1. Alexa – “Tongue Tied”
songwriter: Alexa, Moonshine (Jonatan Gusmark & Ludvig Evers), Sunshine (Ellen Berg & Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker)
Background: Alexaundra Christine Schneiderman, also known by the Korean name Kim Se-ri, was born in 1996 in the United States. Makes K-Pop with other international influences. Won the 2022 American Song Contest with the entry “Wonderland,” alongside several of the songwriters behind Mellobidraget. Make your debut in the Swedish competition.
The artist about the post: “K-Pop combined with popular European club music, an entertaining mix.”
Telephone voting: 099-90801
Matilda thinks like this: In recent years, artists from outside Sweden making it far in the competition have become the rule rather than the exception. Now Alexa is mostly rooted in a limitless K-pop world, but let’s not forget that she won the American Song Contest. Or, let’s. Nobody else remembers. “Tongue Tied” is a good song, but if you want it to be memorable, Alexa has to get the number right. In sky-high dojjas during rehearsals, she delivers an energetic but far too chaotic and breathless mix of K-pop, ’00s pop, hip-hop and EDM, a bit as if Britney loved Seoul and could almost rap. That hardly displaces Felicia from her favorite spot.
Evaluation: 2
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Second
2. Juliett – “Far away from everyone else”
songwriter: Ludvig Alamanos, Romeo Er-Melin, Herman Gardarfve, Elias Kask, David Själin, Valter Wigren
Background: Vallentuna band consisting of David Själin, Elias Kask, Ludvig Alamanos, Romeo Er-Melin and Valter Wigren. Their debut came in 2018 when they had a hit with the song “Loco”. The group’s biggest hit to date, “Varje efterfest,” was released in 2024 and has over 1 million streams on Spotify. Makes his debut at Melodifestivalen.
The artist about the post: “It’s about hope, love and longing. That you have to dare to take the chance before it’s too late.”
Telephone voting: 099-90802
Matilda thinks like this: I would like to believe that Juliett’s rehearsal room scenography is a contribution to the debate about the ongoing crisis in the student unions, but I suspect that they mainly want to appear as “nice guys”. Why engage in performative reading when you can have records playing during prime time? However, I’m not complaining about their attempt to bring the bounce to life millennial optimism-Pop, so the worst thing I experienced in 2012, but something I wish all young people today. The fact that they also mix up the boy band concept with multiple singers and syncopated dancing is stranger. I know that’s not saying much, but they’re still better than poaching.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Six
3. Bladë – “Who you are”
songwriter: Josefina Carlbom, Isa Tengblad
Background: Isa Tengblad was born in Stockholm in 1998. In 2015 and 2016 she took part in Melodifestivalen under the stage name Isa. She also appeared as a choir singer and songwriter for Malou Prytz’s contribution “I do me” in 2019. In addition to Melodifestivalen, she has written music for artists such as Peg Parnevik and Myra Granberg.
The artist about the post: “The theme is that you should be yourself and own it.”
Telephone voting: 099-90803
Matilda thinks like this: No, Drain gang member Bladee will not be on the Melodifestivalen stage in Sundsvall. I understand that it is disappointing for everyone. Instead, we have to settle for Bladë, who doesn’t do tortured cloud rap at all, but certainly has a believable dramatic streak. Of the three pop girls of the evening, I choose her, even though she will have a repeat performance. “Who You Are,” like 95 percent of Mello’s offerings, is about having the courage to be yourself, and that’s tiring, but when the power ballad is at full speed in front of crashing waves, I almost Google “Bali.”
Evaluation: 4
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Fifth
4. Little Al-Fadji – “Delulu”
songwriter: Lilla Al-Fadji, Daniel Réhn, Mikaela Samuelsson, Edward af Sillén, Fredrik Sonefors, Melanie Wehbe
Background: Humorous character played by Felipe “Fille” Leiva Wenger, born in Chile in 1980. The character debuted on the records of the duo Ison & Fille and previously appeared on television shows such as “Lilla Al-Fadji Show” and “Lilla Al-Fadji & Co” as well as “Hälliewüüd Radio” on Sveriges Radio P3. Makes his debut at Melodifestivalen.
The artist about the post: “A great genre-bending song that’s like a mashup of the best you’ve ever heard.”
Telephone voting: 099-90804
Matilda thinks like this: If I had had the choice, Edward af Sillén would have written the script for the entire show, like he did last year. Come home, let’s start again! The consolation prize is that he co-wrote Lilla Al-Fadji’s “Delulu,” a contribution that may not seem very timely (when did we stop using the word). delulutwo years ago?), but I still didn’t want to do without it. It’s obviously very silly and the rap is a bit mumbled, but the fact that it’s an act – little Al-Fadji is a character – makes it fun and easy to understand. The secondary ridge is missing. So think Sean Banan and Tommy Cash rather than Junior Lerin.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Third
5. Vilhelm Buchaus – “Hearts don’t lie”
songwriter: Vilhelm Buchaus, Isa Molin, David Zandén
Background: Born in Sigtuna in 2001. Participated in the Lilla Melodifestivalen 2013 and 2014. A few years later he resumed his music career on YouTube, where he published both covers and his own songs. Debuted in 2023 with the single “First Cut”. Participation in Melodifestivalen 2025 with the entry “I’m yours”, which was eliminated in the sub-competition.
The artist about the post: “My song is about not being able to decide how you or someone else should feel in a relationship.”
Telephone voting: 099-90805
Matilda thinks like this: The songwriters behind by far the best winning song of recent years, Cornelia Jakob’s “Hold me closer” from 2022, are back – and you can hear it. “Hearts don’t lie” has the same DNA as “Hold me closer”, it’s feelings outside pop about unhappy love with an effectively pompous chorus. Here too there is the same DNA as in Vilhelm Buchau’s previous article “I am yours”. But even if Buchaus gets on board himself, he unfortunately doesn’t come close to Jakobs. There’s something about the stage presence that doesn’t bother at all, but doesn’t quite have the same impact. And then he still throws away both the guitar and the microphone stand.
Evaluation: 4
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: Four
6. Sanna Nielsen – “Waste Your Love”
songwriter: Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Jimmy Jansson
Background: Born in Bromölla in 1984. At the age of eleven he made his breakthrough with the Swedish set “Till en fågel”. Participated in Melodifestivalen for the eighth time since the competition debut in 2001. Won in 2014 with “Undo”, which took third place at the Eurovision Song Contest. He also hosted Melodifestivalen and “Allsång på Skansen” and presented Christmas on SVT.
The artist about the post: “I want to offer a song that says thank you to the audience.”
Telephone voting: 099-90806
Matilda thinks like this: It’s been 12 years since Sanna Nielsen last took part in a competition – and won. But when the press is there, the singer can hide it well. With a song, a number and a mega-sparkly outfit that seems extremely expected, like a cross between what Nielsen knows best and what Mello knows best, she seems to be having fun on stage. However, “Waste your love” lacks dancers and is honestly not a very good song – there’s only one context in the world where it can get away with it and that’s this one – but it will go down well with die-hard Schlager/Eurovision fans and enough others that the finale is a given.
Evaluation: 3
The article piece by piece:
Matilda suspects: One
Melodifestivalen airs Saturdays at 8 p.m. on SVT 1/SVT Play.
Facts.This is how voting works
In competition
Viewers vote on the Melodifestivalen app or by calling the Radiohjälpen number. The app votes are divided into seven different audience groups depending on age. The telephone voices form an eighth group. 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 entry, viewers can vote ten times via the app and ten times on the Radiohjälpen number, divided into five votes per round.
In the last qualifying game
The first finalist will be selected based on the number of votes in their sub-competition, excluding Radio Help votes in the app and weighted by the number of voters. The second finalist will be selected in a new round of voting, after which the one with the highest score among viewers will advance.
Facts.They have already moved on
To the finale
Greczula – “Half of me”
A-Teens – “Iconic”
Felicia – “My System”
Brandsta City Släckers – “Straight into the fire”
Medina – “Viva l’amor”
Saga Ludvigsson – “Ain’t today”
Shattered Into Pieces – “Hollow”
Cimberly – “Eternity”
For final qualification
Jacqline – “woman”
Robin Bengtsson – “Honey Honey”
Eva Jumatate – “Selfish”
Meira Omar – “Dooset Daram”
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 about Melodifestivalen 2026
