real event.”
Telephone voting: 099-90803
Matilda thinks like this: One of the absolute last things you need to think about on a bitterly cold February day is that it will soon be fall again. Emilia Pantić does not show such consideration. Instead, she turns the scene into a cold park covered in brown leaves. To match the text, of course: one History as old as time if one situation that was nothing, but was also nothing and is now falling into disrepair. Otherwise, the song mostly consists of featureless P3 pop in Swedish, albeit with a rather pompous chorus. I believe in better success with radio and streaming services than with the competition, and that really doesn’t have to be that wrong. Check out Noll2.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Six
4. Medina – “Viva l’amor”
songwriter: Ali Jammali, Dino Medanhodzic, Sami Rekik, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Anderz Wrethov
Background: Formed in 2003, the duo consisting of Sami Rekik and Ali Jammali has released seven full-length albums over the years, most recently “Tropicalisera” (2023), and released hits such as “Miss Decibel” (2013). Debuted at Melodifestivalen 2022 with the entry “In i dimman” and competed in 2024 with “Que sera”, which came second in the final.
The artist about the post: “Ballad, Swedish pop and Afro beats. And it has Pavarotti elements.”
Telephone voting: 099-90804
Matilda thinks like this: Sami and Ali have been Mellopros since 2022 – and have essentially created their own genre. Ingredients: different (often southern European) languages, drums, family-friendly revolutionary romance. “Viva l’amor” is no exception. Here the duo marches in with the flag drawn. One can dismiss the text as nonsense, but essentially it is a call for a love revolution (“la liberté, the time is ours, viva l’amor”), appropriate for February 14th, but also as a valuable reminder at a time when love for others seems to be in short supply. It’s compelling, funny and unexpectedly comforting, at least for three minutes.
Evaluation: 4
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: One
5. Eva Jumatate – “selfish”
songwriter: Herman Gardarfve, Eva Jumatate, Ruth Lindegren, Marlene Strand
Background: Born in Kristianstad in 2008 and the youngest participant this year. As a ten-year-old, she made it to the top three in “Talang,” a performance that garnered international attention. Played in the musical “Matilda” and “Tosca” at the Malmö Opera and was seen in SVT series such as “Klassen” and “Kär”. Makes his debut at Melodifestivalen.
The artist about the post: “It’s about when you keep giving and then the other person just takes.”
Telephone voting: 099-90805
Matilda thinks like this: As someone with (questionable) life experience, it’s easy to be tempted to dismiss teenage romance lyrics as trite or insignificant, because what does he know about anything? Just wait, think rationally as you sit and force yourself into an expensive, cloudy natural wine. Not only is it a disturbing impulse, it is also misguided. Love is never as strong as when you are young. This is what Eva Jumatate manages to convey in her ballad, which she performs at home in a number that is strengthened rather than suffering from a reduced framework. Yes, “Selfie” is banal and a bit anonymous, but also very beautiful.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Fifth
6. Saga Ludvigsson – “Ain’t today”
songwriter: Jimmy Jansson, Johanna “Daughter” Jansson, Saga Ludvigsson, Dino Medanhodzic
Background: Born in Örby in 2006. Reached the final in “Talang” as a twelve-year-old and won the silver medal in “Idol” in 2023. Has been releasing music since 2020, including the single “Hercules” (2023) and the EP “Think of you” (2025). Last year he debuted at Melodifestivalen with the entry “Hate you so much”, which was chosen as a finalist.
The artist about the post: “It’s a pop-country song, the same genre as last year, but this one is more mature.”
Telephone voting: 099-90806
Matilda thinks like this: I wasn’t a big fan of last year’s “Hate You So Much”, but this entry at least had a certain wink in the lyrics and scenography. Behind “Ain’t today” there is probably a desire to show maturity and “forward movement”, but the ambition comes through. This is a top-class country-pop song, but unfortunately the lack of flash is not made up for in depth. It doesn’t help that Saga Ludvigsson isn’t entirely comfortable on the ropes. Maybe it’s because of the incomprehensible scenography. Where are we really? In a fan factory? At a line dancing competition in a post-apocalyptic barn? Nobody knows.
Evaluation: 2
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Four
Melodifestivalen airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. on SVT 1/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
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”
Felicia – “The System”
Brandsta City Släckers – “Straight into the fire”
Made it to the final
Jacqline – “woman”
Robin Bengtsson – “Honey, Sweetheart”
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:
Ubbe in Korslagda is ready for Mello: “I am obsessed with the rock and roll devil”
Matilda Källén on the second part of the competition: Perhaps Felicia is the only real “Mello villain” of the competition
Unique analysis: Mello has become nastier
Everything about Melodifestivalen 2026
